Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
It has been reported to Acton Public Health that at this time there are 224 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Acton with 8 individuals in isolation, 195 recovered and 21 fatalities (many of these at congregate care facilities). Here is a chart showing the cumulative number of cases in Acton.
Community Level Data Also Available on Mass.gov/covid19
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts publishes a dashboard on its website with daily updates regarding COVID19 cases https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting
Board of Health Guidance on Halloween
In order to safeguard participants on Halloween, the Board of Health reviewed the Halloween guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Monday, October 5, 2020. The Board of Health decided that it would be beneficial to allow traditional trick or treating as long as safety protocols are followed and we would be looking for our residents to help reinforce these guidelines. We believe that Trick or Treating during COVID-19 should be a decision left to our residents. The Board requests that everyone be respectful of those who decide not to participate and the following measures are in place for the safety of those who want to participate:
- Face coverings required for all, including residents both receiving and distributing treats.
- Social distancing of at least 6’ is required at all times for all, unless you live in the same household. If there are people already at a door, wait 6’ apart until it is your turn.
- Prior to passing out treats, please wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Repeat handwashing as necessary through the night. Consider the use of tongs or gloves when passing out treats.
- It is not recommended to leave out a communal bowl for trick or treaters to grab themselves. Please consider creative ways to deliver the treat to participants to allow for social distancing.
- Avoid touching your face and wash hands or use hand sanitizer periodically throughout the night.
- Place your treats in a bowl and let them sit overnight or consider individually wrapping them for easy contactless grab and go.
- Do not attempt to trick or treat at a home without the lights on. Please respect their reason not to participate.
- Please stay home if you are not feeling well and do not pass out treats.
Have a fun and safe Halloween.
Announcements from Acton Memorial Library
- Introducing On Demand Curbside Pickup! You no longer need an appointment to pick up your holds that are "Ready for Pickup" from Acton Memorial Library.
When you receive an email or phone call that your item(s) are ready to pickup come to the library Wednesday through Saturday between 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. When you arrive at the library, call 978-929-6655 option 2. Tell us your last name and library card number. Wait outside and library staff members will put your materials outside on tables in front of the main doors. - Beginning Thursday, October 15 library patrons can book 30 minute appointments to enter the 1st floor of the library. Appointments are available Sundays 2-5, Mondays 1-5, and Tuesdays 9-1. You must have an appointment to enter the building. Make appointments at ActonMemorialLibrary.org/Calendar. You will get a confirmation email after you make an appointment.
The children’s room and select adult collections will be available for browsing during your appointment. We will not offer computer use, study spaces, or other services besides check out and browsing. We ask that you arrive on time and wear a mask.
Please be kind and schedule only the appointment times that you need. We anticipate this service will be very, very popular and we will do our best to accommodate as many library patrons as we are able.
We ask for your continued patience as we are working with limited staff, limited resources, and new processes. We look forward to seeing you in the library by appointment soon!
More details available here: https://www.actonmemoriallibrary.org/about-the-library/aml-at-home
Statewide Guidance
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts
To read the gatherings order, click here.
To read the updated restaurant protocols, click here.
Reminder from Board of Health Regarding Face Coverings
The State of Massachusetts provides weekly metrics (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-weekly-public-health-report) and Acton’s numbers have been increasing over the last few weeks which is very concerning. The State identifies Cities and Towns as gray, green, yellow or red, with gray being the lowest and red being highest risk for COVID-19. Currently, Acton is green but approaching yellow and it is time that we all step back and do our part to keep our community low risk. I know it is tempting to get together with your friends and family but please remember to wear your face covering and understand that we recommend that you limit contact to people that you live with. As you know, social distancing is required of at least 6’and that includes family (unless they live with you, coworkers and friends). Just to reference that distance for you, it’s about the height of a door, the length of a mattress, two shopping carts or the width of a car.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that wearing Face Coverings help stop the spread of COVID-19 to others. The CDC also suggests the following:
- Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19
- Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Masks should be worn by people two years and older
- Masks should NOT be worn by children younger than two, people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance
- Do NOT wear masks intended for healthcare workers, for example, N95 respirators
- CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters or face shields. Evaluation of these face covers is on-going but effectiveness is unknown at this time.
See diagrams taken from the CDC website below:
We are in this together - Please help us do your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
2021 Annual Town Meeting
At its meeting on October 5th the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to delay the 2021 Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 5 to a date to be determined, but not later than June 30, 2021.
Town Hall Take-Out Window Service Available
Contactless town services for the Land Use Department and Collector’s Office will now be available for residents. The window service is now available at the front of Town Hall, 472 Main St. Staff will be available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1pm, rain or shine. Also available from 9-11 on Friday. A face mask or cloth face covering will be required for all who wish to use these services.
Sample of services available are:
- Applying for and picking up building permits and septic records
- Submitting payments and requests for inspections
- Getting answers to questions regarding Building, Natural Resources, Planning and Health Divisions
- Making real estate, motor vehicle excise and sewer payments, and receiving a paid stamp.
- Purchasing a resident commuter lot sticker.
- Receiving a copy of your property assessment card.
- Picking up or dropping off an absentee ballot application.
The Acton Town Services Hotline remains open to help with general questions regarding town services and helping residents connect to the correct person or department. Translation services are available as well. To access these services, please call 978-929-6619. The Hotline is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to noon.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Reopening Plan
Baker-Polito Administration is implementing the Commonwealth’s four-phase reopening plan, Reopening Massachusetts. For more details on this phase of reopening go to: http://www.mass.gov/covid19
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will provide temporary rental assistance in the form of a grant and will be administered through a collaboration with the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO). Please contact lducharme@actonma.gov for more information.
COVID-19 Emergency Grants for Residents
The Acton Boxborough United Way has announced further details on the COVID-19 Emergency funding now available for Acton and Boxborough residents. Frequently Asked Questions about the A-B United Way COVID-19 Emergency Grants for Residents. How to Donate to the COVID-19 Impact Fund from Acton-Boxborough United Way
Information about Testing Facilities
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides comprehensive information about COVID-19 testing including an updated list of testing locations. More information is available here. An interactive map showing testing locations is also available at the following link: https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13
Emergency Orders Requiring Face Coverings
The Acton Board of Health Emergency Public Health Order of May 5, 2020 requires that face coverings be worn in public. View the order here: https://actonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6367/Board-of-Health-Emergency-Public-Health-Order-of-May-5
Acton Town Services Hotline 978-929-6619
The Acton Town Services Hotline is available to connect residents with a live worker to receive information and answers to their questions about the latest government news, COVID-19, and Town services in general. Hotline workers also help answer questions related to the topics such as elections, town meetings, financial relief programs for residents and business owners, and Town reopening plans. The Acton Town Services hotline number is 978-929-6619 and is open on Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Town Offices and Facilities
All town buildings and playgrounds (except NARA Park playground) remain closed to the public while Massachusetts’s State of Emergency is in effect. The closures are being ordered out of an abundance of caution in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and promote social distancing. Town Hall services are still operational and staff is available during normal hours throughout the work week. Please call 978-929-6619 or use www.actonma.gov to contact staff.
Transfer Station Hours
The Acton Transfer Station will continue operating with the adjusted schedule for the initial reopening. The facility is currently open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first hour (7-8 a.m.) is designated for Seniors (65+). The Transfer Station will also begin to accept payments (checks only) at the office for bulky items by early June. Staff are continuing to look at how to re-introduce some recycling streams such as polystyrene in later phases.
The purchase of Transfer Station and Recycling Facility vehicle stickers are now available online.
For more information on the Transfer Station and Recycling Center, please call 978-929-7742.