• Acton’s Annual Town Meeting scheduled for April 6th has been postponed to June 29, 2020.

• Acton’s Annual Town Election has been postponed until June 2, 2020 which is also the new date for the Special State Election.  Voters are encouraged to vote by mail through absentee or early voting.  For more details go to http://actonma.gov/elections 
• The Board of Health have ordered that  all portable bathrooms and public bathrooms, not in support of essential services, shall remain closed during this public health emergency.
• The Finance Department published COVID-19 related FAQs on its web page: https://actonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6282/COVID-19-FAQ-Finance-3-23-2020?bidId=
• The Board of Selectmen and Board of Health have both voted to declare a local state of emergency in Acton.

• Human Services and Senior Center Facility, Acton Memorial Library, West Acton Citizens Library, Recreation Offices, and Town Hall will be closed to the public until further notice.

• Government operations for the Town of Acton will continue while all offices in the above-mentioned buildings will be closed to the public.  

• Building inspections will continue on a limited basis.  More information: https://www.acton-ma.gov/114/Building
  
  

• A new guide to available food resources is available: https://www.acton-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6272/Food-Resources-Update
  

• Questions around fuel assistance eligibility & utility shut-off prevention please contact the Community Resources Office at (978) 929-6651 or lducharme@acton-ma.gov.

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for Families with Children

Food resource benefits provided to families approved for free and reduced school meals. Benefit cards will be issued to families in the upcoming weeks and will include funds to purchase groceries at local stores in the amount of $5.70 per day that school has been out of session.

To inquire about eligibility contact Kirstin Nelson, Food Service Director knelson@bschools.org.

Open Table Maynard 

Open Table located at 33 Main St.in Maynard (978) 369-2275 is offering a “drive-thru” pantry service.

New clients are welcome. Please arrive at the last hour of each day to register.

Tuesday - 1:00-6:30pm (new client hours 5:00-6:30pm)

Thursday - 3:00-6:30pm 

SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)

Apply Online: DTAConnect.com

Download the SNAP paper application at Mass.gov/SNAP

Fax Application:
1-617-887-8765

Mail Application:
DTA Processing Center

PO Box 4406

Taunton, MA 02780

Apply over the phone:

Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline  @ 800-645-8333 or

Greater Boston Food Bank @ 617-427-5200

Women Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC provides nutritional support to purchase healthy food for children under age 5 and pregnant women.  Income guidelines apply. Some families are automatically eligible for WIC if they receive TAFDC, SNAP or certain Masshealth plans.

All WIC Programs are available to provide services by phone. For Acton residents please contact the WIC Framingham/Waltham Office @ 508-620-1445 to apply over the phone.  For more information please visit www.Mass.gov/wic. 

• Appointments within the Acton Nursing Services office will be rescheduled for a later date as information and the COVID-19 situation continues to update.  For concerns or questions please call 978-929-6650

• Home Health Care visits will continue with current clients as well as new clients who are referred to Acton Nursing Services. Be advised that per guidance for Home Health Agencies all clients will receive a call prior to a home visit to assess their and any household member’s health status related to COVID-19.  If you are a current client of Acton Nursing Services or if anyone within your household has a fever, cough or shortness of breath please call our office number at 978-929-6650 to report these or other concerning symptoms.  

