The Walpolean

Emergency Order Expands Benefit Eligibility

This information is adapted from a longer article about the COVID-19 response that will appear in the upcoming issue of the Clarion.  This information is being released early in order to get the information to those who need it as soon as possible.

 Emergency Order 5   This order, issued this week, expands available unemployment benefits in a number of significant ways.  You may be eligible for benefits even if you never were before or your situation is not what would have qualified before.

This means that you are eligible for benefits if you have to stay home to take care of a child because school is out, or if you need to care for an elder whose day services program has closed.

Self-employed people and others who are not normally eligible for unemployment benefits may qualify for benefits so go online and apply even if you are not sure if you qualify.  The sooner you apply, the sooner you will receive a benefit if you are eligible.

Here is the web site to apply for benefits.  On the left-hand side of the page, go down to the maroon button labeled File a Claim for Benefits: https://www.nhes.nh.gov  

Here is a link to instructions for completing your application:  

https://www.nhes.nh.gov/forms/documents/nhes-0170.pdf

As of this writing, the web site is overburdened, so keep trying.  If you need assistance by telephone, the number is 271-7700.

If you are an employer, the good news for you is that none of these claims will be charged against you; they will be a claim on the system as a whole.

You can find the text of all the Emergency Orders as they are issued here.  New orders are still being issued, so check back for updates.

https://www.governor.nh.gov/news-media/emergency-orders/

Please contact me if you have questions about these or other COVID-19 response measures.

Rep. Lucy Weber

lwmcv@comcast.net

499-0282

A good note about being OPEN from Caitlin and Chris Caserta. – Lil

“I just wanted to pass along that the Farm Store at Walpole Valley Farms will be open daily from 10-3 until further notice.

We are well stocked with meats, pork, chicken, turkey, & beef. We also have eggs, cheese, jam, maple syrup, and more.

The grocery store is a daunting place for many right now so we’re happy to be of service. We are also happy to deliver within Walpole for those folks who can’t go out.

Please feel free to share and take care and stay healthy!”

Caitlin & Chris Caserta

Dear Patrons,

Due to the continued precautions being taken, Governor Sununu has canceled Inter-Library Loan services. We will no longer be getting deliveries from other libraries. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We were all hoping for one more delivery before things were shut down.

Thank you for your continued support of the library and our staff during this chaotic time.

Keep an eye on our social media. We’ll be offering new virtual services soon!

Justine Fafara
Library Director

Please let folks know that the Walpole Historical Society April 10th speaker event is cancelled.  This was the Connecticut, New England’s Great River presented by Adair Mulligan.  We plan to reschedule this for a later time.  Many thanks  Sally

ii was also asked if I knew how one could volunteer to deliver food or shop for others who might need assistance.  I contacted Tara Sad and received this information.

If people would like to help, they can volunteer with River Valley Seniors At Home, a membership organization of volunteers who help with transportation, shopping, etc.  We are not healthcare workers or housekeepers.  But we do bring food – both cooked and groceries – to people.  I have also offered our services to deliver Joanie Joan’s food to people.

I had an inquiry this morning to see if I knew what our local restaurants are doing in response to the mandate that NH restaurants and bars practice social distancing and provide take out or delivery only.  I have since checked in at Joanie Joan’s, Soencer’s Place and Burdick’s.  ( Diamond’s, The Hungry Diner, and Lola’s already have the Take Out option in place.)

All three spots now have Take Out Service in place.  Burdick’s has a Take Out menu in place on their website, Joanie Joan’s has one in progress.  Spencer’s Place has the regular menu this noon and specials tonight that include corn beef and cabbage as well as bangers and mash.  Both Burdick’s and Spncer’s Place mentioned curbside service.

As one who really prefers not to cook and believes in supporting local businesses, this is really good news.  I, for one, would like to thank them in advance!

The Board of Trustees met this morning and the following decisions were made. – Lil

Dear Patrons,

The Library Director and Board of Trustees have decided that the Walpole Town Library will close beginning Wednesday March 18th at 12pm through April 4th. The North Walpole Branch Library will also be closed Tuesday March 17th through April 4th. We will then reevaluate the situation and decide if it is safe to open on Monday April 6th.

As of today, Monday March 16th, all programs are canceled through April 4th, including any reservations for the Hubbard Community Room. We will also be canceling Inter-Library Loans; we will stop requesting materials for our patrons and stop lending materials to other libraries.

While we remain open Monday the 16th through the morning of Wednesday the 18th, we ask that you don’t linger or congregate in the library. This is an opportunity to check out any materials you’d like, use the computer to check your email or do something else quickly (we’ll be implementing a 20 minute time limit for computers), and leave. We greatly appreciate your cooperation with this plan. Our open hours are: Monday the 16th 1-8pm, Tuesday the 17th 1-6pm and Wednesday the 18th 10am-12pm.

Please do not return materials to the library during this time. We do not charge overdue fines, and we will not penalize you for keeping materials out until we open again. The book drop will be locked and any materials returned Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday will be kept in quarantine for 24 hours.

While we are closed Wednesday March 18th through April 4th we will be answering phone calls and emails as normal. Please feel free to call with any questions.

March 16th through March 21st we will be offering curbside pickup for materials. This service will be offered:

Please call the library and let us know what you’d like to pick up and when you will be here to pick it up. We’ll leave materials in bags on the front porch for you to grab and go. Remember, you do not need to return materials until we fully reopen.

As always our e-resources are available 24/7. You can download audio books and ebooks on the Libby app. You can now access New England newspapers on our website 24/7 as well. Please call us to get your library card number if you don’t have it handy or if you have any questions about these services.

Please know that a decision like this, to close the library for an extended period of time, is not taken lightly. We know how much this impacts our community and this was not a rush decision. We truly feel that this is the best way for the library to do our part in keeping our patrons safe.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Stay healthy.

Justine Fafara
Library Director