Coronavirus Update- Cases, Resource Page, Impact on Non-Profits & Executive Order 7Z

April 14th – Yesterday’s storm led to a number of downed trees. Thank you to all who reported issues through SeeClickFix.  If you are new to Wilton or haven’t used this mobile or web-based reporting platform, you can learn more on the Town’s website. It’s easy. You see it, you click it, we fix it. Please remember, when a tree is on a wire, Eversource is required to remove it. 

Today, CT DPH reports 13,989 laboratory-confirmed statewide cases with 6,213 or 44% in Fairfield County and 96 in Wilton. Approximately 3.7% of total reported cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality.  Deaths have risen to 671, with 287 in Fairfield County. The number of cases currently hospitalized increased to 1,779, with an increase of 21 to 731 in Fairfield County.  Fairfield Country represents the entire increase statewide. The previous leveling off of hospitalizations in Fairfield County was short lived, perhaps because of the high level of case growth in Stamford. 

This is continued evidence of why we must all behave as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well.

It’s great seeing the videos and photos posted on the Conservation Commission’s Facebook and Instagram pages as part of Explore Wilton Walking Trails. Don’t forget to enter yours. 

This ongoing emergency has impacted us all, including Wilton non-profits.  The Wilton Library is experiencing a $100,000 fundraising shortfall due to the cancellation of three spring events: the Annual Gala, the Spring Book Sale and the Authors Luncheon.  Trackside Teen Center is unable to earn the required rental income to help underwrite their facility costs. The Wilton Y is without their programming revenue needed to offset their fixed costs and is hoping members will still maintain their membership fees.  Circle of Care is hoping a Virtual Road Race will make up for the cancellation of their annual fundraiser. Ambler FarmWilton Historical SocietyWoodcock Nature Center. The list goes on of non-profits impacted. 

To facilitate access to information, the Town’s website now has a single page with descriptions and links to Town resources related to Coronavirus. 

For those still awaiting the additional $600 per week in unemployment compensation, the State official reported today that they are continuing to work on the necessary reprogramming of their software to allow those payments to be made. They hope to have the work completed soon. The funding has been received from the Federal government. 

The Governor issued Executive Order 7Z, which facilitates emergency procurement of essential goods and board of assessment appeals and addresses security officer licensing. 

As always, if you have any questions, please email the appropriate town department or me.  Email is the preferred means of communication because most employees are working from home.  I have immediate access to my email and try to respond promptly.  If you contact me on Facebook, know that my response will be delayed, as I only check my F S Lynne Vanderslice Facebook account a few times a day. I generally don’t use Messenger and have limited ability to access it.   

Thank you,

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman

What should you do to stop the spread?

  • Stay home.
  • Maintain a distance of 6 feet between you and another person.  This standard applies whether inside or outside.
  • Respect the Governor’s prohibition on social or recreational gatherings of more than 5 people, including leisure gatherings.
  • Consolidate your shopping and errands to minimize the numbers of days you must leave your home.  If the store parking lot is more than half full, return and home and shop at another time.
  • Take advantage of the delivery options offered by many Wilton businesses.
  • Practice your team sport on your own, not with your teammates.  The internet is full of videos and suggestions on how to do this. 
  • Do walk outside. If your street is walkable, please consider walking there rather than a public trail. When the NRVT parking lot, or that of another trail, is more than 50% full, please find another place to walk.  There are 127 miles of town-owned roads, more than 80 private roads and more than 3 miles of sidewalk on state-owned roads.
  • Please respect the town’s closure of fields and recreation facilities.  

Visual of Connecticut Cases by Town