WILBRAHAM – Public Health Nurse Jill Consolino reported to the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen at its Jan. 25 meeting that while the numbers of COVID-19 cases are slowly trending downward, there were 89 active cases in Wilbraham, 14 of which were at one of the town’s three long-term care facilities, as well as one COVID-19-related death. Additionally, 14 students in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District and 19 of their family members were infected.

Meanwhile, on the topic of the coronavirus vaccine, Fire Chief Michael Andrews informed the board that the first round of vaccines for first responders had been administered at a multi-town vaccine clinic in East Longmeadow.

Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan begins on Feb. 1. That phase opens vaccine eligibility to people aged 75 or older, then the ages 65 and older, followed by those with two or more comorbidities – health conditions that increase the risk of complications from COVID-19. After that, Phase 2 makes certain essential workers eligible, followed by individuals with one comorbid condition. Details can be found at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine.

Consolino said that people with comorbidities will not need a doctor’s note to prove their health status. Instead, they will be required to self-certify when answering questions while scheduling an appointment.

A mass vaccination site will be set up at the Eastfield Mall beginning Jan. 29. Consolino said the site will be able to handle between 500 and 5,000 inoculations per day.

During the citizen’s open forum, Bob Tourville asked if the application for absentee ballots could be mailed to residents rather than downloaded from the website, as not all residents are computer literate.

Several residents spoke for and against delaying the warrant article that would fund the new senior center until the fall Special Town Meeting. John Broderick said the senior center project is ready to be presented to the voters at the Annual Town Meeting. He stated that it will be easier to defeat in the fall, as opponents will have more time to form an argument. He also said it will be likely to be more expensive the longer the town waits.

Matt Villamaino took an opposite point of view and urged the board to hold off on presenting the issue until the fall, when health concerns are less likely to keep seniors home and away from the vote. He also said that a fall presentation will allow more time for public hearings on the project.

Linda Dagradi noted that people who are homebound are disenfranchised by the requirement to appear in person to vote on items before the town. She asked that some type of accommodation be made.

The board weighed the issue of waiting until the fall for the senior center funding measure. Selectman Carolyn Brennan said it was a “tough decision” and that she understood the concern about seniors not attending due to pandemic fears, but she noted that there was no way of knowing what the situation would be in the fall, either. She said that while it isn’t an issue of finances over health, she thought the town will see a substantial increase in the cost of the project if they waited to pass it.

Both Select Board Member Robert Boilard and Chair Robert Russell noted the board had received more emails and phone calls about the issue than any issue either could remember. Boilard stated, “I have to respect their wishes,” while Russell opined that bond prices are not likely to be drastically higher by the fall.

The board voted 2-1 to place the senior center funding question on the Special Town Meeting warrant.

Boilard asked the board to draft a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker advocating on behalf of Interskate 91 South, which has been denied the ability to open. Boilard said that other venues, such as ice skating rinks are allowed to open.

In Town Administrator Nick Breault’s report, he noted that traffic issues have begun to get out of hand once again on Highmoor Drive, an access point for the Rice Nature Preserve. He reminded patrons that a new access area had been created off of Hollow Road.

The East of the River Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) is sponsoring a roundtable on Feb. 18, at 3 p.m. The event will bring Wilbraham and Hampden business leaders and town officials together to engage with one another.

Brennan noted that the owner, Rob Gould, has worked hard to stick to the restrictions throughout the pandemic. She said that she was “for any support we can give him.” Resident Michael Squindo suggested presenting a detailed plan for the business to remain within the state restrictions. Tom Sullivan also noted that Barstool Sports may be able to help Interskate 91 South financially through its Barstool Fund to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic.