Public Health Updates

Although we are all ready for this pandemic to be over and we are beginning to imagine what our normal lives will be like after COVID-19. WE ARE NOT THERE YET. It is now more important than ever to get back the basic but effective prevention measures we learned last Spring; Practice social distancing, Cover your face, Stay home if you don’t really need to go out.

• Practice good hygiene, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Regularly disinfect hard surfaces like counters, table tops, and doorknobs.
  
  
• Limit gatherings, cover your face and maintain social distancing, stay at home except for essential activities. For more information on the latest guidance www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment.
  
  
• If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and other symptoms, like coughing or difficulty breathing, please call your healthcare provider/primary care doctor for medical advice. For more information on testing and symptoms, go to: www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing.
  
  
• Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Executive Order #59 (effective December 26, 2020) limits indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings in private homes and public spaces to 25 people. Full text here: www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-order-59/download.
  
  
• All visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow travel orders. For more information www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order.
  
  
• We ask that all residents be patient with vaccine distribution. The Health Department is ready to do whatever will be required to ensure vaccine distribution is available to Westfield residents. Vaccine Distribution is still in Phase One, the City regularly receives updates from the State regarding planning but it is still a work in progress. For more information on vaccine distribution: www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-covid-19-vaccine-information.
  
  
• The Department of Public Health has COVID-19 fact sheets available in different languages. Please share this link with any friends or family who would benefit from reading COVID-19 Fact Sheets in their native language: www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-printable-fact-sheets.

  
  

Online, Telephone & Contact Free Resources

• To sign up for State of MA COVID-19 text alerts, text COVIDMA to 888-777.
  
  
• Call 211 for reliable information on coronavirus and resources available for Massachusetts citizens. This service is also available online at: www.mass211.org.
  
  
• World Health Organization: www.who.int.
  
  
• Westfield Health Department: www.facebook.com/westfieldpublichealth.
  
  
• Westfield Emergency Management: www.facebook.com/Westfield-Emergency-Management-125571944219310.
  
  
• City Hall Drop Box - A drop box is located by the handicapped entrance ramp at City Hall on the east side of the building. This drop box may be used for drop off of city bills or other correspondence.
  
  
• Online Bill Pay - Review this link for online payment options for city utility bills, taxes, parking tickets as well as any fee’s that may be applicable.
  
  
• Police Online Reporting System - The Westfield Police Department is encouraging citizens to use the online reporting system for minor non emergency/life threatening or active incidents. Review this link for incident types available.
  
  
• Report a Concern with SeeClickFix - The SeeClickFix system allows citizens to report non-emergency / maintenance issues to the city.
  
  
• City Contact Directory - Contact a City department via phone, email or fax.
  
  

Updates From the Commonwealth

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is maintaining a website aggregating the most up-to-date information relative to COVID-19. It can be found online at: www.mass.gov/covid19.
  
  
• The Current State of Reopening is Phase III, Step 2 for more details on reopening Massachusetts www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts.
  
  
• State agencies have been issuing Emergency Orders, Updates, Advisories and Guidance on matters as diverse as prescription writing, senior hours at grocery stores, to professional licensure in response to our current state of operations. For a list of these orders, check this website: www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency.
  
  
• Trial Courts: For information on the status of trial courts in Massachusetts, visit this website: www.mass.gov/guides/court-system-response-to-covid-19.
  
  
• COVID-19 Relief Fund: Governor Baker announced on April 6th the creation of the MA COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist local foundations and community agencies support front line workers and families who have been disproportionately affected by the impact of COVID-19 through monetary and equipment donations. To learn more or donate visit: www.macovid19relieffund.org.
  
  

Food Security

• For School-Age Youth: The Westfield Public Schools are offering free curbside lunch and breakfast pickup services. For up-to-date information on locations and times of distribution please visit www.schoolsofwestfield.org/departments/food_services. For more information call the Food Services Department at (413) 572-6493.
  
  
• The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is organizing “Grab & Go” Meals at the following locations: More information at www.bgcwestfield.org/foodservice.
  
  - Colonial Pine Acres, 50 Southampton Road, 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
  
  - Edgewood Apartments, 134 Union Street, 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm
  
  - Powdermill Village Apartments, 126 Union Street, 12:50 pm – 1:30 pm
  
  - Boys & Girls Club, 28 West Silver St, Breakfast: 9:00 – 9:30 am  Lunch: 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
  
  
• The Westfield Food Pantry is periodically offering grab-an-go dinners for individuals and families in need. They are communicating primarily through their webpage at: www.facebook.com/Westfield-Food-Pantry-510416725651902.
  
