There have been numerous reports of private birthday parties, bonfires, and St. Patrick's Day parties in the tri-town area. THIS IS NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING. Please protect yourselves and your friends - if you don't live with them, you should not be hanging out with them right now, period. This is hard. You can do this.




Since yesterday, an additional 88 Connecticut residents have tested positive, bringing the statewide total to 415. More than 4,500 tests have been conducted among the state and private labs to date. Approximately 54 people are hospitalized and there have been 10 deaths.
 
·       Governor Lamont signed his twelfth executive order today pursuant to his emergency declaration, this order:

o   Suspends non-critical probate court operations;
o   Suspends non-critical Workers’ Compensation Commission
Operations;
o   Authorizes remote notarization;
o   Modifies regulatory requirements to protect public health and
safety; and
o   Suspends certain requirements regarding the temporary hire of
care workers at long-term care facilities.
 
·       The governor’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” executive order directing non-essential workers statewide to work from home went into effect at 8:00 p.m. tonight.
 
·       Drive-through testing sites have been added at 5 more hospitals, bringing the statewide total of these alternate testing locations to 21.
 
·       The Department of Public Health commissioner has signed an order easing the rules for out-of-state practitioners to provide services in Connecticut.
 
·       The state received the first shipments of PPE donations today, including N95 respirators that were generously provided by Gil’s Drywall of Plainville and PW Power Systems of Glastonbury.
 
·       To assist in remote learning as classes statewide remain canceled, the Partnership for Connecticut announced plans to donate more than 60,000 laptops to high school students in under-resourced districts.
 
·       Connecticut businesses are urged to note that the IRS is providing a “full and immediate” reimbursement for COVID-19 employee medical leave costs.
 

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On Friday, the Governor directed all businesses and nonprofit entities in Connecticut to utilize any telecommuting or work from home procedures that they can safely employ. The Department of Community and Economic Development issued guidance concerning which businesses and nonprofit entities are “essential” for purposes of closing or staying open.  There are some businesses for which the guidelines are a bit unclear; i.e. is all manufacturing essential or does it depend on what you manufacture? If you are unsure, or i f you have further questions, please submit them to DECD at  decd.covid19@ct.gov .


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The Chester Town Hall, although closed to the public, remains open Monday - Friday, 9-12 and 1-4 for the time being. We are not working on Tuesday evenings at this time. Please call 860-526-0013 for an appointment.


Helpful Links
 
 

Economic Relief for Businesses and Workers
 
Please see the following information regarding small business relief and SBA Working Capital Loans due to COVID-19. Please share with businesses, friends and employees that are effected by COVID-19:  SBA Disaster Assistance

New Instructions have been issued for workers who have been laid off or furloughed:   Layoffs and Furloughs
 
Taxes

The deadline for filing state and federal personal income tax returns has been extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020.

You can file anytime before July 15 - and are encouraged to do so if you are owed a refund. For more information, visit the state   Department of Revenue Services  and the   IRS .

Tri-Town Youth Services
 
For information and links to COVID-19 information, Food Pantry locations, counseling services, distance learning site for Region 4 Grades K-12 and more click on the link below.


2020 Census

Your 2020 Census is now available online at  my2020census.gov . Please note that you can complete the questionnaire with or without a code. Responding early will help ensure that no one will come knocking on your door in May.



We will miss the venerable Bob Blair, who died at home on Saturday at the age of 97. May his memory be a blessing.

"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us." -----Annie LaMott


Be well,


Lauren