Good Evening,
This is First Selectman Vicki Tesoro with a COVID-19 update.
We currently have 29 laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Trumbull. As I said yesterday we should expect more cases in Trumbull in the days ahead and this month is critical to all of us.
Again, I’m asking all Town residents to take this situation seriously. Please respect all closures and restrictions to keep yourself, your families and our community healthy and safe. Continued disregard of these guidelines puts an incredible strain on our First Responders and health care professionals; and jeopardizes everyone’s health in our Town. Please Stay Home. Thank you to everyone who is cooperating. Those who are not should comply immediately.
In the Governor’s orders yesterday, new guidance was issued regarding store safety rules for essential businesses. These rules go into effect today and include limits on store occupancy at any given time, social distancing within the store, and the requirement of store employees to wear masks and gloves when interacting with customers. Grocery stores must sanitize carts between customers. If you have to enter a store, only one family member should go in.
Please check on your neighbors, especially your elderly neighbors. Leave them a note or call them.
If you or anyone you know is struggling to purchase food or can’t get to the store, please contact Social Services at 203-452-5136 for this and other services and assistance.
These are challenging and difficult times. Please contact the Mary J. Sherlach Counseling Center at 203-452-5193 if you or a family member needs assistance. Please leave a message. Your call will be returned.
A letter was sent from me via US Mail today to all our senior citizens to let our seniors know the services that are available to them from the town during this crisis. Also every household will receive a postcard next week that will provide important communication information.
The Pequonnock River Trail is open. However, as I said before people must honor social distancing on the trail system. The trail should not be used for social gatherings. As the weather continues to improve the expectation is that the number of people using the trail will increase. Trail usage is monitored by the police and the Park Rangers. I am asking people to also self-monitor and practice social distancing. If there are no legal open parking spaces do not park illegally, please leave and come back at a different time. I want to keep the trail open but we will implement parking restrictions if necessary and if this is not successful we will close the trail.
We are reviewing the order on municipal tax relief and are awaiting further guidance from the Governor’s office. We will provide an update as soon as we receive more information.
We will resume some of our Town meetings next week. All meetings will be conducted virtually until further notice. The Town Council will meet Monday evening, April 6, 2020 at 7:30. The town budget process will be discussed as well as municipal tax relief. The agenda is posted on the Town website. The public is invited to attend this meeting. Instructions on how to attend via Zoom are included on the agenda.
For the business community, please be sure you visit the COVID-19 Business Recovery Resource page on the town website. The page is being updated daily and includes financial resources for businesses, free technical assistance resources, employee resources and other important updates specific to the business community. Today, April 3, 2020, the new Paycheck Protection Program is taking applications. This is a forgivable loan program designed to keep workers employed and to keep the doors open. If you are having difficulties with this program or with any other questions you may have please contact Rina Bakalar, Director of Economic and Community Development for assistance at rbakalar@trumbull-.gov or 203-610-3899.
I will host an online Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 3:00 PM to discuss COVID-19. Residents may email questions to firstselectman@trumbull-ct.gov before 12:00 PM on April 7. All residents are invited to attend. More information about this Town Hall can be found on our Town website and Facebook page.
To make sure you are receiving all Town communications please sign up for the Trumbull Alert Systems on the town website.
Let’s help each other and we will get through this together!
Please stay safe, stay well and stay home.
Thank you for listening.