Dear Chester,


Sadly, Chester lost another nursing home resident to COVID-19 today. Out sympathies and best thoughts go out to his family and friends. A striking reminder that coronavirus is not finished with us yet. Hospitalization rates are lower statewide, but the number of new infections is still climbing faster that is safe in all counties except Fairfield and New Haven, which are finally decreasing to a point where each person is infected less that one other person. This is the rate of infection that we need in order to be able to say we are really slowing the spread of the virus. We hope to see testing increase substantially in the next two weeks so that we will have the data to determine the possibilities for re-opening business.

At the state's recommendation and in anticipation of May 20th and beyond, we are forming a re-opening committee to help guide Chester businesses through the recommended phase-in process safely and efficiently. We expect to know more about timing and specific requirements in the next week or two. Stay tuned and let's work together to ensure we can re-open in a way that promotes confidence that we will keep each other safe in the process.

Great news today! Tri town Youth Services applied for and were awarded a grant to help us assist residents in need. Essex, Deep River and Chester's Town Community Funds will each receive checks in the amount of $1,500 in the next week. Thanks Tri-Town for your support.


Be well,


Lauren
  • Governor Lamont announced a statewide launch of a free online job training program for unemployment claimants during the COVID-19 emergency. The SkillUp CT program allows jobseekers to upgrade skills from their own homes.To enroll, unemployment insurance claimants in Connecticut should visit ct.metrixlearning.com/landing.cfm.

  • Governor Ned Lamont announced a joint multi-state agreement to develop a regional supply chain for personal protective equipment, other medical equipment and testing. Click Here for more information.

  • Secretary of State Denise Merrill's office, along with local election personnel and registrars, are working hard to ensure that procedures are put in place to make our elections, primary and general, safe for both voters and poll workers.
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Don't forget about our restaurants! Here are the take out options in Chester:

Sometimes we need to hold the truth for each other.
Sometimes we need to take someone's hand and say, "you're going to get through this and I'm going to be right by your side the whole time".
Sometimes being present is better than knowing just what to say.
Sometimes when our friends lose hope, we need to let them borrow ours.
Sometimes the darkness is dark, but it's not nearly as scary when we're there together.
Sometimes it's you, sometimes it's me. We take turns being undone and defeated. We take turns being the strong one and the weak one. We take turns walking through shadows and pain.
That's what makes friendship so beautiful.
None of us are perfect, we're all kind of a mess actually. Every single one of has fallen apart. Every single one of us has looked in the mirror and struggled to remember who we are.
We all need truth holders. Every single one of us.

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