Emergency Notices

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 10:00 AM local time on a virtual online platform.

ACTIVATION STATUS:
The EOC remains at a Level 1 Status –Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged.

The Town’s EOC Group will continue with a schedule of regular meetings, and will now utilize a virtual platform to minimize close contact during the meetings, unless conditions warrant assemble at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre. These meetings will continue on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

• The EOC Group again reviewed the pump repair conducted on Tuesday March 31st, 2020. Normal operation of the WWPS has been maintained.
• The Town has secured the necessary supply of disposable seat covers for use in Town vehicles.
• The Town has received communication form NBEMO that enforcement actions have been carried out with businesses operating within Sussex that should have been closed given the emergency declaration by the Province of New Brunswick. Voluntary compliance has been achieved.
• The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day seventeen (17) of our operational changes, no new changes have been implemented as a result of this meeting.
• Public access to the Town’s Tennis Courts, Basketball Court and Skate park, playgrounds, Bark Park and facilities remain locked from use. There is no change in status in this mitigation measure. The Town appreciates everyone’s patience with this necessary measure.

The Town will continue to request Town residents respect the direction and closure necessary under this provincial Emergency for the safety of everyone.

• As of today’s date Friday April 3rd, 2020; the Town continues encourage individuals and families to take time to exercise and be outdoors, but please do so responsibly. Our trails will remain open for use as we believe that they are a great resource for remaining physically and mentally well. The Town advises that if residents do choose to use our trails that they be mindful of maintaining appropriate distances between themselves and others and also keeping control of their pets. Please observe the Town’s leash requirements and do not let pets run free for the safety of fellow trail users.
• The EOC Group is has completed the process of setting up a virtual meeting platform for Sussex Town Council. The platform tested as expected, and this group has used that platform for today’s emergency control group virtual meeting.
• The Emergency Control Group has reviewed river data available as of today’s date to assess if there are issues related to spring melt of snow cover. There are no issues related to river flow or issues foreseen in the immediate future given the forecasts reviewed on today’s date. Continuous monitoring will be ongoing over the next several weeks by the Town’s Emergency Control Group.
• The EOC Group is in the process of setting up the necessary preparation for a teleconference call in meeting for the next Planning Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for April 8th, 2020. A date of April 22nd has been communicated in error in previous updates.
• The Town has requested the Regional Service Commission 8 review the Town’s recommendations relayed by our collection contractor relayed on March 27th, 2020. No accommodation has been forthcoming by the Commission.

Next EOC meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time Monday April 6th, 2020. It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Monday April 6th, 2020 at 3:30 PM.

Wednesday April 1st, 2020 Update Report #9 – 3:30 PM.

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 1:00 PM local time at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre following the teleconference with Dr. Barker, District Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Barker’s provided a verbal update and took questions from the group.

Next teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 7th, 2020 at 1:15 PM. Immediately following this teleconference the Town’s EOC group will again conduct a situational update meeting at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre and from various remote locations.

ACTIVATION STATUS:
The EOC remains at a Level 1 Status –Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged.

The Town’s EOC Group continues with a schedule of regular meetings at the Town’s EOC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

Teleconference with Dr. Barker, the following issues and recommendations were discussed:

• On today’s date – 81 cases in NB. Three new cases in Region 2.
• Dr. Barker is expecting the peak week to be the week of April 21st, 2020 in NB.
• After that date there is expected to be a gradual release of restrictions, if, conditions warrant.
• Restrictions will be re-implemented if conditions warrant.
• Most cases to date have been mild symptoms.
• Rural Test sites at Health Centres, then transported to Regional Labs in Moncton for analysis.
• Adequate supply available of PPE for health workers. More ordered.
• Dr. Barker addressed / provided an opinion on the written direction / order from WorkSafe NB received by a municipality as a result of two staff traveling in a single vehicle. WorkSafe NB directed the use of surgical masks by both vehicle occupants. Dr. Barker’s opinion is that masks are not necessary, and will clarify in a teleconference scheduled at 4:00 pm with her office and WorkSafe NB. The results of this meeting will be communicated to the group.
• Dr. Barker encourages separate work clothes and clothes from home with each set washed daily for essential workers involved in public contact.
• Building inspections to new construction and renovations were discussed. Contact with occupants of renovation sites should be avoided.
• Addresses a recent 911 call dispatched when covid-19 measures were not communicated to the first responders prior to arrival. This communication error needs to be corrected.

