Executive Summary for March 16, 2020 1:00 PM:

• Number of confirmed or presumptive cases in Acton: 0

• Public building closures extended to April 7th

• Municipal playgrounds closed until further notice  

• Acton public transportation services suspended until further notice

• New social distancing measures in place at the transfer station and public safety facility

• Acton Water District its announced annual meeting is rescheduled to 4/13/20

Public Health

• COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Additionally,President Trump declared a National Emergency on March 13th and Governor Baker declared a State of Emergency on March 10th. 

• As of this time, there are no confirmed or presumptive cases of the virus in Acton. 

• If anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not come to work or school and they are advised to contact their primary care physician. 

General Government

• Human Services and Senior Center Facility, Acton Memorial Library, West Acton Citizens Library, Recreation Offices and Town Hall will be closed to the public until at least April 7th.

• Government operations for the Town of Acton will continue while all offices in the above mentioned buildings will be closed to the public.  Residents are encouraged to utilize the Town of Acton’s website, http://www.actonma.gov, to access Town services. 

• The Board of Health is scheduled to meet tonight  to discuss the COVID-19 situation and the Board of Selectmen is posted to attend the meeting.  This meeting will be broadcast live on Acton TV and streamed lived on YouTube on the ActonTV channel and public participation will be virtual in accordance with Governor Baker’s recent order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law.  Here is the a link to the order: https://41g41s33vxdd2vc05w415s1e-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OpenMtgLaw_ExecOrder_Mar32020.pdf  The participation information will be posted on the agenda that is available at http://www.actonma.gov.

• At this time there are not any changes to the upcoming Town Election.  However residents are encouraged to consider voting by absentee ballot.  

• Acton Water District has announced that its scheduled Annual Meeting of the Water Supply District of Acton has been rescheduled to April 13, 2020.

Community Resources

• The Acton Food Pantry  (978-635-9295) 235 Summer Road, Boxborough will be open on Wednesday 3/18 from 10am-7pm. If you have an immediate need for food resources before or after Wednesday 3/18 please contact the Community Resources Office at (978) 929-6651 or email lducharme@actonma.gov. 

• Questions around fuel assistance eligibility & utility shut-off prevention please contact the Community Resources Office at (978) 929-6651 or lducharme@actonma.gov.
  
  

Acton Nursing Services

• Appointments within the Acton Nursing Services office will be rescheduled for a later date as information and the COVID-19 situation continues to update.  For concerns or questions please call 978-929-6650

• Home Health Care visits will continue with current clients as well as new clients who are referred to Acton Nursing Services. Be advised that per guidance for Home Health Agencies all clients will receive a call prior to a home visit to assess their and any household members health status related to COVID-19.  If you are a current client of Acton Nursing Services or if anyone within your household has a fever, cough or shortness of breath please call our office number at 978-929-6650 to report these or other concerning symptoms.  

Libraries

• While the Acton Memorial Library remains temporarily closed to the public, all fines will be waived for items that become due while the building is closed. Please do not return items until the library reopens.

• All physical items, including museum passes, will not be available to check out while the facility is closed. Residents are encouraged to explore the digital content available through the library. Visit actonmemoriallibrary.org/eresources for more information on borrowing e-books, audiobooks, video, and more.

• If you have any questions about these services contact a library representative on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 978-929-6655 or by emailing reference@actonma.gov    

Public Safety

• We are actively practicing social distancing at the Public Safety Facility.  While the building will remain open for emergencies, we ask that you please call our business line 978-929-7711 for all police matters.  For general questions regarding Covid-19 please call the state’s hotline 211.

Public Works

• The Transfer Station facility will remain open, but residents are encouraged to practice appropriate social distancing at the facility, as the virus is believed to spread when those who have the virus come into close contact, within six feet, of other people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

• The Transfer Station office building will be open for staff only as one measure to ensure appropriate social distancing. 

• We would like to ask residents to delay bringing their bulky items and other materials that will require monetary transactions.  We want to limit potential exposure to the public and staff that would normally have to handle these items. 

Recreation

• All municipal playgrounds are closed until further notice.  Walking trails and open space areas remain open.

Schools

• AB closed until April 7th

Senior Center

• Senior Center will remain closed to the public, until at least April 7, 2020

• Meals on Wheels operations will continue along with limited meal take out service call 781-221-7085 to reserve a meal

• Seniors in need of assistance with food, grocery shopping … Please call the Senior Center at 978-929-6652

Transportation

• All of Acton’s fixed-route services, including the Rail Shuttle and Cross-Acton Transit (CAT), will be suspended until further notice.

• Door-to-door services remain in operation, however, riders are encouraged to utilize alternative modes of transportation if possible. To schedule rides, continue using CrossTown Connect dispatch by calling (978) 844-6809 during normal business hours.

• Any additional questions can be forwarded to Austin Cyganiewicz by phone (978)-929-6513 or email acyganiewicz@actonma.gov.

• The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the agency’s operating partner for Commuter Rail, announced today a Reduced Service Schedule effective Tuesday, March 17. The Commuter Rail Reduced Service Schedule is available at www.MBTA.com/coronavirus 

Veterans Services Office

• Urgent/emergency issues will be addressed on a case by case basis by calling James MacRae at  978-929- 6614

More Resources about the COVID-19

• The DPH recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:

  • Practice good hand hygiene! Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
  • Keep your hands away from your face.

  • Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing. 

  • Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick. 

• DPH website:  https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19#-overview-

• CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: http://www.Mass.gov

Additional updates will be published regularly on the Town of Acton website and residents are encouraged to sign up to receive notifications directly to their email inbox at the following link: http://actonma.gov/subscribe