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Town of Cumberland
Mayor Jeffrey Mutter
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Coronavirus Updates

Town Hall Operations

Town Hall is Closed to the Public Until Further Notice
Beginning Monday, March 30, Town Hall will be closed to the public until further notice.

Residents still may reach their desired department by telephone, a full list of department extensions can be found by clicking here.

The Town also continues to encourage individuals to utilize online resources whenever possible. A dropbox located at the ADA ramp entrance on the side of Town Hall is also available to accept payments and to process requests for information. Please place your documents in an envelope labeled with the appropriate department and your contact information. The dropbox is monitored throughout the day, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Water Department Closed to the Public
The Cumberland Water Department Administrative Offices located at 98 Nate Whipple Highway in Cumberland, Rhode Island will be closed to the public until further notice. You may contact the office at 401-658-0666, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM for assistance.

We encourage our customers to use online services whenever possible. There is also a dropbox located outside of the Administrative Offices that can be used for payments. The dropbox is located near the front door and is checked multiple times each day.

All Athletic Fields are Closed
All athletic fields in Cumberland are closed to the public until further notice. Both the basketball and tennis courts at Tucker Field are closed until further notice. Our parks and open spaces will be monitored by Cumberland Police to ensure compliance with limiting the size of gatherings.

Yard Waste and Bulky Item Delays
I have received the following information from our trash company, MTG Disposal related to COVID-19 concerns and subsequent delays:

“MTG Disposal is beginning to experience some staffing shortages. We are encouraging personnel to stay home if they experience any symptoms or illness themselves or their direct family members.  The shortage is putting a strain on our collection systems.

Also, we continue to receive updates on coronavirus transmission and collection protocols.  We have been instructed to reduce as many risks to our crews as possible.

As a result of these environmental and staffing circumstances, MTG will postponing the Monday appliance collections after today until further notice. (We are hoping to resume May 4.)  We are also postponing the bulky item collections scheduled for April 4 and April 18 until further notice (We are hoping to resume May 2.)  We will collect the 35 bulky items that are already scheduled for this Saturday, April 4.

The separate Cumberland curbside yard waste collection is currently scheduled to begin on April 13.  This will be postponed until further notice (We are hoping to begin on May 4.)

MTG Disposal continues to remain committed to collect the solid waste and recyclable materials on a weekly basis. We will remain in communication with the town as further collection status changes going forward.”

I appreciate your cooperation and we are continuing to look for an alternative solution.

State of Municipal Emergency
A State of Municipal Emergency has been declared for the Town of Cumberland effective March 16, 2020, and will remain in full force and effect until April 14, 2020, unless renewed modified or terminated by subsequent Declaration. A supplemental State of Municipal Emergency was issued on March 25 relative to the budget process. This supplement can be found here.

During this time, the Town will not issue any entertainment licenses until at least April 14, 2020, and has revoked any current entertainment licenses for this same period of time to enforce social distancing. Town parks and open spaces will also be monitored by police to ensure compliance with limiting social gatherings.

To protect the health and wellbeing of both Town employees and residents, Town Hall will be operating at a reduced staff level and there is no public access to Town Hall.

Tax Collections
The Department of Tax Collections would like to remind residents that they can email us at collections@cumberlandri.org to avoid coming into Town Hall. The following information can be provided via email:  online log-in information for bill payments, copies of tax summaries, request for DMV clearance, verbal tax info for title examiners/law offices, etc.

Municipal Court
The Cumberland Municipal Court has canceled all court sessions through May 19th. We will be sending out a notice to motorists with the new court date.  Motorists may make payments by mail or on-line.  There is also a dropbox outside Town Hall that is checked periodically during the day; access into Town Hall is restricted, and if absolutely necessary, by appointment only.  We are able to fax Operator Control with Reinstatement Requests as well as notifying them of payments received for those under suspension.  The clerk can be reached at 728-2400, ext 154, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, or by email at jmccormick@cumberlandri.org.

Probate Court
The Cumberland Probate Court only meets once a month; the April 9th session has been postponed until at least May 16th.  We will be contacting involved parties.  Filings will need to be done by mail or dropbox.  If you need assistance, call the clerk at 728-2400, ext 154, or by email at jmccormick@cumberlandri.org.

Vote by Mail
During this health crisis, we encourage you to vote by mail. Click here to obtain a mail-in ballot.

Resources for Small Businesses

SMALL BUSINESS LOANS: In an effort to help struggling businesses stay afloat, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) granted her request for a disaster declaration, meaning there are low-interest loans of up to two million dollars available for small businesses locally. To apply for a small business disaster loan, you can visit diasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Additional information can also be requested by contacting Rhode Island Commerce at 521-HELP or info@commerceri.com.  

