Town of Fairfield News
4/29/2020 - 4.29 COVID-19 UPDATE
Good Afternoon Fairfielders,
The most recently published data shows Connecticut has 26,312 positive cases, 2,089 deaths, and 1,732 hospitalizations. Fairfield County has 10,874 confirmed cases and 747 associated deaths.
The Town of Fairfield has 365 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and a total of 44 of our residents have lost their lives. Of the 365 residents who have tested positive in Fairfield, 154 have reported that they have fully recovered.
Today we announced the updated policies on Fairfield's open spaces which will be limited to Fairfield residents only. You can watch our press conference from today by clicking on the image below and a link to the slides can be found at the end of this email. |
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UPDATED POLICIES TO OPEN SPACE - EFFECTIVE MAY 1
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THE BEACHES
The beach will be open for passive recreation only; no chairs, blankets, coolers, bonfires, any group gatherings or sporting activity will be allowed. Limited parking will be available at Sasco, Jennings and Southport beaches from 10 am - 8 pm for residents only with a valid 2020 beach sticker. The Penfield parking lot will remain closed.
Know before you go - check the parking lot status online at fairfieldct.org/parkingcapacity
MARINAS
Only M stickers will be allowed access to the marina lot with 24 hour gate coverage. The Ash Creek open space lot will remain closed. Residents with a valid beach sticker will be allowed access to Ye Yacht Yard.
GOLF COURSES Arrive. Play. Depart.
The Carl J. Dickman par 3 will open May 1 with online tee times only. No carts will be available and USGA guidelines will be enforced.
H.Smith Richardson will NOT open until the completion of the parking lot. Stay tuned for updates.
LAKE MOHEGAN
Effective May 1, parking will be available from 10 am - 8 pm to residents only with a valid 2020 beach sticker, or license/proof of Fairfield residency. The cascades lot will remain closed. All dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
All other town parks and recreation areas remain closed. We are working to provide opportunities for residents to exercise and enjoy our open spaces. I continue to urge residents to follow the CDC guidelines and the Governor's executive order of 6' distancing and wearing a face covering when such distancing can not be followed while enjoying our public spaces.
Our early efforts as a community to protect each other and stay apart made a difference. Now is not the time to let our guard down. Medical professionals have advised that we can carry COVID with no symptoms, which means that when you are out in public, you should assume you have it, and assume everyone else has it.
According to the CT Department of Public Health (DPH), Fairfield's case rate is 538 per hundred thousand. This is lower than 18 other towns in Fairfield County. Only Easton, Monroe and Newtown have lower case rates. Fairfield currently has the lowest case rate of all Fairfield County coastal towns in the I-95 Metro North corridor.
Further good news is that we have seen a decrease in hospitalizations for the past six days in Connecticut and Fairfield County. Fairfield has flattened the curve. |
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Helpful Resources
Contained below is new information and resources linked to help residents navigate this pandemic. I encourage you to browse through the bottom of this email.
Thank you all for doing your part to keep our community safe. We are in this together!
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Kupchick
First Selectwoman |
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Click the image below to view the slides outlining town policies
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OPERATION HOPE FOOD PANTRY
 Operation Hope wants to make sure residents of Fairfield are aware that the food pantry remains open and is ready to help by providing food and other basic needs to community residents, as they have for nearly 35 years. The pantry is currently operating as a drive-up service at 636 Old Post Road offering prepacked bags of groceries appropriate for various sized households.
The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00-12:00; Thursday from 4:00 -6:00. Emergency bags can be provided during off hours between 9:00 and 4:00 in special cases. All that’s required for your first visit is a valid drivers license/proof of residency. Executive Director Carla Miklos shared, "Our goal is let our community know we are here to help. We are blessed to be able to assist our neighbors in this small way to ensure no one is hungry. All are welcome whether you need one-time assistance or longer term support. Let us help you remove this financial burden from your concerns. Our volunteers and staff are waiting to serve you!“ |
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WHEN IT BUILDS UP, TALK IT OUT 
The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in partnership with United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 and community providers, recently launched their When it Builds Up, Talk it Out campaign.
Parents and caregivers who need someone to listen, to understand and to talk their feelings out with can connect with trained professionals by dialing 833-258-5011. |
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BIGELOW CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES
Mobile Food Pantry
Fairfield Social Services is partnering with Operation to operate a mobile food pantry. Fairfield Social Services/Bigelow Center is also providing home-delivered lunches to frail and at-risk seniors. For more information and eligibility, please call Social Services 203-256-3170. |
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Grocery Bags Available to Seniors
The Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging (SWCAA), in partnership with Fairfield Social Services and participating Fairfield Senior and Disabled Housing sites, is providing groceries to seniors 60 and older. The program is available for seniors who do not have any means of accessing groceries or do not have family who can shop for them. Each pre-packaged grocery bag provides a one-week supply of shelf-stable items as well as fresh produce, eggs, butter, bread and toilet paper. No-contact drive-through pick-up will be available at the Bigelow Center for those who do not reside at participating Senior and Disabled Housing sites. Some limited delivery is available for individuals who meet certain physical and transportation qualifications. To sign up for this program please call 203-256-3169. |
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The Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to provide limited, one-time assistance to Fairfield residents who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of the funds must be directly related to the effects of the virus. Donate to the fund or apply for relief by visiting www.fairfieldct.org/covidrelieffund
Thank you to the Levinson Family for the $5,000 matching donation to the relief fund. On behalf of our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet because of this global pandemic, we are deeply grateful to the Levinson Family for their generous support.