• Introducing On Demand Curbside Pickup! You no longer need an appointment to pick up your holds that are "Ready for Pickup" from Acton Memorial Library. 
• When you receive an email or phone call that your item(s) are ready to pickup come to the library Wednesday through Saturday between 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. When you arrive at the library, call 978-929-6655 option 2. Tell us your last name and library card number. Wait outside and library staff members will put your materials outside on tables in front of the main doors.
• Beginning Thursday, October 15 library patrons can book 30 minute appointments to enter the 1st floor of the library. Appointments are available Sundays 2-5, Mondays 1-5, and Tuesdays 9-1.  You must have an appointment to enter the building. Make appointments at ActonMemorialLibrary.org/Calendar. You will get a confirmation email after you make an appointment. 
• The children’s room and select adult collections will be available for browsing during your appointment. We will not offer computer use, study spaces, or other services besides check out and browsing. We ask that you arrive on time and wear a mask. 
• Please be kind and schedule only the appointment times that you need. We anticipate this service will be very, very popular and we will do our best to accommodate as many library patrons as we are able. 
• We ask for your continued patience as we are working with limited staff, limited resources, and new processes. We look forward to seeing you in the library by appointment soon! 
• While we work out the details of this new program. We are looking forward to offering this service to our library users.

• If you have questions about these services, please call 978-929-6543 and leave a message,  or email us at reference@actonma.gov, and a library staff member will get back to you. 

• We are actively practicing social distancing at the Public Safety Facility.  While the building will remain open for emergencies, we ask that you please call our business line 978-929-7711 for all police matters. For general questions regarding Covid-19, please call the state 211 hotline.

• We are taking more reports over the phone and if we do respond to your home we will try and keep our distance for everyone’s safety

• The MedReturn bin has been temporarily removed from the lobby of the PSF 

• The Transfer Station is only accepting recyclables and municipal solid waste.
  
  

• There will be no monetary transactions, sticker sales or material that requires handling by staff allowed at the facility.

• The swap shop is not open. 

• We ask residents to practice appropriate social distancing at the facility. 

• We ask the residents to dispose of their recyclables and trash expeditiously, avoid hanging around the facility and no picking through the material.  We are trying to minimize the delays and vehicular backups onto Route 2 on Saturday. 

• The Acton Transfer Station has adjusted operating hours and is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00AM to 3:00PM.  The first hour starting at 7:00 AM is designated for Seniors.  For more information on the Transfer Station and Recycling Center, please call (978) 929-7742.

• All municipal playgrounds are closed until further notice.  Walking trails and open space areas remain open.

The Senior Center and Human Services Center will be closed to the public until further notice. 

If you need assistance please call our office at 978-929-6652 and someone will get back to you. Hot “take out” meals from Minuteman Senior Services will be available for seniors to pick up at the Acton Senior Center Monday through Friday at 11:15 am. Please call by 9:30 am the day before to order a meal at 781-221-7085. Meals on Wheels will continue to be delivered.

Recent News from Senior Center:

• Town Manager, John Mangiaratti and COA Director Sharon Mercurio hold a weekly virtual "Java with John" .

• COA and Town staff are making wellness calls to seniors

• Seniors in need of assistance with food, grocery shopping, please contact the Senior Center.

Acton Rail Shuttle and Cross-Acton Transit are suspended until further notice, effective 3/17/20.

• Door-to-door services remain in operation, however, riders are encouraged to utilize alternative modes of transportation if possible. To schedule rides, continue using CrossTown Connect dispatch by calling (978) 844-6809 during normal business hours.

• The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the agency’s operating partner for Commuter Rail, announced today a Reduced Service Schedule effective Tuesday, March 17. The Commuter Rail Reduced Service Schedule is available at www.MBTA.com/coronavirus.

• Any additional questions can be forwarded to Austin Cyganiewicz by phone (978)-929-6513 or email acyganiewicz@actonma.gov.

• Urgent/emergency issues will be addressed on a case-by-case basis by calling Veteran’s Service District Director James MacRae at  978-929- 6614

• Take steps to protect yourself

  • Clean hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.

  • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol for 20 seconds.

  • Avoid touching your eye, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

  • Practice social distancing between yourself and other people of at least 6 feet.  Avoid social gatherings of greater than 10 people within a closed space.

  • Cover your sneezes and coughs with a tissue or using the inside of your elbow, discard tissue and wash your hands.

  • Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.  This includes doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.

• DPH website:  https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19#-overview-

• CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: http://www.Mass.gov