THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 20, 2020 Page 7 Town shuts down municipal buildings in effort to thwart COVID 19 (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued this week by the Town Manager’s Offi ce about the closing of town buildings on Tuesday, March 17.) U pon evaluating COVID-19 (Coronavirus) recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced that all municipal buildings in Saugus will be closed to the public starting on Tuesday, March 17 out of an abundance of caution in order to help mitigate the potential spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of the residents of Saugus. The following municipal buildings will be closed to the public: Town Hall, Town Hall Annex, the Senior Center, Saugus Public Library, the Department of Public Works, Youth and Recreation and Saugus Public Schools. Residents can still call or email all Town departments during normal business hours. Residents are also encouraged to use online services during this time. As has been widely reported, the number of cases in Massachusetts and nationally increases daily. Public health professionals advise dramatic action to slow the spread of this virus and to minimize the impact on the most vulnerable segments of the population. On Sunday, March 15, Governor Baker announced that gatherings of over 25 people are prohibited throughout the Commonwealth. “Gatherings subject to this Order include, without limitation, community, civic, public, leisure, faithbased events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, festivals, and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theatre, gymnasium, fi tness center, private club, or any other confi ned indoor or outdoor space,” states Baker’s Orders. Governor Baker’s Orders also state that “Any restaurant, bar, or establishment that offers food or drink shall not permit on-premises consumption of food or drink; provided that such establishments may continue to offer food for takeout and by delivery provided KIDS STOPPED PLAYING HERE: The town’s Youth and Recreation Center, normally a busy place for youth activity, will be closed for a couple of weeks. READING INTERRUPTED: Saugus Public Library Director Alan Thibeault stands in the empty adult reading room on Monday – the beginning of at least two weeks in which the library will be closed. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) that they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health Guidance.” In compliance with these Orders, the Town of Saugus has joined numerous surrounding communities in making the decision to close municipal buildings to the public during this time in an eff ort to combat this pandemic through social distancing, community mitigation and public health intervention. The Town of Saugus has hired an additional public health nurse for Saugus and has increased the hours of the Town’s current public health nurse. In addition, the Town has hired another individual, a former Director of Public Health, to assist the Saugus Board of Health and health department during these extraordinary times. In order to best protect residents and employees, the Town is undertaking the following steps: Saugus Town Hall: Town Hall will be closed to the public beginning on Tuesday, March 17. Town Clerk: The Town Clerk’s Offi ce will be processing all Vitals Records via mail. Please submit a mail-in request form or a letter requesting Birth, Death or Marriage Certifi cates and enclose a check or money for $10.00 (each copy) with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The mail-in request form can be found on the Town’s website under the Town Clerk’s page. The vital records request will be processed and mailed back to you. The Town Clerk’s Offi ce will be processing Dog Licenses via mail. Please submit your dog license application and a copy of your dog’s rabies certifi cate with a check with the appropriate fee of $12.00 or $15.00 per dog and with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The dog license will be processed and mailed back to you. The Town Clerk’s Offi ce will be accepting Marriage Licenses by appointment only. If you are getting married within the next 60 days and require a marriage license, please call the Town Clerk’s Offi ce during Town Hall hours at 781-2314102/4103/4104 to schedule an appointment to come to Town Hall to complete the forms. Cost is $30.00 – cash or check only. All voter registration can be done online at https://www.sec. state.ma.us/ovr/. Please call the Town Clerk’s offi ce about any questions. Treasurer/Collector: Bills can be paid online through the Town of Saugus website at https://www.saugus-ma.gov/ treasurer-collector/pages/billpay or dropped off in the white mailbox in front of Town Hall. Senior Center: The Senior Center will be closed through Sunday, March 29, unless otherwise announced. Senior Center staff will remain available by phone during normal Senior Center hours, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to assist Saugus seniors in any way possible. Call 781-231-4178 with any questions or for assistance. Saugus Public Library: The Saugus Public Library will be closed through Saturday, March 28, unless otherwise announced. Item due dates and fi ne accruals were frozen as of 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Patrons may return Library items to the drop boxes located adjacent to the Central Street and Taylor Street entrances. Staff will be available to answer phone calls and respond to voicemails and emails as they come in. For assistance, please call 781-231-4168. Department of Public Works: The Department of Public Works will be closed to the public starting on Monday, March 16. For assistance, please call 781-231-4145. Youth and Recreation: The Youth and Recreation Department will be closed through Friday, March 27, unless otherwise announced. All sports activiAN EMPTY PARKING LOT: Activities ceased at the Saugus Senior Center this week. 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family ties are suspended for a minimum of 30 days. The Summer Parks Program, Middle School Summer Program and various summer sports activities are still planned; however, that is dependent on the evolution of the current health situation. For assistance, call 781-231-4022. Saugus Public Schools: Governor Baker announced on Sunday, March 15, that all schools throughout the Commonwealth would close for a three-week period, beginning Monday, March 16. Saugus Public Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 until Monday, April 6 unless otherwise announced. Contact the Superintendent’s Offi ce at 781-231-5000 x117 with any questions or concerns. In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today
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