Town Manager's Report - January 18, 2022

COVID-19 Vaccination Data and Clinics
Per data published by the CT Department of Public Health on January 12th, 74.29% of our total population has been fully vaccinated, while the state-wide rate is 70.52%. Our rate is up from 71.66% on December 1st. Of children between 5 and 11 years of age, 33.26% of that group has received at least one dose and 20.89% has been fully vaccinated. 77.07% of town residents, 5 years old and above, have been fully vaccinated.

The following are upcoming vaccination clinics:
For first and second shots for children ages 5-11 and other persons 12 and older:
• Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at 330 Windsor Avenue, Windsor. No appointment is needed.
• Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at 330 Windsor Avenue, Windsor. No appointment is needed.

For first and second shots for children ages 5-11:
• Wednesday, February 2, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at L.P. Wilson, 599 Matianuck Avenue, Windsor. No appointment is needed.

Moderna booster shot clinic for ages 18 and older:
• Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon at 330 Windsor Avenue, Windsor.
• Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon at 330 Windsor Avenue, Windsor.
• Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon at 330 Windsor Avenue, Windsor.
An appointment is needed. Please sign up through the statewide appointment software (VAMS system). http://vams.cdc.gov/

Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated and/or to get a booster shot as well as to continue to take appropriate precautions including wearing a mask while indoors, social distancing and frequent hand washing. For more information, call the Health Department at 860-285-1823.

COVID Test Kit and N95 Mask Distributions
I would like to thank our many volunteers and town staff members that helped to coordinate and distribute test kits and masks over the past few weeks. This was a challenge in many ways, particularly with the extremely low number of test kits the State made available which equaled to less than 10% of our total population. Thank you to VOYA Financial as well for graciously lending us the use of their property on short notice.

At this time, the Federal government is making test kits available online at https://special.usps.com/testkits. Every household is eligible to order 4 free test kits.

We have made test kits available to our at-risk elderly population, patrons of the food and fuel bank, members of our Senior Center, as well as through a variety of churches.

In the past two weeks or so, we have distributed nearly 50,000 masks to residents and businesses.

At this time, N95 masks are available at 5 town facilities. Facilities include: Town Hall, Main Library, Wilson Branch Library as well as L.P. Wilson Community Center and the 330 Windsor Ave Community Center during regular operating hours.

Annual Bridge Builder’s Award Event
The annual Bridge Builder’s Award event which was scheduled to be held on January 27, 2022 has been rescheduled to March 10, 2022 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM and will be held, in a limited capacity, in the Council Chambers at town hall. During this event, the Human Relations Commission will recognize residents/organizations who have contributed to equity, inclusion and community relations. The event is free. For more information call 860-285-1984.

Thank you to our First Responders
I would like to extend my appreciation to all of our first responders in town. The past few weeks have been extremely busy with various storms and freezing temperatures resulting in a large number of accidents and service calls for all three public safety agencies and our public works department.

I’d like to send an extra thank you to our volunteer firefighters for continuing to provide quality professional service day in and day out. We are fortunate to have a cadre of men and women who volunteer their time to help keep us safe. Thank you for your dedication and professionalism.