March 23, 2020 
 
 
Dear Meg Szydlik, 
 
 
The COVID-19 situation changes daily, and we are continuing to monitor information from Federal, State, 
and Local authorities regarding the spread of the virus and the latest precautions and directives aimed at 
your and the public’s health and safety.  At this time, Old North Church and Historic Site will continue to be 
closed to the public until further notice.  As a result, we cannot prepare a schedule for the frontline staff for 
April.   
 
In the interest of providing you with the opportunity to apply for Unemployment Assistance, if you are 
eligible, we have concluded that we must officially lay off you and our entire frontline staff as of April 1, 
2020.  As we​ ​promised, you will be paid through March 31, 2020 if you were scheduled to work during our 
March closure.  The next paycheck you receive on Thursday, March 26, 2020 will reflect your wages for both 
the current pay period and through March 31, 2020. You can contact the state unemployment office website 
to determine your eligibility and apply for assistance. Here is the link to the appropriate website: 
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance​.   
 
We hope our site will reopen as soon as possible and that you will return to work here when it does.  
However, the unprecedented and uncertain impact of this pandemic prevents us from making any 
guarantees.  We can assure you that our Board of Directors and administrative staff are working hard to find 
ways to sustain the organization during this closure.  Old North has been a national beacon of perseverance 
in the face of great challenges, and we strive for it to continue this important role as we confront the 
Coronavirus pandemic and beyond. 
 
You will continue to receive updates from us.  We wish you health and safety during this time, and we thank 
you sincerely and deeply for being important members of our team. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Catherine Matthews and Nancy Csaplar 
Interim Executive Directors 



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