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:
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.
Jeff can you take out after meals on wheels the dining at 5. i think you meant lunch meals will now be grab and go. there is no dining at 5 meals. thanks
ReplyDeleteDone! (Sorry for not getting my facts right the first time. Thanks for the edit.)
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