Tune in at 3pm every weekday on our Government Channel or Facebook page for an update from city officials. Past updates can be found by clicking here. At 2pm & 8pm we are also airing Gov. Baker’s press conferences.
See other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.
See our running list of announcements for Lynn by visiting bit.ly/LynnCOVID19.
Survey for early start to next school year from Lynn Public Schools
Today the Lynn Public Schools shared a survey for feedback on the Start Date for the 2020-2021 school year. The potential of an earlier start to the next school year was presented at the April 23rd School Committee meeting.
Responses will be collected until Monday, May 18th. To complete this 1-question survey please click here.
Four-Phase Approach to Reopening Massachusetts
Yesterday Gov. Charlie Baker announced a 4-phase approach to reopening the state of Massachusetts. At this time there is no timetable as to when exactly the state will begin this process, but the current advisories in place are set to end this upcoming Monday, May 18th.
More details are expected to come out over the rest of the week from the Reopening Advisory Board. This board was tasked with advising the administration on strategies to reopen the economy in phases based on health and safety metrics. Their report is due on the 18th, but the administration has made clear that public health data and guidance from health care experts will dictate the timeline of the re-opening process.
Below are 3 infographics that the state created to illustrate the basics of this approach.
School Committee member to raise money for Lynn students
From Lynn School Committee member Brian Castellanos: 26.2 for Lynn Class of 2020. I’m going to run a marathon for the class of 2020. I’ll be their voice for when times get ugly. Pressure breeds leaders. Let’s get this done ✅
Our fundraising goal is $10,000. All donations raised will be used to offer college scholarships. We are looking to help as many kids as we can to help offset cost for college expenses. We would like to provide students with a 250$ award. All four high schools will have up to 10 scholarships if we achieve our goal.
When: Saturday June 6th 2020
Location: TBD (All Lynn)
Proceeds will go directly to the Lynn Business Education Foundation.
You can donate online by clicking here. You can pay online via PayPal or all major credit cards by clicking the donate button on the page.
To donate by check, make payable to: Lynn Business Education Foundation. On the memo line put: “virtual Marathon Donation”
City of Lynn Announces $2Million in CARES Act Funding
LYNN – The US Department of Housing and Urban and Development (USDHUD) has awarded the City of Lynn $2 million in federal funding through the Coronavirus relief bill, known as the CARES Act. The funds are intended to prevent, prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds will be managed by the City’s Community Development Office through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Service Grant (ESG) programs. They will partner with the Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC) and the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND) to administer the funding which is subject to HUD regulations including prioritization of funding for residents who have low and moderate income levels and businesses that retain or create low and moderate income jobs.
“This CARES Act funding will bring some relief to residents, businesses, and non-profits within the City so they can pay employees, leases, mortgages, rent and utility bills as they try to survive the adverse economic effects of this pandemic,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “This much needed aid will also assist with caring for our most vulnerable populations, costs associated with operating regional isolation and quarantine locations, and investing in food security and distribution in our City. Certainly there is substantial more work to be done to rebuild, but this is one step in the right direction. ”
“In developing a Lynn Emergency Relief Fund proposal, the City formulated a plan based on input from local businesses, residents, and what other cities and towns nationwide are utilizing the funding for,” said Community Development Director James Marsh. “We have been working with HUD and the National Community Development Association (NCDA) over the last few weeks in formulating a plan for these much needed federal dollars. We are grateful for these funds and are hopeful more funding is on its way.”
Lynn’s EDIC and Community Development Office will administer $1 million in funding for grants of up to $10,000 to Lynn business and non-profits impacted by COVID-19. Funds for businesses will be used to keep workers employed, for property lease and mortgage payments, or other eligible costs that will assist in keeping businesses afloat throughout the pandemic. Funds for non-profits can be used to for services such as job training, providing testing, increasing the availability health services, providing equipment, supplies, and materials, or delivering meals to quarantined individuals that need to maintain social distancing due to medical vulnerabilities.
The funding for businesses will be available through an on-line grant application posted at www.ediclynn.org and the City of Lynn’s COVID-19 Resources Page. Non-profit entities interested in applying for funds should visit the Community Development website at www.cityoflynnoecd.net or call 781-586-6770. All awards will be made based on need and adherence to HUD regulations.
“I receive calls every day from businesses owners asking what we can do to help them survive,” said EDIC Executive Director Jim Cowdell. “Our goal was to get as much direct grant funding to them as fast as possible. We want to do all we can to keep them viable through the pandemic.”
The Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development will administer funding designated to assisting homeowners and tenants with monthly housing expenses.
LHAND will utilize over $535,000 in funding for eligible homeowners and tenants that have loss of income due to lack of work or loss of employment. Funds will be used to assist households with rent or mortgage payments and utility arrearages for a period of 3 months along with providing financial counseling amid the pandemic. LHAND will also create an emergency response plan to assist the organization’s continuity of operations and to help reduce the spread of disease among residence, staff, and program participants.
“Our main concern is to get these funds out as quick as possible to homeowners and tenants that have been affected and assist with their rent or mortgage,” said Charles Gaeta, LHAND Executive Director. “This pandemic is affecting everyone and people need relief. We want to help as many people as we possibly can with these additional funds.”
For tenants and homeowners that are looking for assistance, information can be accessed through the online WaitListCheck portal of the Family Success Center of LHAND at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/MA2977-1918 Information can also be obtained by calling the Family Success Center at (339) 883-2336 or fsc@lhand.org.
In addition, the City plans to utilize a portion of the funding to invest in food security operations, to defray the costs associated with isolation and quarantine locations for Lynn residents who cannot do so in their own living environment, and to assist the Lynn Shelter Association with servicing our most vulnerable populations during this heightened time of crisis.
A complete listing of proposed activities and funding allocations will be presented for further public review and comment on the City’s website, as the City undertakes the task of amending its Federal Fiscal Year 2019 HUD Action Plan and Citizens’ Participation Plan to facilitate the use of these funds.
Nationally, $5 billion will be distributed through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed by the president on March 27.
Please note that yesterday 0 new cases were reported.
This was inaccurate & is reflected in the above image.
The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, the number of active, confirmed positive COVID-19 cases is 2,123 with 26 new cases today. 606 Lynn residents have recovered and 76 have died. The total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Lynn since March 21, 2020, including those who have died and recovered, is 2,805. The data including a breakdown of the ages of the active confirmed cases and deaths will be released once a week moving forward.
Yesterday, the Mayor and the Public Health Director signed an executive order relative to Boat Ramps, Marinas and Yacht Clubs. Boat Ramps within the City of Lynn will be opened to Massachusetts Residents only, with certain provisions/protections to be enforced by the Harbormaster, Coast Guard and Lynn Police. The EDIC boat ramp will be open for launching only, there will be no parking at the EDIC Blossom Street lot.
Some of the protections include the observance of social distancing measures, only 1 boat may access the ramp at once and only persons from immediate households that share a home are permitted to board a vessel together. Noncompliance with these guidelines may result in a fine of up to $1,000. Please click here to view the full order.
We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).
If you have a news story that you would like to share, please contact us via email or call 781-780-9460.
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