First Selectman's Report 2/25/22
- With the signing of our new ARPA consultant UHY, I am very excited to announce that the ARPA process is back up. The ARPA committee will restart its meetings beginning on Monday, February 28th. As a reminder, there is $1M in ARPA funds specifically earmarked for our local businesses. A business may receive up to $25K in federal funds. Please apply and complete your ARPA Application here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/your-government/arpa-ad-hoc-committee You may reach out to [email protected] if you have any further questions.
- I will be bringing the Hybrid Meeting Equipment proposal to the Board of Selectmen meeting on Thursday, March 3rd for an official vote. With the conception of a state-of-the-art Hybrid Meeting Room, the community will have unparalleled access to town meetings while simultaneously meeting all FOI standards.
- RecPlex Basketball Court Update: Our basketball courts will be one of the first projects to be started as soon as the asphalt plants open back up with the warm weather. We expect that the basketball courts will be complete by the end of April.
- Bacon Academy Oil Leak Update: Our town and school system are collaborating with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and our friends at Chatham Health to mitigate the situation. Of the 2,000 gallons of oil spilled, it is estimated that up to 1,000 gallons have been recovered. The oil spill is contained and should not affect the neighboring homes who have wells. Nonetheless, homes have been contacted and offered a free sampling of their wells. Officials have sealed off the affected space of the leak to contain current odors within Bacon Academy. Students are back in school.
- Public Works has been doing a great job handling the latest snowstorm. Please remember that there is a Parking Ban in effect until midnight Saturday. If you venture out driving, please be careful and mindful of the conditions.
Attached is Chatham Health's weekly COVID-19 Status Report. (Reporting period covers 2/6-2/19).
Overall, the District had 120 cases during this reporting period – a decrease of 96 cases (or 44%) compared to the last reporting period. Reported cases continue to underestimate the true burden of COVID-19 in our communities, largely due to changes in how residents seek testing.
Hospitalizations have continued to decline significantly, with 248 patients currently hospitalized. Weekly statewide fatalities remain high, increasing slightly compared to the last reporting period, with 119 fatalities in the last week. DPH data show that approximately 75.7% of Chatham Health District residents are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and 46% have received an additional dose. Though the Omicron variant has shown an ability to infect people who are fully vaccinated, vaccination continues to provide significant protection from severe disease.
- Get vaccinated if you have not already done so.
- Get a booster shot if you are eligible.
- Get tested for COVID-19 especially if you are sick, or as close as possible before gathering in large crowds indoors, even if you feel well.
- At-home tests are a convenient way to accomplish this.
- At-home tests can be ordered online (now at no cost using www.covidtest.gov) and at many local pharmacies, and are eligible for reimbursement from health insurers.
- STAY HOME if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days, and DO NOT leave home until at least 5 days have passed since your symptoms began or since you tested positive, and you are feeling much better, and no longer have a fever.
- Wear a mask in crowded indoor public settings, especially when high-risk speech or activity like singing, cheering, yelling, or dancing is likely.*
Chatham Health District is coordinating testing and vaccine clinics. To see upcoming scheduled vaccine and testing clinics in the district, visit our website: https://www.chathamhealth.org/services-2, or call 2-1-1.
* Masks should completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of face without gaps. Loose-fitting, cloth face coverings provide less protection than surgical masks, KN95, or N95 masks.
Click here for the weekly status report charts.