PUTNAM — In response to the Coronavirus disease COVID-19 causing a significant drop in patient visits, physical medicine, blood draw, diagnostic imaging departments at the Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) Center in Plainfield will temporarily suspend services effective immediately until further notice.
“The decision to temporarily suspend ancillary services at the Plainfield Healthcare Center is part of our overall planning and response to the Coronavirus outbreak,” said Joseph Adiletta, interim president, Day Kimball Healthcare. “We want to emphasize that patients who would normally access care at this location will continue to have various options to receive DKH care.”
Patients who would visit the Plainfield Physical Medicine Office located at 31 Dow Road, can continue to receive physical, occupation, or speech language therapy services at the Day Kimball Healthcare Centers in Danielson or Putnam.
The Danielson Physical Medicine Office is located at 55 Green Hollow Road and is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Putnam Physical Medicine Office, located at 12 South Main Street is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Patients who would visit the Plainfield Healthcare Center for blood draw or diagnostic imaging services, including x-rays, mammography, bone density, and ultrasound exams, can access these services through the Danielson Diagnostic Center located at 55 Green Hollow Road. Hours of operation for the Danielson Diagnostic Center are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Other services available at the Day Kimball Healthcare Center in Plainfield will remain open, for now, including internal medicine, OB/GYN, and pediatrics.
DKH recommends that anyone who develops a fever, cough or difficulty breathing should contact their primary care provider before visiting any healthcare location.

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Clean-up funds
To honor the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) reminds municipalities and non-profit organizations that cleanup funds are available for organized cleanups (within the guidelines of social distancing). Up to $500 in funding is available. TLGV hopes to distribute $12,000. Funds can be used to clean up trash and clean up trails from debris and invasive shrubs. Funding recipients will be reimbursed for expenses such as publicity, cleanup supplies such as trash bags and work gloves. For info, go to: TheLastGreenValley.org under “Grant Opportunities” in the “Learn & Protect” menu. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions and requests. The program is funded, in part, by bankHometown.

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Feb. 6 the Pomfret Public Library officially kicked off its Capital Campaign aimed at raising $500,000 to essentially double the space of the current library that has been in existence since 1739.  The addition to the building, which is the first major renovation in more than 40 years, includes conference areas, activity rooms for children and adults, space for the historical society archives, technology upgrades and other improvements to the current space.
The campaign team, led by Chairperson Atty. Kate Cerrone and Vice Chairpersons Marc and Mary Archambault, working in concert with community volunteers, was steadily moving toward its goal when it suddenly and surprisingly encountered the COVID-19 coronavirus.  Since that time, approximately the first week of March, the campaign has been forced to slow its progress but it hasn’t deterred those working diligently to see the campaign to its successful conclusion.
“Following the enthusiastic reception the project received at our kickoff, our team was making great progress toward achieving our goal.  We were looking forward to the day when we would announce our success, which would allow the community to move forward with the construction,” said Cerrone.  “We look forward to the day when we can gather again, and we want our library to be better than ever for that time.”
The library expansion project received its initial impetus through a grant of $421,800 from a Connecticut State Library Construction Grant. As part of the preparation for the expansion, the Town of Pomfret did an exploratory survey of its citizens that demonstrated the community agreed with the need for the expansion.  The $500,000 campaign goal is the community’s matching portion of the grant.
Pomfret Public Library has 1800 cardholders, which equates to approximately 10,000 visitors annually.  Its annual circulation is nearly 16,500 items.  In 2019 the library presented a variety of 186 programs that were attended by more than 2,100 people.  Attendance at many of the programs was often hindered due to the current space limitations of the building.  The library’s current collection includes more than 20,000 books and DVDs, with thousands more available on line, according to librarian Laurie Bell.
“We are very proud of the Pomfret Public Library and the work of our librarian Laurie Bell and the library staff.  The library is opened 32 hours per week and they work hard to plan and run the library sponsored programs and assist our patrons with whatever they need,” said Library Board Chairperson Ginger Lusa.  “Our board is enthusiastically behind this project and we are excited to see the progress that has been made so far.”
Despite the fund-raising slowdown caused by the coronavirus quarantine, the campaign team is prepared to resume activity as soon as the “shelter in place” edict is lifted.  Even during the quarantine period, the committee continues to receive inquiries regarding methods of support for the project.
“Our committee has maintained contact with our campaign consultant throughout this slowdown.  We receive and disseminate updates on a weekly basis.  It’s amazing, we actually received a substantial pledge recently and have received calls and e-mails from Pomfret residents who are in Florida and are looking forward to returning home.  I believe this bodes well for the outcome we’re working toward,” said Marc Archambault.

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