COVID-19/Town Services

COVID UPDATE: For the latest on cases in Colchester, which is not surprising considering our residential and employment populations as well as our location in the most populated county in the State of Vermont. This includes cases from Saint Michaels College.

Flattening the curve still matters. The longer we can prevent infections, the better prepared we will be to treat them. Bring masks with you when leaving your home, and wear them when around others who don’t live in your home. Wash your hands frequently and maintain physical distancing when around others who don’t live in your home.

Social Media: It is important to get information from reliable, credible sources. Misinformation and rumors can be common in rapidly changing situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage Vermonters to seek science-based information from trusted sources. Please do not post, repost, share, or forward information about COVID from second-hand, unconfirmed, or anonymous sources on social media.

Town Role in COVID-19 Response: Your Town staff continues to provide municipal services including rescue, fire, and police; maintenance of roads, paths, parks and buildings; library lending and programs; recreation programs; planning, zoning and permitting; Town clerk services; economic development and local public information. We support these services with vehicle and equipment maintenance, information technology, human resources, finance, assessor, treasury, and coordination of resources.

Colchester’s Emergency Operations Plan was updated by the Selectboard on March 17^th. We have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation since January 2020, and developed continuation of operations plans for municipal services. The plans help maintain the crucial services; help keep the public safe, and help maintain the capacity of our first responding public safety services. Also in March, we declared a State of Emergency under the Colchester Code of Ordinances Chapter 16, Emergency Management, to allow the Town to exercise emergency powers to help protect the public health and safety of our community.

We are also in regular communication with the Vermont Emergency Operations Center regarding conditions in Colchester and taking advantage of State and Federal resources when they are available.

Town Services: The Town follows the recommendations from the State of Vermont and the Centers for Disease Control as they pertain to the Town as an employer and a provider of emergency and municipal services.

The Town has reduced services and resources in some areas due to COVID-19. This is necessary because of reductions in demand and reduced fees for certain fee based services and the impact of Federal and State COVID-19 related work rules on service delivery. The Town receives about $7.5M annually or about 40% of its total annual revenue from non-tax fees. Town tax revenues through August 2020 are at normal levels. We are carefully attending to Town revenues, reporting to the Selectboard monthly, and will work carefully to align services with revenues. Services are more fully described in the departmental information below.

Colchester Town Offices at 781 Blakely Rd. are open to the public from 7:30 am to noon except for Town Holidays. Masks are required. We are available by phone and email in the afternoon. Our online services are available 24/7. Town Directory: https://tinyurl.com/Col-Town-Dir

We cannot allow entry to anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to enter Town buildings. COVID-19 Symptoms include: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Chills, Repeated shaking with chills, Muscle pain, Headache, Sore throat, and New loss of taste or smell.

We thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

Information about changed services:

Assessor

Colchester’s Burnham Library

Town Newsletters with COVID-19 updates

Click here

Other Local Services & Updates:

Colchester School District 802.264.5999
Colchester Fire & Water District #2 (providing water only since July 1, 2020 )ANNOUNCEMENT CORONAVIRUS (PDF)
Colchester Fire & Water District #3 (providing water only since July 1, 2020) ANNOUNCEMENT re. COVID-19 (PDF)
Vermont 211: Dial 211 for a directory of state and non-profit human service programs
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Resources for individuals on financial assistance, housing, and unemployment insurance.
Weekly Summary of VT COVID Data: These summaries have shown that 69% of Vermonters who get COVID-19 have a known source of exposure — how they may have gotten the virus. Other topics include: duration of illness, outbreaks, information from emergency rooms and urgent care.

Vermont Vaccination Update

The Vermont Depart of Health is registering resident 75 and up for the vaccine. To register for an appointment click here.

Vermont Modeling

The latest modeling from the State of Vermont https://dfr.vermont.gov/sites/finreg/files/doc_library/dfr-covid19-modeling-010521.pdf

Unemployment:

Unemployment: During the current economic crisis caused by COVID-19, the unemployment rate rose extremely fast—but is now declining quickly, at least in Vermont and Colchester. Initially, the Colchester unemployment rate rose from 1.9% to 13.3% in two months. We are now back to 1.9%. This is well below the 6.3% peak of the 2007-2009 recession. Info on past downturns: https://colchestervt.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/693

The 2.3% unemployment rate only represents people who are actively looking for a job. The unemployment rate would not include people who cannot work due to lack of childcare or a variety of other reasons. In August 2020, 9.1% or 803 fewer Colchester residents were working than in August 2019. Unemployment definitions: https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm. National, State, County and Colchester Unemployment: http://www.vtlmi.info/laus.pdf

