Newtown’s resident State Representative Mitch Bolinsky will be making his first appearance as part of a weekly webcast featuring conversations among local leaders and business representatives being produced by the Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Police Commissioner and realtor Andy Sachs.

The weekly hour-long conversation — co-sponsored by The Newtown Bee — is available for viewing live Mondays at 5:30 pm as a Facebook Live stream on the Newtown Bee’s Facebook site www.facebook.com/TheNewtownBee/ — and on several other Facebook sites including the Chamber’s and two maintained by Sachs for his business. Sachs moderates the panels.

The conversation today, May 11, will pick up where last week’s widely viewed webcast left off featuring discussion around reopening local businesses. Panelists Deb Sullivan representing Newtown MediSpa, and Adam Richichi, CEO of Dental Associates are returning and will welcome Rep Bolinsky. First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Chamber President Scott Anders will also participate.

As reported May 9 at newtownbee.com, Governor Ned Lamont released detailed protocols to gradually and safely begin the “baby steps” necessary to reopen large segments of state businesses and some outdoor destinations like museums and the Beardsley Zoo.

Links to detailed industry-specific documents are accessible by clicking corresponding links in the article. Owners are urged to review rules eligible businesses falling under Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening plans must follow amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first phase — which includes restaurants; offices; hair salons and barbershops; retail stores; and outdoor museums and zoos — is currently planned to take effect beginning May 20.

The governor stressed that the decision to reopen during this phase rests with each individual business owner — they are not required to open if they do not choose, however if they do they must follow the rules as prescribed.

The protocols were developed by Governor Lamont, members of his office, and the Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with legislators and recommendations made by the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group, which consists of several of the state’s leading medical experts and representatives of several business and industry groups.

Anders suggested the panel dive into discussion on what Newtown businesses need to be doing to make employees feel safe to return to work and to make customers feel safe. Panelists are also planning to suggest some strategies to help webcast viewers be more effective at getting back to business and preparing for reopening.

The webcast will be monitored by Sachs who will share submitted questions or comments posted during the event on his two Facebook sites. Helen Brickfield of the Chamber will also be monitoring the feed and passing on any comments made by those viewing the Chamber’s Facebook site.

Brickfield is also accepting any questions or comments in advance by e-mail at helenbrickfield@newtown-ct.com.

Rep Bolinsky is expected to offer his take on the state’s preliminary reopening efforts and the governor’s reopening panel guidance for specific business sectors that will be mandated as these specific types of business begin coming back online May 20 or beyond. Richichi and Sullivan will be invited to weigh in on the reopening regulations, and how their companies will navigate protocols including disinfecting, distancing, and the retraining of employees so they adhere to the new standards.

Panelists will also be prompted to focus on The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which mandates paid sick leave for employees involved in their own families’ virus-related issues.

Finally, the panel will take up how businesses will roll out efforts to boost consumer confidence and re-engagement, and how state government might also support that promotional aspect of widespread reopening initiatives.