  
• The Westfield Soup Kitchen, at 101 Meadow & White Streets, is providing on meal per person, no charge, Sunday-Friday each week from 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm. Appropriate social distancing will be practiced and expected. The organization is accepting monetary donations at its mailing address, Our Community Table, PO Box 2017, Westfield, MA 01086.
  
  
• Saturday Evening Grab and Go Meal: Saturday, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. One Meal per Person, No Charge. Church of the Atonement, 36 Court Street.
  
  

Pandemic Meal Options for Westfield Seniors

• Senior ‘School’ Lunch Program: ‘To Go’ lunches are offered for seniors through the end of the school year.
  
  Abner Gibbs Elementary School, 50 West Silver Street, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call the school at (413) 572-6408 by noon the previous day to reserve your lunch.
  
  
• Senior Center Meals: Take-out meals, prepared by the Westfield Senior Center kitchen staff, are available for $3, Monday through Friday with curbside pick-up at 45 Noble Street. Those who wish to purchase a meal should call the Senior Center at (413) 562-6435 in the morning between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. Their meal will be available for a curbside pick-up near the Senior Center front patio between the hours of 11:00 and 11:45 a.m. that day.
  
  Please note that meals are cooked but have to be heated at home. **Please enter the Senior Center parking lot via Murphy Circle, which is the entrance farthest from the Senior Center building, for meal pick-up.
  
  

Municipal Operations Update

Westfield City Hall remains CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. 

Municipal departments are operating at full capacity and conducting regular operations.  Departments with adjusted procedures or other information are listed below.

• Westfield Public Schools are operating remotely until January 19th, 2021 when schools expect to return to a hybrid learning model. The calendar for remote learning can be found at www.schoolsofwestfield.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_952612/File/1District/WPS%202020-2021%20Calendar%20Revised.pdf Please continue to follow the news and the School’s website for updated information.
• Westfield Animal Shelter is currently open by APPOINTMENT ONLY due to COVID-19 restrictions. Call the animal shelter to make an appointment. Animal control services are still available daily.
• Building Department: Inspections being performed compliant with applicable codes. Invoking right to accept alternate methods of inspection when warranted.
• City Clerk: Due to City Hall closure, call to arrange for services at (413) 642-9306.
• City Council: Meetings are posted on city website. Remote participation instructions will be available.
• Collectors’ Office is still accepting payments by mail using the envelopes enclosed with the bills or by mail to City Hall at: City of Westfield, 59 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Payments can also be made online via the Collectors’ Department website link: Online Payments. Payment methods available online include credit cards and debit cards subject to the fee schedule found on the website. The City accepts online payments by electronic check for a fee of $0.25. Payment fees are charged by the payment processing company, not the City of Westfield. Payments can be made by check or money order using the drop box at the handicapped access entrance. If residents or businesses want a receipt, they should include a self-addressed stamp envelope and the Collectors’ Office will mail a receipt. If you have any questions or need assistance, please call (413) 572-6229 or (413) 572-6237.
• Off-Street Parking: To purchase a monthly parking sticker, call for service at (413) 572-6246.
• Parks & Recreation: After hours drop box located at 4 Holcomb Street and registrations online at westfieldma.myrec.com.
• Council On Aging/Senior Center is closed to the public. Staff available Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and noon to 3:30 p.m. for information and referrals, case management, and medical equipment loans. Drop box for documentation drop-off. Daily lunches with reservation. (413) 562-6435
• Veterans’ Services is located within the Senior Center and due to the Center's closure, arrange for services at (413) 572-6247. Additional information at City of Westfield Veterans Services Facebook Page.
  
  

Available Assistance for Businesses & Residents

• The City of Westfield Office of Community Development is offering its Emergency Business Assistance Grant Program to qualified businesses. To date, 26 businesses have been assisted and funds remain to assist 8-10 additional businesses through the Community Development Block Grant program. For additional information, visit our website at: www.cityofwestfield.org/701/Community-Development-Block-Grant-CDBG.
  
  
• ** NEW** Individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 loss of wages may be eligible for a Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program being funded by Community Development Block Grant program. For information on this program, visit www.valleyopp.com or call (413) 552-1554.
  
  
• The Massachusetts Growth Capital Fund is managing Economic Development Assistance Programs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for certain employers impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. More information on this program can be found at: www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.
  
  
• The Paycheck Protection Program, being run jointly by the Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration has released its application for a second round of funds on January 11th. More information can be found here: www.sba.gov/article/2021/jan/08/sba-treasury-announce-ppp-re-opening-issue-new-guidance. Please contact your banker or accountant for additional information.