Holliston July 2020

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Page 16 Holliston Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com July 2020Holliston Recreation Plans Safe Summer FunBy J.D. O’GaraIt hasn’t been an easy time toplan a fun summer, but HollistonRecreation has been making themost of uncertainty and last minutedecisions that seem to comewith COVID-19. 2020 has notbeen the easiest climate in whichto plan social activities, but thereHolliston will indeed have somefrom which to choose.“Certainly, the camp guidancecame out pretty late,” saysMark Frank, Holliston RecreationDirector. “Up until thatdate, we were hopeful but notsure of what we could do at all,which was certainly a challenge.We basically engaged in a widearray of possible outcomes.”As soon as Phase II guidelinesfrom the Commonwealthof Massachusetts rolled out,Frank sat down with the HollistonBoard of Health, and EmergencyManagement Directorand Fire Chief Michael Cassidy.The biggest challenges, theyfound, were space limitations.“One of the things that camethrough with the guidance is wewanted space to be closed to thepublic,” says Frank, “We operateat Stoddard park, so we werestuck in a position to weigh havingthat valuable space open tothe public while also balancingwhat people were hoping for interms of us providing some sortof social experience and campfor their children.”The Town, then, decidedto run a modified camp, withreduced hours. Although normally,camp would run from 9a.m. to 3 p.m., this year, it willoperate from 8 a.m. until noon,from Monday to Thursday. ThatPLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPERleaves Friday as a built-in raindateand possibly eliminates theneed for indoor space.Frank says the most restrictiveissues with the state-mandate isthe inability to operate a largegroup camp. Camper groups willconsist of 10 or fewer, with twocounselors.“There are a couple of thingswe have done to meet that challenge,”says Frank. “We limitedthe total number of campers,which is normally 100. It’s goingto be closer to 50 at that site.”Frank says the Town is hiringonly its most experienced counselorsto take on the operation.“We really need to have thosemost reliable, most mature staffin order for them to effectivelynavigate this completely differenttype of day they’re going tohave,” says Frank. The aim is toprovide the best experiences possiblegiven the odd nature of theseason, he says. All camp will beopen to Holliston residents only.Concerts are on hold for now,says Frank, but the RecreationDepartment is considering optionsfor holding them in a widerspace for August.“What we’re thinking is, ifPhase 3 does allow for largergatherings, and if we can movethe concerts from Goodwill Parkto the existing location. At presstime, decisions were not finalabout concerts. Frank noted thatthe challenge he has to holdingthe concerts is also the staffingneeded to ensure social distanceamong residents coming to listen.“Usually it’s just me goingdown to meet the band, makesure they have what they need,”he laughs.Holliston Recreation, in additionto summer camp, is holdingsome summer programs.“One thing we’re getting agreat response on is tennis lessons,”says Frank. The lessons areoffered at a ratio of 5:1, Mondaythrough Thursday, with a Fridayrain date. The one-hour sessionsare based on age. Sessions arefilling up, but Frank says, “We’reallowing people to put names onthe wait list.”Holliston Camp Re-OpeningPlan 2020Following the state of Massachusetts reopening guidance released on June 1st, 2020, we arereleasing this Phase 2 reopening plan to give potential registrants a clear picture of what the campday will look like.For All Campers1. Groups will consist of 10 campers (or less) and two counselors. Groups will maintain socialdistancefrom each other throughout the week2. Materials and equipment will not be shared between groups whenever possible3. A daily wellness statement signed by parent/guardian at drop-off4. When possible and at the discretion of the parent or guardian, we will encourage the useof facecoverings.5. We will maintain cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting processes in accordance with theCDC guidelines for all high touch areas and any equipment or materials that needs to beused by multiplegroups.6. There will be a designated area at every camp for a suddenly symptomatic person to isolatewith astaff member (in PPE) and wait for the camper’s family to pick them up.7. We will encourage frequent handwashing by staff and students in accordance with CDCguidelines8. All participants must sign a COVID liability waiver prior to the beginning of camp9. If you signed up for a camp before the pandemic and paid more than the adjusted price,you will be refunded the difference. If you signed up for camp before the pandemic andchoose to cancel your registration, please let us know immediately and receive a refund.The sooner we have accurate counts for camp the better we can plan.Junior Patoma: Cost $165/week, Stoddard Park from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday throughThursday. If there is bad weather forecasted, we will cancel that day, and hold camp on Fridayof that weekSenior Patoma: Cost: $165/week: Senior Patoma will be held at Stoddard Park on the sameschedule listed above for Junior Patoma. Senior Patoma will consist of 1 or 2 groups of 10 kidsthat do not interact with each other (unless they do so in a physically distanced way) throughoutthe weekOutdoors at Goodwill Park (Ages 4-6) Cost: $165/weekOutdoors at Goodwill Park will operate out of 1750 Washington St from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Monday-Friday. Campers will be in either one or two groups of 10 or less kids. The program willutilize classroom space at 1750 Washington St, as well as the small field out back for gamesandactivities.REMINDER:IF YOUR CHILD IS ATTENDING ANY PROGRAM WITH US, PLEASESEND THE CHILD’S MOST RECENT PHYSICAL TO: hollistonparkrec@holliston.k12.maFor more information on camps, visit https://www.townofholliston.us/parks-recreation orcontact Holliston Recreation at (508) 429-2149.RonsTire.comRon Saponaro635 Waverly Street, Rte 135Framingham, MA 01702Tel: 508-872-2266Fax: 508-872-2011Email: ronstire@rcn.comRun Your Ads With Us!Call - Jen Schofield(508) 570-6544
