Town update re virus

TOWN OF MEDFIELD Office of BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315 (508) 906-3011 (phone) (508) 359-6182 (fax) Kristine Trierweiler Town Administrator To: Town of Medfield Residents From: Kristine Trierweiler, Town Administrator Medfield Board of Selectmen Medfield Board of Health Date: March 13, 2020 Re: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Social Distancing Recommendations for Medfield Residents The Town of Medfield has taken several measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and slow its spread through our community. There are a number of things Medfield residents can do to further protect our community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Massachusetts Department of Health recommend all persons:  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze using a tissue or inner elbow, not your hands.  Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.  Stay home if you are sick.  Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet). Because COVID-19 can be transmitted from an infected person before they feel sick, “social distancing” –that is, limiting close contact with others-- is a very important strategy for slowing its spread through our community. We strongly urge Medfield residents to avoid gathering in groups where it would be difficult for participants to maintain social distance. This includes, for example: community organization events, house parties, birthday parties, and indoor “play dates” for children from more than 2 families. With schools closed and many organized activities cancelled, we encourage parents to encourage older children to avoid gathering in large groups (especially indoors). To the extent possible, parents of younger children are encouraged to make childcare arrangements that minimize the number of children their children come in close contact with. Guidance and information regarding COVID-19 is being updated frequently. We recommend the following resources:  The Town of Medfield is maintaining a webpage about COVID-19 on its Town website and will post additional information and announcements at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19  The Massachusetts Department of Health COVID-19 website: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease- 2019-covid-19  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmlCOVID19 Social Distancing Recommendations for Medfield Residents Final_Page_2

From: Marsden, Jeffrey <aspen-sysadmin@myfollett.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 13, 2020 at 4:37 PM
Subject: Message from the Superintendent- COVID-19 Update #5- Important
To: <jmarsden@email.medfield.net>

 

Dear Parents,

After several conference calls today with state officials and other superintendents, as well as a meeting with the Town Administrator and the Medfield Board of Health, the decision has been made to close the Medfield Public Schools for at least the week of March 16th to March 20th.  Given the emerging data from infectious disease modelers, there is a strong possibility that an additional week may be needed.  Please note that our last day of school will be June 22, even if there is a need for additional absences. You will receive additional information from principals on Monday regarding expectations for students during the closure. I’ve attached a letter from the Medfield Board of Health with very important social distancing recommendations for all Medfield residents. We still do not have a presumptive or confirmed case of COVID-19 in Medfield, (probably due to the lack of testing), therefore, following this guidance around gatherings and “play dates” is critical to slow the spread of the virus.

I recognize how disruptive this will be to our families, but this decision is really in the best interest of our students, staff, and the entire community.  I thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

Sincerely,

Jeff Marsden

 

Jeffrey J. Marsden, Ed.D

Superintendent

Medfield Public Schools

508-359-2302

Follow me on Twitter @JeffreyJMarsden and @DaleStProject

#medfieldps  #medfieldpln

 

 

Jeffrey J. Marsden, Ed.D

Superintendent

Medfield Public Schools

508-359-2302

Follow me on Twitter @JeffreyJMarsden and @DaleStProject

#medfieldps  #medfieldpln

Medfield Town Alerts

Medfield Town Alerts

alerts

Sign up to receive alerts from the Town of Medfield

https://www.town.medfield.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=183

MMA on Gov’s Exec. Order

MMA-3

GOV. BAKER ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER SUSPENDING PARTS OF OPEN MEETING LAW

 

Temporary relief is intended to enable local decision-making during COVID-19 emergency

 

March 13, 2020

 

Dear Osler Peterson,

 

Last night, Gov. Baker issued an Executive Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law (OML). The Order is responsive to many of the concerns that municipal officials have raised over the past several days as communities respond to the COVID-19 emergency. Following the advice of public health professionals to reduce the spread of the virus, cities and towns are considering restricting access to many public buildings, seeking to hold meetings and hearings remotely, placing caps on the size of public meetings and events, and taking other actions to protect the public and those most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus. However, the current OML statutes and regulations make it virtually impossible to take all of these steps and conduct necessary governmental business at the same time. The Governor’s Executive Order provides municipalities and state agencies with an important measure of relief from the OML during the public health emergency.

 

You may wish to consult with your legal counsel to see how this action could provide you with relief or flexibility as you move forward with local actions under state law and local charter provisions to protect the public and your workforce during this unprecedented emergency. The MMA has been in close contact with the Governor’s office regarding Open Meeting Law issues (and many others), and we appreciate that the Administration is moving forward

 

If you have comments or opinions regarding the efficacy/helpfulness of the executive order, please share this with our legislative team – Legislative Director John Robertson at jrobertson@mma.org and Senior Legislative Analyst Brittney Franklin at bfranklin@mma.org.

