Wrentham Town Administrator

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Town of Wrentham Reminds Residents to Participate in 2020 U.S. Census

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WRENTHAM — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet and Town Clerk Cindy Thompson would like to remind all Wrentham residents to participate in the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census.

We need your help to count everyone in the United States by providing basic information about all adults, children and babies living or staying at your address. Results from the 2020 Census will be used to:

  • Direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads and other public services.
  • Help your community prepare to meet transportation and emergency readiness needs.
  • Determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and your political representation at all levels of government.

The Census Bureau is using the internet to securely collect your information. Responding online helps to conserve natural resources, save taxpayer money, and process data more efficiently. 

If you are unable to complete your 2020 Census questionnaire online, we will send you a paper questionnaire in a few weeks to be completed and mailed back.

The Census is so important that your response is required by law, and your answers are kept completely confidential. If you don’t respond, a Census Bureau Interviewer will be sent to your home to collect your answers in person. 

If you need help completing your 2020 Census questionnaire, please call 1-800-330-2020.

Respond by Wednesday, April 1 at: my2020Census.gov.

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Town of Wrentham Shares Latest MEMA COVID-19 Command Center Response Report

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WRENTHAM — Town Administrator and Emergency Management Director Kevin Sweet reports that the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has provided Wrentham residents with the latest details relating to COVID-19 in Massachusetts.

According to the Thursday, March 26 MEMA COVID-19 Response Command Center Report, a total of 2,417 total confirmed cases of coronavirus have been reported thus far in Massachusetts, including 292 in Norfolk County. Of those cases, there have been 25 reported deaths statewide.

A total of 23,621 patients have been tested to date by the State Public Health Laboratory, hospitals and commercial laboratories, up by 3,827 since March 25.

Highlights of the Command Center report include:

Disaster Declaration: On March 26, Gov. Charlie Baker submitted a request to the federal government for a Major Disaster Declaration for Massachusetts. If approved, this declaration would provide the Commonwealth additional federal assistance beyond what was included in the Emergency Declaration declared by President Trump on March 13.

The disaster declaration request includes a request for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which would make financial assistance available to cities and towns, state agencies and certain non-profits statewide.

The disaster declaration request also requests FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Crisis Counseling Assistance to help support residents in need during this unprecedented incident.

The full letter can be found here.

The Town of Wrentham issued a Local Emergency Declaration on March 16. Read more about the Town’s declaration here.

New Public Health Orders: The Department of Public Health has issued three emergency orders to support the health care system’s response to COVID-19.

The orders make changes regarding pharmacy practices, including expedited approval for pharmacists licensed in other states to practice in Massachusetts; supporting health care facilities in their response to COVID-19; and ensuring hospitals have the flexibility they need to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak by exempting hospitals from certain nurse staffing requirements.

Personal Protective Equipment: Governor Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders provided an update on the Command Center’s continuing efforts to secure Personal Protective Equipment for health care providers and other essential COVID-19 responders.

Stay Informed: For the latest news, case counts, and lab testing results, visit the state’s COVID-19 website at www.mass.gov/covid19.

Residents can also call 2-1-1 with questions, or text the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive notifications via their smartphone.

Wrentham residents can stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 news as it relates to the Town by visiting wrentham.ma.us.

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Updates on Emergency Childcare and Unemployment

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Emergency Childcare Centers Update:

  • Last week, the Commonwealth announced that effective Monday, March 23, all early education centers and family childcare providers will be closed.
  • Starting Monday, selected sites will open to serve as emergency drop-in childcare services for families with no other options to continue going to work to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the Commonwealth’s residents.
  • Child Care is meant to be for those who must report to work. Outside of the obvious emergency responders and medical professionals, this includes critical service workers like grocery store employees.
  • As of Sunday evening, the Commonwealth had approved approximately 500 sites to start operations on Monday. We expect more to come online, but this needs to be implemented safely and the sites should only be used as a last resort.

 

Virtual Town Halls on Unemployment Benefits:

Beginning this week, in order to better meet the needs of residents whose employment has been affected by the COVID-19, the Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting daily town hall meetings to help constituents achieve a successful unemployment claim. DUA will also take questions from claimants across the Commonwealth.

Find Out How To Participate

https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-department-of-unemployment-assistance-dua-virtual-town-halls

SBA Approves Massachusetts Disaster Declaration

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 18, 2020

SBA Approves Massachusetts Disaster Declaration

Assistance Will be Provided to Massachusetts Businesses

and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19

 

FRAMINGHAM – The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Massachusetts small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available following a request received from Governor Charlie Baker on March 17, 2020.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the entire state of Massachusetts; and the contiguous counties in neighboring states.

Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years, and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 18, 2020.

On March 16,, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $10 Million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund, and the administration remains in ongoing discussions across state government and with federal partners to determine what resources can be made available to small businesses and non-profits as they contend with the negative effects of this public health emergency.

The administration will continue to update the public on further developments and individuals are encouraged to consult both the Department of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites for the most up to date information.

The latest information and guidance regarding COVID-19 is always available at mass.gov/COVID19.

 

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