NORTHFIELD — The Selectboard this week provided updates on the COVID-19 precautions being taken in town, which include town employees working from home and potentially postponing Annual Town Meeting and town elections.
The non-partisan caucus, where candidates are normally nominated in advance of the annual town election, was canceled due to Gov. Charlie Baker’s restrictions on public gatherings. According to Town Clerk Dan Campbell, the only way the town could hold its election without first holding a caucus is to have nominees file paperwork that requires 20 resident signatures.
“But I don’t want people going door-to-door because that kind of defeats the whole purpose of all this whole thing,” Campbell said.
The town has not chosen dates for the rescheduled election or Annual Town Meeting. Campbell said that by postponing the election, those in positions that were up for re-election and who may have been stepping down will then hold their seats until the new election date.
Town Administrator Andrea Llamas said the Selectboard has the ability to vote to postpone Annual Town Meeting. She said the board will discuss this in the near future, once the town has narrowed down potential dates to hold the meeting.
Northfield has until June 30 to hold its Annual Town Meeting and vote on the new fiscal year budget, Llamas said. If the town is not be able to hold a meeting by then, Northfield can continue to spend finances based on a one-twelfth budget, which is based on the previous year’s budget.
Town buildings will remain closed to the public for the time being. The stay-at-home advisory issued by Gov. Baker on Monday led to the decision to allow Town Hall staff to work flexible hours and work from home when practical. Staff can be reached by email or by phone through their proper extension at Town Hall. Employee extension numbers and emails are listed on the town website. In addition, there are contact slips located at the front and back doors of the Town Hall.
“We have some staff members that have some vulnerabilities, so it’s a lot more comfortable for them if they can work from home or come in when they don’t expect a lot of staff to be here,” Llamas explained. “We are trying to answer phone calls and help people through the process as much as possible.”
Tax payments are still due by April 1. Payments can be made online with an associated fee, or left in the lock box at the rear of Town Hall.
The Transfer Station remains open, but the Board of Health is suggesting residents access the Transfer Station on Wednesday and Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Board of Health Chair Bob MacEwen said this will help to ease regular congestion on Saturdays to encourage social distancing.
“Everyone seems to show up Saturday,” MacEwen said. “We want to maintain that 6-foot or greater distance.”
The Senior Center remains closed, but staff members are calling seniors to ensure they have everything they need, Llamas said. Residents can call Senior Center Director Becky Sommer-Peterson at 413-498-2901, ext. 114 and leave their name, contact information and message. Calls will be returned within 24 hours.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.