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM: The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Fully Forgiven Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.

SMALL BUSINESS TECH SUPPORT: Rhode Island small business owners can now receive 45 minutes of free tech support via teleconference or over the phone. This service has been coordinated by Rhode Island Commerce and is being staffed by volunteers from some of Rhode Island’s leading tech companies. Visit Commerce’s website or call 521-HELP to get started.

GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES: If you’re an entrepreneur of color, women-owned business or enterprise in an historically under-served community without access to flexible, affordable capital, you may qualify for a grant from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Rhode Island. LISC will be offering grants of up to $10,000 to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations. Applications will launch online soon — sign up here to stay updated or learn more on the LISC website.

CONTRACT (1099) WORKERS: Contract workers may qualify as sole proprietors for SBA economic injury disaster loans. For details and application information, see RI Commerce’s COVID-19 Disaster Loan FAQ. If you have registered in Rhode Island to file as a S corporation, LLP or as an LLC, you should have an EIN associated with the office/studio/home that you registered, and can apply for an economic injury disaster loans through the Small Business Administration like any other business.

COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND (for nonprofits): The Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island have launched a fund to support local nonprofit organizations of the front line of COVID-19 response efforts. The two organizations jointly established the COVID-19 Response Fund. The Foundation raised $2.3 million in initial contributions and will continue to raise money from donors.  Find application information here.

Community Support

There are a variety of federal, state, and local community supports available during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Please click here for a page dedicated to those resources.

Current Closings and Cancellations
  1. Schools are closed until the end of April. The state will adopt a uniform calendar. At this time, April 9 and 10, will be vacation days for teachers and students.
  2. Cumberland Town Hall is closed to the public until further notice.
  3. The Office of Children Youth and Learning is closed until April 14th.
  4. Athletic Fields are closed until further notice.
  5. The Basketball Courts at Tucker are closed until further notice.
  6. The Tennis Courts at Tucker are closed until further notice.
  7. The Town Dance Program is canceled until further notice. Weekly updates will be provided.
  8. Tucker Field is closed until further notice.
  9. Cumberland Public Library is closed until April 15th.
  10. The Senior Center is only available for lunch. Please call to make a reservation.
  11. Municipal Court has rescheduled the following dates: the March 17th session has been rescheduled to the May 19th at 6:00 pm; the April 7th session has been rescheduled to June 2nd at 6:00 pm; and the April 21st session has been rescheduled to June 16th at 6:00 pm.
  12. RI Resource Recovery Corp (RIRRC) has cancelled the Cumberland Eco-Depot that was scheduled for April 18, 2020.  They will reschedule this event for a date to be determined.
  13. There will be no on-premise food consumption for restaurants, bars, coffee shops, or other food establishments in Rhode Island. Establishments with a food license can continue to conduct pick-up, drive-thru and delivery only.
  14. All childcare centers in RI are closed until further notice.
Notice Regarding Public Meetings

To protect the health and well-being of our citizens, the Town will be providing remote access to public meetings to enable citizens to maintain social distancing and yet participate in their government.

Instructions regarding remote access will be posted at the top of each meeting’s agenda. Information will also be available here as it becomes available.

Thank you.

Franklin Farm Well Project- Public Notice of intent to issue a Fonsi

Click here for video. 

Message to the Town of Cumberland

Upon the advice of Governor Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health, I have determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. As such, a State of Municipal Emergency has been declared for the Town of Cumberland.

At this time, the Town Hall will be closed to the public until further notice.  A dropbox located at the ADA ramp entrance on the side of Town Hall is available to accept payments and to process requests for information. Please place your documents in an envelope labeled with the appropriate department and your contact information. The dropbox is monitored throughout the day, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Residents can also reach their desired department by telephone. A full list of department extensions is found under Town Hall at the top of this page. The main number for Town Hall is 401-728-2400.

At this time, the Town will not issue any entertainment licenses until at least April 14, 2020, and has revoked any current entertainment licenses for this same period-of-time to enforce social distancing.

All athletic fields in Cumberland are closed to the public until further notice. Both the basketball and tennis courts at Tucker Field are closed until further notice. Our parks and open spaces will be monitored by Cumberland Police to ensure compliance with limiting the size of gatherings.

If there is anything our office can do to be of service to you, please contact my Community Outreach Coordinator, Sarah King at 401-728-2400 x132.

We appreciate your patience during this challenging time. I firmly believe that we are better together. Our collective strengths as individuals and as a town will see us through this crisis.

Be well.

Thank you,
Jeffrey Mutter

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