Community

Broadband Update – April 27, 2021

Construction is progressing well on our Broadband Network. Sertex is testing the fiber in FSA04 (North St, Chester Rd, N Blandford Rd areas), and is installing fiber and MST’s in FSA01 (Woronoco Rd and Main St areas). Additional work has also been started in FSA02 and 03. In addition, the “Middle Mile” connection from the Town Hall to the Hut will be completed this week. This connects the actual internet from Boston to Springfield to Westfield to Blandford.

Triwire crews have started to install underground services where identified (first in FSA04). Underground service is a three-step process: Initial contact, Dig Safe to check the utilities, and then digging the trench and laying conduit. When the overhead fiber has been installed and tested by Sertex, then Triwire will be able to begin installing the fiber to your home. They will contact the homeowner to schedule an appointment.

The order of construction and estimated go-live dates are: FSA04 – Spring 2021, FSA01 – Summer 2021, FSA03 – Summer 2021, FSA02 – Fall 2021, FSA05 – Fall 2021. (see the map here – hover for details)

There are five Fiber Service areas in Blandford. The Fiber will be installed area by area. When one area is completed, then the “Fiber to the Home” will be able to begin. Prior to this, people will be asked to sign up for service. The Town will cover all “drop” costs up to $10,000 per drop. This covers about 99% of the properties. In addition, our TA and COA chair have obtained a grant to cover the $99 activation fee for homeowners ages 65 and over.

In order to try and contact all premises, we are sending e-mails to all homeowners whose age is unknown to us, or who have chosen a “cold drop” (that is, not opted for the $85/month service). We are also sending postcards to homeowners who have not yet signed up. If you fall into one of these categories, and have questions, please see the contact information below.

With a free connection to your home, including equipment, there is every reason to sign up now! Please encourage your friends and neighbors to sign up if they have not already done so. We are currently at 75%.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Whip City Fiber at 413-485-1251 or Peter at 413-505-9086.

SIGN UP NOW: www.whipcityfiber.com/blandford

April 27, 2021 in Broadband, Community

4/26/21 Travel Update from the CDC

As summer approaches, please review the travel recommendations from the CDC. Always check your traveling state to review the local guidelines. As always, if you are sick – DO NOT TRAVEL – stay home! Travel Safely.

Domestic Travel Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

If you are fully vaccinated, take the following steps to protect others if you travel:

DURING TRAVEL

  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

AFTER TRAVEL

  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
  • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.

You do NOT need to get tested or self-quarantine if you are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months. You should still follow all other travel recommendations.

Domestic Travel Recommendations for Unvaccinated People

If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, take the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

  • Get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.

WHILE YOU ARE TRAVELING

  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.
  • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).

AFTER YOU TRAVEL

  • Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
  • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
  • Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
April 26, 2021 in Board of Health, Community

Virtual Implementation Workshop: Blandford Resilient Master Plan

The Town of Blandford is completing its Resilient Master Plan, which will guide the Town’s conservation and development decisions for the next 20 years. Come be a part of the conversation!

Join us for a VIRTUAL IMPLEMENTATION WORKSHOP May 8, 2021 from 10:00am-12:00pm!

Fill out the EVENT REGISTRATION FORM to:
• Register for the Implementation Workshop
• Sign up for a FREE breakfast from Blandford County Store & Café
• Submit a photo for a photo contest – the winning photo will be revealed during the workshop and will be included in the Resilient Master Plan!

https://tinyurl.com/BlandfordSignUp

REVIEW THE DRAFT PLAN HERE

Please be prepared to provide feedback at the workshop; alternatively, you can also reach out to the Town Administrator to provide feedback via email here or by phone at (413) 848-4279.

April 25, 2021 in Community

Trees Available for Blandford Residents

In celebration of National Arbor Day, the Blandford Tree Warden, Mark Boomsma, is coordinating efforts to provide trees to property owners for planting on private property. These trees will be at no direct cost to the resident other than a commitment by the property owner to take responsibility for watering and maintaining the tree. It is our intent to promote environmental stewardship and increase climate resiliency as well as to maintain Blandford’s rural character.

The trees we have available for planting are White Oak, Blue Spruce, Persimmon, and Rose of Sharon. Trees will be available for pick up at the Town Hall located at 1 Russell Stage Road on Saturday, April 24 between 8:00am and 12pm. For any resident that cannot make this time, please contact the Tree Warden at 413-717-0212 to make arrangements. Residents including seniors who may need assistance with planting the tree, be sure to let the Tree Warden know so that arrangements for such assistance can be made. Please know that when deciding which tree you want and where to plant it, we ask that people take into consideration the size the tree will grow to when it matures, the proximity to any building structures, and if there are any overhead or underground utilities that will interfere with the tree.

Happy National Arbor Day!

April 23, 2021 in Community, Tree Warden

4/20/21 COVID-19 Update from the Board of Health

Here is the most recent quarantine guidance for close contacts as of April 20, 2021.

Close contacts who were exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the classroom or on the bus while both individuals were masked do not have to quarantine unless they were within 3 feet of distance of the COVID-19 positive individual for a total of 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. This does not apply if someone was identified as a close contact outside of the classroom or bus (e.g., in sports, extra-curriculars, lunch, etc.) or if masks are not worn by both persons at the time of the exposure. All other close contacts must follow the standard protocol for when a close contact may return to school.

As a reminder, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health defines close contact as:

  • Being within 6 feet of a COVID-19 case (someone who has tested positive) for a total of 15 minutes during a 24-hour period. Multiple brief or transitory interactions (less than a minute) throughout the day are unlikely to result in 15 minutes of cumulative contact and do not meet the definition of close contact. Being in the same room as an individual if you are consistently separated by 6 feet of distance does not meet the definition of a close contact.
  • Close contact can occur while being with, caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a healthcare waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case, OR
  • Having direct physical contact with the person (e. g. hugging or kissing), OR
  • Sharing eating or drinking utensils, OR
  • Having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment
April 20, 2021 in Board of Health, Community