At their March 25 meeting, held remotely via a Zoom link, Town Manager Sarah Stanton provided the Select Board with an update on the Town’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and discussed how the Town will move forward through the constraints of the pandemic. There was also a discussion of the effect of Covid-19 closures on Annual Town Meeting.
Covid-19 Response Report
Town Manager Sarah Stanton discussed various aspects of the town’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stanton highlighted the importance of everyone reading the daily updates on the Town website prepared by the Town’s task force.
Like other towns, Bedford has also felt the effects of the pandemic. The majority of the Town’s departments are working from home, with the departments deemed critical working at reduced capacity. Among the essential departments are the Department of Public Works, Fire, and Police.
Stanton also provided updates on the town’s food pantry which opened last Friday. Stanton announced that the Greater Boston Food Bank is assisting the Town. Stanton expressed her appreciation for their support.
Stanton discussed Bedford’s mutual aid partnerships with neighboring and nearby towns, to collaborate in a public emergency. She signaled that public works, fire, and police department resources would be made available if Bedford were to need assistance and conversely would be made available if other towns requested help.
Moving Forward
Town Manager Sarah Stanton and the Select Board discussed the town’s actions moving forward, especially the effect the pandemic has had on Town Meeting,
As Annual Town Meeting is currently set for April 6, but another 30-day extension could be declared at the next Select Board meeting. Board member Margot Fleischman supported waiting before rescheduling as it would be a waste of time and resources since the town cannot predict when this pandemic will end, and the members agreed.
Remote Participation in Select Board Meetings
Select Board meetings will be held on Zoom, a cloud-based video software, for the remainder of the pandemic. Information on how to join a Zoom meeting will available as part of the meeting’s agenda on the town website.
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