July 2020 Holliston Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 17Milford Regional Medical Center NationallyRecognized for Patient SafetyMilford Regional MedicalCenter was awarded an ‘A’ in thespring 2020 Leapfrog HospitalSafety Grade. This is the fourthconsecutive time Milford Regionalhas received an ‘A’ for thisnational distinction recognizingMilford Regional’s achievementsproviding safer health care.The Leapfrog Group is an independentnational watchdog organizationcommitted to healthcare quality and safety. TheSafety Grade is a letter gradeassigned to all general hospitalsacross the country and updatedevery six months, assessing howwell the hospital prevents medicalerrors and other harms topatients.“Receiving an ‘A’ hospitalsafety grade four times in a rowfrom a highly respected watchdoggroup like Leapfrog is atestament to Milford Regional’semphasis on patient safety asa top priority,” says Edward J.Kelly, president and CEO ofMilford Regional. “We believethat our investment in buildinga strong, comprehensive Qualityprogram within the hospitalis an investment in the healthof our community. It is reassuringto know that during times ofcrisis such as we are experiencingnow with COVID-19, everyonewithin our healthcare system isfocused upon providing patientsthe highest standards of safe, effectivecare.”“As the Nation copes with achallenging pandemic, our gratitudeextends to hospital leadershipand health care workerseverywhere for their tremendousdedication,” said Leah Binder,president and CEO of TheLeapfrog Group. “We hope this‘A’ helps to thank the people whowork and volunteer for MilfordRegional Medical Center. Theyare role models in putting patientsfirst, and their service hasbeen extraordinary in our country’stime of need.”Developed under the guidanceof a national Expert Panel,the Leapfrog Hospital SafetyGrade uses up to 28 measures ofpublicly available hospital safetydata to assign grades to morethan 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitalstwice per year. The HospitalSafety Grade’s methodologyis peer-reviewed and fully transparent,and the results are free tothe public.To see Milford Regional’s fullgrade details and access patienttips for staying safe in the hospital,visit hospitalsafetygrade.organdfollow The Leapfrog Groupon Twitter and Facebook.Senate President Spilka Forms SenateAdvisory Group on Racial JusticeThe Massachusetts State Senate is committed to urgently addressingracial inequities in the Commonwealth, to that end Senate PresidentKaren E. Spilka has formed a bipartisan Senate Advisory Group on RacialJustice to review and recommend legislation to consider this session.The Advisory Group will be chaired by Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz,a member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus,and Senate President Pro Tempore Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont).“I believe we have reached a history-making moment in our Commonwealthand that it should not pass without taking action on policingand racial justice this session,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka(D-Ashland). “As the driving force behind that action, I have convened abipartisan Senate Advisory Group on Racial Justice – chaired by SenatorSonia Chang-Díaz, a member of the Massachusetts Black and LatinoLegislative Caucus, and Senate President Pro Tempore Senator WilliamBrownsberger (D-Belmont). The Senate group, which already met today,was tasked to review existing legislation and recommend further policiesto address systemic racism.”“This moment in public consciousness, born out of tragedy, presentsa rare opportunity to accomplish serious changes in public policy,” statedSenator Sonia Chang-Díaz. “My hope is that this working group will helpthe Senate quickly digest the advocacy we’re receiving and advance seriouspolice accountability legislation in the immediate term--and keep oureye on the ball of racial justice more broadly even after this initial spikein public attention has passed. I’m grateful for President Spilka’s sense ofurgency on this issue, and I’m looking forward to working with SenatorBrownsberger, Senator Collins, Senator Comerford, Senator Moore, andSenator Tarr on policies to provide meaningful, systemic change.”For rates and info onadvertising your business,please call Jen at508-570-6544or email:jenschofield@localtownpages.com888-818-2028Great Rebates & Financing*Call today and beat the rush!Gas, Oil and AC Equipment Sales & Service*Rebates and financing provided by and subject to Mass Save restrictions and limitations
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Holliston July 2020

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