COMMENTS FROM THE SELECTMEN First Selectman Pace asked Mary Jane Engle Health Director of the Connecticut River Area Health District to review the status of “Swine Flu.” Mary Jane stated that is a mild outbreak at this point approximately 100 cases nationally. There are no confirmed cases in Connecticut. The case that was reported in Haddam turned out to be negative. She went on to state that while we need to take an aggressive stance, we need to keep the schools open – if you don’t feel good STAY HOME! If your child doesn’t feel good
KEEP THEM HOME! Mary Jane continued that if this continues they are planning on manufacturing a vaccine for immunization in the fall. Old Saybrook would be the site of mass immunization for up to 50,000 people that live in the eight area towns even those that are not in the Health District. Another issue that will be a problem is that Old Saybrook and Clinton are the only full-time Police Departments. The other five towns have Resident State Troopers will not be available to assist in dispensing. WE ARE PREPARED.
First Selectman Pace asked Superintendant Joe Onofrio to address the Board. Joe stated that he had just been on a conference call with Governor Rell, Commission of Public Health and others. We need to use common sense. Superintendant Onofrio went on to state that this is an airborne virus, cleaning surfaces does not really do any good. Some classes from the elementary school went on a field trip to a garden nursery today in East Haddam. Some parents did not want their children to go. Mary Jane continued that there is a daily conference call with the state and the Health District Superintendants. There are daily calls with the Governor and the Department of Public Health. There was discussion regarding what services the town would have to provide if the schools were to be closed. The lunch program is only provided when school is open; there is no method for online instruction. First Selectman Pace stated he had a proclamation for “Celiac Awareness Month.” He asked Mary Jane to explain what Celiac Disease is. It is an allergic reaction to
gluten. Selectman Pace continued that the town is again applying for a grant to fund a Summer Youth Employment Program. First Selectman Pace stated that he had received a letter from Library Director Jan Crozier stating that The Acton Public Library was awarded Three Stars from Library Journal magazine. There were only six libraries in Connecticut to be designated “Star Libraries.” Selectman Peace stated that the Federal Stimulus package for roads could
be used for Bokum Road, Maple Avenue and School House Road. All of which have been recently paved or chip sealed, so we don’t qualify for that. There is funding available for sidewalks. The first phase would be Route One from Main Street to Lynde Street. The Tree Committee recently planted nine more trees.
Selectman Thomas stated that she participated in the school’s “World of Work Day” last week with two students from the Middle School. They spent a couple of hours getting an overview of General Government. Including visits to the Selectmen’s Office, Tax Collector, Assessor, Emergency Management, Probate, and Public Works. She also participated in a Swine Flu conference call with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. |
