Hamilton-Wenham Schools, Town Offices Close; Services Suspended

HAMILTON-WENHAM, MA — The Towns of Wenham and Hamilton, and Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District, announced Friday that town offices and schools in both communities will be closed from Monday, March 16, through Monday, March 30 to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Both communities are also set to suspend in-person programming for their councils on aging, but essential services like meal deliveries and wellbeing check-ins will continue. In-person programming will remain suspended through March 27 at the earliest.

While there are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in either community, these closures are intended to prevent the spread of the virus to vulnerable people.

"After careful deliberation and extensive discussion, we have concluded that these steps are the best we can take to limit the possible spread of COVID-19 to our communities and keep our residents healthy and safe," Wenham Town Administrator Anthony Ansaldi said in a statement.

Schools

Hamilton-Wenham public schools are closed Friday, March 13, and are currently scheduled to reopen Monday, March 30, at the earliest.

During this closure, all after school activities are canceled, and school buildings will be closed to the public.

The school has also canceled or postponed field trips through April 3, including two overnight trips to Nashville and Orlando.

According to a statement from town officials, HWRSD is working on a plan to ensure that students who receive free or reduced lunches will still be provided meals during the closure. The district will reach out to families directly to provide updates on the lunch program.

"Student and staff wellbeing have been and will continue to be at the forefront of all decisions we make going forward, which is why we are taking proactive steps now to mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus on our communities," Interim Superintendent Julie Kukenberger said in a statement.

"Town and school leadership have been working in close coordination in recent weeks and are in firm agreement that we need to take decisive action before — not after — there is a confirmed case in either of our towns," Kukenberger said.

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Town Offices and Services

Town halls in Wenham and Hamilton will also be closed from March 16 through March 30.

According to the a statement from the towns, staff in the town halls will continue to work regular hours in both communities and will be accessible to residents by email or phone.

Residents who need to visit their respective town hall for essential business reasons are asked to call ahead.

For more information, residents can visit the Wenham and Hamilton websites. The Town of Hamilton’s direct phone number is 978-468-5570. The Town of Wenham’s direct phone number is 978-468-5520 ext. 2.

During the closure, the towns' shared recreation department will not host any programming until March 30 at the earliest. The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library will also be closed for two weeks.

Councils on Aging and Food Pantry

Both communities have also cancelled in-person programming for their Councils on Aging, but essential services like meal deliveries and wellbeing check-ins will continue as usual, and both COAs will remain open as drop-in centers for healthy residents.

The Hamilton COA will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Wenham's COA will be open to healthy residents from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The towns encourage seniors who have trouble leaving their houses to contact their community's Council on Aging to discuss their needs.

• Hamilton COA: 978-468-5595
• Wenham COA: 978-468-5529

The Acord food pantry will remain open during ongoing closures, but area COAs discourage the use of food brigades as they increase the risk of transmitting the new coronavirus and other illnesses.

Residents with questions can contact the Wenham Board of Health at 978-468-5520 Ext. 4 or the Hamilton Board of Health at 978-468-5579.

Read more:

• Bedford Coronavirus: Student, Town Hall Staff Member Quarantined
• Salem High School Closed Through Friday Over Coronavirus Concerns
• Holliston Superintendent Cancels After-School Events