GREENFIELD — City Hall is now open five days a week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After being closed to the public since mid-March to minimize the spread of COVID-19, City Hall had a “soft” reopening in late May. It was open three partial days per week. A tent was set up outside near the side door, and people had to stand 6 feet apart and wait their turn to enter the building.
Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said the city will continue to expect people to wear masks inside the building and practice social distancing. Instead of a city employee greeting people, senior volunteers who want to work off some of their property taxes — the city has had this program for years — have been trained to direct people where they need to go and to help them follow all COVID-19-related rules.
“We’ve had up to 70 people come into City Hall in one day,” Wedegartner said. “They like getting back to business.”
On a typical day, the mayor said about 20 to 30 people show up to City Hall.
Residents who don’t feel safe coming to City Hall still have the option of doing their business online or by mail. She said while the building and its offices are open five days a week, hours are still limited. That will eventually change.
Only a couple of people can be in an office at once to allow for social distancing. Large Plexiglas barriers remain in place between employees and the public. Staff members regularly wear gloves when handling money and they all wear masks. There is also hand sanitizer available.
For more information or to conduct business online, visit greenfield-ma.gov.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.