Glastonbury Town Manager Issues Weekly Coronavirus Update

From the Town of Glastonbury:

June 9, 2020

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

Glastonbury COVID-19 Figures as of 6/7/2020

As per CT Department of Public Health (DPH) lab testing data available 6/7/20, Glastonbury has 1,725 residents who have been tested for COVID-19. Of those 1,725 residents, 283 are laboratory-confirmed positive and probable cases of COVID-19. This is an increase of 5 new cases for the week. No new deaths were reported this past week, leaving the town’s loss of residents at 73 COVID-19-associated deaths to date. Data from DPH is considered preliminary, and data changes as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. In an ongoing process of data assessment, DPH continues to modify how certain disease-positive lab results are considered, slightly changing some previous counts.

As seen in previous weeks, the greatest number of positive cases is seen in the age group 80 years and older. The number of tested individuals across all age ranges continues to rise, due to an increase in testing availability, and a focus by DPH to enter testing information to support the new Contact Tracing program. The greatest number of tests are shown in the 50 -59 year age group. A total of 165 females and 118 males are positive.

Additional Data:

• View the Connecticut COVID-19 website, including resources & data points.
• Data on nursing homes in Connecticut as of June 3, 2020
• Data on assisted living facilities in Connecticut as of June 2, 2020

State of the Town

The Town recently issued a “State of the Town” update outlining its reopen plans and summarizing its strategies and actions to date. The report notes that, while Town Hall is currently closed to the public, most Town services continue to be available and very few have been suspended. Click here to view a summary list of available vs. suspended town services. The Town will reopen additional municipal facilities as it is safe to do so and in compliance with regulations dictated by the state, CDC, and other authorities.

The following Town facilities are currently OPEN*:

• Dog Park – Open with conditions. Click here to review Dog Park requirements.
• Tennis Courts at GHS and Addison – Open with conditions. View Tennis Court guidelines
• Boat Launch and Indoor Boat Storage at Riverfront Park – Open for the season!
  • Click here to learn more about the boat launch.
  • Contact Parks & Recreation to reserve your indoor boat storage space: (860) 652-7679.

*Please use the above facilities at your own risk. The Town will NOT be sanitizing surfaces at each site. Social distancing and face coverings should be used at all times per the state of CT/CDC guidelines.*

Governor’s Updates

Please see the following links for Reopen CT updates from the Governor’s office:

• Sector Rules for Phase 2 of Reopen CT now available. Phase 2 begins June 17 (moved up from June 20 to avoid busy Father’s Day weekend)
• State Campgrounds to open for season July 8

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. Please 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 Pickup Program. You can 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 requests and call you to schedule a pickup time, at which your items will be waiting for you in a bag by the parking lot entrance - you simply grab the bag and go! Please limit your requests to 5 items at a time so all can be accommodated and allow at least 24 hours for processing your request. To reserve your items or ask questions, call the Reference Desk at (860) 652-7720. On a related note, 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 chose not to vote by mail, voting at the polls will still be available.

New “Keep Dancing” Product Line Supports Glastonbury Gives

Glastonbury residents and business owners Janelle Bradway and Melissa Infantino have launched the ‘Keep Dancing’ fundraiser to support Glastonbury Gives, the town program that encompasses the food/fuel banks and other assistance programs. Local dance studio, New Steps Dance & Fitness Center and local printing company Made by Miss are selling “Keep Dancing” t-shirts and hats for women and girls and donating 100% of proceeds to Glastonbury Gives. Residents can shop the line on their Online Store and contact-less pickup is coordinated for each purchase. Read the entire press release here.

GHS - Rocky Hill Ferry Opens for Season

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced the resumption of the two ferry services across the Connecticut River, between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury, and Chester and Hadlyme, beginning Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Typically, the ferries begin operating April 1, but that was delayed as a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.) The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry will operate Tuesday-Friday between 7 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. on weekdays, and 10:30 to 5 p.m. on weekends. Both ferries will operate through Labor Day, September 7. Click here to read the DOT press release.

Reminders

• All in-person Events / Programs cancelled through at least June 20 per Governor’s Orders.
• 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.
• Parks & Recreation Summer Program Changes – Click here to view their revised brochure.
• Tax Due Dates - The final day to pay July tax installments without interest is October 1, 2020. Click here to review eligibility and application requirements.
• Temporary Outdoor Dining Applications are available on the town website. Please email completed applications/supporting documentation to planning@glastonbury-ct.gov.
• Transfer Station & Bulky Waste Facility Accepting All Standard Items – Reduced schedules still in place. Visit Operating Hours web page for more info.
• 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:

• 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.