SELECTMEN BOARD/COMMITTEE DATES:

RHAM Board of Education - Monday, January 23, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. - RHAM High School
Economic Development Committee - Monday, January 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - GoToMeeting
Republican Town Committee - Monday, January 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - email [email protected] for link
Planning & Zoning Commission - Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - GoToMeeting
Hebron Green Committee - Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - TBD
Board of Finance - Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. - GoToMeeting

For more up-to-date information, refer to the Town's website at:  https://hebronct.com/agendas/

COMMISSION/COMMITTEES:

Hebron Health and Safety:

We have worked 21 days without a work-related injury or accident.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The week began with an ice event on the roadways, with several employees being called in on the Holiday.  Trucks were all washed from the weekend salting events.  Wood/logs were picked up throughout town from last weeks’ tree/branch removals.  Roadways were hot patched. Sign maintenance was conducted.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

This week the Hebron Fire Department responded to 18 EMS, 2 motor vehicle, 2 mutual aid fires, 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 tree/wires down and 1 lift assist.

TOWN CLERK

A new property records management system with a company called IQS is fully installed and so far, it has been a smooth transition.       

We continue to work closely with the finance department to be sure all accounts line up properly as we begin accepting electronic land recordings as well as credit card payments at the counter.

Multiple town departments have access and unique permissions to the records without charge from town department computers.

The Animal Control Officer has immediate access to the dog licensing portal allowing him to search for the contact information for all licensed dog owners by tag number, name, and address. The ability to quickly log onto the portal will allow the ACO to serve the community efficiently when called to duty.

DOUGLAS LIBRARY NEWSLETTER

SENIOR CENTER

Please welcome Michele Boutin, the new Social Worker for the Russell Mercier Senior Center. Michele is a graduate of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work at the University of Saint Joseph. Michele is passionate about helping people locate services that can help make life easier. She is looking forward to working with and meeting the community of Hebron and to being an asset to the Senior Center.

Programs:

Massage Therapy - The second and fourth Monday of the month, February 13th and 27th massage therapist, Beverly Williams will be doing 25minute or 50 minute chair massages for $25/$50 accordingly, starting at 9:00am—3:00pm (last appointment at 2:30pm). To make an appointment, please call 860-228-1700.  Every Thursday, starting January 26th, from 9:00am—2:00pm (last appointment taken at 1:30pm). Colleen E. Dumas, LMT, will be offering table massage for either 25 or 50 minute appointments for $25/$50 accordingly.  To make an appointment, please call 860-228-1700.

Mobile Food Truck Transportation - Tuesday, January 31st and February 14th - Pick-ups based on who is signed up (approximately 10:45) food truck arrives 11:15 at the Church of Hope/Red barn Corner of RT 85 & Rt 66. Everyone welcome, no forms to fill out. Please bring your own bags. Must sign-up by 10:00am Monday the day before, 860-228-1700.

Food Bank Transportation - Tuesday, February 7th and February 21st – transportation to the food bank every other Tuesday beginning February 7th.  Pick-ups to begin between 10:30 – 10:45 based on who is signed up.  Must pre-register by 10:00am the day before, 860-228-1700.

Shopping Trips - There will be a trip to Walmart to North Windham on Friday, February 3rd and 24th at 10:00am. Big Y Friday, February 10th and March 3rd. Stop and Shop on Friday, January 27th and March 17th.  Pre- registration is required by Thursday at 10am. Please call 860-228-1700.

Heart Health Stroke Prevention Presentation - Monday, February 6th from 1:00-2:00pm join Chatham Health as they present Heart Health Stroke Prevention along with getting your blood pressure taken.  Come join us for lunch before at Noon.  To sign-up for the presentation and/or lunch please call 860-228-1700.

AARP Tax Preparation - The AARP Tax Preparation is accepting appointments for in-person tax prep at the Senior Center. Tax preparation will take place Tuesdays from 9:00am—1:00pm February 7th—March 28th. This is by appointment only.  The pre-screening paperwork will be available by the first week of February which is to be completed prior to your appointment. To make an appointment, please call 860-228-1700.

Watercolor Painting/Pen and Ink with Audrey Carrol -  Friday, January 27th and February 3rd from 12:15—2:15pm for $20. This session gets us in the mood for the Holidays with the painting fit for the season. This one also can be done in full watercolor or pen and ink with a watercolor wash. All levels beginner to experienced painters will be able to create a special work of art. Please join in for a relaxing and fun time. To sign-up for the class, please call 860-228-1700.  Supply list available before the class.

Yoga—Wednesdays with Coleen E. Dumas - Introduction to a new hybrid yoga—a mix between moderate non-weight-bearing exercises, gentle yoga, breathing techniques and rejuvenating teaching for health, mind and body. Instructor Coleen E. Dumas will do an initial 4 session class ($12), Wednesday, January 25th—February 22nd, 10:15—11:15am. To come to the new class, please call us to sign-up at 860-228-1700.

AARP Driver Course—IN-PERSON at the Senior Center - Tuesday, January 24th we will be hosting the AARP Driver’s Course, in-person. Class is 9:00am –1:00pm and you need to arrive by 8:50am and bring something to write with.  AARP members cost $20, and non-members cost $25 and payable to the instructor day of class.  You must pre-register by Monday, November 14th by noon.  When you take the AARP Smart Driver™ course, you could be eligible for a multi-year discount on your auto insurance.* Plus safer driving can save you more than just money. The course teaches proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. To register call the senior center at 860-228-1700.  Please note, coffee will be available in the morning, but no food is served, so if you may need something to nosh on, please feel free to bring it with you.

