COVID Safety, SB Meeting, 12/17/2020

On Dec 17, 2020, at 5:40 PM, Heath Connects <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Folks,
It was wonderful to see so many of your faces at the Select Board meeting and I am certain that it kept the public comment period more civil than it would have been otherwise.
Some items to come out of the meeting:

• Town employees do not feel safe from COVID in the building. The cost for setting up a work-from-home environment will be explored, cost of additional use at Jacobs Road will be explored as well as ensuring the space can be used safely.  Pam addressed concerns about safety explaining that protocols in place for remote learning have assured public safety in the building.  
• The board received emails regarding safety in the Sawyer Hall vestibule and the hallway. The Heath Post Office has put some practices in place for greater safety, but that does not solve the congestion.  Initially folks were respecting the one-at-a-time rule in the vestibule, but it appears that has become too relaxed now. Our Town Nurse said that 5 feet with a mask is sufficient for safe social distancing, but the CDC recommends 6 feet.
• There is NO suggestion to move the post office from the center, but perhaps to move the boxes outside.  Brian felt there needed to be a conversation with the Charlemont PO, but Alice felt we should not draw any attention to our PO that could be used as an excuse to close it. 
• Brian reported that progress is being made on the insulation project for Community Hall. It was decided to leave it up to the contractor whether to remove the inside paneling for that work or remove exterior siding sufficient to do the job. Whichever way it is done that is included in the cost.
• There is also some progress on railings for the stairs at Sawyer Hall.
• Emails in favor of moving town offices exceeded those opposed. Thank you to those who responded and if you haven’t sent an email in yet to support the move, please do so. It is not too late to be counted.
• The Select Board members had planned to take next week off, but the need to meet to solve town employee COVID concerns that must be addressed so they will meet next week.

I’ll forward the meeting minutes when they become available.
Thank you again for your emails to the Select Board and your presence at the Select Board meeting which made a big difference in the tone of the public comment period.