Pawlet Area COVID-19 Information & Resources

Vermont Department of Health Update on COVID-19

Find the full update on healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking
the “See the Latest Update” button.

PREVENTION: Simple actions make a big difference. Keep a 6-foot distance, wear a face mask and stay home when you’re sick. See more prevention tips and know how to recognize COVID-19 symptoms.

FLU SHOT: It’s more important than ever to get your flu shot this year — when both flu viruses and COVID-19 may be spreading at the same time. Get your flu shot now through your health care provider, a pharmacy, or look for a clinic near you.

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES: Vermont schools are open, thanks to the many people working hard to keep their community safe and healthy. See guidance for families, teachers, administrators, nurses and building managers.

CONTACT TRACING: Contact tracing is how we reach out to people who test positive for COVID-19, and their close contacts, so they can take steps to stop the disease from spreading. Learn about contact tracing.

TRAVEL: Find out whether you need to quarantine when you come to Vermont and sign up for daily symptom check reminders.

TESTING: Contact your health care provider to find out about getting tested. There are testing locations throughout Vermont.

Emergency Planning for the Town of Pawlet

Notice to the Pawlet Area Community: Because of the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, local in-person events have been cancelled. Please observe current health advisories to stay home. Keep informed, stay connected online and take care of yourselves!

The Pawlet Emergency Management Team will provide updated local and State information on COVID-19 as it becomes available. For daily updates on this situation, please watch and like their Facebook page. For national or global information refer to the CDC website or the Vermont Department of Health website.

Thank you for understanding that these are unusual times, requiring precautions for public safety and health. Many Pawlet community members are in the high-risk group, and we believe taking these precautions will help keep ourselves and our community members healthy. As always, your best advice will come from www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus.

Local Services for the Pawlet Area Community

Critical Emergency Services will be available as usual. If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Pawlet eNews

Sign up to receive Pawlet’s monthly electronic newsletter. Please forward any information about local resources and support to Elizabeth Gibson, egib@vermontel.net by Thursday of each week. Thank you.

Pawlet Public Library Open for Browsing 3 days per week in May 2021

As part of its Phase 3 Reopening Plan, the Pawlet Public Library is now open for browsing three days per week during the month of May. Following Vermont Universal Guidance, library visitors are required to wear a mask, maintain six feet of social distance, and stay home if sick.

Open hours during May are Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Curbside service is now available by appointment Tuesday through Saturday. To schedule curbside service, please contact the library staff at 802-325-3123 or pawletpub@gmail.com.

The Library will be expanding browsing hours and resuming more services and amenities in June and July as the state moves through the Vermont Forward Plan.

Digital resources can be found on our home page. There are four options:

  1. Listen Up! Vermont (also known as Overdrive or Libby) to access free downloadable audio and eBooks.
  2. Universal Class to access self-passed online continuing education.
  3. Green Mountain Internet Archive to access books, movies and music, including 63,000 items featured by the Digital Public Library of America.
  4. Vermont Online Library to access help with any topic, everything from newspapers articles and magazines to DIY car repair. (Free to all Vermonters, options for all ages from elementary school through adult)

Town Office and Services

The office continues to be closed to walk-in traffic but we are making appointments.  Please call ahead and thank you for your patience and understanding. Masks are required to enter the building.

As always, call (802) 325-3309 and leave messages or email us as we are here for you.  We will all get through this together…We Are Vermont Strong!   

  • Pawlet Town Clerk, Deb Hawkins: pawletclerk@vermontel.net
  • Assessor’s Office: pawletlister@vermontel.net
  • Treasurer, Julie Mach: pawlettreas@Vermontel.net

Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department

The Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department will continue to provide emergency services with no disruption. To request emergency assistance, dial 911. The firehouse is closed to the public and will not be available for rental until the State of Emergency is rescinded.  

