BOS to reschedule election; non-essential businesses closed

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill this week allowing cities and towns to postpone their local elections. Canton Selectmen Chair Chris Connolly said the new bill allows the town to reschedule the town election from April 7 to a date before June 30. Selectmen may name a new election date at its next remote meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m.

As of Monday evening, the May 11 town meeting had not been rescheduled, although Connolly said the town has the authority to change it without legislative approval.

Meanwhile, in other major emergency announcements this week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations in Massachusetts that do not provide “COVID-19 essential services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24, at noon until Tuesday, April 7, at noon.

Connolly said that even without this order, selectmen and the Board of Health were ready on Monday to close all barbershops, hair and nail salons, and fitness centers, although many had voluntarily closed last week.

The Baker Administration issued a list of designated businesses and other organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19 that will continue to operate brick-and-mortar facilities during this two-week period. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order.

Restaurants, bars, and other establishments that sell food and beverage products to the public are encouraged to continue to offer food for take-out and by delivery if they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health (DPH) guidance. On-premises consumption of food or drink is prohibited. The Baker- Administration order also limits gatherings to 10 people during the state of emergency, a reduction from the 25-person limit established in a previous order. This includes “community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, and any similar event or activity that brings together more than 10 persons in any confined indoor or outdoor space.” The order does not prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people in an outdoor space, like a park or athletic field.

The categories of COVID-19 essential services includes: Health Care & Public Health; Law Enforcement, Public Safety & First Responders; Food & Agriculture; Critical Manufacturing; Transportation; Energy; Water & Wastewater; Public Works; Communications and Information Technology; Financial Services; Defense Industry Base; Chemical Manufacturing & Hazardous Materials; Other Designated Community Based Essential Function & Government Operations; and News Media.

As of Tuesday afternoon, DPH had reported a total of 1,159 positive coronavirus cases in Massachusetts, including 129 in Norfolk County. There have been 11 deaths in the state attributed to COVID-19.

On Sunday, the Canton Board of Health reported the town’s first positive COVID-19 case while noting that Canton “will almost certainly continue to see more positive cases” as testing becomes more readily available. Connolly said the resident who tested positive had a mild case, has fully recovered, and the BOH has taken all of the necessary health precautions.

On March 17, selectmen declared a local emergency in response to the coronavirus. With this decision, the town can expend funds without budget allocation, request state resources as necessary, and address emergency conditions as they arise. Selectmen have appointed a COVID-19 Working Group to facilitate communication within the town and with the public. The group includes selectmen, School Committee and Board of Health members and administrative, inspectional, public safety and public works staff.

Public Health Nurse Cindy Bonner has been spearheading the COVID-19 response effort for the Board of Health, and on Monday selectmen approved a pay bump for Bonner to compensate for the additional responsibilities. Bonner has been working closely with the Police and Fire departments, Building Department, Council on Aging and Department of Public Works to ensure proper procedures are put into place for emergency response and services. Selectmen, meeting in emergency session with the Board of Health on Monday, also appointed James Goodrich as a part-time nurse …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Mar 27 2020. Filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.