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01/13/2021 11:01 PMAs we enter 2021, I want to remind all of us to remain vigilant in our efforts to combat this virus and reduce community spread. Unfortunately, we can expect to see resurgence in the coming weeks due to holiday-related travel and gatherings. Therefore, it is critical that those who traveled to locations on the state’s travel advisory list, who are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or who have come into close contact with a known positive case, get tested quickly in order to stop the spread.
Fortunately, Madison recently started to vaccinate our Phase 1A first responders in line with Connecticut’s vaccine distribution plan developed by the Vaccine Allocation Committee. Phase 1A includes medical first responders, healthcare workers, and seniors living in congregate settings. Currently, the town does not have detailed guidance on vaccine roll-out for Phase 1B and beyond. However, over the next few weeks, we can expect more information from the state about eligibility, timeline, and distribution. Please visit www.ct.gov/covidvaccine for the most up-to-date information. We understand that vaccine accessibility is essential, especially for our most vulnerable populations, and will provide residents with important information as it becomes available.
Since the start of this pandemic, I have provided weekly messages to the community about COVID-19 and other important town matters. Originally these were launched by robocall using the state’s CTAlerts system. However, CTAlerts is effectively a reverse 911 notification system for urgent, life threatening messages, so the town has shifted to a new platform for COVID, storm, and other notifications. If you have not been receiving these weekly messages, you will need to subscribe to the new system, Madison Alerts, at www.madisonct.org/MadisonAlerts. Madison Alerts can be received via email, text, or phone call and offers a smartphone app called Everbridge. For those people who do not have access to a computer or smart phone, please contact the Madison Senior Center at 203-245- 5627 for assistance.
I also want to remind Madison taxpayers that the governor recently issued an emergency order that applies the 90-day tax deferment program (offered earlier for the first tax installment) to the second tax installment due Jan. 1, 2021. Eligible taxpayers can now pay the second tax installment without penalty by April 1, 2021. Landlords requesting a deferment for this installment must submit an application with the appropriate documentation to the tax collector by Feb. 1. More details are available at www.madisonct.org.
As we leave behind a very difficult 2020, I want to give thanks for and reflect on the many small acts of kindness we have witnessed throughout this past year. Whether it was donating to a local charity, ordering take-out to support a favorite restaurant, canceling a family gathering to protect vulnerable relatives, or delivering meals to a homebound senior, we have all played an important role in protecting and sustaining the Madison community we know and love. With vaccinations rolling out across Connecticut this year, I am hopeful we can all enjoy a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2021.