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Town of Pepperell and COVID-19
- Face Covering Order, No. 55
- Early Closing and Alcohol Order, No. 53
- Revised Gathering Order, No. 54
- Steps to help stop the spread if you are sick with Covid19
- Quarantine versus Isolation, what is the difference?
The Pepperell Board of Health, through their Agent, Nashoba Associated Boards of Health www.nashoba.org continues to monitor the Covid-19 situation. This is achieved through contact tracing, consistent and constant communications with town officials, and weekly Department of Public Health calls.
We ask each resident take their own personal responsibility to protect themselves, their loved ones and continue to be proactive to this situation. “The principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-sars-cov-2.html Please do not hesitate to contact our office, inquire about anything you need clarification on, specifically for Covid-19.
COVID FAQs - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health Update
- The information regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) is evolving and you can expect guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) will be updated as these agencies receive new information.
- It is important to get you information from reliable sources and the links to CDC and DPH are provided as part of this message; visiting these sites will keep you informed and will provide you with the most up to date information on the situation.
MA Department of Public Health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Massachusetts Department of Public Health has an extensive resource website including data about Massachusetts statewide and community specific information. The are available here:
Other helpful resources:
- Transmission – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html
- Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
- CDC webpage has information on this evolving situation and can be a great source of information, please click here.
- Travel information -https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Please see this video message from the Council on Aging. They can be reached at 978-433-0326.
https://pepperell.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=c5bd5918-eaea-45b1-a5fa-0596cb0f4df6
Food Assistance for Seniors (3/24/2020)
Any Pepperell resident, age 60+ who is self-isolating at home, is eligible to receive Meals on Wheels at this time. To sign up for Meals on Wheels contact the Pepperell Senior Center at 978 - 433 - 0326. Any Ashby resident, age 60+ who is self-isolating and needs assistance getting basic groceries and supplies, can contact the Pepperell Senior Center.
Contact the Conservation Administrator via email at pterrasi@town.pepperell.ma.us, or phone at 978 433-0325.
- Site visits and in-person meetings with those wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing are available.
- Filings for work within Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act jurisdictional areas can be submitted electronically and payment for filings can be arranged by emailing or leaving a message with the Conservation Administrator.
- Please contact the Conservation Administrator prior to submitting all filings until further notice.
The Pepperell DPW has resumed a normal level of services and amenities such as clean water, sewage collection and treatment, trash disposal and recycling, and interment of the deceased in town cemeteries. Normal and customary maintenance activities that were deferred during the Covid-related shutdowns are being performed as time and staffing allows. DPW administrative staff are working full time, although we continue to utilize remote office staffing as necessary to meet Covid-related scheduling conflicts. Operational staff are not entering private homes/businesses/institutions for non-emergency work. Construction inspections, final meter reads, etc., have resumed normal scheduling. While most of the Covid-related restrictions have been lifted, we understand that personal interactions and office support are still being impacted to a slight degree, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work towards resumption of all usual and customary services.
- The Town Engineer/DPW Director can be reached via email at kkalinowski@town.pepperell.ma.us, or phone at 978-433-0327.
- The Highway Department has resumed normal operations. Deferred maintenance such as roadside mowing is being performed as staffing and schedule permit.
- The Transfer Station has resumed normal operations, but attendants are currently not assisting customers with trash removal from vehicles, and are requesting that customers try to minimize the need financial transactions at the site by procuring bag tags in advance.
- Highway / Trans. Sta. related issues: ncyr@town.pepperell.ma.us or leave a voice mail at 978-433-5735.
- The Cemetery & Parks Department has resumed normal operations. They can be reached at 978-433-0323.
Water and Sewer
The Pepperell Water and Sewer departments have resumed normal operations; however, the administrative staff is utilizing remote operations on a limited basis to meet Covid-related scheduling conflicts. The water and sewer offices are staffed but closed to the general public. Individual appointments may be scheduled by calling the appropriate department and making the necessary arrangements.
- Water related issues: aadams@town.pepperell.ma.us or leave a voice mail at 978-433-9951
- Sewer related issues: stocci@town.pepperell.ma.us or leave a voice mail at 978-433-0359
- Payments: khartwell@town.pepperell.ma.us or leave a voice mail at 978-433-0359
Pepperell Community Center
The Pepperell Community Center has begun hosting classes. Class size is very limited and no walk in allowed. All attendees must be pre-registered for the class(s) attending.
Due to the current guidelines the center is currently not available to rent for private functions
All parks have been reopened, for small gatherings and sports play, following current state guidelines.
Town Field
- Playground structures and equipment (slides, swings, climbing structures)
- Basketball court and skatepark open during the day.
- Gazebo
- Walking Track
Varnum Brook Athletic Fields
- Sports fields for organized activities – soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, football, etc.
- Sports activities on all fields: baseball, softball, football, rugby, cricket, and soccer – whether league or pickup activities.
Park users are advised to follow social distancing guidelines.
Remain at least six feet away from other people.
Wash hands, utilize hand sanitizer, and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner elbow.
Limit time in public areas and avoid congregating in groups.
Stay home if you feel sick.
The Town Administrator’s Office will continue to provide all services remotely. You can contact the TA and the BOS/TA Admin via email at amaclean@town.pepperell.ma.us or tlooney@town.pepperell.ma.us or via phone at 978-650-1622.
Town Administrator Messages
The Town Clerk’s Office is committed to providing services as much as possible during this pandemic. For all questions, email bmontesanti@town.pepperell.ma.us, or call 978-433-0339. For detailed information about available services, visit the Town Clerk website.
The Assessors’ Office will be accepting exemption applications, excise abatements, forms of list, I & E forms and any other requests by email, mbolger@town.pepperell.ma.us, mail, or the drop box outside the lower level of Town Hall. Most inspections are temporarily on hold. Call 978-433-0332 or email for questions.
- The Pepperell Building Department can be contacted via email, lnspector@town.pepperell.ma.us, or phone 978- 433-0329. Permit applications and fee schedules are available on the town website and may be mailed or emailed, or left in the drop box at the Town Hall.
- Inspections will be done on any new construction or work being done outside of a residence.
- Inspections of occupied residences are not being at this time.
- Contractors are asked to contact our office to make arrangements for taking pictures or videos of residential work.
The Planning Department can be reached via email at planning@town.pepperell.ma.us. All applications are being accepted, but scheduling of meetings / public hearings may be delayed.
Although town buildings in Pepperell are currently closed to the public, the police department remains open for emergencies and other police related matters that can’t be handled over the phone or via email. If you are unsure if you should come to the police station, call us at 978-433-2424. For more information, please visit the PPD website.
The Fire Department remains committed to providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) including Advanced Life Support (ALS) transports along with fire protection to the citizens of Pepperell.
We are monitoring guidance from CDC, State Department of Public Health, Department of Fire Services, and Office of Emergency Medical Services and incorporating best practices to respond to all calls for services while protecting our employees. We are working closely with the LEPC as this situation develops.
Communications is running at 100% at this time. There is a contingency plan in place with the Ashby Police. If multiple dispatchers are unavailable we will consolidate in Pepperell and run both Town’s Call Centers.
Emergency Management is working closely with the Local Emergency Planning Council (LEPC), in particular with Police, Fire and BOH. All MEMA Region 1 EMD twice weekly meetings are being attended by the Director, and daily updates from MEMA are being shared with commentary to help understand the application to Pepperell. The Auxiliary Police have been removed from the full time cruiser ride-alongs to follow the safe practice of one person cars, and all Auxiliary and CERT meetings/training have been suspended for the time being. Both groups can be brought to bear though if their resources are needed.