 

Click Here for the Executive Order

 

Click Here for the “Coronavirus News and Resources for Local Government Leaders” page on MMA’s website

Town COVID-19 resources site

covid-19 page

The Town of Medfield has established a dedicated web page where the town will be posting all town related information about COVID-19 updates that relate to the town:

AHT seeks members

affordable-housing

The town’s Affordable Housing Trust is seeking two new members – see Colleen Sullivan’s article on Patch for more details

https://patch.com/massachusetts/medfield/two-members-sought-medfield-affordable-housing-trust

COVID-19 information from town

Kristine Trierweiler Town Administrator TOWN OF MEDFIELD Office of BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315 (508) 906-3011 (phone) (508) 359-6182 (fax) To: Town of Medfield Residents Medfield Boards and Committees From: Kristine Trierweiler, Town Administrator Medfield Board of Selectmen Date: March 12, 2020 Re: Town of Medfield’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Measures The Town of Medfield has taken actions in recent weeks to prepare for the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Last week, Town Administrator Kristine Trierweiler convened a team, comprised of the Town’s Board of Health, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Facilities Director, and the Superintendent of Schools to discuss the Town’s preparations. In addition, on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, the Board of Health met with the Town Administrator and Fire Chief to further discuss public health measures. On Wednesday, March 11, 2020 department heads met to discuss COVID-19 and how the Town will mitigate any impact to operations. At this time, no Medfield residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Town and school officials will continue to meet weekly and remain in close communication daily as the situation evolves. School and Town buildings are being cleaned with particular attention to touch points and high contact surfaces. Areas will continue to be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. The Town is maintaining a webpage about COVID-19 on its Town website and will post additional information and announcements at this link: https://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19 The Medfield Board of Health remains the primary point of contact for any infectious disease outbreaks and will be assisted by Fire Chief Carrico in his role as the Town’s Emergency Management Director. We ask that all Medfield residents, board and committee members, and employees do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (as well as other seasonal illnesses, including the flu and the common cold) by taking the following actions:  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.  Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.  Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has published additional recommendations, including actions that higher risk individuals, particularly the elderly, can take to reduce exposure.. More information can be found on the DPH website here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment The Town of Medfield has begun following these recommendations and has temporarily closed the CENTER at Medfield. The Town will consider cancelling or postponing large gatherings in the coming days and weeks – announcements will be posted to the Town’s website and on social media. We ask that all boards and committees hold public meetings only if necessary. As a reminder, the Town has a remote participation policy that allows remote participation. Please note, open meeting laws currently require a quorum be physically present before other members can participate remotely. The policy can be found here: https://www.town.medfield.net/DocumentCenter/View/2053/Remote-Participation-Policy-2018. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide ongoing updates on the website and on social media.20200312-KT-Medfield COVID-19 Memo to Public_Page_2

Join the Angel Run team!

angel-run-2016

The Medfield Foundation’s Angel Run is seeking individuals to assist with the following parts of the annual family friendly race in December, to work with seasoned volunteers:

  • Marketing co-chair
  • Post Race Party co-chair

Join the team, share the fun, and do some good for your hometown!

Email to info@medfieldfoundation.org with interest.

angel run runners

 

Image

MCSP’s Mental Health Awareness Walk

MEDFIELD COALITION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION PRESENTS: A MFI INITIATIVE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WALK A family-friendly walk with live music, family games, snacks, and resources MAY 3, 2020 1:00PM-3:00PM MHS TRACK 88R SOUTH STREET Tickets are available at the entrance. Suggested donations: Students- $5 Adults- $10 Family- $20

Household Hazardous Waste Day 4/4

DPW sign

 

Household Hazardous Waste Day April 4, 2020 9AM – 1PM

click below for more information

Household Hazardous Waste Day

HHW Acceptable and Unacceptable Materials

If you are unable to attend, please contact DPW at 508-906-3003 for other towns information

====================================================

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
2020 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS
WASTE DAY

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020
9AM-1PM

MEDFIELD TOWN GARAGE
55 NORTH MEADOWS ROAD

FOR MEDFIELD RESIDENTS ONLY
MTS Sticker Required

If you need additional information, please
contact the DPW at 508-906-3003

Please note that LATEX PAINT is NOT
hazardous waste. Dried up cans can be
given to the operators at the Transfer Station

CDC information

03/05/2020 CDC New Site – Organized Covid-19 Information

New Microsite: CDC’s Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDC has launched a microsite with resources and information for the general public and healthcare providers from across the agency for understanding and addressing the coronavirus situation. https://t.emailupdates.cdc.gov/r/?id=ha80454c,4caef64,4e217b3

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