City of Milford Emergency Orders Regarding Outdoor Use of City-Owned Properties During COVID-19

City of Milford Emergency Orders Regarding Outdoor Use of City-Owned Properties During COVID-19

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the State of Connecticut declared a public health emergency and a civil preparedness emergency for the State of Connecticut, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Sections 19a-131 and 28-9, in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19 disease associated with a novel coronavirus that is currently affecting multiple countries and states; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency to combat the coronavirus that is currently infecting the population of the United States; and

WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Mayor of the City of Milford declared a Local Civil Preparedness and Health Emergency in the City of Milford under the powers granted by Connecticut General Statutes Section 28-8a and Milford’s Emergency Preparedness Ordinance, Section 2-106, Article VII; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to safely facilitate beneficial outdoor exercise for the general public in a manner consistent with the Governor’s Executive Orders related to COVID-19, the Mayor is updating local orders for the City of Milford.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that, pursuant to the powers and duties granted by Connecticut General Statutes Section 28-8a(a), Article III, Section 2 of the City Charter and Section 2-106 of the Code of Ordinances, and notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 16 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, entitled Parks and Recreation,” and any other Charter or City Code of Ordinance provision to the contrary, effective immediately until further notice, unless earlier modified, extended or terminated.

1. Outdoor use of the following City-owned properties shall be permitted for Milford residents only, subject to the restrictions on use set forth below:

COMMUNITY GARDENS, MILFORD SKATE PARK, TENNIS COURTS, PICKLEBALL COURTS, THE ORCHARDS GOLF COURSE, WALNUT BEACH, GULF BEACH, ANCHOR BEACH AND HAWLEY AVENUE BEACH.

2. The use of the foregoing City-owned properties shall be for Milford residents only and subject to the following restrictions:

1.          Strictly adhere to the Governor’s Executive Orders, including, without limitation, Executive Order (EO) 7N, which prohibits all social and recreational gatherings of more than five (5) people, until such time as EO 7N is further modified or lifted by the Governor;
2.        Maintain Centers for Disease Control (CDC)guidelines on social distancing, which include, without limitation, staying at least six (6) feet apart at all times over entire property including any associated parking areas;
3.      Recommendation to wear a face mask / covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, e.g., 6-feet social distance, in accordance with CDC guidelines to provide maximum protection to others (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html ), including the most vulnerable individuals in our community, subject to mandatory face mask / covering requirements set forth in the Governor’s EO 7BB;
4.        Walnut Beach, Gulf Beach, Hawley Avenue Beach and Anchor Beach will be open for passive recreation for Milford residents only; no chairs, blankets, coolers, bonfires, any group gatherings or sporting activity will be allowed. Limited parking will be available at the lots adjacent to Walnut Beach and Gulf Beach from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Milford residents only with a 2019 or 2020 City beach sticker. Parking on the following streets will be restricted to  Milford residents only with a 2019 or

2020 City beach sticker:  Viscount Drive, Shea Avenue, Joy Road, East Broadway (between Viscount Drive and Joy Road), Gulf Street (between Gulf Pond Bridge and Eveningside Drive), Old Field Lane (between Gulf Street and Ranch Road), Gulf Beach Parking Lot north of Gulf Street; Beach Avenue (between Mont Street and Village Road), Blackall Road, Kings Highway (between origination and Village Road), Village Road, and Mont Street.

1.          Use of the Orchards Golf Course shall comply with State of Connecticut DECD best practices, set forth https://www.csgalinks.org/content/csga/csga-covid-19-resources , relevant CDC guidelines and as may be further restricted by City of Milford Health Department, Milford Recreation Department, or Golf Commission;
2.        Use of tennis courts shall be for Milford residents only and comply with USTA guidelines, set forth https://www.usta.com/content/dam/usta/sections/northern/pdf/usta-best-practices-covid-19.pdf , relevant CDC guidelines and as may be further restricted by City of Milford Health Department or Milford Recreation Department;
3.      Use of Pickleball courts shall be for Milford residents only and comply with USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) Guidelines, set forth https://www.usapa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-RETURN-TO-PLAY_USAPA.pdf , relevant CDC guidelines and as may be further restricted by City of Milford Health Department or Milford Recreation Department;
4.    Use of the Community Gardens shall be for Milford residents only and be on a rotational basis such that all even numbered plots will be permitted on site Sunday from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8:00 a.m.-sunset. All odd numbered plots will be permitted on site Sunday from 1:00 p.m.-sunset; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-sunset and relevant CDC guidelines and as may be further restricted by City of Milford Health Department or Milford Recreation Department;
5.        Use of the City boat launch shall comply with all relevant DEEP Guidelines, set forth

https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/News-Releases/News-Releases---2020/DEEP-Urges-Safe-Boating-Social-Distancing-Practices-at-State-Boat-Launches-During-COVID-19-Pandemic , relevant CDC guidelines and as may be further restricted by City of Milford Health Department or Harbor Commission;

1.          Use of City-owned properties shall be for Milford residents only and permitted only from sunrise to sunset;
2.        Use of basketball courts and playground equipment on City-owned properties continues to be prohibited until further notice;
3.      These foregoing restrictions, while extensive, may not be entirely comprehensive. If the CDC or the State develops additional methods of reducing or eliminating risk and keeping individuals safe, such restrictions shall be adopted.  In addition, further restrictions may be imposed in the event outdoor use of City-owned properties is abused or problematic.

3. Individuals violating the provisions of this Executive Order or any related local, state or federal order or any related local ordinance or state statute, may be subject to enforcement action.   

BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED AND ORDERED that this order will be made publicly available for inspection and review in the City Clerk’s Office and shall be posted on the City of Milford website.

Dated: 5-4-2020

Benjamin G. Blake, Mayor