Coronavirus Update-Reopening EO 7PP, Comment Period on Proposed Budget, Baseball & Softball Field Access & Case Data
May 19th–Late last night, the Governor issued Executive Order 7PP, an order to clarify the Phase 1 reopening. I’ll write about this further in tomorrow’s update, after additional review with Town Counsel. Although, under the order outside dining is allowed for tables of up to 5, no Wilton restaurant has submitted or completed the necessary application to receive the necessary permit. All restaurants, even those with existing outside dining permits, are required to obtain the new permit. Land Use Director and Town Planner Michael Wrinn and other Town personnel have been reaching out to the restaurants and businesses to assist and expedite the necessary permits and approvals.
The proposed FY2021 budget and mill rate calculation is available online, along with a presentation by the Board of Finance. Residents are encouraged to provide comments by emailing the Board at boardoffinance@wiltonct.org. The proposed mill rate is a decrease of 3.87% , a reflection of the Boards of Selectmen, Education and Finance’s recognition of the financial impact of the pandemic on Wilton residents and town government’s need to be responsive to that impact. Both the Boards of Selectmen and Education returned unspent funds from the current fiscal year, which are being returned to the taxpayers in the form of a reduced mill rate. Both boards also reduced their previously submitted budget requests to a decrease of 2% versus the current year’s Annual Town Meeting (ATM) approved budget for the Board of Selectmen budget and no increase in the Board of Education budget versus their FY2020 revised budget. Despite the decrease in the mill rate, the budget responsibly includes an increase in reserves for any unanticipated impacts of the pandemic.
As part of our phased-in opening of recreation facilities, beginning this Thursday, Varsity Baseball and Varsity Softball fields are available for Wilton family use only. Sign-up for a one-hour time period is available through e-Trak. Please see the announcement and rules for more details.
Today, CT DPH reported 38,430 or 314 new laboratory-confirmed cases statewide, as of 8:30pm yesterday. Of those 14,522 and only 86 new cases were in Fairfield County, with Wilton remaining at 200 cases. 218 cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality.
Today’s report included 7,841 new tests performed for a pandemic-to-date total of 185,520. Within the next few days, the State will be providing our Health Director with the number of tests performed on Wilton residents. We’ll share the number, when it becomes available.
Statewide deaths rose by 23 to 3,472. Deaths in Fairfield County rose by 7 to 1,160. Again, once the Town Clerk receives the required report and certificates from Norwalk and other municipalities, we’ll provide data for Wilton.
Statewide hospitalizations decreased by 6 patients to 914 and Fairfield County hospitalizations remained the same at287.
Now and throughout Phase 1, the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others is to follow the law:
- When in public and a 6-foot distance is unavoidable, including from a family member, wear a required face covering, unless doing so would be contrary to your health because of a medical condition. This applies whether outside or inside a retail establishment.
- While outside exercising alone, if you aren’t wearing a face covering, maintain a 6-foot distance from others running or walking on the same road, sidewalk or trail.
As always, if you have any questions, please email the appropriate town department or me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org.
Thank you,
Lynne Vanderslice
First Selectwoman