COVID-19 is expected to place a tremendous burden on local emergency services in the coming weeks. We ask for your assistance in keeping emergency response to a minimum by being especially cautious and conscientious. With spring wildfire season upon us, we remind all residents that a permit is required by law for any outdoor burning of brush. The permit is free. To seek a permit, contact the Town Forest Fire Wardens, Dale Decker (325-3721) or David Hosley (645-0158). 

We also remind all residents that mixing cleaning products is extremely dangerous. Mixing bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or rubbing alcohol creates highly toxic byproducts. Dilute bleach with water only. 

Town of Pawlet Highway Department

The Highway Department will continue regular service throughout this outbreak. However, there will be no visitors allowed at the Town Garage during this time. If you need road service, you can contact the Town Garage at 802-325-3467 and leave a message.

Mettawee Community School

School is in session 5-days a week from 8:10 am to 2:30 pm. For the most current information, please visit the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union website at https://sites.google.com/brsu.org/coronavirusupdates/home

Churches

The Pawlet Community Church is taking precautionary safety measures around the Coronavirus outbreak and will suspend all church services until further notice. This includes Sunday Services and our monthly Pork Suppers. Pastor, Tracy Weatherhogg, will hold online Sunday services on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. We hope you will join our community online. Blessings and good health to all.

A Helping Hand in Pawlet: The Pawlet Community Church Food Pantry and the Barn Restaurant are raising money to help stock food pantry supplies, as well as offer pick-up and delivery of free meals prepared by the Barn Restaurant 3 days per week for those who need assistance during this challenging time. The meals will be available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting March 20. Pick-up will be at the Church. The meals will be brought to you in your vehicle, so there’s no need to come indoors. If you are unable to pick up a meal, it can be delivered to your doorstep. To reserve a meal, call the Pawlet Community Church at 802-325-3022 from 10 AM to 12 PM on the day before (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) for pickup from 5 to 6 PM the next day. Menus will be posted on Monday each week on Facebook and Front Porch Forum.

Mettowee Valley Church: Due to COVID19 all activities and services will be cancelled until further notice. We will be praying for your safety, please take precautions.

Rupert United Methodist: Sanctuary Services have begun again! We are back to worshiping in our sanctuary as of August 2nd. We are taking special precautions and there is plenty of room to safely distance for both our congregation and visitors. So, come as you are and worship with us! Services are at 9 AM, early enough to worship and still have your day in front of us.

All of the Catholic parishes within the Diocese of Burlington have cancelled Mass, sacraments and devotions until further notice.

Stores & Restaurants

Mach’s Market at 18 School Street is now open 7 days a week from 6 am – 8 pm. Patrons are encouraged to wear a mask in the store and curbside pickup is available. You can call ahead at 802-325-3405.  “A family owned market with a full deli and farm to table foods. Serving the area since 1945. Come by and check us out!”

Sheldon’s Market remains in operation with normal business hours, daily from 6am – 8pm. Customers are encouraged to call ahead with their order and items can be brought to you on the porch or to your car. 802-325-3390

The Barn Restaurant: Open Thursday – Sunday from 5 PM-7:30 PM. Call 802 325-3088 for takeout or dine in reservations. Visit our Facebook page for current menu. See you soon – from a distance!

As always, The Barn places your safety and the cleanliness of our kitchen and facilities at the very top of our priority list. A ServeSafe-Certified individual will be onsite during all food preparation and handling. Together we can get through these challenging times! We are so grateful for your business.

The Station Restaurant: Check their website or call for hours 802 325 2503.

Pawlet Food Pantry: Frozen prepared meals, healthy and free, are available at the food pantry for those in need every third Friday of each month, 9 AM-12 PM, at the Pawlet Community Church. Know someone in need who can’t make it to the pick up? We can help! Call: 802-867-2409. Meals are provided by The Grateful Hearts non-profit food program.

Transfer Stations

The Granville Transfer Station – Earth, Waste and Metal, will be open as usual. We ask the public to refrain from close contact while using the transfer station and from congregating at the transfer station.

