COVID-19 Dashboard

A dashboard with daily data updates will is available Acton's Covid-19 Information Center: http://www.actonma.gov/covid19

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Translation of this update available upon request. Call 978-929-6600

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call 978-929-6600

Confirmed Cases

It has been reported to Acton Public Health that at this time there are 766 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Acton with 27 individuals in isolation, 707 recovered and 32 fatalities (many of these at congregate care facilities). Above is a chart showing the cumulative number of cases in Acton in blue and the daily trend in current cases in red. The chart below shows the daily trend in current cases as red bars.

Acton Public Health Update February 26th

Updates on Reopening Phase

Massachusetts will be advancing to Step 2 of Phase III of the state’s reopening plan on Monday, March 1, and also announced its plan to transition to Step 1 of Phase IV on Monday, March 22. This is due to a decline in COVID numbers
Phase III, Step 2:

Indoor performance venues such as concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance spaces will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity with no more than 500 persons
Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact (laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, obstacle courses) will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity
Capacity limits across all sectors with capacity limits will be raised to 50% and exclude employees
Restaurants will no longer have a percent capacity limit and will be permitted to host musical performances; six-foot social distancing, limits of six people per table and 90 minute limits remain in place

Residents must continue to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and are encouraged to avoid contact outside of their immediate households. The Travel Advisory and other public health orders remain in effect.
Gathering Changes and Phase IV Start
As long as numbers continue to improve, we will advance to Phase 4 step 1 on March 22. This will open a range of previously closed business sectors. The following industries will be permitted to operate at a strict 12% capacity limit after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health (DPH):

Indoor and outdoor stadiums
Arenas
Ballparks

Also effective on March 22, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people.
Additionally, dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only, and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. Exhibition and convention halls may also begin to operate, following gatherings limits and event protocols. Other Phase IV sectors must continue to remain closed.

https://youtu.be/uW1GUu3Nu6Y

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates from Governor Baker

Admini Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Feb. 25

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $4.7 Million for Vaccine Equity in Hardest-Hit Communities; Regional Vaccination Collaboratives
Feb. 24

State and local officials continue discussion of vaccine challenges stration Announces Vaccine Appointment Booking for Individuals Ages 65+, Individuals with 2+ Certain Medical Conditions to Begin on February 18th
Feb. 17

Administration launches targeted outreach initiative in 20 hardest hit communities to increase equity in COVID-19 vaccine awareness and access; $1m to support vaccination in historically underserved communities
Feb. 16

Administration Launches New Vaccine Location Finder and Appointment Finder for Some Sites
Feb. 12

Click here to access the vaccine interest form

Is there Vaccine Available in Acton?

This week The state has provided Acton with a limited quantity of vaccine and we are focusing on vaccinating the most vulnerable eligible residents and homebound eligible residents. Residents are encouraged to fill out the vaccine interest form shown above and described further below.

We also held a successful clinic earlier in February with the vaccines supplied by Mass Department of Public Health. The Acton Board of Health is seeking additional vaccination allotments and will notify the community promptly if more vaccines are provided by the state for future clinics.

The state continues to open new sites and options for vaccinations.
To view a map of vaccination sites, click here. All sites require an appointment.

Acton COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form
The Town of Acton has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. Acton residents or those who work in Acton who meet the eligibility criteria for Phase One or the first two priority groups of Phase Two (individuals age 75+ and individuals age 65+ or with two or more comorbidities) and are interested in receiving the vaccine are asked to complete this form. The form will be used to notify respondents of their eligibility only. It is not a form for reservations, a waitlist or appointments.

Not all subgroups are currently listed on the Vaccine Interest Form. The town will update the form regularly as new subgroups are identified by the state and become eligible for the vaccine.

You may fill out the form on behalf of someone else. If you are inquiring about the eligibility of more than one person, please fill out one form for each person.

Eligibility notifications and updates will be sent via email. If you don't have access to email and don't have someone who can submit the form on your behalf, the town will call you at the number provided on the form.

If you do not have access to the internet to submit the form, please contact the Acton Town Services Hotline at 978-929-6600.

Town officials will continue to monitor the situation and share updates, such as specific dates of when the vaccine may become available to more people, as that information becomes available.

The Acton Public Health Department encourages everyone to stay informed regarding the COVID-19 vaccination process. The following resources are recommended for the most up-to-date information:

Childcare Subsidy, Rent Relief, and Mortgage Relief Programs Available

New Childcare Subsidy for Income-Eligible Local Families

Childcare Subsidies are available for low to moderate-Income families in Acton.

Participating families will receive $3,000 for children preschool aged or younger and $2,000 for children in Kindergarten to age 13 towards their daycare or after school costs so that parents and guardians may work, go to school or seek employment.

