Coronavirus Update-Essential Businesses, Medical Volunteers, Alternate Trails, Governor’s Alert

March 22th-The CT Department of Public Health released today's updated statewide test data.  DPH reports seven laboratory-confirmed cases for Wilton, 208 for Fairfield County and 327 statewide.  There have been eight deaths, five of which are Fairfield County residents.  The largest number of cases are those aged 40-49, followed by those aged 50-59.  Those age groups represent the largest share of the State’s total population.  Cases for the elderly outpace their share of the population, cases for young residents aged 0-19 are underrepresented. 

No matter your age, the message is the same, behave as if you have the virus and those around you do too. 

The Governor’s prohibition on in-person functions for non-essential businesses is effective tomorrow evening at 8:00pm.  Many of those businesses are already offering ways you can shop without being in the store and may be able to continue to do so after tomorrow.  Contact your favorite stores to inquire. This evening, the Department of Economic and Community Development released a list of essential businesses that may remain open. Details on inquiries and appeals by business owners are also included.   

The Westport-Weston-Wilton Medical Reserve Corps is seeking volunteers.  The application includes further details, including contact information. Corps members receive workers compensation.

The NRVT, particularly off Wolfpit Road, is receiving high use.  Please remember there are a number of other trails. Trails and sidewalks connect Merwin Meadows to the High School and on to Allen’s Meadow.  In addition, there are approximately three miles of underutilized sidewalks along Route 7, from Olmstead Hill Road to Wolfpit Road. Please respect field and recreational facilities closings. 

Last night Governor Lamont issued another Executive Order, which addresses FY2021 municipal budgets. In lieu of holding our Annual Town Meeting and adjourned vote to adopt the budget, the Executive Order requires the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to authorize the Town's budget-making authority to adopt a budget and set a mill rate.  The Board of Finance (BOF) is the Town's budget-making authority under our Charter.  On March 16th, the BOS voted to delay budget meetings to allow for the development of a plan as to how and when to hold budget meetings, while ensuring public participation and compliance with the Governor's orders. Town staff and I, working with the BOF and Board of Education chairs, will develop a proposal to be presented to the BOS and the BOF.  Stay tuned.

As a reminder, due to a previous executive order by the Governor, as first selectwoman, I cannot issue an executive order that contradicts any of the Governor’s orders, even those involving our budget or our schools.

Today, Governor Lamont activated the State’s emergency alert messaging system.  Click to sign up. If you missed today’s message, it is posted below. 

As always, if you have any questions, email me or the appropriate town department.  

Thank you,

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman

Transcript of Governor Lamont’s phone call:

This is Governor Ned Lamont. I’m calling to urge you personally: Stay safe, stay home. I’m not ordering you to stay home, I’m strongly urging you to stay home to make sure that you and your neighbors are much less likely to be infected by the highly contagious COVID-19 virus.

If you must head out to the grocery store, or pharmacy, pick up takeout from your favorite restaurant, that’s fine. I’ll be taking a long walk with Annie to get some fresh air, but remember to keep your distance from passersby.

Seventy years or older? Stay home.

And for those of you who can work from home, that’s best but check with your boss, first.

For the latest updates, follow me on Twitter or Facebook.

We will get through this crisis by working together.