Brookline Declares State Of Emergency, Limits Lines To 10

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline declared a local state of emergency in an emergency Select Board meeting held at town hall Monday. The Select Board voted to close bars and restaurants to eat-in dining, and ban public lines of more than 10 people, effective at 5 p.m. Monday.

Grocery stores and pharmacies are exempt. Restaurants, coffee shops and other establishments can still offer takeout.

The announcement came a day after the governor announced Sunday evening that all restaurants and bars should go to a take-out model only across the commonwealth and to limit gatherings to less than 25 people in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Check here for Coronavirus In Brookline: Updates, What's Closed, Canceled

Town officials also asked that Brookline residents take seriously the call to practice social distancing, keeping a distance of at least 6-feet from people who do not live in their household, and is working on establishing a call center for residents who have questions about coronavirus.

The Brookline Public Health Director Swanni Jett announced that 33 people in Brookline are under observation for the coronavirus. He stressed that parks are open for walking but playgrounds are closed during an emergency select board meeting at 11 a.m. Monday.

Officials met in Town Hall in the select board meeting room, but held the meeting in a two-way conference call, in an effort to allow participation from residents, in addition to having Brookline Interactive Group film.

This is the first time the town has attempted to have a two-way conference call. It was bumpy.

Because of the system they used, it was difficult for those on the call or online to hear any of the announcements for much of the meeting, as they were constantly interrupted by the beeping sound of people joining the call.

It also appeared the town was not able to or did not know how to mute callers.

Several people called in and did not mute themselves, the meeting was also interrupted by the sound of people talking in the background and feedback. The board appeared not to have knowledge of the technical difficulties until midway through the meeting.

Town Closures/Cancellations

• Town Hall and other town facilities — except parks — are closed to the public, and only emergency personnel will work from their offices or the Emergency Operations Center until further notice. All other town staff who can will work remotely, with the transition to remote work being complete no later than Wednesday, March 18.
• All non-essential board and committee meetings are cancelled through April 30.
• Brookline Public Schools are closed through at least Tuesday, April 7, which is an extension on the district's earlier announced closure.
• Town playgrounds are closed until further notice
• Council on Aging activities are cancelled through at least March 27.
• The senior center is closed through at least March 27.
• Recreation activities are cancelled through at least March 27.
• The Brookline Public Library is closed through at least March 27.

Read more>> Coronavirus In Brookline: Updates, What's Closed, Canceled

Watch the meeting, which began at 11 a.m.:

A town hall meeting is set for Tuesday using the call in technology.

If you have to call in, make sure to familiarize yourself on how to mute yourselves.

Here's how to listen, once you call in, make sure your phone is on mute or push *6 from a landline to mute:

Join By Phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States Toll

Access Number: 357 961 171

You can also access the call online:

Click here for the On-Line Meeting: Meeting Number: 357 961 171

You can also watch on TV: Brookline Cable Access Channel Comcast # 23 or RCN #3

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