COVID-19 update from the Town Hall

Virus Masks

UPDATED 03/19

Our initial goal was to keep the Deep River Town Hall open to the public.  That was last week.  Since then, events and prudence dictates that for the safety of our staff and the public, effective March 18, 2020, town offices will be open by appointment only. Please call and leave a message at the appropriate office to determine if an appointment is necessary:

Selectman’s Office: 860-526-6020 email: selectman@deepriverct.us

Town Clerk: 860-526-6024 email: townclerk@deepriverct.us

Building Dept: 860-526-6025 email: buildingdept@deepriverct.us

Tax Collector: 860-526-6028 email: taxcollector@deepriverct.us

Assessor: 860-526-6029 email: assessor@deepriverct.us

Parks & Rec: 860-526-6036 email: parkandrec@deepriverct.us

Planning & Zoning: 860-526-6030 email: zoning@deepriverct.us

Wetlands: 860-526-0082 email: mreyher@deepriverct.us

Most of our local restaurants will be staying open to provide take-out meals. We have listed those we know of below.  We will update as we are able, but please call ahead or check their website:

Restaurant hours:

Pizzaria DaVinci: 12:00 - 8:00

Red House: 4:00 - 7:30

Great Wall: closed until further notice

Deep River Pizza: 11:00 - 8:00

Hally Jo’s: closed until further notice

Grande Apizza: 11:00 - 9:00

Whistle Stop Café:  7:30 - 1:30

The Nest Coffee House: closed until further notice

Eight Mile Meadow: order online www.8milemeadow.com

You are probably aware that Adams has revised its hours to 8:00 am - 8:00 pm with an additional hour from 7:00 am - 8:00 am to accommodate seniors over age 60, those who are immune compromised and first responders. Please keep in mind that there may be times when you do not find what you are looking for.  There is no indication that our supply of food has been effected in anyway other than the fact that delivery trucks may occasionally miss their schedule or our shoppers are over exuberant.  Be patient, speak to management with any questions about delivery.

It is certain that by now each of our lives has in some way been affected by the Novel Corona virus, aka Covid-19.  It is likely that this will continue for, at the very least, the next few weeks.

The Town is coordinating closely with local health officials, school officials, and first responders to coordinate our response.  We will continue to communicate with you every way we can: Town wide email, Facebook, Town website www.deepriverct.us, and local news sources. 

We urge you to keep a healthy skepticism with regard to social media.  The best source of public health information is the CDC website: www.cdc.gov

The State of Connecticut has multiple options available for information: portal.ct.gov/coronavirus, the COVID hotline through the 211 system

Region 4 School District has updates and links available on its website at www.Reg4.k12.ct.us

What you can do to keep yourself, your family and your community safe:

1.  Practice social distancing.  Stay away from large groups; keep 3 - 6 feet of distance between      yourself and others.  Do not shake hands, hug, or share cups, utensils or food.

2.  Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands

3.  Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough

4.  Stay at home if you are sick, or even if you think you might be sick

Be aware of Coronavirus scams.  If you believe you have been subject to a scam please call the Connecticut State Police, Troop F Barracks in Westbrook: (860) 399-2100

The Governor has updated his executive order taking the following actions:

Revises the prohibition on large gatherings to a capacity of 50 people, and adds religious gatherings to the list of activities subject to the limit.

Revises the previously enacted prohibition Limits restaurants to non-alcoholic beverage and take-out/delivery services only, effective 8PM, March 16, 2020.

Requires closure of gyms, fitness studios, and movie theaters, effective 8PM, March 16, 2020.

Relaxes in-person open meeting requirements to minimize large gatherings, with safeguards to provide remote access; applies to all agencies and meetings as defined in the state’s FOI act

FOR WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF OR FURLOUGHED:

Please see the guidance at the following link from the Connecticut Department of Labor regarding layoffs and furloughs: http://bit.ly/CTDOLCOVID

Today, 3/19, we have reports of a confirmed COVID-19 case in Middlesex County.  COVID-19 is real.  It deserves our close attention.  Thus far, however, the response at all levels of government has been remarkable, especially given the unprecedented nature of this challenge.

As we adapt to a rapidly changing world, we will settle into life in this new normal.  And eventually, of course, this will all be over.  It will be relegated to a chapter in our collective history, an urban legend to share with our wide-eyed grandchildren.

In closing:

I remind you that our Town Hall staff is as affected by Corona Virus as are the rest of us; they are equally as worried about their families and friends.  In addition, we are operating somewhat short-staffed: our older, more vulnerable employees have been told to stay at home.  Where possible they will work from home, though will be unable to help answer the busy Town Hall phones.