WILTON – The Library board of Trustees has made the decision to close the Wilton library until further notice. “It is our duty to do all that we can to prevent the spread of illness in our town. The closing takes effect immediately and will be in place as long as the situation demands. We know that this places our dedicated library users in an unhappy situation. But the library will do all it can to provide books and services remotely while we are closed. More on that will be available on our website soon. We are extending all due dates, ending the charging of overdue fees, and freezing all reserves. We ask that you keep currently checked out books at home and do not place any books in the book drop outside the library. As most other libraries are also closed, this also applies to inter-library loan.

Your librarians will be working hard to keep you in reading materials through our digital collections.We will also continue to keep you up to date with the information you need, and help with the census in the next few days. We love our town and will do our very best to work with you and the town as we go through this crisis.”

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HOLLIS – At this time, Hollis’ Town Meeting has been recessed until Saturday, April 18th, 2020, at 10:00 am. The tentative location is the Hollis-Brookline High School Gymnasium. We all share the goal of having residents attend the meeting, participate in the deliberative process, and cast their votes. For this reason, a motion was made by the Select Board to recess Town Meeting until Saturday, April 18th, 2020. The legislative body voted overwhelmingly in support of the motion. For more information on Town Meeting, including Warrant Articles, visit the Town of Hollis website www.hollisnh.org. The point of contact for this press release is Town Administrator, Lori Radke at 465-2209 ext.101.

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MANCHESTER – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have released a statement due to mounting concerns over coronavirus: “With the announcements from Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball regarding the delay of Opening Day, the 2020 Fisher Cats season will not begin on April 9 as originally scheduled. The safety and security of fans, employees and personnel is our top priority, and the Fisher Cats will continue to follow the guidance of Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball, as well as local, state, and federal officials. We hope to have more information on the start of the 2020 season as soon as possible.” The Fisher Cats season was set to begin April 9 on the road in Reading, PA., with a home opener scheduled for April 16.

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NASHUA – Although Nashua Fire Rescue officials have closed all its stations to the public, the city’s Safe Stations program will remain in effect, with “slight modifications,” according to Fire Chief Brian Rhodes.

The program, instituted several years ago, allows anyone with a substance use disorder to receive immediate assistance 24 hours a day by going to one of the city’s six fire stations or its dispatch headquarters at 38 Lake St.

That will continue, Rhodes said, but firefighters assisting an individual will be practicing “social distancing,” and will be equipped with a screening tool supplied by the public health department.

Those seeking assistance will, in most cases, be asked to wear a surgical mask that firefighters will provide, Rhodes said.

In good weather, he added, firefighters will conduct the assessments outside the station.

While the department has suspended for the time being all non-essential support services, such as applying for burning permits and fire prevention activities, firefighters will continue handling emergency calls as usual.

“We’re an essential services,” Rhodes said. “We want to assure the public we’re here for them.”

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MILFORD – At St. Joseph Community Services (SJCS), our primary concern is the health and well-being of those we serve. On a weekly basis, we provide 8,000 meals for older, homebound and disabled adults across 31 towns in Hillsborough County. As such, we would like to share the following information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Considering the serious potential of the virus, and in close consultation with our leadership team, board of directors and local and state agencies, we are closely monitoring the issue in our state and are putting prevention and response steps in place. In doing so, we will be following guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect the health of vulnerable seniors as well as our staff and volunteers.

As you have no doubt seen or heard in the news, this situation is rapidly evolving, and we are doing our utmost to stay abreast of current developments. We will also do all that we can to keep our clients, their families and other key partners informed.

Here are the steps we’ve initiated at present:

· After today, operation of the SJCS Community Dining Program will be temporarily suspended. Our state and federal governments are recommending that public gatherings be limited due to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers older adults (60+) and those with underlying health conditions, to be at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

· We are working with each dining location to provide meals which can be safely picked up and brought home to consume. Please check with your local site for details.

· This decision does not, at this time, impact the Meals on Wheels Program, which will continue unless it is determined that meal delivery is no longer possible. In this case, an alternate plan will be implemented.

· We are contacting all of our clients regarding the issue of COVID-19 and sharing our plans for how SJCS will proceed in the coming days and weeks.

· We are actively meeting with all staff and volunteers to discuss how to self-monitor for illness and to clarify preventative measures.

In addition to regular updates provided to our clients, we will be communicating regularly via our social media news pages. These are:

Facebook: @mealsonwheelsnh

Twitter: @MoWSJCS

Website: www.mealsonwheelsnh.org