Coronavirus Update - March 28, 2020 - Save the Summer
Resolution Encouraging People to Limit Travel: The North Haven Select Board has issued a resolution encouraging people to limit travel to and from the island. Please read the resolution before considering coming to the island during the Coronavirus
pandemic. The resolution is effective immediately. The Board rescinded the order it issued on Sunday March 15, 2020.
The Board continues to struggle with how to best protect people from the Coronavirus and will revise and update its resolution as facts change. The Board issued the resolution because it believes the Town has extremely limited ability to
cope with the pandemic. The addition of even a few people could strain
those resources to the point where more people would become at risk.
Thank you for your understanding.
Current situation: There are 211 confirmed cases in Maine, with 2 in Knox County. The people are quarantined. We do not have any confirmed cases on North Haven.
Letter to the Governor: The Town has coordinated with other island communities and our County Commissioner to ask the Governor to authorize the Ferry Service to take appropriate steps to protect people from the virus. You can read the letter here.
Town Administrator's Report: Bottom line - All of us are looking forward to a safe, fun-filled, and prosperous summer. By getting on top of the virus now, we stand the best chance of having a normal summer. Please do whatever you can to help keep everyone safe and healthy. You can read the full report here.
Preparation:
The World Health Organization, the U.S.
CDC, and federal, State and local agencies are working
together to address new cases and public concerns about the spread of the
disease.
Governor Mills has convened a
Coronavirus
Response Team led by Maine CDC Director, Doctor Nirav Shah. The Governor has also issued a
proclamation of State of Civil Emergency to Further Protect Public Health.
Locally, the Knox County Emergency Management
Agency (EMA) is working with communities, including North Haven, and
coordinating with the Governor’s response team.
At this point, Maine CDC is holding weekly coordination meetings with
EMA teams across the State.
Rick
Lattimer is North Haven’s Emergency Management Director.
Sue Ferra and Lorraine Reiser are our Local
Health Officers.
Together with North
Haven’s first responders, school officials, and Southern Harbor House staff, they
are working to coordinate activities, keep people up to date, and reduce the
likelihood of the disease spreading, should it come to the island.
Prevention: There is no vaccine currently effective
against Coronavirus. Steps we can all
take to minimize the risk of contracting the disease and spreading it to others
include:
- Wash your hands with soap and water; use hand
sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with
unwashed hands
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then
throw the tissue in the trash
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
- Stay home when you are sick and keep children
home when they are sick
What's Open, What's Closed: Here is a list of businesses and activities that are open and closed. We will update as changes occur.
Updates: For updates on the Coronavirus, please visit
the U.S. CDC website here, and the Maine CDC website here.
Coronavirus - Resolution Encouraging People to Limit Travel
The North Haven Select Board heard several concerns about the order it issued on March 15, 2020. The Governor's legal counsel noted that only the governor has the ability to restrict travel; municipalities do not have that authority. Accordingly, the Board rescinded the order and has instead adopted this resolution. The resolution strongly encourages people not to travel. This is completely consistent with the advice of governments at all levels and healthcare officials.
The resolution is effective
immediately.
Several people raised concerns that the Board's previous order was - at heart - an attempt to protect year-round residents at the expense of occasional residents' rights. Nothing like that was intended. While the intent of the order was perhaps not worded carefully, the gist of the Board's concerns are now stated in the resolution: "Refrain from traveling away from the places where you are currently living - whether that is on North Haven or elsewhere - and that if you reside in places with better access to medical care than North Haven can provide you should refrain from traveling to the island." In other words, if you are on the island, please stay here. If not, please read the resolution carefully before considering coming to the
island during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Board continues to struggle with how to best protect people from the Coronavirus. The Town has limited resources. The addition of even a few people could strain those resources to the point where more people would become at risk. Thank you for your understanding.
North Haven Clinic - Limited Services & Financial Assistance
Services: In order to reduce the demand on the Clinic staff during this time, the Clinic will not perform routine physical examinations or routine lab samples. In addition, if you have an appointment of any kind, we ask that you call the Clinic first to determine if the nurse practitioner is available. The nurse practitioner may talk with you first and will help you determine whether an in-person visit to the Clinic is necessary. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Financial Assistance: Help is available to cover costs for COVID-19 and Flu testing. If you do not have health insurance or have a high deductible, please contact the Clinic (867.2021) or Rev. Dave Macy (867.0919). This assistance is provided via the North Haven Baptist Church Discretionary Fund by a generous grant from the Pulpit Harbor Foundation.
Emergency Services
In case of emergency, please dial 911. North Haven participates in the Knox County Emergency Management System. Upon calling, a 911 operator will take your information and immediately contact North Haven's EMS and Fire Department, as appropriate.
Brown Tail Moth - Nest Removal
Volunteers are needed to help remove Brown Tail Moth nests along the roads
When: Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 10:00 am
Where: Meet downtown at the Ballfield
What to Bring: Clippers, gloves, and buckets or totes
Questions: Contact Liza Waterman
Wanted - Land for a North Haven Airstrip
The Town of North Haven is interested in acquiring land for suitable for a town-owned and controlled airstrip.
If you own land and may be interested, the details are here.
Clinic Assistant - Substitute
The Town is seeking a responsible person willing to act as an occasional substitute for the Clinic Assistant. If interested, please contact Rick Lattimer, Town Administrator, at 207.867.4433 or via email at [email protected]
The position will remain open until filled.
Town Initiatives
For updates on the initiatives discussed during the meeting in August 2019, please go to this page on the Town's website.
New Town Office Email Addresses
We have new email addresses in the Town Office. Please refresh your email contacts lists to make sure you are using the right addresses.
Select Board Meeting Schedule
The Select Board met on Tuesday, December 3rd and Tuesday, December 10th. The Board will not meet again during the month of December 2019. The Board will resume meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 4:30 pm in the Town Office.
Transfer Station -- Schedule and Hours, Recycling Guidelines
Currently, the Transfer Station is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00 to 5:00. For an updated list of what can and cannot be discarded in the recycling compacter, click here.
Recycling at the Transfer Station
Click here for a copy of recycling guidelines at the Transfer Station. As many recyclers know, the market for recycled materials has undergone some dramatic changes. Our recycling provider, Ecomaine, has issued new guidelines to match the demand of a shrinking market for some categories of materials. Please consult it.
Burn Pile
Please remember that the burn pile is restricted to brush and untreated wood. (Latex painted construction debris is allowed.) Access to and use of the burn pile is primarily on an "honor system". The Transfer Station staff cannot continuously monitor the pile. The discarding of noxious and toxic debris which ends up being burned may result in drastic action by the state Department of Environmental Protection, up to and including permanent closure.
Ferry Information
Propane Trips: for a copy of the 1-6-16 line-up policy for passengers on propane transport trips, click here.
Line Numbers: Click here for information for how get a line number.
Rockland Line-up Policies: Click here for policies and procedures at the Rockland Terminal, including rules on switching vehicles.
Cancellation Emails: to receive email notice of ferry cancellations, click here and follow the instructions to sign up for the notice.
Water Department
Click here for a copy of the 2017 Consumer Confidence Report
Tax Maps Assessors' Information
Now online. Click here for link
