DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

POSTED ON: MARCH 18, 2020 - 5:31PM

TOWN OF WEST TISBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, BOARD OF SELECTMEN

DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, a sudden, generally unexpected occurrence of circumstances demanding public action has arisen within the world, country, state and Town of West Tisbury due to the coronavirus pandemic and other illnesses; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency due to this situation and has directed the agencies of the national government to take appropriate actions; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts declared and has directed the agencies of the state government to take appropriate actions; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Selectmen of the Town of West Tisbury, Massachusetts, upon advice from the Town Manager and other advisors, or their designees, have determined that the situation poses a present, reasonable and imminent danger to public health, safety, or general welfare of the people of West Tisbury or their property so that it has become necessary for the Town Manager, which such assistance and staff as he deems necessary, to utilize and coordinate the services, equipment, supplies, and facilities of existing departments, offices, and agencies or the community, both locally, regionally, statewide and nationally, if necessary, including the taking or ordinary and extraordinary actions for the purposes of emergency management and emergency functions to protect the public; and

WHEREAS, a Declaration of Emergency and immediate action is needed to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to public health, safety, or general welfare of the people of commonwealth and/or property which may otherwise result from the above described situation; and

WHEREAS, the people of the community of West Tisbury should be able to depend upon guidance from their Chief Municipal Officials;

NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of West Tisbury, Massachusetts, hereby declares that as of March 18, 2020 a State of Emergency is declared to exist by the Board of Selectmen in West Tisbury and authorizes and directs, under the direction of the Town Administrator, all Town personnel and agents to take action appropriate to respond to this situation and ratifies, confirms and adopts any related action taken prior to the formal adoption of this Declaration. This Declaration of Emergency shall remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Selectmen’s judgment, that the State of Emergency no longer exists.

Town of West Tisbury Board of Selectmen

J. Skipper Manter, Chair             Kent A. Healy       Cynthia E. Mitchell                                                                       

March 18, 2020