Mayor Donna D. Holaday
May 6, 2021
COVID-19 UPDATE
Good afternoon everyone, and thank you for joining me this afternoon for my latest COVID-19 update. This week, according to the CDC vaccine data, 3.9 million people in Massachusetts have been fully or partially vaccinated. 4.1 million are expected to be fully vaccinated by the beginning of June which is just several weeks away. This is a significant achievement for our Commonwealth. The state will now begin adapting vaccine efforts in more targeted areas, and will be shifting the vaccine distribution to smaller scale operations- Stop and Shop, CVS and Walgreens. Currently there are 22 regional collaboratives that are fully operational but we will see these winding down also. Our Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative has proven to be popular throughout February, March and April, however even with eligibility opened up to the general population, registration has slowed down, and the clinic held last weekend was only half full. It has been decided that the collaborative will host only five more clinics through May 22, and then will end. These clinics will take place beginning this weekend at the Nock Middle School at 70 Low Street here in Newburyport. The collaborative has been involved in the vaccination of over 23,000 residents in Massachusetts and I want to thank all who have been involved, they have just done an incredible job. Additionally, the Beth Israel/Lahey/AJH clinic will begin winding down, closing at the Senior Community Center at the end of May.
The demand for high volumes of people coming to the mass vaccination sites is also declining, as vaccines are more widely dispersed across communities. The sites will gradually close out by the end of June but until then, they will soon begin to accept walk-ins. Information about availability for walk-ups will be reflected on VaxFinder.mass.gov soon. In the coming weeks, the state is also anticipating that the CDC may authorize vaccines for children ages 12-15, and will keep the pre-registration available for parents who may want to bring their children to a mass vaccination site. More details to come when the CDC determines the next steps on this.
Our vaccination numbers continue to improve in Newburyport. As of our latest reported data last week, 67 % of our residents have received at least one dose of the vaccination and 48 % are fully vaccinated. And, 85 % of our senior population aged 65 and over are fully vaccinated. We are making great strides here and thank you to all who have stepped up to receive the vaccine.
We are currently in a multi-step plan to phase out more COVID-19 restrictions and allow added businesses to reopen over the course this month — with an aim of eliminating all limits on businesses, gatherings and events by August. As part of the expanded re-opening, street festivals and parades are able to resume. I met with members of Yankee Homecoming’s Executive Board this week to discuss plans for this time-honored festival. Currently, plans are underway to hold our week-long festival this summer. The YH Committee is working diligently to hold as many of the traditional events as possible and working closely with the city and our public health department on health and safety protocols as indicated.
We are in the final process of completing the city budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The prepared budget will be submitted to the City Council at next Monday’s meeting with budget workshop sessions scheduled to begin with all of our City Councillors. Please check the City website, public meetings calendar for details. Additionally, the School Committee approved its $37.5 million dollar budget this week for the City Council’s approval. The budget has a 5.2% increase from last year. The budget meets all contractual obligations in the district, covers special education costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and funds the expansion of technology throughout the schools.
Superintendent Sean Gallagher is accepting letters of interest and resumes from residents who may be interested in serving on the School Committee for the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. The regional district school committee consists of 14 members from eleven regional communities. The school committee has oversight of and responsibility for the school system supporting the work of the superintendent; works collaboratively on advancing the regional school system; and establishes policy and criteria as well as determine if its goals and policies are being met. To learn more, please contact Superintendent Sean Gallagher’s office located at 70 Low Street.
The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School project concludes today with striping of the half mile median, turn and bike lanes on High Street and surrounding the high school. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we complete the last stage of this very important project.
Since 1984, National Parent Teacher Association has designated one week in May as a special time to honor the individuals who lend their passion and skills to educating our children. And let’s face it, this year has been like no other in education. But we are getting through it, in part thanks to our amazing teachers. Please take a moment to thank them during week’s Teacher Appreciation Week. In a year where instruction has been virtual, in-person or a mix of both, their immense work and impact have provided a much-needed sense of community and connection. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our teachers have worked hard to ensure our students have the tools they need to reach their full potential. Thank you so very much.
The Cities of Amesbury and Newburyport have partnered to provide grants to small business owners to help them continue operations as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This program, which is funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), provides grants to small businesses to pay for rent/mortgage, employee wages, and technical assistance to help them get back on their feet and adjust to a new economic normal. Applicants will receive funding directly from the City of Amesbury through the Office of Community & Economic Development, who is acting as the grant manager for both cities. These grants have recently increased to $25,000, and there is still funding available. Please go to Amesbury’s website at amesburyma.gov, and click on the Small Business Relief Grant Program on the home page.
I am pleased to advise that our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alliance will be looking to engage the community in tough, but necessary discussions on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion and income disparities over the next several months. This group which formed last November, has been getting to know one another. The alliance includes myself, Tina Los Staff Coordinator for the Alliance and Associate Director for the Essex County Asset Builder Network; Dr. Ahmer Ibrahim, Chair of the Human Rights Commission; Superintendent Gallagher, Marshal Murray and a range of local leaders and concerned residents.
With the help of inclusion consultant Michael Eatman and Essential Partners, the alliance has been preparing to host at least three community dialogues this summer that believes will help get the community on a path to real change. The topics include racial discrimination and past and present incidents and response, the presence of symbols in our city like the thin blue line flag outside the Newburyport police station, and the idea of changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The group also wants to work with the community to create a platform for all voices and perspectives to be heard. To contact the alliance, visit nbptdeialliance.com.
The city continues to work on plans to help protect our Plum Island properties and our infrastructure. Unfortunately, after two attempts to place and secure “Super Sacks” with sand around the Reservation Terrace neighborhood, they could not hold back the tides. We are awaiting MEPA and Conservation Commission review of a wood piling and coir bag, short-term protection system and anticipate a review from the state in the next several weeks. This short-term protection plan would be in place until the Merrimack River dredging project occurs and over 260,000 cubic yards of sand is anticipated to be placed on the Reservation Terrace area.
Lastly, this latest phase in our state’s vaccination program efforts, and Newburyport’s contributions with our continued increased vaccination completions, we are all helping to further reopen our economy, protect our community, and provide a safe environment so we can enjoy the many, many activities we have sacrificed this past year. Thank you and stay strong, we are getting there!
Enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday.