State mask directive bolsters local resolution as town offices slowly reopen, election draws near

August 1, 2020  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Waterbury Municipal Center. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti.

The Waterbury Select Board’s recent resolution calling on the public to wear masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus gets some welcome backup as the state’s directive goes into effect today. 

Gov. Phil Scott last week announced an order calling on the public to wear face coverings whenever they are in the presence of others both indoors and outdoors and cannot be six feet apart.

Exceptions are children under the age of 2 and those with a developmental or medical condition or a disability that would prevent them from wearing a mask. 

The directive is similar to the resolution Waterbury officials adopted July 6 with word spreading in the community and businesses slowly incorporating it into their daily practice. 

“For the most part, many people are resigned to the fact that they have to do it,” Municipal Manager Bill Shepeluk said of mask-wearing in public. “With the governor’s order, we’re hoping that will energize the effort.”

With both the state and local proclamations, government is strongly asking the public to get on board with the practice of wearing masks although enforcement is problematic. A key element is that the directives tell businesses they may refuse service to individuals who don’t comply. 

COVID-19 is a new, highly contagious virus that has claimed more than 150,000 lives nationwide. Vermont’s response has managed to keep the infection rate low with just 57 deaths recorded to date. However, ongoing mounting cases in other states have public health officials carefully watching for signs of an uptick in infections in Vermont. 

“People with COVID-19 who don't have any symptoms can spread the virus to other people,” the state Health Department’s website explains. Thus the push for masks. 

The moves to emphasize public participation in wearing masks come as state and local government continue to take more steps toward further reopening and the statewide primary election is around the corner on Aug. 11. 

In Waterbury, town offices will open by appointment Monday, Aug. 3, and Shepeluk said visitors to the municipal building will be required to wear a face covering for their appointments. 

While the Waterbury Public Library continues its curbside service, it recently reopened to patrons in a limited capacity that includes wearing masks. 

Posters with messaging about the importance of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic are being distributed to local businesses by volunteers with Revitalizing Waterbury. The Waterbury resolution states:  “The intent is to set the example and to encourage voluntary cooperation, not confrontation.”

Restaurant owners led the way locally

Prior to the governor settling the question of municipal mask mandates, the Waterbury board adopted its resolution mirroring language used in a similar measure in Stowe. The issue was driven by restaurant owners as they began reopening for dining. 

Select Board member and restaurant owner Mark Frier asked to add the measure to the board’s July 6 meeting agenda saying the timing was important. “We have employees concerned about their safety and their families’ safety,” he said. 

Frier is an owner of The Reservoir Restaurant & Taproom and also a partner owner in two restaurants in Stowe where local officials adopted a mask resolution in June. Frier urged the Waterbury board to follow suit to give local businesses especially a uniform standard to lean on in order to make that request of patrons. 

Zenbarn owner Noah Fishman joined Frier in making the case for mandating masks saying it was stressful for restaurant owners to juggle the added public health responsibility around keeping both employed and customers safe. 

“We feel alone managing this public health decision,” he said, adding that he welcomed the town showing leadership on the issue.  “We’re fighting to survive here and we need all the help we can get to keep covid out of our town.”  

The select board unanimously passed the measure. 

Elections shifting to mailed ballots 

Masks and social distancing will be required for those who vote in person for the Aug. 11 statewide primary election. Town Clerk Carla Lawrence said as of July 27 she had mailed out 1,387 ballots to voters requesting an early ballot. Because turnout is expected to be low in person, voting will be held at the municipal offices, not Thatcher Brook Primary School. 

At a meeting of the Board of Civil Authority July 27, the board also voted to hold the Nov. 3 general election at the municipal offices. 

As of July 27, Lawrence said that 505 primary ballots had been returned. Secretary of State Jim Condos has issued revised election guidelines given the COVID-19 pandemic. One provision allows elections officials to run ballots returned early by mail through the tabulating machines prior to election day so results are not delayed because of mailed ballots being entered after the polls close on election day. 

The number of ballots mailed to primary voters already exceeds the entire 2018 primary turnout which was 988, Lawrence said. For comparison, turnout for the 2016 primary election was 1,452 voters. 

For the school budget revote in June that was held at the town offices, 75 percent of those who voted requested an early ballot and either mailed it back or dropped it off by the day of the vote. The remainder voted in person following guidelines to social distance and wear masks. 

Although the offices are reopening by appointment on Monday, both Lawrence and Shepeluk said they would prefer the public to do as much business as possible without having to visit the offices in person and that includes voting early.

Lawrence said she will mail ballots out to voters who request them by phone or email. (244-8447 or clawrence@waterburyvt.com). Individuals may return them by U.S. mail, drop them in the dropbox near the main entrance of the municipal building, or drop them off at the polls on election day, Lawrence said. Ballots must arrive by 7 p.m. on Aug. 11 in order to be counted, she said; merely having a postmark by election day on a ballot that arrives later does not count.