The Garlick Press – Thursday, December 24, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Our community and faith traditions are celebrating many important events at this time. Each differs in some ways but all seem to include celebrations with light. Tuesday was the shortest day of the year making it the darkest day of the year and now each day grows a little longer with a little more light.

The words of a song by Peter, Paul and Mary hearten my spirit may it hearten yours:

“Light one candle for the strength that we need

To never become our own foe

And light one candle for those who are suffering

Pain we learned so long ago

Light one candle for all we believe in

That anger not tear us apart

And light one candle to find us together

With peace as the song in our hearts”

Stay safe- stay strong- keep your love light glowing!

Denise

• In Needham, Town buildings, including the Library and the Recycling and Transfer Station, are operating on modified schedules for the holidays. On December 25 and January 1 all town buildings will be closed. For information on hours, click here.
• In Dover, Town offices are operating on a modified schedule for the holidays. Town offices will be closed on December 25 and January 1. For more updates visit the Town of Dover website.
• In Medfield, the Town House will be operating on a modified schedule in observance of the holidays. The Town House will be closed on December 25 and January 1. For more information on hours, click here.

• Starting December 26, there will be further restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. Most industries will be subject to a 25% capacity limit and gathering limits will be updated. For more details, click here.
• The Department of Public Health has released updated guidance to hospitals around nonessential elective invasive procedures. To preserve health care personnel resources, all hospitals are directed to postpone or cancel all nonessential elective invasive procedures in order to maintain and increase inpatient capacity. To learn more, click here.
• Based on recent forecasts, Eversource is preparing for a storm that will begin this evening (December 24) and continue into the next day. Eversource recommends that customers should assemble or restock storm kits with essential items, including pet food and medications. For more information, click here.
• the MBTA and Keolis announced that commuter rail service will continue to operate on a reduced schedule on weekdays due to workforce shortages because of COVID-19. These service changes will continue through January 8, 2021. For more information, click here.

• Massachusetts is currently in Phase 3, Step 1 of Massachusetts Reopening. If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.

• If you are in need of resources, information, or support, please visit my website for a list of resources. Additionally, our local boards of health, the Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:

• Needham Health Department Updates
• Medfield Updates
• Dover Updates
• Department of Public Health: Click here or Call 2-1-1.
• Reopening Massachusetts
• COVID-19 Travel Order
• Centers for Disease Control