Glastonbury Town Manager Gives Weekly Coronavirus Update

From the Town of Glastonbury:

June 15, 2020

Please review the following town updates, which have been summarized here for resident convenience.

Glastonbury COVID-19 Figures as of 6/14/2020

As per CT Department of Public Health (DPH) lab testing data available 6/14/20, 1,991 Glastonbury residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those 1,991 residents, 297 are laboratory-confirmed positive and probable cases of COVID-19. While 0 new deaths were reported this past week, previous data was corrected, resulting in 1 additional death in the last week of May. A total of 74 Glastonbury residents have died COVID-19- related deaths. 0 resident deaths have been recorded since May 30.

Data from DPH is considered preliminary, and changes as new reports are received/data errors are corrected. In an ongoing process of data assessment, DPH continues to modify how certain disease-positive lab results are considered, changing some previous counts. Probable cases of COVID-19 involve persons who have not had confirmatory laboratory testing (RT-PCR) performed for COVID-19, but whose symptoms indicate they are likely to have a COVID-19 infection. In Connecticut, most of the probable COVID-19 cases involve persons whose death certificates list COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Prior to June 1, probable and confirmed cases were reported together.

As seen in previous weeks, the greatest number of positive cases is seen in the age group 80 years and older. We continue to see an increase in the number of individuals tested across all age ranges due to increased access to testing, and a focus by DPH to enter testing information to support the new Contact Tracing program. The greatest number of residents tested continues to be in the 50 - 59 year age group. A total of 175 females and 122 males are positive.

• View the Connecticut COVID-19 website, including resources & data points
• Data on nursing homes in Connecticut as of June 10, 2020
• Data on assisted living facilities in Connecticut as of June 9, 2020

Transfer Station Resumes Standard Operating Hours effective June 15

Effective June 15, the Transfer Station will resume its standard, (pre-COVID-19) operating hours:

• Tuesday through Saturday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Extended Wednesday hours of 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM during Daylight Savings Time

All standard materials are accepted and applicable fees charged as outlined in the Waste Disposal Guidelines. The Put and Take area will remain CLOSED. The Bulky Waste Facility will continue to operate under the modified schedule, (Mon/Wed/Sat, 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM), until further notice. Please note, new refuse permit issuance (purchase) remains suspended and all existing (current) permits will remain valid. Details on permit purchase is forthcoming. Face masks and social distancing continue to be required at town refuse & recycling facilities. Click here to view more details.

Dog Licenses Renew in June

Dog owners may renew their dog licenses online, by U.S. mail, or using the Tax Drop boxes located at Town Hall. Visit www.glastonbury-ct.gov/doglice... for detailed instructions on each renewal method.

Curbside Pickup at WTML Book Pickup Program and Returns

Welles-Turner Memorial Library has launched a Curbside Book Pickup Program. Place holds on WTML items through the library website or by calling the Reference desk. Click here to browse the library catalog. WTML staff will gather your items and call you to schedule a “grab and go” pickup time by the parking lot entrance. Please limit each request to 5 items and allow at least 24 hours for processing. For reservations/questions, call the Reference Desk at (860) 652-7720. WTML is also now accepting library item returns through their book return slots on the side of the library building. All returned items are placed in quarantine before they’re checked in.

Vote by Mail in August Presidential and State/Federal Primaries

Vote by mail will be available for the August 11, 2020 primaries. The State of CT is mailing each registered, active Democrat or Republican voter an application for an absentee ballot. Voters do NOT have to do anything to initiate receiving an application. Once the application is received, please read it carefully. In order to vote by mail, you will need to check off one of the reasons listed on the application. The absentee ballot application is in the process of being revised to reflect the Governor’s Executive Order related to absentee ballots and the primary. The voter will return the application by mail to the address provided in a postage paid envelope. The voter will then receive a ballot in the mail with instructions on how to vote. Ballots become available on July 21, 2020. Please note, if you choose not to vote by mail, voting at the polls will still be available.

Eversource Offering Help to Customers Having Difficulty Paying Utility Bills

Eversource is offering flexible payment plans to all customers who are having difficulty paying their energy bill during the COVID-19 pandemic. While customers are not currently at immediate risk of losing service, these plans provide them with an important option whenever moratoriums on disconnections expire. Click here to learn more.

In-Person Programs/Events

At this time, most In-person Events and Programs are cancelled through at least June 20 per the Governor’s Orders. This includes all July concerts of the Riverfront Music Series. At this time, the Town Band concerts scheduled for August are still on and pending a decision as those dates approach.

• Parks & Recreation summer programs and camps have been canceled or modified to comply with CDC guidelines and Executive Orders. Please click here to view their revised brochure which outlines these changes.
• Youth & Family Services (Y&FS) in-person programs have also been modified to comply with these CDC guidelines and Executive Orders. Visit the Y&FS web page for more information on programs of interest.
• Most WTML programs continue to be offered virtually. Please visit their website for more information.
• Senior Services programs are available virtually. View the June/July Sharing Tree newsletter for scheduled and ongoing programming.

Reminders

• The final day to pay July taxes without interest is Oct. 1, 2020. Review eligibility & application requirements.
• Temporary Outdoor Dining Applications are available on the town website. Please email completed applications/supporting documentation to planning@glastonbury-ct.gov.
• Request a free face mask at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/mask
• Legal notices – Posted online until further notice at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/legalno...
• Marriage Licenses - Available by appointment only
• Written testimony (public hearings) and Public Comment – Electronic forms:
  • Public HEARINGS - click here to complete the form
  • TOWN COUNCIL -www.glastonbury-ct.gov/TCpubli...
  • ALL OTHER Board/Commission Meetings - www.glastonbury-ct.gov/publicc...

Resources:

• Click here to view a summary list of available Town services vs. Suspended.
• Grocery services for residents in need. Click here to view options.
• Virtual programs, mental health resources, & activities: www.glastonbury-ct.gov/stayeng...
• Glastonbury COVID-19 updates - www.glastonbury-ct.gov/covid19
• State of Connecticut COVID-19 updates, visit www.ct.gov/coronavirus
• Subscribe to the Governor's email updates

Donate or Volunteer

Please contact Glastonbury Social Services at socialservices@glastonbury-ct.gov to discuss available volunteer opportunities. To donate supplies or assist with making face masks for residents in need, please contact Anna Park at anna.park@glastonbury-ct.gov.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Johnson
Town Manager

This press release was produced by the Town of Glastonbury. The views expressed are the author's own.