Funds will be allocated to income qualified families on a first come, first serve basis by each Town using the income limits below with a maximum award during the grant year not to exceed $5,000 per child. Interested residents should contact the Laura Ducharme lducharme@actonma.gov or (978) 929-6651.

The Town also would like to notify residents that the Emergency Rental Assistance Program ( ERAP) and Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) are currently accepting new applications.

The MAP and ERAP Programs are a collaborative effort with the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO), who will provide administrative support for the program.

Income eligibility for the ERAP and MAP program is up to 100% of the Area Median Income ($119k for a family of four).

Eligible residents are encouraged to apply for these programs. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted
To learn more about additional local and government resources available to assist with rent and other essential needs please visit abuw.org/COVID19.
For more information about the ERAP, MAP or Childcare Subsidy programs or to request application assistance please contact:

Laura Ducharme, Community Services Coordinator at (978) 929-6651 or lducharme@actonma.gov

Two Successful COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Held in February

We are pleased to announce the success of two vaccine clinics held earlier this month for eligible seniors, Acton Housing Authority and home bound residents.
In total, over 220 doses of the COVID-19 vaccination were administered. Of that amount, several doses were administered through a mobile clinic that visited home bound seniors.

The clinic was the result of a multi-department collaboration between the Town of Acton, Acton Board of Health, Acton Nursing Services, Council on Aging, Acton Fire Department, Acton Police Department, Acton Emergency Management and the Acton Housing Authority.

The Acton Board of Health is seeking additional vaccination allotments and will notify the community promptly if more vaccines are provided by the state for future clinics. To make sure that your contact information is on file as the town continues to plan for future potential clinics, please be sure to fill out the Vaccine Interest Form referenced below.

The general public is not expected to be eligible to receive the vaccine until April. To review the full vaccination distribution see the timeline shown below.

Updates from Board of Selectmen Meeting

Use the following link to view the latest updates from the Board of Selectmen Chair.
http://www.actonma.gov/bos

View testing location map

Testing Information

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides comprehensive information about COVID-19 testing including an updated list of testing locations. More information is available at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing. An interactive map showing testing locations is also available using the link on the left.

Town Services Hotline (978) 929-6600

The Acton Town Services Hotline is available to connect residents with a live worker to receive information and answers to their questions about the latest government news, COVID-19, and Town services in general. Hotline workers also help answer questions related to the topics such as town meetings, financial relief programs for residents and business owners, and Town reopening plans. The Acton Town Services hotline number is 978-929-6600 and is open on Monday through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Watch now!

Java with John Program

For the latest COVID information other updates from Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti and guests tune into the Java with John program Fridays at 10am. View previous episodes using the link shown to the left. This program is produced by the Acton Council on Aging in collaboration with ActonTV. The weekly program is also broadcast live on local FM radio at Acton's station WAEM 94.9 FM.

Make an Appointment for Curbside or Window Service

Due to the increase in COVID cases all Town Hall services are now by appointment only. Appointments can be made to meet at a service window or in the rear Town Hall parking lot for curbside. All town buildings remain closed to the public while Massachusetts’s State of Emergency is in effect. The closures are being ordered out of an abundance of caution in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and promote social distancing. Town Hall services are still operational and staff is available during normal hours throughout the work week. Please use www.actonma.gov to use the numbers below to contact staff.

Finance Department
Residents may call or email to make an appointment.

Assessor’s Office: 978-929-6621, assessor@actonma.gov
Collector’s Office: 978-929-6622, collector@actonma.gov
Town Clerk's Office: 978-929-6620, clerk@actonma.gov

Land Use Department
In-person customer service by appointment only. Call or email to make an appointment.

Building Division: 978-929-6633, building@actonma.gov
Conservation Division: 978-929-6634, nr@actonma.gov
Health Division: 978-929-6632, health@actonma.gov
Planning Division: 978-929-6631, planning@actoma.gov

Town Manager's Office

978-929-6611, manager@actonma.gov

Town Services Hotline

978-929-6600

Library Curbside Service

Due to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, Acton Memorial Library is temporarily suspending all in-person browsing appointments. The good news is we are able to add more on demand curbside hours this week and next week!
Come to the library during curbside hours and call 978-929-6655, option 2. A library staff member will bring your holds outside.

For further updates on library hours and services, please go to our website at actonmemoriallibrary.org

Transfer Station

The Acton Transfer Station will continue operating with the adjusted schedule for the initial reopening. The facility is currently open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first hour (7-8 a.m.) is designated for Seniors (65+). The Transfer Station will also begin to accept payments (checks only) at the office for bulky items by early June. Staff are continuing to look at how to re-introduce some recycling streams such as polystyrene in later phases.
The purchase of Transfer Station and Recycling Facility vehicle stickers are now available online.
For more information on the Transfer Station and Recycling Center, please call 978-929-7742.

For Additional Updates on Town Services go to the COVID-19 Information Center http://www.actonma.gov/covid19