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BUSINESSES
For more information on state and federal support for businesses, click here. The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Federal CARES Act, click here.
Paycheck Protection Program: The Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline for businesses to keep employees on the payroll. On April 16, the program ran out of money so a new bill passed last week both refills the coffers of the PPP with an additional $310 billion and sets aside $60 billion for financial institutions like credit unions, CDFIs and Minority Deposit Institutions to give smaller businesses without traditional banking relationships a fighting chance to access this support. If you are a small business owner who applied for the PPP and did not receive money, check with your financial institution on whether you need to reapply. You can find more information about federal and state programs on the state’s coronavirus website.
Masks: Essential small businesses can fill out this form to receive masks for their employees if they are in need. Eligible, essential small businesses must have 50 employees or less with a need for surgical masks. There is a limit of 2 per employee. |
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LOCAL TAXES
Tax Deferment: Any real estate, motor vehicle, personal property or sewer taxes that became due on April 1st will not be considered delinquent if paid by July 1st. Also, all taxes that become due on July 1st will not be considered delinquent if paid by October 1st. Please note that Fairfield landlords can learn more about how to qualify by contacting the tax collector's office. For anyone with questions, please click here or call 203.256.3100.
Senior & Disabled Tax Relief: The Governor recently issued Executive Order 7S which includes a provision to eliminate the refiling requirement for those applicants due to refile this year. If you were due to refile this year, you were notified by mail in February. As a result of this Executive Order, you are no longer required to come into our office to refile. In addition we will be mailing you a notice to confirm that you do not need to refile this year.
If you are seeking the benefit for the first time you will need to apply. Please contact the office at 203-256-3110. |
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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
If you become unemployed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you should file for unemployment benefits. Click here for more information. For frequently asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) for workers and employers click here. |
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MORTGAGE RELIEF
The state has provided a FAQ which is a resource to help answer many of your questions about unemployment, mortgage relief and more. Please read it here. The Governor provided information on mortgage payment relief with over 50 credit unions and banks to help residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days.
All landlords are prohibited from issuing a notice to quit or beginning eviction proceedings before July 1, 2020, except for serious nuisance, such as physically harming another tenant or the landlord. For rent due in April 2020, landlords must grant tenants an automatic, 60-day grace period for payment, instead of the existing 9-day grace period. Read more. |
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COVID-19 TESTING
Governor Lamont today announced the State of Connecticut has formed a partnership with CVS Health in an initiative that will make free, rapid COVID-19 tests available to eligible Connecticut residents. Learn more here.
At this time, testing priority is given to those who are high risk. For more information on testing sites and protocols click here or visit www.fairfieldct.org/covid19. |
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RESTAURANTS 
Fairfield is lucky to have countless restaurants that have altered their businesses to provide take out, delivery and curbside pick up.
Click on the image to the right view the full listing.
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DOCUMENT HISTORY 
The Fairfield Museum is documenting history as it happens. Share your thoughts, feelings and memories during COVID-19 and help make history. Complete it here. |
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FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY: OPEN ONLINE
Did you know the Fairfield Library has digital resources, instant cards and can answer questions remotely? They also have virtual programs. Follow them on Facebook or visit their website!
Sign up for the library newsletter here. |
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PUBLIC SAFETY REQUESTS
In an Emergency, please Dial 911. Our Police and Fire Departments remain fully staffed, ready and able to respond to any emergency.
For non-emergency complaints or requests for service, please utilize the phone numbers below:
Police: (203) 254-4800
Fire: (203) 254-4700 |
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HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
The Center for Family Justice closed its main Bridgeport offices in  response to the COVID-19 pandemic but staff is now working remotely to serve clients in crisis.
The hotline numbers are:
Domestic Violence: 203-384-9559
Sexual Violence: 203-333-2233
Spanish Hotline: 888-568-8332 |
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2020 CENSUS
While you are home, to please complete the 2020 Census. We need your participation. You can complete it online, on the phone or by mail. Click here to find out how. |
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TOWN GOVERNMENT
Each department will have new guidelines as to how you can reach them on various services. Please visit this summary page for an overview and follow links to specific departments for more information. |
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Important COVID-19 Links:
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Contact Information:
For general questions you can call 211
Hartford HealthCare’s COVID-19 Clinical Command Center hotline, staffed by healthcare professionals, is now available to the community. To reach the 24-hour hotline, call 860.972.8100 or (toll-free) 833.621.0600.
YNHH has a call center number it’s 1-833-ASK YNHH that’s open from 7am - 7pm.
For additional information and prevention tips, refer to the Health Department website at: www.fairfieldct.org/health or the Fairfield homepage under news at www.fairfieldct.org. |
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PREVIOUS COVID-19 UPDATES:
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