Wakefield Coronavirus: How Town Is Responding To Closures

WAKEFIELD, MA — Wakefield officials have closed Town Hall to the public effective Monday, March 16. Departments will be staffed, using social-distancing best practices and residents can utilize phone, web, and drop-box options to conduct Town business. The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light department has also made the decision to close their office to the public.

Last week, the Town closed its schools and other buildings to public events, including the Senior Center, Americal Civic Center, and Beebe Library. Employees will still be staffed in many of these buildings. The town asks that residents refrain from dropping off goodwill gestures of food and coffee, as recommendations restrict any shared food in our buildings. Residents are asked to only visit the Public Safety Building for emergency purposes and instead perform non-emergency actions over the phone or online.

The town has an Emergency Fund that can be used for those most in need. This allows the town to provide financial help to residents in situations that may fall outside the normal parameters for receiving government aid. Through it, we can make payments on a resident’s behalf for rent, utilities, or other needs. We can also make referrals to other agencies, such as local food pantries and the local housing authority. Confidential applications can be made with my office at (781) 246-6390.

The Food Pantry, located in the ground floor of the Civic Center, will remain open for patrons. Through local partnerships, it has increased its resident programs. Individuals can connect with the Pantry at 781.245.2510.

Town leaders are working with Legal Counsel Thomas Mullen and the state delegation to determine an action plan for the public meetings of boards, committees and commissions.

The Wakefield Public Schools will be offering a grab-and-go lunch option for families. These meals will be available for pick up from Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Wakefield Memorial High School loading dock entrance. Procedures for pick up will comply with guidance from local and state officials. If this is a service that your family would like to access, please fill out this Grab and Go Lunch Form to support meal planning. While the Wakefield Public Schools are closed, families will be able to access the Learn Anywhere platform for directions specific to each child’s class and grade.

If you need additional guidance around how to speak to your children about the events that are unfolding, our school psychologists recommend the CDC’s Talking to Children about Coronavirus and the National Association of School Psychologists’ Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource.

On March 15, Governor Baker ordered a ban on "community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more people in single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues like fitness centers, private clubs, and theaters."

The order does not apply to grocery stores or pharmacies. Bars and restaurants cannot offer dine-in service but can provide take-out and delivery options. In addition, all public schools in Massachusetts will close until at least April 6.

All residents are encouraged to practice social distancing.

Officials are currently developing an online donation system for the Emergency Fund. Immediate donations can be made via the Town Administrator's office. Food Pantry donations can be made at www.wakefieldfoodpantry.org.

Municipal Contact Information

Many services and forms can be performed online at www.wakefield.ma.us. Via the “Online Payment” menu, residents can make excise tax payments, property and real estate tax payments, refuse bags purchases, white goods CRT/TV sticker purchases, yard-waste permit purchases, and more.

A secure drop box is located at the side entrance of Town Hall (the door to the left of the main entrance). This drop box can be used for payments, form submissions, and employee communications.

• Emergency: Dial 911
• Police Department non-emergency: 781-245-1212, www.wakefieldpd.org
• Animal Inspector: 781.231.0474, aco.stache@wakefieldpd.org
• Assessor’s Office: 781.246.6380, vsantaniello@wakefield.ma.us
• Conservation: 781.224.5015, evreeland@wakefield.ma.us
• Council on Aging: 781-245-3312, jluciano@wakefield.ma.us
• Health Department: 781.246.6375, boardofhealth@wakefield.ma.us
• Inspection and Zoning: 781.246.6388, BuildingPermits@wakefield.ma.us
• Human Resources: 781.246.6396, aforziati@wakefield.ma.us
• Parking Clerk: 339.219.4162, aco.stache@wakefieldpd.org
• Public Works: 781.246.6301, dpw@wakefield.ma.us
• Retirement: 781.246.6352, ccheek@wakefield.ma.us
• Tax Collector: 781.246.6386, Collector@wakefield.ma.us
• Town Administrator: 781.246.6390, sdalton@wakefield.ma.us or smaio@wakefield.ma.us
• Town Clerk: 781.246.6383, bsheeran@wakefield.ma.us
• Treasurer: 781.246.6340, treasurersoffice@wakefield.ma.us
• Veteran Services: 781.246.6377, dmangan@wakefield.ma.us
• Wakefield Public Schools: 781.246.6400 x6939, superintendent@wpsk12.org
• Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department: 781-246-6363, www.wmgld.com
’s>