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Coronavirus Update-Give a Gift, Size Limit on Gatherings, EO on Fields and Recreation Facilities, Cases & Explore Wilton Walking Trails Program

Posted on: April 7, 2020 - 9:16pm

April 7th - Clarity is soon coming to school parents, teachers and staff, as yesterday on a call with leaders from across the state, Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona stated later in the week he will be providing an update on school closings.

Almost two weeks ago, Governor Lamont prohibited social and recreational gatherings, other than religious gatherings, of more than 5 people.  This applies to all social and recreational gatherings, including sporting events and leisure.  It’s become clear, that not all residents are aware of this order.  So, from here on forward, everyone is now on notice. The prohibition applies even if you are practicing social distancing.  

Right now, we all have a gift we can give to frontline medical personnel and the next patient needing a ventilator.  The gift of a fighting chance.  The gift of time. Your actions can either help slow down the growth in cases or speed it up.  The choice is yours. Please choose to give that gift. Please follow the rules and behave as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well.

Friends of the NRVT is asking those with dogs to use a 4-foot leash to better facilitate social distancing.  Speaking of trails, the town has a number of trails other than the NRVT, which are less crowded and equally great for walking, running and biking.  To encourage residents to try these alternatives, we are introducing the Explore Wilton Walking Trails Program.  Residents can have fun and win prizes, while being socially responsible.  Thank you to Mike Conklin, Sarah Gioffre and resident, Dave Cote, for developing this program.  Check it out!  

Tomorrow morning, I am executing Exectutive Order #4, which states Effective at 12:01 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2020, The Wilton Police Department will enforce the closing of playing fields and recreation facilities by issuing a trespassing ticket with a fine of $92 to any individual found using the fields and recreational facilities.  They include, but are not limited to WHS and Middlebrook tennis courts, Comstock and School basketball courts, Allen’s Meadows playing fields , Lilly Turf Field, WHS North Field, Guy Whitten Field, WHS Stadium Track and Turf Field, Middlebrook fields, Hurlbutt Street fields, WHS and other Town owned baseball and softball fields, Merwin Meadows playground, Comstock playground and school playgrounds

Specifically excluded from the order are residents tending their plot at the Community Gardens at Allen’s Meadows and residents walking, jogging or biking through Allen’s Meadows and Merwin Meadows, which are connectors for trails.   

Today, CT DPH reports 7,781 laboratory-confirmed statewide cases with 4,136 or 53% in Fairfield County and 86 in Wilton. Stamford hit 1,000 cases today.  Approximately 4% of total reported cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality.  The number of cases requiring hospitalization increased to 1,308 with 613 in Fairfield County.  

If you have received a confirmed or presumptive positive test and you have not been contacted by the Wilton Health Department, please contact the department. Department members are out in the field, so they can be reached more quickly through email.  

Today, the Governor issued executive order 7V, which among others establishes additional rules for essential businesses and nonprofits, facilitates licenses for healthcare professionals and amends a prior order related to liability. 

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.  
  • 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