Wareham COVID numbers down, but vaccine scarce
Wicked Local
WAREHAM – COVID numbers are down in town, but vaccinations are still hard to come by, according to Board of Health officials.
Public Health Director Robert M. Ethier said the most recent week’s tally was 63 confirmed cases during Wednesday’s Board of Health meeting.
“We were way over 100 in confirmed and probable cases in each of the last few weeks,” he said.
“It seems like we’re moving in the right direction,” he said, adding that the higher numbers were probably a result of the post-holidays spike.
He said they are working to provide vaccinations, and a site near the middle school was being considered for a drive-through clinic. Volunteers should also be available, including school nurses who have already been vaccinated.
Wareham to lower the flag in honor of Dennis Damata, David Wahlstrom
Wicked Local
WAREHAM – Wareham Selectmen voted unanimously to lower town flags for three days – the maximum allowed – to honor former police officer and selectman Dennis Damata and firefighter David Wahlstrom who both passed away last week.
Selectman Patrick Tropeano made the motion, which was quickly seconded and passed.
Selectman Alan Slavin said their deaths were a tremendous loss for the town. “They were two really good people,” adding that they had died too young.
Selectmen Chairman Peter Teitelbaum said they were both well respected in their respective professions. “It’s a big loss.”
Wareham mourns passing of former police officer, selectman from COVID
WAREHAM Town officials are mourning the death of retired police officer and former selectman Dennis Damata this week.
Selectmen observed a moment of silence during Tuesday’s meeting, and the Wareham Police Dept. has posted its regrets.
Selectman Patrick Tropeano noted “with a heavy heart” Damata’s passing Tuesday at 68, saying he had died that afternoon at 4:05 p.m. from complications due to COVID.
“It’s very sad. He fought a good fight but they just couldn’t get a handle on it.”
He added, “Dennis was a good friend of mine for many, many years. He worked on the Board of Selectmen with me. You all know he was a retired police officer and he was recently working for the town as an inspector for the housing program.
Jan 23, 2021
Former Wareham Police Officer and Selectman Dennis Damata died from coronavirus complications on Jan. 19.
Damata served as a member of the Wareham Police Department from 1985 until 2010, and worked as a special police officer after his retirement until he fell ill.
“His loss is deeply felt among members of the police department and other public safety agencies that he worked so closely with,” reads a post by the Wareham Police. “Rest in peace, Dennis, from your brothers and sisters at the WPD.”
Damata was a selectman from 1998 until 2003. In recent years, Damata also worked as a housing inspector.
At the Jan. 19 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, Selectman Patrick Tropeano spoke in memory of Damata.