Letter from First Selectman Regarding COVID19 Closures

This morning, the Town of Lebanon Board of Selectmen held a meeting with the Local Emergency Planning Team, including the emergency management director, superintendent, highway foreman, representatives of the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department, fire marshal, the senior center and library directors, our social services administrator, the director of health at Uncas Health which serves the Town, and the 48th district state representative. The meeting was convened to discuss the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.

Following the meeting, I declared a State of Emergency effective today, March 17, 2020. As a result, the Lebanon Town Hall, Senior Center, Jonathan Trumbull Library, Fire Safety Complex and Community Center will be closed to the public through April 30th. The Transfer Station will remain open.

Town employees are continuing to work at town facilities to ensure that necessary operations continue. Some may be working from home at times as we try to limit exposure to each other during this pandemic. All staff will continue to be available by phone and email during normal Town Hall hours. Tax payments can be made online or mailed. If you have a question about your bill, you can contact the Tax Collector by calling her office. Public Works will also continue to perform all their duties. Updates from individual departments on their functions will be available on the town website LebanonCT.Gov.

I understand that these closures may seem extreme. However, this decision was not made lightly. The guidance we have received from the health district and the state made it clear that this was the most responsible thing we could do for the residents of the community.

These are uncharted waters for our town, state, and country. We have a duty to be honest and transparent with you about this situation. This is not something that is going to resolve in the next two weeks. That is not cause for panic. There will be tough choices we all have to make, but together I know that we will get through this.

Kevin T. Cwikla

First Selectman