BERNARDSTON — The Selectboard met Wednesday evening to continue town business and provide brief updates on the COVID-19 outbreak and precautionary measures in town.
According to Bernardston Fire Chief and Emergency Management head Peter Shedd, two families are in voluntary self-quarantine after being in direct contact this weekend with someone from another town who tested positive for COVID-19.
“They [the families] volunteered their information,” Shedd said.
The resident informed Shedd of the decision, and first responders have been notified on an address-only basis. The last week has seen an increased number of COVID-19 tests being provided in Greenfield and the Franklin County area, leading to a rise in confirmed cases.
“It is here, it is in the area,” Shedd said.
According to the Bernardston town website’s COVID-19 update page, as a “reportable disease,” all positive coronavirus test results are forwarded to the state Department of Public Health. These, in turn, are reported to local boards of health. Revised state regulations enable communities to advise first responders on an address-only basis in order to keep them as safe as possible and to avoid further spread of the disease.
Shedd also said Emergency Management ordered supplies were slowly starting to arrive, but funds for Bernardston Emergency Management was running low. Shedd said the increased expense was mainly due to the need for increased first responders hours.
He predicted that the supplies that are already ordered, in tandem with state funding and supplies, would be enough — unless there is a spike in cases. He required the Selectboard’s permission for further spending right now because potential state or federal reimbursements will be delayed.
Members unanimously gave him authority to continue spending by taking funds from the Fire Department’s general expense fund. If the funds run low there, Selectboard member Brian Keir said the town would be able to transfer funds to replenish that at a later date.
“You gotta do what you gotta do,” Selectboard member Brian Keir said.
Town Coordinator Louis Bordeaux said while the governor recently announced public schools will be closed until May 4, and Bernardston town hall is closed to the public, residents can be assured town government work will continue. He said he has seen more than roughly three times the number of emails arriving in the Selectboard email inbox with questions and comments related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This pandemic is the real deal and we need to do the right thing to reduce its spread,” Bordeaux said, urging families to follow social distancing and stay at home as much as possible.
Bernardston Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating the preparation and response to larger-scale incidents that might take place on the local, state, regional, and national levels. Its activities are conducted in accordance with the National Incident Management System.
Deputy directors include: Roxene Shedd, Lloyd Grover, Byron Call, John Richardson, and Bill Montiglio. Emergency Management can be reached by telephone at 413-648-5459 or email at berneoc@townofbernardston.org.
In the event of an emergency, dial 911.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.