We are all feeling the disruptions caused by preparations for the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures put in place by state and federal officials are meant to keep as many people as possible at home and away from other individuals. Our local communities and municipalities are working diligently to ensure that essential services continue to be delivered with the least amount of disruption while reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Like many local town halls, Canton has closed its doors to the public as a result of the pandemic. However, staff are still working and available to answer questions from the public. We encourage you to call Town Hall to determine if your question or need can be addressed at this time.

Common numbers to call in Canton are:

Senior and Social Services: 860-693-5811

Town Clerk: 860-693-7870

Police: 860-693-0221

We are here to help!

Please also note the following community services that have been CLOSED or are have reduced their operations:

For more information on these and other executive orders, please follow this link

Canton Community Center and Senior Center Services:

The Canton Community Center/Library complex, like Town Hall, is currently closed to the public.  However, staff are still working, both on site and remotely, and can be reached via phone and email.

Canton Public Library 860-693-5800

Senior and Social Services 860-693-5811

Parks and Recreation 860-693-5808

All Library and Parks and Recreation programs are cancelled indefinitely. Both departments are aggregating details of online activities, remote learning opportunities, etc.

https://cantonct.myrec.com/info/news/details.aspx?NewsID=4485

http://www.cantonpubliclibrary.org/AtHome.html

Senior Lunches

On-site senior lunches are cancelled indefinitely; however, Senior & Social Services will be providing delivery of two frozen lunches per week. Deliveries will be made to your front door on Wednesdays between 11am-1pm.  To request this service, call Senior & Social Services at 860-693-5811.  Details will be provided when you call.  This service is available to Canton residents only.

Essential businesses:

We have synthesized what the State has deemed as “essential businesses”. Please review this list. If you have questions about whether your business qualifies as essential, please follow this link for additional information.

The following information was taken from the CT Department of Economic and Community Development: 

Healthcare and related operations including:
• biotechnology therapies
• consumer health products and services
• doctor and dentist offices
• elder care, including adult day care
• health care plans and health care data
• home health care workers or aides
• hospitals
• manufacturing, distributing, warehousing, and supplying of pharmaceuticals, including research and development
• medical marijuana dispensaries and producers
• medical supplies and equipment providers, including devices, diagnostics, services, and any other healthcare related supplies or services
• medical wholesale and distribution
• nursing homes, or residential health care facilities or congregate care facilities
• pharmacies
• physical therapy and chiropractic offices
• research and laboratory services, including testing and treatment of COVID-19
• veterinary and animal health services
• walk-in-care health facilities

Infrastructure including:
• airports/airlines
• commercial trucking
• dam maintenance and support
• education-related functions at the primary, secondary, or higher education level to provide support for students, including distribution of meals or faculty conducting e-learning
• hotels and other places of accommodation
• water and wastewater operations, systems, and businesses
• telecommunications and data centers
• transportation infrastructure including bus, rail, for-hire vehicles and vehicle rentals, and garages
• utilities including power generation, fuel supply, and transmission

All manufacturing and corresponding supply chains, including aerospace, agriculture, and related support businesses

Retail including:
• appliances, electronics, computers, and telecom equipment
• big-box stores or wholesale clubs, provided they also sell groceries, consumer health products, or operate a pharmacy
• convenience stores
• gas stations
• grocery stores including all food and beverage retailers
• guns and ammunition
• hardware, paint, and building material stores, including home appliance sales/repair
• liquor/package stores and manufacturer permittees
• pharmacies
• pet and pet supply stores

Food and agriculture, including:
• farms and farmer’s markets
• food manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution facilities 
• nurseries, garden centers, and agriculture supply stores
• restaurants/bars (provided compliance with all applicable executive orders is maintained)

Services including:
• accounting and payroll services
• animal shelters or animal care or management, inc. boarding, grooming, pet walking/ sitting 
• auto supply, repair, towing, and service, including roadside assistance
• bicycle repair and service
• building cleaning and maintenance
• child care services
• critical operations support for financial institutions
• financial advisors
• financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and check cashing services
• funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries
• insurance companies
• laundromats/dry cleaning
• legal and accounting services
• mail and shipping services
• marinas and marine repair and service
• news and media
• real estate transactions and related services, including residential leasing and renting
• religious services (subject to Executive Order 7D limiting gatherings to 50 people)
• storage for Essential Businesses
• trash and recycling collection, hauling, and processing
• warehouse/distribution, shipping, and fulfillment

Providers of basic necessities to economically disadvantaged populations including:
• food banks
• homeless shelters and congregate care facilities
• human services providers whose function includes the direct care of patients in state-licensed or funded voluntary programs; the care, protection, custody and oversight of individuals both in the community and in state-licensed residential facilities; those operating community shelters and other critical human services agencies providing direct care or support social service agencies

Construction including:
• all skilled trades such as electricians, HVAC, and plumbers 
• general construction, both commercial and residential
• other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes
• planning, engineering, design, bridge inspection, and other construction support activities

Services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operations of all residences and other buildings (including services necessary to secure and maintain non-essential workplaces):
• building cleaners or janitors
• building code enforcement
• disinfection
• doormen
• emergency management and response
• fire prevention and response
• general maintenance whether employed by the entity directly or a vendor
• home-related services, including real estate transactions, closings, appraisals, and moving services
• landscaping services
• law enforcement
• outdoor maintenance, including pool service
• pest control services
• security and maintenance, including steps reasonably necessary to secure and maintain non-essential businesses
• state marshals

Vendors that provide essential services or products, including logistics and technology support, child care, and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public including: 
• billboard leasing and maintenance
• child care services
• essential government services
• government owned or leased buildings
• information technology and information security
• logistics
• technology support

Defense 
• defense and national security-related business and operations supporting the U.S. Government or a contractor to the US government

If the function of your business is not listed above, but you believe that it is essential or it is an entity providing essential services or functions, you may request designation as an Essential Business.

Requests by businesses to be designated an essential function as described above, should ONLY be made if they are NOT covered by the guidance.

For additional questions, please contact decd.covid19@ct.gov.