McInerney encourages social distancing, Grafton cancels recreation programs

Town Administrator Tim McInerney released an update on what the town of Grafton is doing to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in town. No cases have been announced within the town at this time.

We are following developments around the coronavirus closely. Our number one priority is to keep staff, community members, and the public as safe as possible during this time. 

We have taken the following steps to do our part in limiting the spread of the coronavirus: 

• Grafton Public Schools have closed for the week of March 16th for sanitization. No programming will occur on school grounds during that week. 
• All Library programs have been suspended indefinitely for the Spring 2020 season. The Library will be closed March 13th & 14th and plans to reopen on Monday March 16th unless otherwise advised by the state. 
• All Recreation programs for the Spring 2020 season are suspended until further notice. For information about the suspension of recreation programs, please visit the Recreation Department webpage at: www.graftonrec.com 
• The Grafton Senior Center will remain open but all events and activities within the Senior Center have been postponed until further notice. We will continue to provide rides and meals on wheels. 
• The Grafton Municipal Center remains open to the public during business hours of 8:30-4:30pm Mon, Wed-Fri and 8:30-7pm on Tuesdays. Should we choose to close municipal buildings to the public, we have implemented procedures for essential staff to have the ability to work remotely and will communicate that on our Facebook page and webpage. 
• Essential meetings are encouraged to be done remotely. Click here for information on the Governor’s Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law. 
• We are asking that residents and community members avoid gatherings of any type until further notice. This includes social and recreational gatherings, as well as meetings. Any nonessential meetings should be postponed until further notice. The Governor has banned gatherings of 250 or more until further notice.
  
  We are encouraging residents to pay bills online and use the drop box to avoid any contact with staff inside the Municipal Building. You can pay bills here: https://unipaygold.unibank.com/customerinfo.aspx
  
  Changeable letter signs in town have been updated to provide resources related to the coronavirus. First responders have been provided the appropriate protective gear when responding to residents who may be displaying flu like symptoms.
  
  We are using the Town’s website (www.grafton-ma.gov) as well as the Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/TownofGraftonMA/) to provide updated information from the local, state and federal level. Please continue to wash your hands regularly and if you have any flu like symptoms, please stay home until you have been symptom free for 24 hours without medication.