Local Resources for those in Need:

Colchester Food Shelf 245 Main Street, Colchester, 802.879.2444 - Open Wed Noon - 6 PM
Chittenden County Food Shelf 228 North Winooski Ave, Burlington, 802. 658.7939 - Open M - F 9 AM - 4 PM
Commodity Supplemental Food Program offers free monthly boxes of staple foods to income-eligible adults over the age of 60. Call 1-800-214-4648 or find info at: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/share-food/csfp
Vermont Farmers to Families Food Box Distributions: To reduce wait times and improve your experience picking up food, everyone is required to pre-register to receive food at a Vermont Farmers to Families event.
Colchester Helping Colchester matching those in need of non-emergency assistance with volunteers for deliveries or other errands. If you are in need of assistance:
- Registration: Colchester Helping Colchester
- Explanation: Colchester Helping Colchester
Childcare for Essential Persons Childcare is available for those who have been deemed essential to the COVID-19 response. Workers in critical businesses and whom are working out of the home and do not have other options are eligible for child care.
WIC - Healthy food and support for you if you are pregnant or a parent or caregiver for a child under the age of 5. Call 2-1-1 or find info at the above link. Check if you qualify for WIC.
3SquaresVT (known nationally as SNAP) Available when we need a little help buying food. The program provides Vermonters funds on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. EBT cards can be used to purchase food at grocery and convenience stores, co-ops, and many farmers markets. Call 1-855-855-6181.
AgeWellVT.org The leading experts and advocates for the aging population of Northwestern Vermont. Contact them to volunteer to be a Meals on Wheels Driver. They are always in need of volunteers, especially now. Contact Erica Marks at emarks@agewellvt.org
Unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Vermont Department of Labor 800-983-2300.
Vermont 211: Dial 211 for a directory of state and non-profit human service programs

Residential Information:

US Department of Health halt on evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. September 4 - December 31, 2020 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/04/2020-19654/temporary-halt-in-residential-evictions-to-prevent-the-further-spread-of-covid-19

Mental Health Resources:

First Call For Chittenden County Serving clients and the community regardless of age or diagnosis. Trained staff is available 24/7/365, regardless of the type of service. Call for phone support, crisis intervention and assessment, referrals to appropriate services, and connection to follow-up care. Call 802-488-7777
Coronavirus and Our Mental Health Sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Human Services.
Mental Health: How to Get Help Sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Human Services.

Business Information:

Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Resources for businesses including financial assistance, sector guidance on crucial business and unemployment information.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan for small business extended to December 31, 2021. The US. Small Business Administration provides details on the line provided above.
Business Survey: ACCD wants to hear from all Vermont businesses impacted by the response to the COVID-19 virus to help assess the full impact in their work toward solutions. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/vtcovid19
Contact regional business assistance providers and your bank./lender for alternative loan products and funding sources as well as access to free technical assistance for help navigating options currently available including:
Small Business Debt Relief Program could help assist to keep up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan.
SBA Express Bridge Loans may enable small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
Small Business Administration’s funding opportunities available with Vermont-specific resources and guidance on the SBA application process and a checklist of financial documents needed to apply: https://www.vtsbdc.org/business-201-during-covid-19-2/
Business Cash Flow tool to assess current cash flow, profit and loss, debt service, and expenses to give a fuller understanding of how loans might impact cash flow: https://www.vtsbdc.org/coronavirus/
Unemployment for self-employed, independent contractors, sole proprietors and others not typically eligible for unemployment insurance call (877) 660-7782, FAQ: https://labor.vermont.gov/pua-faqs; Eligibility info: https://labor.vermont.gov/PUA_Eligibility
Restart Vermont a phased approach to reopening the economy, by the State of Vermont.
Economic Recovery Grant program with grants for 51% women-owned and minority-owned businesses with one - five employees, including self-employed people.
Guidance for apartment managers and owners.https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/COVID-19-Prevention-Apartment-Complexes-final.pdf
Farm Assistance https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box

Local Volunteering Opportunities:

Colchester Helping Colchester, matching those in need of non-emergency assistance with volunteers for deliveries or other errands. If you are interested in volunteering:
- Registration: Colchester Helping Colchester
- Explanation: Colchester Helping Colchester
Vermont Guide for Neighborly Best Practices for Helping During COVID-1

State-wide Volunteering Opportunities:

https://www.vermont.gov/volunteer Help those Vermonters affected by COVID-19 by volunteering in the medical field via Medical Reserve Corps. Other opportunities exist by working as a grocery worker, daycare provider, driver, skilled laborer, etc.
Vermont Guide for Neighborly Best Practices for Helping During COVID-19