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04/02/2020 12:01 AMAs I pen this first column, our town is in the middle of a harrowing public health emergency. The outbreak of COVID-19 in Connecticut is growing daily, directly impacting the health and welfare of some residents, and significantly disrupting all of our daily lives. I want to assure every Madison resident that your town government is here for you and working hard during this unprecedented challenge.
All essential services for our community are fully operational. Our very dedicated team of first responders, health, and other government departments are working together to ensure the safety of our community. The Emergency Operations Center convenes remotely every two days to maintain the safety of our town. Similarly, our Public Works Department continues to maintain our infrastructure, and important business services across all town departments (town clerk, assessor, tax collector, etc.), are working diligently to be as responsive as possible under these unusual circumstances via the website, email, or by telephone.
The town is also making great efforts to connect those in need with state and local resources. Madison residents under the age of 65 needing assistance can contact Madison Youth & Family Services at 203-245-5645 or at madisonwillrise@madisonct.org. Those seeking help for someone 65 or older can contact Madison Senior Services at 203-245-5627 or at madisonwillriseforseniors@madisonct.org.
We also recognize the toll recent emergency measures have taken on our local businesses. The town has initiated a business task force, in conjunction with our Chamber of Commerce and elected state officials, to identify and co-ordinate possible resources for our business community during and after this time of uncertainty. If you are a small business worried about your future, please contact our director of planning and economic development at andersond@madisonct.org for more information.
Many of you have reached out wanting to help others through donations or as volunteers. The Madison Senior Center has a drive-up collection site for non-perishable food donations, and a bin for any unused personal protection equipment and supplies. For those seeking to volunteer, contact Senior Services directly at madisonwillriseforvolunteers@madisonct.org and they will guide you to organizations accepting volunteers.
Our main objective right now is to keep residents safe and slow the spread of the virus in our community. We led the way along the shoreline by implementing operational and social distancing policies early to protect our citizens and employees, and we will continue to lead the way as we move into another phase of this public health emergency. We just ask everyone do their part by staying home and avoiding contact with people outside of your household. Please check the town website at madisonct.org for important updates on policies, town services and visit CTAlert.gov to sign-up for emergency phone communications.
Now is the time for us to draw on Madison's long history of collective action and individual selflessness to get through this time of national crisis. We are in this together and we need to do everything we can to protect each others' lives. Please stay safe, healthy and at home, Madison.