State of flux (or what's changed since last Friday regarding the City's response to this global pandemic)

State of flux - a state of uncertainty about what should be done (usually following some important event) preceding the establishment of a new direction of action.

If you're feeling discombobulated these days, you're in good company. This is brand new territory for all of us. No school. No sports. And every day we learn of a new recommendation limiting social interaction. Last week we were discouraged from attending gatherings of 500 or more which was quickly amended to 250 than to 50 and now – at least as of Monday afternoon – 10. What will be next?

Since last week, every municipality throughout the State, Chetek included, have been holding meetings and having multiple conversations as to how respond to the new reality of COVID-19. Last week, after several consultations with county leaders such as Barron County Executive Jeff French and the mayors of neighboring communities as well as our own department heads, our decision was to stay calm and operate as we normally do. Governor Evers decision to shut down the schools late Friday afternoon, however, changed all that.

Monday afternoon we had a department head meeting at City Hall. This included Chief Ambrozaitus (Police), Dan Knapp (Public Works), Joe Atwood (Building & Zoning), Donna Bachowski (The Center), Carol Burnham (Library) and City Clerk Carmen Newman. After having an opportunity to share what, if any, part of their operations would be affected by the federal and state governmental recommendations the following decisions were made:

The Center will be closed until further notice.

When the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) suspended the bulk of their programming throughout the county on Monday the decision to close was practically made for us. These programs include the weekly Friday Soup and Salad Bar, Dining at 5, Beneficial Bites and the like. Meals on Wheels will continue as usual and the lunch meals will be modified to a “Grab & Go” format. AARP, who helps seniors with preparing tax forms, has canceled all appointments indefinitely. And many of the other groups that frequent the Center, such as the Stitching Sisters, have on their own accord suspended meeting regularly. With nothing going on, then, it makes no sense to keep the lights on. This also affects all those who have rented The Center for an event in the next several weeks. All deposits will be completely refunded.

The Calhoun Memorial Library is now closed.

On Monday morning the library board chose to soldier on as usual but at the same time limit the number of computers available to patrons and insisting that all children under the age of 14 be accompanied by an adult. All programming, however, like Story Time, Book Club and Brown-Bagging It, is suspended for the time being. As the day progressed and more and more area libraries closed and as delivery services to the facilities were suspended altogether to remain open was no longer practical. As of Monday night, the Calhoun Memorial Library will be closed for the immediate future. All due dates have been automatically set for April 6. With delivery services canceled, a patron can't even order books on-line.

Access to City Hall will be limited.

For the immediate future, the closest you can get to City Hall will be the front door. Utility bills may be deposited in the drop box as usual or paid for on-line. The girls will be at their posts as usual and you may contact them by phone and they will only be too happy to help you. If you are concerned about the April 7 election, the option to pick-up an absentee ballot is still viable. If you go to https://myvote.wi.gov it will walk you through how to register. A little fun fact though: if you want to cast your vote this way be sure you to do so by Monday, March 30. Remember, the front door to City Hall is presently locked and you can't come to the front desk and hand deliver it.

Police and Public Works

The men and women of our police department and the guys at the City Shop will continue to carry on at their posts serving and protecting. As a municipality we offer 24-7 protection and that will remain to be the case. All public works services will continue as they normally would.

Of course, if we've learned anything during this last week or so it's that EVERYTHING is in a state of flux and subject to change. It's a real possibility that this Sunday while it may be a beautiful day and the roads clear for travel every church will be closed on account of the social distancing measures the government is asking us to take. We will keep you in the loop but in the mean time, take care, keep breathing (it's critical!) and remember to follow your mom's advice which is to wash your hands and drink lots of water.