PARKS AND RECREATION

We are excited to share a variety of new upcoming programs and activities!

Hebron Parks and Rec is currently looking for instructors and leaders to conduct new programs and activities with us. Please reach out with ideas or interests. We are committed to providing a wide range of recreational activities for our community!

Yoga: Join instructor Karen Gomez for our winter session for yoga. Join us Mondays at 5:30-6:30pm at Gilead Hill School as we practice yoga and enhance our mental and physical well-being. Session runs January 9th – February 27th.

Home Alone Safety Is Back on Thursday, January 26th!  Home Alone Safety for Kids is a unique class for boys and girls ages 8-13 who are left at home alone. This interactive course will cover safety for children when they are home by themselves. Each student will receive a workbook that covers house key safety, indoor and outdoor safety, gun safety, fires and gas leaks, first aid kit essentials, phone, door, and internet safety.

Paint Party!  Join Miss Amy from Studio 13 for a Valentine's Day themed Paint Party! She will take you step by step to paint an adorable 11x14 Valentine gnome while providing options on how to customize the gnome to let your own creativity shine through! Friday, February 10th from 4:30 to 5:30, in the Douglas Library Community Room.  Cost is $23 per participant with supplies included.

Shots for Tots - Shots for Tots Basketball is a developmentally appropriate introductory basketball program for children ages 3-4 years old. The program prepares children for organized basketball in a fun, non-threatening environment while they work one-on-one and spend quality time with their parents. *This program is parent assisted. T-shirt included. Saturday morning, 9:00-9:45, February 25th – March 25th (no class 3/11). Gilead Hill School Gym. $60.

Futsal - In coordination with CAB Futsal and Soccer we are offering a Futsal Clinic this winter for girls and boys in the U9-U13 divisions. Futsal is a widely popular form of soccer in South America and Europe. It is played as a 5 v 5 game on a basketball court with a smaller low bounce ball and goalies. Sessions will be on Saturdays at Hebron Elementary starting February 25th. U11-U13 2:00pm-3:30pm and U9-U10  3:30-5:00pm.

Karate: Instructional karate focusing on building confidence, self-respect, and discipline following the style of Goju ru, made famous by the “Karate Kid” film series. Six-week sessions ongoing sessions, Mondays and Wednesdays in the Gilead Hill Activity Room.  Ages 5-11 5:00pm-5:50pm.  Ages 12+ 6:00pm-7:00pm.  Cost $85 per session.

We are hiring!  The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking applicants for our PREP Before and After School program that runs throughout the school year.  Morning and afternoon hours are available Monday-Friday.  PREP staff plan and implement games and activities, serve snacks, and interact with children grades pre-k through 6th, while acting as positive role models and providing guidance and leadership.  Visit our website or call 860-530-1281 for more information.

CHATHAM HEALTH DISTRICT

As of January 19, 6 Connecticut counties (Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, Tolland, Windham) have a HIGH COVID-19 community level and two counties (Fairfield, New London) have a MEDIUM COVID-19 community level.  You can read more about prevention steps recommended by CDC at different community levels here:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels-county-map.html

-The average daily COVID-19 case rate in Chatham Health District this week decreased to 7.7 cases/100000 from 8.7 cases /100000 last week.   
-The number of individuals currently hospitalized is 600.  This is a decrease of 98 compared to last week.  
-Fatalities decreased compared to the last week (36 this week compared to 60 last week).  

Approximately 78% of Chatham Health District residents were fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and 52% had received an additional dose.  State-level data indicated that about 13.9% of children under 5 had at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine while 8.7% were fully vaccinated.  

In order to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
Stay up to date with your vaccinations.
Get tested if you have symptoms.
Wear a well-fitting mask when in public indoor settings, especially when they are crowded
STAY HOME if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days, and DO NOT leave home until:
At least 5 days have passed since your symptoms began or since you tested positive,
you are feeling much better, and
no longer have a fever.
If you test positive and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, there are treatments available that can reduce your chances of being hospitalized or dying from the disease. These medications must be prescribed by a healthcare provider and started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. Contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild right now.
You can find a Test to Treat location here: https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx?

As of December 9, CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the new updated bivalent booster if it has been at least 2 months since they completed their primary series or had their last booster dose with the following exception: children 6 months–4 years who receive a 3-dose Pfizer-BioNTech primary series are not authorized to receive a booster dose at this time regardless of which Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (i.e., a monovalent or bivalent) was administered for the third primary series dose.
Chatham Health District is coordinating vaccine clinics.  
To see upcoming scheduled vaccine clinics in the district, visit our website: https://www.chathamhealth.org/services-2,
or call 2-1-1.  If you or a loved one is homebound and is not up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination, register here: https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/homebound

REMINDER

Check the expiration dates on your COVID-19 home test kits.  
-Tests should not be used after their expiration date.  
-The expiration dates on many kits have been extended but many may be expiring.
-You can check the expiration date for your test kit on the FDA website here:
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests

If you have any questions, you can reach Chatham Health District COVID-19 Response staff at the following email: [email protected]

NEWS/COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Foodshare mobile produce van is every other Tuesday from 11:15-11:45 at the Church of Hope/Red barn located at the Corner of Rt 85 & Rt 66.  All are welcome, no forms to fill out.  Please bring your own bags.

Future scheduled date:
January 31st

The Town Office Building and Horton House are currently open to the public.  When possible, the public is encouraged to conduct business electronically, and to continue to use mail or drop boxes located in front of the Town Office Building and Horton House.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Business hours:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.