Other Operational Issues;

• The EOC Group reviewed the wastewater pump repair conducted on Tuesday March 31st, 2020. Total repair not complete, however normal operation of the WWPS is maintained.
• The Town has secured the necessary supply of disposable seat covers for use in Town vehicles.
• The Town has forwarded to Public Safety for enforcement two businesses operating within Sussex that should be closed following public complaints. Each operation will be advised on today’s date of the necessity to close by provincial enforcement officers.
• The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day fifteen (15) of our operational changes, no changes have been implemented as a result of this meeting.
• Public access to the Town’s Tennis Courts, Basketball Court and Skate park, playgrounds, Bark Park and facilities remain locked from use. There is no change in status in this mitigation measure.

The Town will continue to request Town residents respect the direction and closure necessary under this Provincial Emergency for the safety of everyone.

• As of today’s date Wednesday April 01st, 2020; the Town continues encourage individuals and families to take time to exercise and be outdoors, but please do so responsibly. Our trails will remain open for use as we believe that they are a great resource for remaining physically and mentally well. The Town advises that if residents do choose to use our trails that they be mindful of maintaining appropriate distances between yourselves and others and also keeping control of your pets. Please observe the Town’s leash requirements and do not let pets run free for the safety of your fellow trail users.
• The EOC Group is has completed the process of setting up a virtual meeting platform for Sussex Town Council. A test meeting will be undertaken on today’s date at 6:00 PM to identify issues with the electronic platform in preparation of our upcoming meeting schedule later this month.
• The EOC Group is in the process of setting up the necessary preparation for a teleconference call in meeting for the next Planning Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for April 22nd, 2020.
• The Town has requested the Regional Service Commission 8 review the Town’s recommendations relayed by our collection contractor late last week.

Next EOC meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time Friday April 03rd, 2020. It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Friday April 03rd, 2020 at 3:30 PM.

A message to Sussex Residents;

The Town of Sussex’s Emergency Operations Control Group has recommended to Sussex Council that is necessary to delay or adjust the planned Spring Clean-up dates. Council has authorized this service change.

The Town has contacted our collection contractor and the Sussex Solid Waste Transfer Station to notify of the Spring Clean-up service date change to May 26th and 27th , 2020.

The Town wishes to avoid the piling of refuse and clean-up materials at curbside and leaving the debris there for over a month as a number of residents have started the clean-up process. The Town requests residents delay the placement at curbside to coincide with our new service dates in May.

The Town apologizes for any inconvenience this change in service date has caused, and the Town remains committed to providing exemplary services to the residents of the Town of Sussex.

Monday March 30th, 2020 Update Report #8 – 3:30 PM.

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 10:00 AM local time at the Town’s Emergency Operations.

ACTIVATION STATUS:
The EOC remains at a Level 1 Status –Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged.

The Town’s EOC Group continues with a schedule of regular meetings at the Town’s EOC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

• The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day thirteen (13) of our operational changes, minor changes continue to be implemented.
• Public access to the Town’s Tennis Courts, Basketball Court and Skate park, playgrounds and facilities remain locked from use. There is no change in status in this mitigation measure.

. The Town requests that residents respect the direction and closure necessary under this Emergency.

• The Town will close the Bark Park located off MacLeod Street as of today’s date. The Town apologizes for this inconvenience.
• As of today’s date Monday March 30th, 2020; the Town continues encourage individuals and families to take time to exercise and be outdoors, but please do so responsibly. Our trails will remain open for use as we believe that they are a great resource for remaining physically and mentally well. The Town advises that if residents do choose to use our trails please be mindful of maintaining appropriate distances between yourselves and others and also keeping control of your pets. Please observe the Town’s leash requirements and do not let pets run free for the safety of your fellow trail users.
• The EOC Group is near the completion of the process of setting up a virtual meeting platform for Sussex Town Council. This process is anticipated to be complete by Tuesday, March 31st, 2020. A test meeting will follow to identify issues with the electronic platform in preparation of our upcoming meeting schedule.
• The EOC Group has begun the necessary preparation to set-up a teleconference for the next Planning Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for April 22nd, 2020.
• A non-mandatory Town staff meeting was completed at 1:00 PM, Monday March 30th, 2020 to bring staff up to date and seek operational improvement input from each staff member. The majority of staff participated in this information session and the meeting provided a great forum for safety measures necessary to provide the Town’s essential services.
• Our review with Town staff continues to develop adjustments necessary for Town staff to deliver essential services to Town residents in each department. We continue to update necessary changes in protocols where duties that require multiple staff to complete any process. All necessary precautions for staff that involves additional PPE are being taken.
• The Town’s Community Services Department has cancelled the 2020 Ball Hockey program and will be offering full refund to those participants who have prepaid for these scheduled April programs. The Town will apologize for any inconvenience this decision has caused.

