Video Update for April 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJcm-hC_y7k

 Good Evening. This is Mayor Paul Brodeur

As of today Melrose has four additional reported cases of COVID-19, bringing our total to 66. I am happy to say there have been no additional deaths reported.

Tonight, I want to provide some additional information regarding leaf curbside pick-up and weekend drop-off at the city yard.

Regarding curbside pick-up, the city only has one truck available to provide that service. The fleet was reduced several years ago when the city moved to a private contractor for trash and recycling collection. That truck requires some repairs, and a needed part is currently unavailable. We are doing our best to get the truck back into service and will keep you posted.

Regarding leaf drop-off at the city yard, I have made the decision not to make the yard available at this time. As you have heard me say many times over the past week or so, public health modeling indicates that the surge in cases is coming between April 10 and 20. While we might be able to create a system to mitigate somewhat the likelihood of transmission at the yard, I have decided it is not worth the risk to our employees or our residents in the midst of a peak in cases of COVID-19. Remember, the best way we can protect ourselves and each other is to limit trips outside the home to essential needs like getting food, taking care of medical needs, getting to work if you can’t work from home, and passive recreation – and only with appropriate social distancing. Please stay home and stay safe.

In better news, I want folks to know that on Friday, Governor Baker signed a law authorizing me as mayor to offer some relief from penalties, interest and deadlines related to local taxes and fees. On Monday, I instructed relevant city departments to offer the maximum amount of relief allowed under the new law. The details on this are important, and the city will post more information about this tomorrow on our website, social media, and other sources. I want to thank Representative Lipper-Garabedian and Senator Lewis for their efforts to get this bill on the governor’s desk so quickly.

Finally, I want to assure people that public health data also indicates that social distancing and other measures are helping to flatten the curve. Every step you take helps you, your family, friends, neighbors and folks you haven’t even met. So keep washing your hands, keep using hand sanitizer, keeping your distance, keep sneezing into your elbow and staying home as much as possible.

Thanks again for watching and remember that together we will get through this.