Hatfield Declares Local State of Emergency, Unlocking Emergency Spending Powers

HATFIELD — March 16, 2020 — Hatfield declares local state of emergency as COVID-19 shutters Town Hall and schools. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at 7:15 p.m. on March 16 to declare a state of emergency, enabling town officials to deficit-spend from a $25 emergency operations line item and reallocate funds across departments without voter approval at Town Meeting. The Board of Health agent reported zero confirmed, presumptive, or tested cases in Hatfield as of that afternoon. Municipal buildings closed to the public effective March 17, with school closures extended to at least April 7 by state mandate. The Emergency Management Director told the board that all department invoices tied to the outbreak must flow through a central tracking account to position the town for potential reimbursement of up to 75 percent of qualifying costs. The board also extended the town's dog licensing deadline from March 31 to May 15, with penalties waived until June 15, and accepted the resignation of elected Cemetery Commissioner Joe Lavallee after more than 20 years of service.