Walpole Coronavirus: What The Local State Of Emergency Means

WALPOLE, MA — Officials in Walpole Sunday declared a local state of emergency and implemented measures to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

The declaration allows the town to free up funds for emergency conditions without budget allocation and close all public buildings. The town will continue to provide basic government services.

On Monday, Walpole's town administrator, James A. Johnson, and its health director, Melissa Ranieri, sent out a press release detailing ongoing changes related to the state of emergency declaration.

Among those changes is the immediate closure of town hall and the town's police and fire stations.

The town said workers in these government departments will continue to work, and services like water and sewer will continue to operate as usual. In addition, billing for government services will remain uninterrupted.

Read more:

• Local States Of Emergency: What That Means In Massachusetts
• Gov. Baker Declared A State Of Emergency. What Does That Mean
• MBTA Announces Service Changes Over Coronavirus

Residents who need to make a payment for services like water or sewer can submit their payments through the dropbox on the exterior of the town hall near the river, town officials said.

Similarly, residents and contractors who need permits can still apply for them using the town's cloud-based permitting system.

Those who need birth or death certificates or marriage licenses can still obtain them by emailing town clerk Liz Gaffey at lgaffey@walpole-ma.gov or assistant town clerk Laura Banford at lbanford@walpole-ma.gov.

Nomination papers for the June 6 election will still be available for pickup through advanced notice to the town clerk's office.

According to the statement, the town's water department has stocked up on chemicals for water treatment and has even raised reserve levels of water tanks throughout the Walpole.

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At this time Walpole has not announced restrictions on social gatherings, but in the statement officials strongly encouraged "places of congregation" to limit the number of people in one location.

"The Town remains optimistic that the state will provide guidance during the upcoming days before the Town is forced to make a unilateral determination," the statement reads.

Walpole's town administrator on Sunday sent a similar statement to its employees, asking them to continue going to work if they are well.

"In order to ensure the delivery of essential municipal services as this situation evolves, staff of the Town Hall, Council on Aging, Recreation Department, and Public Library are still expected to come to work as scheduled," Johnson wrote.

Johnson also gave department heads across town government the discretion to alter employee schedules as necessary. Johnson's declaration allows staff from certain departments to be temporarily reassigned to other departments if needed.

The Town of Walpole has created a webpage containing information and real-time updates about the new coronavirus including memos, advisories and school closings. The town is also sharing updates on Twitter and the Walpole Board of Health Facebook page.

Need To Know

Some of the Town of Walpole's other services have also been altered in response to the spread of COVID-19, although they aren't directly resulting from the state of emergency declaration.

• Walpole schools are closed until March 27.
• Walpole Recreation has canceled all its programs for the Spring Session, including events and building rentals through April 24. It has also canceled its March 28 egg hunt.
• Walpole Food Pantry has suspended food distributions through the food pantry, Walpole Council on Aging and the Walpole Housing authority.
  • Donations will not be accepted at collection bins in stores or at at the pantry.
  • A home delivery service will provide food and non-food necessities to Walpole residents in need.
  • Residents can register for delivery services by calling the COA at 508-668-3330, option 8, on Monday or Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.