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Smithfield "Community Briefing" on CORONAVIRUS by phone on Friday, March 20 |
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Viewed from the editor's office-at-home, Town of Smithfield garbage collectors made their Monday morning rounds as they do every week in our neighborhood.
BRIEFING ADDRESSES ESSENTIAL
SERVICES, RESTRICTIONS,
QUESTIONS ABOUT CURFEWS, VOLUNTEERS, RENT RELIEF
Mayor Andy Moore and Town Manager Mike Scott provided information and answered questions submitted in advance from unnamed citizens during Friday afternoon's 25-minute "Community Briefing Call" addressing the coronavirus threat.
Mr. Scott gave the rundown on essential services:
• Police Department "fully operational," and he noted that crime has "actually decreased" since numerous businesses are closed.
• Electric Department "responding to calls for service" as usual, with construction proceeding on voltage-conversion and "North Circuit" expansion projects.
• Water & Sewer has three vacancies at present, with temporary staff filling in.
• Sanitation crews operating on normal schedules.
MOST RECREATION FACILITIES CLOSING
The Recreation & Aquatics Center is already closed, and effective at 7 a.m. Wednesday all athletic fields and courts, shelters and fitness stations, playgrounds, and restrooms will be closed. Greenways and walking trails will remain open but users are asked to observe "social distancing" --- at least six feet between persons.
The Sarah Yard Community Center at Smith-Collins Park is not open for activities but will be serving as a meal-pickup site for school children "who normally receive subsidized meals" at school, Mr. Scott announced. (Pickup time: noon to 1 p.m.)
Town Hall is closed to normal traffic, but utility payments may be made at a drop box outside, through the town's website, or by telephone at 1-855-603-9197. Mr. Scott advised citizens to call the town's Finance Department to make alternate payment arrangements if they're experiencing economic hardship. That phone number is 919-934-2116, extension 1105.
The manager said town officials are encouraging grocery stores to set aside one hour when they open each morning exclusively for senior citizens to shop.
SCHOOLS EXPANDING FREE-MEAL DELIVERIES
Mayor Moore reminded the public that Smithfield-Selma High and West Smithfield Elementary schools are places for curbside pickup of free meals for all school students ages 18 and under. (On Monday the school system added supplemental drop-off places, including Johnson Court Apartments from 12:30 to 12:45 each day. More about the meal program on the school system's website.)
What about town-wide curfews? was one of the questions submitted by citizens prior to Friday's telephone briefing.
The town manager's response: "At this time the town does not have any plans of implementing a curfew, though it is within the realm of an emergency declaration... that must be ordered by either the mayor, the Governor, or the President."
What about folks willing to volunteer their services?
Mr. Scott recommended contacting the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, or "faith based" organizations, which he said "are in the best position to mobilize volunteers."
What about aid for struggling businesses and their employees?
"The Town of Smithfield does not have any control regarding private-sector employment," Mr. Scott explained. He recommended contacting the federal Small Business Administration for guidance. (Links to the SBA and other business services are on the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce website.)
Will the town waive the fee for paying utility bills online?
"At this time fees for paying utility bills online are charged by the credit-card companies," Mr. Scott replied.
What about relief for residential renters?
"Smithfield does not have control over private rental agreements," the manager said.
Will part-time employees be compensated while the SRAC is closed?
"This possibility is being evaluated by the council but no decision has been made," Mr. Scott replied.
What about help for undocumented immigrants?
"Smithfield Town Government is treating all residents the same regardless of their nationality or citizenship," the town manager stated, adding that it's uncertain at this point how federal and state governments will deal with financial aid to those immigrants.
LISTEN to the entire briefing archived online (25 minutes long)>
QUESTIONS ABOUT CURFEWS, VOLUNTEERS, RENT RELIEF
Mayor Andy Moore and Town Manager Mike Scott provided information and answered questions submitted in advance from unnamed citizens during Friday afternoon's 25-minute "Community Briefing Call" addressing the coronavirus threat.
Mr. Scott gave the rundown on essential services:
• Police Department "fully operational," and he noted that crime has "actually decreased" since numerous businesses are closed.
• Electric Department "responding to calls for service" as usual, with construction proceeding on voltage-conversion and "North Circuit" expansion projects.
• Water & Sewer has three vacancies at present, with temporary staff filling in.
• Sanitation crews operating on normal schedules.
MOST RECREATION FACILITIES CLOSING
The Recreation & Aquatics Center is already closed, and effective at 7 a.m. Wednesday all athletic fields and courts, shelters and fitness stations, playgrounds, and restrooms will be closed. Greenways and walking trails will remain open but users are asked to observe "social distancing" --- at least six feet between persons.
The Sarah Yard Community Center at Smith-Collins Park is not open for activities but will be serving as a meal-pickup site for school children "who normally receive subsidized meals" at school, Mr. Scott announced. (Pickup time: noon to 1 p.m.)
Town Hall is closed to normal traffic, but utility payments may be made at a drop box outside, through the town's website, or by telephone at 1-855-603-9197. Mr. Scott advised citizens to call the town's Finance Department to make alternate payment arrangements if they're experiencing economic hardship. That phone number is 919-934-2116, extension 1105.
The manager said town officials are encouraging grocery stores to set aside one hour when they open each morning exclusively for senior citizens to shop.
SCHOOLS EXPANDING FREE-MEAL DELIVERIES
Mayor Moore reminded the public that Smithfield-Selma High and West Smithfield Elementary schools are places for curbside pickup of free meals for all school students ages 18 and under. (On Monday the school system added supplemental drop-off places, including Johnson Court Apartments from 12:30 to 12:45 each day. More about the meal program on the school system's website.)
What about town-wide curfews? was one of the questions submitted by citizens prior to Friday's telephone briefing.
The town manager's response: "At this time the town does not have any plans of implementing a curfew, though it is within the realm of an emergency declaration... that must be ordered by either the mayor, the Governor, or the President."
What about folks willing to volunteer their services?
Mr. Scott recommended contacting the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, or "faith based" organizations, which he said "are in the best position to mobilize volunteers."
What about aid for struggling businesses and their employees?
"The Town of Smithfield does not have any control regarding private-sector employment," Mr. Scott explained. He recommended contacting the federal Small Business Administration for guidance. (Links to the SBA and other business services are on the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce website.)
Will the town waive the fee for paying utility bills online?
"At this time fees for paying utility bills online are charged by the credit-card companies," Mr. Scott replied.
What about relief for residential renters?
"Smithfield does not have control over private rental agreements," the manager said.
Will part-time employees be compensated while the SRAC is closed?
"This possibility is being evaluated by the council but no decision has been made," Mr. Scott replied.
What about help for undocumented immigrants?
"Smithfield Town Government is treating all residents the same regardless of their nationality or citizenship," the town manager stated, adding that it's uncertain at this point how federal and state governments will deal with financial aid to those immigrants.
LISTEN to the entire briefing archived online (25 minutes long)>
COUNCIL'S REGULAR APRIL 7 SESSION
STILL ON GO
For now, at least, the Town Council will conduct its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 7 as scheduled. The agenda should be posted by the middle of next week.