By Cathy Iino, First Selectman, Killingworth.
Many reopening policies will depend on the seven-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population. On that metric, Middlesex County has the lowest rate of new infections–1.5 cases per 100,000 population–in Connecticut, and one of the lowest rates in the country. For perspective, the highest rate this week was 443 per 100,000 in Madison County, Texas. Connecticut as a whole has a rate of 5.8 per 100,000. According to state epidemiologist Matt Carter, “1 to 9 cases per 100,000 population is consistent with ongoing community spread.” We’re close, but as much as we would like this health crisis to be behind us, it’s not.
Town-level rates are not yet available, but I am sorry to say that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Killingworth is now 16. This means we are still doing an excellent job overall of limiting the spread, but we have to stay on guard.
Hurricane? As if we didn’t have enough to worry about, there is a possibility that Hurricane Isaias will arrive here next Tuesday. Right now, we are in the center of the “cone of probability,” although much can happen between now and then. Please make preparations over the next few days to shelter in place if necessary. In the midst of the pandemic, sheltering in place will be far preferable to group sheltering or evacuating to other places where you could be exposed to the virus. Steps you should take now can be found here.
If you need help with shopping, or if you would like to request nonperishable food from the Helping Hands food pantry, please leave a message in the Selectmen’s Office, 860-663-1765, x501. We will refer your request to the Killingworth Women’s Organization, whose members would be happy to help.
Good news. So far, no Eastern Equine Encephalitis or West Nile Virus has been found in mosquitoes from test sites in the area. Do use precautions, though, when you are out at dawn or dusk, especially if we get a lot of rain next week.
Shared Harvest Garden Market is in full swing at Parmelee Farm, Wednesdays, 10-11 am. Come share in the Killingworth bounty! Take what you can use; there’s no charge.
The Shared Harvest gardeners are also happy to take and distribute produce from home gardeners who have grown more than they can use. Drop it off at Parmelee Farm on Wednesdays, 9-10 am. If you can’t get it there at that time, email
Mary Solera to arrange a hand-off. Any produce that is not distributed at Parmelee will be shared with the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, which serves those in need of food in our region.
Absentee Ballots. Killingworth Town Clerk Dawn Rees Mooney has received notification from the Connecticut Secretary of State that the mailing of absentee ballots for the August 11 primary election has been delayed. The ballots are coming from a mailing house in Rhode Island, and if you submitted an absentee ballot application, you should expect to receive yours sometime next week. Dawn urges you to fill out your ballot immediately, put it in the postage paid return envelope that’s addressed to the Town Clerk, and promptly mail it or put it in the official, secure Absentee Ballot Box located by the driveway just outside of the main entrance to Town Hall. The Town Clerk’s Office must receive your ballot by 8 pm on Primary Day, August 11, for it to be counted. As always, please contact Dawn at 860-663-1765, x502, with questions.
Pistol permit application forms are now available for download from the town website
here. When you have completed the forms, call the Resident State Trooper at 860-663-1132 to make an appointment to get fingerprinted and return the filled forms.
Stay safe and carry on!
Cathy
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