Selectmen - Local Declaration of Emergency

LOCAL DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, the prevalence of which is increasing rapidly throughout the world, inclusive of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization designated the COVID-19 outbreak a Pandemic Health Emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States announced a national declaration of emergency; and

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, Governor Baker announced emergency actions to respond to the evolving COVID-19 public health emergency impacting the Commonwealth, including prohibitions on public gatherings of twenty-five or more people and prohibiting on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants from March 17, 2020 until April 6, 2020, as well as suspension of elementary and secondary school educational operations from March 17, 2020 until April 6, 2020; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen the Town of Wilmington, Massachusetts in consultation with other municipal officials has determined that COVID-19 presents a major disaster which poses an immediate threat to public health, safety, and general welfare of people residing both within and outside of Town of Wilmington; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wilmington, Massachusetts has determined that immediate public action is needed in order to prevent or minimize the spread of COVID-19 by and among the people of Town of Wilmington; and

WHEREAS, it is critical to take additional steps to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to protect the health and welfare of the people of Wilmington; and

WHEREAS, declaring a state of emergency will facilitate and expedite the use of resources to protect persons from the impacts of COVID-19, including but not limited to emergency expenditures pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 31 and limitations on operating hours and access to public buildings; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wilmington, Massachusetts recommend that a state of emergency be declared in the Town of Wilmington.

NOW THEREFORE, we, Board of Selectmen of the Wilmington, Massachusetts, hereby declare that as of March 20, 2020, a state of emergency exists in the Town of Wilmington.  This declaration of emergency shall remain in effect until further notice is given, pursuant to our judgment that the conditions leading to this declaration no longer exist.