COLRAIN — In light of the evolving COVID-19 health crisis, the Selectboard has voted to close the town’s municipal offices, halt public meetings and appoint an Emergency Preparedness Team in charge to providing oversight of the crisis locally.
At the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on March 16, Selectboard Chairwoman Eileen Sauvageau signed a declaration of emergency. The order accomplishes a number of things including restricting access to buildings such as the Griswold Memorial Library and the municipal offices.
While the Town Office itself is closed to the public, however, government business will continue as normal, according to a press release from the Selectboard. The Collector’s Office, for example, will continue to operate but will only be accessible by phone or email (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
With that, the town’s excise tax due date has been extended to Tuesday, March 24. Payment must be received in the office by March 24 to be considered on time. Excise taxes, real estate taxes and personal property taxes can be paid by check or money order by mail, or online through Unibank on the tax collector’s webpage. Cash payments will not be accepted.
During the crisis, personnel such as Town Coordinator Kevin Fox remain accessible via phone, email and the U.S. Postal Service, according to the release. Contact information is available for all departments and most boards and committees on the town’s website, colrain-ma.gov.
Until further notice, the emergency order also stops public meetings from happening with the exception of the Selectboard and the Emergency Preparedness Team while the town considers alternative ways to meet publicly.
Notably, functions of the town that are necessary for public safety and health will remain open.
The Colrain Transfer Station, for example, will hold its regular hours of operation for the foreseeable future, although the press release asks residents to “please avoid the use of cash if at all possible (checks preferable). If cash is your only option, please ensure you have exact change. Also, maintain the recommended distancing of 6 feet from both Transfer Station personnel and others while at the station.”
Police and other emergency services also remain operational. Residents should continue to call 911 for any medical, police or fire emergencies. For non-emergency concerns, call the Shelburne Control dispatch center at 413-625-8200.
The Selectboard’s statement notes the declaration of emergency follows recent state and federal declarations, and enables the Selectboard to assemble the necessary emergency response team and seek both federal and state cost reimbursement funding when made available.
Andy Castillo can be reached at acastillo@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 276.