Special to the Transcript
Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley have received notification from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) of three additional residents affected by COVID-19. It is with great sadness that they report the loss of life of two additional Winthrop residents.
Updates as of April 21
All public schools in Massachusetts are closed through the end of the academic school year.
Public Health Updates
The Town of Winthrop Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is streamlining the COVID-19 response effort to ensure the continued delivery of services to residents. The EOC will remain operational until further notice. The EOC can be reached at 617-539-5848, Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by emailing [email protected].
For residents that may be self-quarantined and require outside assistance or meal delivery, please contact the EOC at 617-539-5848 or [email protected]. All information will be confidential.
The COVID-19 Tip Hotline is available on the Winthrop Public Safety website at https://winthroppublicsafety.com/covid-19-tip-hotline/ for those self-reporting or for a concerned member of the community.
Federal and State Updates
The DCR has temporarily closed state coastal beach parking areas. For more information visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/dcr-coastal-beach-reservation-list
Public access and parking is restricted at Deer Island until further notice.
Vehicles displaying Town of Winthrop residential parking stickers are permitted to park along Winthrop Shore Drive. Residents can obtain a parking pass by calling (617) 539-5848 Monday through Friday to arrange for a parking pass to be dropped off.
The federal income tax filing due date has been automatically extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.
Local Winthrop Updates
Municipal Services: Town Hall business offices remain closed to walk in foot traffic at this time. Residents can pay taxes, parking tickets and apply for resident parking stickers on the town website at https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us/ or by dropping payments and applications in the drop box located at the Town Hall front door.
Residents having difficulty completing a transaction online can email the following department’s directly for further assistance.
• Assessor’s Office – [email protected]
• Building Department – [email protected]
• Harbor Master – [email protected]
• Library – [email protected]
• Parks and Recreation – [email protected]
• Town Clerk – [email protected]
• Tax Collector – [email protected]
• Town Manager – [email protected]
Residents can contact the DPW to report safety issues on the town website at www.town.winthrop.ma.us or by the “See Click Fix†app on your mobile smartphone.
Residents can request bulk permit trash stickers from the DPW Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. by calling (617) 846-1341. Trash stickers will be delivered to your household.
Mooring permits and waterway fees applications can be mailed to Town Hall or dropped in the mail slot by the front door to Town Hall.
• Boaters must ensure your boat is properly registered/documented.
• Ensure boat excise tax is paid. (Include payment if needed.)
• Include payment of waterways fee: Residents pay $200, Non-Residents pay $250. If you were waiting for renewal forms but have not received them you can email the Town Tax Collector’s Office or the Harbormaster at [email protected].
Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for stickers to be returned.
The following link contains a public safety message to the Winthrop community from municipal, public safety and education leaders to remind residents that local government continues to operate and support the community during the COVID-19 public health crisis. https://vimeo.com/405927192
CBD Project Update: Center Business District Infrastructure Project construction updates and safety plans are available by clicking on the “CBD Project†tab located at the top of the town website.
A curfew has been established for all non-essential workers/residents, visitors, and businesses in the Town of Winthrop between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
All non-essential businesses are closed until May 4th.
All parks, playgrounds and beaches are closed.
No gatherings of any kind of more than 10 people at one time, in one place are allowed.
All bars and restaurants will only be able to serve takeout customers.
The Winthrop Community Food Bank will be distributing food by delivery only. There will be NO in-person pick-up at the Cummings Elementary School. If you are in need of food, please email: [email protected]. Please provide your name, address, phone number and the number of people in your household. If your need is urgent, please call the Emergency Operations Center at 617-539-5848.
The Food Bank will continue accepting donations Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the FRONT loop of the Cummings School across from the Fire Station. The Food Bank is in need of non-perishable items such as cereals, canned goods, pasta, bread, peanut butter and jelly, toiletries and paper products. Items without an expiration date cannot be accepted.
Latest Health Guidance
As always, if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not go to work or school and are advised to contact their primary care physician.
The Town is also advising residents to practice social distancing by keeping six feet between people to prevent the spread of infection, which includes handshaking and hugging. Residents are also encouraged to avoid group activities and events.
Other Guidelines Include:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
• Keep your hands away from your face.
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
• Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
Stay Informed
The Town encourages everyone to stay informed regarding COVID-19 by accessing the following information:
• Town of Winthrop Official COVID-19 updates – https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us/home/urgent-alerts/covid-19-public-health-updates
• Winthrop Public Safety website – winthroppublicsafety.com/
• Winthrop COVID-19 Tip Hotline – winthroppublicsafety.com/covid-19-tip-hotline/
• MA Dept. of Public Health – www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
• MA 2-1-1 general COVID-19 information – https://mass211.org/ or dial 2-1-1 (24/7)
• MA COVID-19 text updates: Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777
• United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/
• MA resources for protecting identity and learning about employment rights and unemployment benefits: www.mass.gov/ma-financial-resources-for-covid-19
• Social distancing during COVID-19 leaves survivors of sexual and domestic violence particularly vulnerable. If you or someone you know in Massachusetts is at risk—you are not alone—help is still available. Please call 877-785-2020 or visit janedoe.org at https://janedoe.org/find_help/