Effective immediately, the Regional Transfer Station at 14 Gleason Road, Rutland will only accept the essential materials for disposal when absolutely necessary. This includes ONLY trash, recycling and food scraps. Consistent with the Governor’s Executive Order 01-20, the following materials will not be accepted:

  • Hazardous Waste (including, but not limited to: paint, batteries, mercury-containing bulbs/devices, motor oil and other auto fluids, pesticides, chemicals, etc.)
  • Scrap Metal, Electronics, Freon-containing appliances, Tires, Books, Clothing & Shoes and other donations
  • Other materials up to the attendant’s discretion

Additional requirements for facility use:

  • DO NOT ENTER if you have COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposure
  • MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE– at least 6’ from other people
  • UNLOAD YOUR OWN WASTE– employees have been instructed to not handle waste
  • NO CONGREGATING– leave facility once unloaded
  • PROVIDE CHECKS OR EXACT CASH for payment

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate concerns associated with COVID-19.

Fuel Assistance 

To get confidential help locally from the Pawlet Community Church Fuel Assistance Fund, call Pawlet Town Clerk Deb Hawkins, 325-3309 or Pawlet Community Church, 325-3022. The winter cold continues, and our local fund meets emergency situations on the spot. Please send donations payable to “Pawlet Community Church Fuel Assistance Fund” to: Pawlet Fuel Assistance Fund, Attn: Tim Bryant, Treasurer, 337 Milaura Road, Pawlet, VT 05761.

Statewide Restrictions and Regulations

For the most current changes in State guidance, you can visit Governor Phil Scott’s website www.governor.vermont.gov/press_releases, or the Vermont Emergency Management website www.vem.vermont.gov/covid19

New on healthvermont.gov

A new map of Vermonters who have tested positive for COVID-19 by town can now be found at healthvermont.gov/covid19 (click on the map of Vermont). The data reflects lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Vermont residents, by town of residence. All case data is preliminary and is updated as new information comes in.

New pages have been added and updated:

Accessing Emergency Care

Vermont hospitals are safe. If you are having symptoms of a serious medical condition, such as heart attack or stroke, it is important to get medical care right away. Call 9-1-1, go to the emergency room, or call your doctor if your symptoms are not life threatening.

Use Cleaning Products Safely

The Centers for Disease Control has reported that calls to U.S. poison centers about cleaner and disinfectant exposures have increased by 20%. Please make sure you are using cleaning products and disinfectants safely.

The EPA has issued guidance about disinfectant product use. Always follow the product’s directions. Do not ingest disinfectant products, and never apply them to yourself or others.

See the CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfection for Households guidance.

You can also chat with the Northern New England Poison Control Center on their website, call 1-800-222-1222 or text POISON to 85511.

Volunteering

Please sign up to support the state’s COVID-19 response: https://vermont.gov/volunteer. Have medical supplies to donate? Visit the COVID-19 Donations site.

Resources

Your home page for the State’s most current information and recommendations is at the Vermont Department of Health website, www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus. This website is updated at least every 24 hours in the early afternoon, but also posts important new information any time they receive it.

Individuals in need of specific support can contact VT 2-1-1 to speak with a representative who will work with you to determine your needs and connect you with the appropriate agency or service. www.vermont211.org/. You can call their alternate toll-free number at 1-866-652-4636 if you experience difficulty.

The Vermont Department of Public Service is maintaining an active list of known public wireless hotspots, so that you can stay connected with friends, family and news. In many cases, you can access those from your car in the parking lot, to reduce interpersonal contact. You can see this resource at www.publicservice.vermont.gov/announcements/public-wifi-hotspots-vermont

For those with ongoing health or mobility concerns, the Citizen Assistance Registry in case of an Emergency (CARE) to sign up for special focus during emergencies. This allows the 911 system to be prepared for special needs, but the information is not made public. www.vermont211.org/disaster-preparedness-temp-page

For broader public health information, you can visit any of the following trusted sources: