It has been overdue for the residents and visitors of the Town of Lancaster to get some information on the community’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. First and foremost the Town’s Emergency Management Team has been constantly working to plan and prepare for the disruption this event has and will continue to cause. It has been a main topic of discussion and activity for over 2 weeks and this is where we are at as a community:
We want to assure you all that the Lancaster Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and all Town personnel take this issue and your safety very seriously. We are all working tirelessly to ensure everything within our power is being done. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lancaster’s Emergency Management Director, Benjamin S. Gaetjens-Oleson at planning@lancasternh.org of Ted Joubert, Assistant Fire Chief/Health Officer at tedj@lancasternh.org. If you have certain skills or experience and would like to put your name on a list to volunteer or know someone with particular health issues we should be aware of please visit the Town’s Emergency Management Page and complete the Volunteer Registration Form or Functional Needs Form.
Lastly, please take care of yourself, your family and your greater community. Practice self-care by keeping proper social distance, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds and do not go out if you are feeling ill. Keep watch of your older neighbors and if you have to go to the store check with friends and see if they need anything. Lastly, support the local economy anyway you can. Buy takeout, order gift certificates, do what you can to keep us moving forward. We will come out of this better, stronger and better prepared for future incidents.
- Lancaster is currently spearheading a regional command comprised of neighboring communities, Weeks Medical Center, the local nursing homes and school districts.
- Lancaster is currently assisting Weeks Medical Center in coordinating childcare for their critical staff so we can ensure we will have the professionals available during this medical emergency.
- The Lancaster Police Department, Fire Station and EMS building have been closed to non-essential people. If you need to see anyone at either of those places there are provisions in place and directions are posted at the door.
- The Lancaster Town Office will be closed to the public, except for necessary business by appointment only, beginning Monday, 3/23. The office will still be staffed to answer phone calls and assist any other way we can but car registrations, licensing of dogs, and payment of taxes and water/sewer bills can all be done online.
- Colonel Town has closed and ceased all programming, including Safe Haven.
- Weeks Memorial Library will be closed to the public beginning Monday, 3/23. Staff will be available Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM. Patrons can phone the Library at 603-788-3352 or email at weekslib@myfairpoint.net to request signing out books and scheduling a pickup. The Library’s collection is available online but you must call to check availability. The address to access the collection is nhais.agshareit.com. Limited entry to the building will be allowed by appointment and for limited times.
- Transfer Station, Highway Department and Water/Sewer Department will continue to run and special attention is being taken to ensure their continued operation without disruption during this event.
We want to assure you all that the Lancaster Board of Selectmen, Town Manager and all Town personnel take this issue and your safety very seriously. We are all working tirelessly to ensure everything within our power is being done. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Lancaster’s Emergency Management Director, Benjamin S. Gaetjens-Oleson at planning@lancasternh.org of Ted Joubert, Assistant Fire Chief/Health Officer at tedj@lancasternh.org. If you have certain skills or experience and would like to put your name on a list to volunteer or know someone with particular health issues we should be aware of please visit the Town’s Emergency Management Page and complete the Volunteer Registration Form or Functional Needs Form.
Lastly, please take care of yourself, your family and your greater community. Practice self-care by keeping proper social distance, wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds and do not go out if you are feeling ill. Keep watch of your older neighbors and if you have to go to the store check with friends and see if they need anything. Lastly, support the local economy anyway you can. Buy takeout, order gift certificates, do what you can to keep us moving forward. We will come out of this better, stronger and better prepared for future incidents.