By Beth David, Editor
Town employees in both Acushnet and Fairhaven have been working partly from home and partly on site during the COVID-19 restrictions. Both town halls are closed to the public, but all departments are serving the public as well as they can.
‘We’re open for business, but unfortunately closed to the public,” said Fairhaven Town Administrator Mark Rees.
“Offices are open right now,” said Acushnet Selectboard Chairperson Roger Cabral. “Call and someone will answer. They’ll find a way to serve you and get it done.”
Both towns are also trying to map out ways to conduct business with the public in person and continue to maintain physical distancing, such as keeping people at least six feet apart, regulate the use of face coverings, and keep everything sanitized.
Mr. Rees said Fairhaven is getting ready to be open in phase 2, when the governor announces it. He said they are installing plexiglass at public counters, will have hand sanitizers available for everyone to use, and will have markings on the floor to space people out.
Meetings in Fairhaven do have public hearings and input by the public via call-in conference call or Zoom.
Enhanced cleaning includes daily sanitization at town hall.
“We’re blessed with a very excellent custodial staff in town,” said Mr. Rees.
He also said that so far, he has not heard of any town employee testing positive for the virus.
“We’ve had a couple of exposures, but no positive tests,” he said, adding that employees, especially first responders, have been vigilant about following proper protocols with personal protective equipment.
He said anyone who needs to conduct town business should visit the website or call the office they need to find out the best way to get the services they need.
Mr. Rees said the town is striving to be ready to open on June 8 if the governor gives the word.
In any case, they will follow whatever precautions the guidelines call for.
“For the safety of our residents, as well as our employees,” said Mr. Rees.
In Acushnet, there have been at least two firefighters test positive for the virus, but both recovered.
Town hall is staffed, but employees are on a staggered schedule.
Mr. Cabral said the board has seen plans by the Council on Aging and the library to open. He said no decision has been made to either one the public.
The town will try to set create a walk-up window at town hall, to allow people to get business done in person without going into the building. Building Inspector/Facilities Manager James Marot is working on that, said Mr. Cabral.
The Department of Public Works is still on a split schedule, with one half of the employees working one week, and then the other half working a week, a schedule Mr. Cabral did not want, but got out-voted on by the other board members.
“There’s plenty for them to do,” said Mr. Cabral. “We really need to get them back to work.”
The town has not held any public hearings since the shut down, but the board has just approved the Zoning Board of Appeals to hold a hearing, he said. The town will make sure that people attending will be able to stay physically apart.
He said the town will not hold any hearings that they think will draw too many people to a room.
“It’s complicated. We’re breaking new ground here,” said Mr. Cabral. “Hopefully we’re near the end of it, or closer to the end than the beginning.”
He said he has been pleasantly surprised at how well the Zoom meetings work, and how good they look on TV.
“I’’m ready for normal, though, let me tell ya,” he said. “I’m ready for normal.”
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