Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales
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Free by request to residents of Sturbridge, Brimfield, Holland and Wales SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICS TO [email protected] Friday, March 27, 2020 A good time for Smola: Legislature some good news taking steps to protect public, assist workers during few weeks, there has simply been too much darkness assaulting us through our television screens every night. Too coronavirus outbreak many graphs and charts depicting rates of infection, too much footage of ambu- lances racing through city streets, too BOSTON – Rep. Todd M. Smola ment of Town Meeting due to the public much focus on dreary and depressing (R-Warren, Ranking Member, health emergency created by the virus, statistics reporting how many have Committee on Ways & Means) says he is while giving local Select Boards the been infected by the COVID-19 virus working with his colleagues to respond power to extend Town Meeting beyond and how many have died. A steady to the coronavirus pandemic by taking the June 30 cut-off date mandated by diet of television news right would be steps to protect the public and provide state law if necessary. enough to leave any viewer with the support for workers who lose their jobs impression that the very fabric of our as a result of the outbreak. House Bill 4572 would also allow for society is crumbling away around us. the temporary reduction of quorum Anyone who has been out of the Smola noted the House of requirements for Town Meeting to com- house during this outbreak, however, Representatives and the Senate have ply with “social distancing” measures has seen that nothing could be further already approved a bill waiving the designed to prevent the spread of the from the truth. There is another side to one-week waiting period for laid off virus. The bill would also authorize the COVID-19 pandemic that has been workers applying for unemployment towns that are unable to finalize a bud- receiving far less attention. Individual benefits. The changes are retroactive get by June 30 to continue spending at tales of generosity and goodwill have to March 10 – the day Governor Charlie current fiscal year levels on a month- been popping up across the country Baker declared a State of Emergency to-month basis for essential operations, recently — stories of landlords forego- in response to the outbreak – and will using revolving funds and existing cash ing the collection of rent from tenants remain in place for 90 days after the balances, until a new budget is final- who are home without pay or insisting Governor’s order is lifted. ized. that the hard hit businesses who rent Brendan Berube Photo space from them pay employees first; The Legislature previously enacted a Representative Smola expects the Our Editor, Brendan Berube, following the stories of neighbors buying groceries supplemental budget providing $15 mil- House and Senate will be taking addi- CDC’s social distancing recommendations and supplies for the elderly couple next lion in assistance to the Massachusetts tional actions in the weeks ahead to by working from home with the help of his door; of parents organizing food col- Department of Public Health, as well help mitigate the impacts of the pan- ‘assistant,’ Lola. lection drives to ensure that families as local and regional boards of health. demic. In the meantime, he encourages in need are able to keep food on the This money is being used to support constituents to utilize the state’s Web table for children whose schools have ongoing monitoring, treatment, con- site at www.mass.gov/resource/infor- BY BRENDAN BERUBE tainment, public awareness and pre- mation-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus- EDITOR temporarily closed. Every day, in every community across the nation, ordinary vention efforts against the virus. disease-2019-covid-19 to stay informed As members of the news industry our- people are stepping up to the plate to about the latest developments during selves, we try to keep up with current combat the negative impact of COVID- Smola said the House and Senate are the State of Emergency. For additional events as much as possible by monitor- 19 with kindness. now working on a proposal filed by information, please contact Rep. Smola ing other publications and watching the Just last week, we received a phone Gov. Baker to assist municipalities with at [email protected] or (617) nightly news regularly. At this point, essential government functions during 722-2100. however, we — like many of you out Turn To GOOD NEWS page A8 the State of Emergency. House Bill there — have had it. Over the past 4572 would allow for a 30-day postpone- Charlton sees first G & R Fish Market: positive test for COVID-19 Celebrating 15 years BY JASON BLEAU We have also updated our It’s not something some- VILLAGER CORRESPONDENT response to include every where else, it’s right here in business patient receiving a surgi- in our communities,” CHARLTON – The cal mask prior to interac- Gagner said. “The town of COVID-19, or coronavi- tion with the EMTs. We Charlton is very well pre- STURBRIDGE — What rus, pandemic has hit are also providing addi- pared. We’ve had a plan makes a man change his close to home with the tional personal protective in place for a situation profession from hair- first recorded case in the equipment for our staff such as this and other dresser to fishmonger? town of Charlton. to wear during respirato- situations that could For Sebastiano Giaquinto On Wednesday, March ry calls. Sanitizing of all occur. We’ve always had it was simple. A passion 18, town officials were apparatus is happening an emergency response for buying and selling the notified of the first pos- after every response for action plan. Charlton freshest fish and seafood itive case of the virus service,” the statement was well stocked up in the area. after three EMTs were read. with gloves and masks When Giaquinto, exposed to a patient who The revelation of a and personal protective who grew up in Italy, was later tested for the positive case capped off equipment that other moved from Worcester illness. The positive an eventful week for towns are running short to his wife’s, the former case was confirmed on Charlton as the town on and we’ve been able to Jeannette Ramos home- Tuesday, March 17, and followed suit with count- supply mutual aid to local town of Southbridge, he the following day, a call less other communities doctors offices and even went looking one day to from St. Vincent Hospital across the state and coun- other towns in the area as buy fresh fish for dinner. in Worcester informed try by closing town office needed.” “In Italy, everything officials of the situation buildings to public traffic Town Administrator is fresh,” he said. “You prompting the three and imploring residents Andrew Golas said hav- go to the fish market for EMTs to be self-quaran- to practice social distanc- ing a positive test in fish; the vegetable mar- tined for fourteen days. ing and proper hygiene Charlton doesn’t change ket for fruit and produce. As of this report none to curb the spread of the much from his perspec- We don’t have big super- of the EMTs were con- virus. Charlton Board of tive either. Charlton markets like here in firmed to have contracted Health Chair Matthew has used the governor’s America.” the virus during the call. Gagner said the town has recommendations and While one can certain- Courtesy Photo The Charlton Fire been working all along orders as well as the ly buy fish at the local Department released Pictured: Sebastiano Giaquinto and Antonietta “Toni.” with the assumption that advice of medical profes- stores, the product, how- a statement on their the virus was in the area sionals to their advan- ever, is mostly frozen, not Facebook page confirm- and acknowledges that tage to try and stay ahead fresh. you can tell the moment alongside her brother; ing the reports and dis- things progressed quickly of the pandemic and A decision was made. you walk through the artwork by his children cussing the measures even before a confirmed they plan to continue to Giaquinto would leave door. The clean smell of when they were young being taken to help pro- case was announced. embrace these practic- his profession as a hair- the air is noticeable. G & and now his grandchil- tect first responders “This, in a way, made es as long as needed to dresser. The couple first R also carries fresh live dren adorn the walls. during the pandemic. some of the residents prevent the continued opened G & R Fish Market lobsters, clams, PEI mus- “Customers’ kids bring “In an abundance of more aware of the situa- spread of the illness. in 2005 in Southbridge. sels, king crab legs, and me drawings, which I caution, even before tion. The Board of Health “The result of having On March 18, 2008, they wild shrimp from Gulf of hang up too,” Giaquinto being notified of this expo- has been very aware of a positive case hasn’t moved the store to its cur- Mexico. said proudly. sure, the fire department it and we were taking it changed anything. We’ve rent location at 135 Main “That is the only prod- On the walls, too, you took extreme measures to very seriously before it been operating using the Street in Sturbridge. uct that comes in fresh will find six certificates isolate all shifts in a ‘pro- hit us. It’s become our governor’s orders and G & R Fish Market frozen,” he said.