BETHEL — New town manager, Natalie Andrews, is not in her office this week. With three of Bethel’s six town employees out sick, she has taken a desk near the front of Town Hall to help citizens with their walk-in needs.

Sitting next to Andrews is Finance Director, Amy Hanscom, who has also vacated her office. Chuckling, Andrews said, “I’m processing tax payments, that’s all Amy taught me to do because she doesn’t trust me to do ballots… I feel like I should know more”

Because they can’t leave the office unoccupied, Code Enforcement Officer, Randy Thurston, who works down the hall has been going to the post office, and the bank. He had surgery on Thursday but returned on Monday to field calls and run errands. Others have offered to help, too, like Courtney McPherson, who said she could come in despite not being on the schedule.

Andrews says, “We’re down half our people right now. I’m bringing Lysol in tomorrow … I’ll put out a sign saying masks strongly recommended for people coming in.” According to the CDC’s website, Oxford County is at “yellow”, a medium risk for COVID-19.

“Amy said, even during the pandemic, they never had three people out like this at the same time in this office,” says Andrews.

The TM’s biggest challenge since she started work on Sept. 12, has been figuring out what stage Bethel is at on different processes, including various contracts, and comprehensive plan – until today.

“People are super understanding…We’re just trying to keep the ship afloat right now and bail water as quickly as possible. The public response has been great. We appreciate their patience and their understanding, and we thank them ahead of time.”

Andrews confirmed the incubation period is five days from testing and that the front line people (who seats they are occupying) are not able to work from home.  As the phones ring yet again, Hanscom and Andrews recite their mantra in near unison, “Everything is fine. Everything is fine.”

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