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Set the Standard

Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna, Jr., and Emergency Management Director/Police Chief Michael Spera have worked incredibly hard to ensure Old Saybrook is as prepared as any community to respond to the pandemic and, in fact, to be a model for other communities to follow.

As the vaccine starts its planned roll-out, here’s a brief look back at some of the wonderful programs our town sponsored:

On March 16, 2020, Fortuna declared a local State of Emergency and the Old Saybrook Emergency Operations Center (EOC) issued its first COVID-19 Community UPDATE newsletter providing the town with a daily summary of preparedness, response, and other government activities.

Fun@OldSaybrookPolice.com sponsored many contests to keep our spirits up and including Light Up Old Saybrook, Baskets of Smiles & Cheer, Random Acts of Kindness, Shorts4Saybrook, and Virtual Visits with Santa, etc. Old Saybrook CARES raised more than $150,000 for grants to local residents.

The Old Saybrook Police Department handed out FDA-approved face masks to more than 150 businesses and more than 10,000 masks to individuals. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was purchased at government pricing for local businesses.

There is now free COVID testing each day at Saybrook Point.

The Old Saybrook Police Department and our Office of Emergency Management set the standard for excellence by creating the Old Saybrook Drive Through Vaccine Clinic sponsored by the Connecticut River Area Health District. And for those residents who have no means of registering electronically online, our Old Saybrook Police Department will take care of it for them—just call them!

During these times when people look to government for assistance, resources, and information, we can have continued confidence in the expert leadership and response structure that is in place in Old Saybrook!

Jan Furman

Old Saybrook