BERNARDSTON — The Selectboard voted to close Town Hall to the public, and met with department heads last week for continued discussion about the precautions the town should take to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Many county towns have closed their town halls to the public, while allowing access for employees to work.
“The town is still going to operate,” Selectboard member Stanley Garland said in a meeting Wednesday. “We will close Town Hall to the public so we can protect both the public and town workers.”
The Selectboard also voted to temporarily cease all meetings of boards and committees, unless such a meeting is approved by the Selectboard. Information to contact employees by email and phone while Town Hall is closed can be found on the Bernardston town website, and may be posted on a bulletin outside of town hall in the near future.
Selectboard Chair Robert Raymond said Bernardston will cancel most upcoming meetings, or hold meetings remotely by phone or video conference if they are required. Following the Selectboard meeting, town department heads met Thursday.
“We’re just trying to make sure everyone is communicating with everyone else and everyone is aware of what’s going on,” Raymond said.
Since Bernardston declared a state of emergency on March 13, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Peter Shedd said he has worked to ensure communication. He said the town has acquired some wipes and masks for the Senior Center and Town Hall, as well as police and first responders.
“How long will that last? We don’t know,” Shedd said of the limited supplies. “That stuff has basically disappeared off the face of the planet.”
Shedd recommended anyone looking for more information about COVID-19 to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or mass.gov.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.