Next EOC meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM local time Wednesday April 1st, 2020 immediately following the teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barker. It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Wednesday April 1st, 2020 at 3:30 PM.

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 10:00 AM local time at the Town’s Emergency Operations.

ACTIVATION STATUS:

The EOC remains at a Level 1 Status – Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged.

The Town’s EOC Group continues with a schedule of regular meetings at the Town’s EOC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

–          The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day tenth (10) of our operational changes, minor changes continue to be implemented. 

–          Public access to the Town’s Tennis Courts, Basketball Court and Skate park have been locked from use following public complaints. Continued use have indicated the sites promoted places of where groups had been gathering. Contact will be made with the Sussex Detachment of the RCMP to advise Town staff if issues are identified during the RCMP patrols.

–          The EOC Group have begun the process of setting up a virtual meeting platform for Sussex Town Council. This process is anticipated to be complete by Tuesday March 31^st, 2020. A test meeting will follow to identify issues with the electronic platform in preparation of our upcoming meeting schedule.  

–          A non-mandatory Town staff meeting is now scheduled for 1:00 PM Monday March 30^th to bring staff up to date and seek operational improvement input from each staff member.

–          Our review with Town staff continues to develop adjustments necessary for Town staff to deliver essential services to Town residents in each department. We have updated a protocol where duties that require multiple staff to complete the process, it will now become necessary that the staff involved use additional PPE. The requirement of using a N95 mask will now be mandatory for such operations. The Sussex Fire Department provided the necessary supply of masks to begin this protocol.

–          A new protocol to operate the Town’s fuel pumps where mandatory use of gloves will now be necessary. We are requesting the staff wipe the nozzle before and after use for the foreseeable future.

–          Resource information and guidance websites developed by the Canadian Public Works Association and the American Public Works Association have been forwarded to Town Staff. The following are the resource information links: 

o   https://www.apwa.net/MyApwa/Apwa_Public/Coronavirus_and_the_Public_Works_Community.aspx

o   https://www.cpwa.net/CPWA/COVID-19_Updates_and_Resources.aspx

–          The group discussed issues related to multiple staff commuting to job sites in Town in a single vehicles. Department heads are requested to advise staff the necessity of traveling alone to a job site to maintain social distancing.

–          The EOC Coordinator advised the group contact has been made with the executive of Sussex Sharing Club related to their operation. No issues identified to date other than the changes in operations imitated by the Club.

Next EOC meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM local time Monday March 30^th, 2020. It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Monday March 30^th, 2020 at 3:30 PM.

A message to Sussex Residents

As many of you are aware, all of the residential waste generated in our community is transferred to the Eco360 regional landfill site located off of the Berry Mills Road in the Moncton area where materials that are contained within the green compost bags and the blue recyclable bags are manually sorted. The risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus is extremely high for staff working at the facility and so, following recommendations from the Province, Eco360 has decided to temporarily end composting and recycling operations. The decision to suspend these operations was made on March 19th but I only became aware of these changes yesterday afternoon and so apologize in the delay in presenting this information. As you read through the Eco 360 service update that we have posted below you will see that they are encouraging everyone to continue to sort their waste in the usual manner. No doubt many of you will have questions and I believe that the Q & A section of the service update will provide you with the answers.

I appreciate that Eco360 has been very transparent and open with their changes in operation. These changes are temporary and I think it’s important to note that the efforts made by all of you over the years have made a tremendous impact on reducing the amount of material that has been placed directly into the landfill site and protecting our environment. The 3 bag system adopted by Eco360 is a highly successful means of ensuring that we are doing what we can to divert as much waste as possible from the landfill site. We can be proud of this system and Eco360 will return to normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.

Marc Thorne
Mayor
Town of Sussex

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 1:00 PM local time at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre following the teleconference with Dr. Barker, District Medical Officer of Health.

ACTIVATION STATUS:
The EOC remains at a Level 1 Status – Active Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged.

The Town’s EOC Group continues with a schedule of regular meetings at the Town’s EOC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

Next teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 tentatively scheduled for 1:00 PM. Immediately following this teleconference the Town’s EOC group will again conduct a situational update meeting at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre.

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

• The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day eight (8) of our operational changes, minor changes continue to be implemented.
• Public access to the Town’s playground structures has been restricted beginning on March 23rd, 2020.
• The Town has developed a web presence portal utilizing Youtube to undertake virtual Council meetings in the future and if necessary.
• A non-mandatory Town staff meeting is planned for 1:00 PM Monday March 30th to bring staff up to date and seek operational improvement input from each staff member.
• The EOC group has recommended to the Town’s Building Inspector that for building inspections for the foreseeable future that the guidance document provided through the Fire Marshall’s office for Fire Inspections be followed by the Building Inspector.
• Our review with Town staff continues to develop adjustments necessary for Town staff to deliver essential services to Town residents in each department.
• A review of surface cleaning protocol and a check list of necessary surface cleaning has been provided to the Town’s janitorial contractor.
• The group continues to provide targeted messaging developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Town will continue a targeted launch of their community information posters distributed electronically on the Town’s web presence.
• The Town continues to use remote meeting software launch with the Town’s EMO Coordinator accessing today’s meeting remotely from home. The group will undertake and record this Friday’s meeting to secure a record and provide valuable feedback post event review.
• Monitoring the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province continues. Up to date information issued by the Province of New Brunswick can be found at the following link: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh/cdc/content/respiratory_diseases/coronavirus.html

Next EOC meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time Friday March 27th, 2020 It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Friday March 27th, 2020 at 3:30 PM.

Monday March 23^rd, 2020  Update Report #5 – 3:30 PM.

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 10:00 AM local time at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre.

ACTIVATION STATUS:

The EOC remains at a Level 1 Status –Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged, however the group discussed if a change in this status was warranted. Collectively a recommendation was adopted to remain at Level 1.

The Town’s EOC Group has scheduled regular meetings at the Town’s EOC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

Next teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 25^th, 2020 at 1:00 PM. Immediately following this teleconference the Town’s EOC group will again conduct a situational update meeting at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre.   

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

• The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day six (6) of our operational changes, a few minor changes continue to be implemented.

• The EOC Group recommended to Mayor Thorne, in the abundance in caution, to close to the public the Town’s playground structures. On today’s date Town staff will complete the necessary steps to post notice of these closures.

• The group continues to provide targeted messaging developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Town will continue a targeted launch of their community information posters distributed electronically on the Town’s web presence.  

• The Town continues to use remote meeting software launch with the Town’s EMO Coordinator and a few department heads accessing today’s meeting remotely from home.

• Monitoring the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province continues. Up to date information issued by the Province of New Brunswick can be found at the following link: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh/cdc/content/respiratory_diseases/coronavirus.html

Next EOC meeting is scheduled for 1:00 PM local time Wednesday March 25^th, 2020 immediately following the teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Barker. It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Wednesday March 25^th, 2020 at 3:30 PM.

Friday March 20th, 2020 Update Report #4 – 2:45 PM.

The Town’s EOC Group met today at 10:00 AM local time at the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre.

ACTIVATION STATUS:
The EOC is will be placed at a Level 1 Status – Enhanced Monitoring, unchanged.

The Town’s EOC Group has scheduled regular meetings at the Town’s EOC on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for the foreseeable future.

Next teleconference with the District Medical Officer of Health has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th, 2020.

ACTION ITEMS – ISSUES ADDRESSED AT TODAY’S MEETING:

• The EOC Group reviewed with each department any operational issues experienced during our essential service operation. Now in day 3 of our operational changes, a few minor changes have been implemented.
• The group also believes the document attached developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) entitled getting the Workplace Ready for Covid-19 is the best in best practices available / found thus far. Many of the recommendations contained within have been undertaken in some capacity by the Town’s staff and cleaning contractors. This recommendation has been implemented today. Informative information can be found at the following link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
• Given the informative available through the WHO the Town will begin a targeted launch of their community information posters distributed electronically on the Town’s web presence. There are informative posters on Glove use, social distancing, stress and how to discuss the issues with children.
• The Town has tested the remote meeting software launch with the Town’s EMO Coordinator accessing today’s meeting remotely form home.
• Monitoring the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province indicates the province has not had any new confirmed nor presumptive cases in New Brunswick. Up to date information issued by the Province of New Brunswick can be found at the following link: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/ocmoh/cdc/content/respiratory_diseases/coronavirus.html

Next EOC meeting scheduled for 10:00 AM local time Monday March 23rd, 2020. It is our intent, unless otherwise warranted, to provide the next update report Monday March 23rd, 2020 at 3:00 PM.

Thursday March 19th, 2020 Update Report #3 – 2:45 PM.

State of Local Emergency Declared in the Province of NB by Premier Higgs as recommended by Chief Medical Officer of Health.