Glastonbury Town Manager Gives Update On Coronavirus And Reopening Plans

From the Town of Glastonbury:

June 4, 2020

Governor Lamont’s Reopen Connecticut plan has inspired questions regarding when Town Hall and other municipal facilities in Glastonbury will reopen to the public. Before outlining the Town’s approach, it may be helpful to review actions and strategies implemented to date.

In anticipation of this public health emergency, Town staff established work groups to quickly, yet thoughtfully, evaluate Town services and identify those that could be offered remotely or through modified processes, and those that required suspension during the pandemic. Creative and innovative solutions were established and the Town has successfully sustained the majority of its services thus far. Suspended services are limited to those that require an in-person exchange, or in some way conflict with social distancing guidelines. Reference guides have been created to help residents understand modified service delivery processes and town facility closures/schedules. These documents are available on the town website at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/covid19.

For a quick snapshot of Town services that are available and the few that have been suspended, please click here.

As of May 20, Phase 1 of the State’s Reopen Connecticut Plan is in motion, and eligible businesses that can comply with the State’s extensive set of sector-specific guidelines have begun to reopen their doors. For office environments, these guidelines outline an extensive range of operating requirements ranging from office layouts to ventilation, shared equipment, sanitizing capabilities, and more. Throughout Phase 1 of Reopen CT, Governor Lamont continues to recommend that businesses maintain staffing levels of 50% or less and delay opening if the following cannot be achieved:

1. Sustained 14-day decline in hospitalizations due to COVID-19
2. Adequate testing capacity
3. A contact tracing system in place
4. Procurement of sufficient PPE

In considering these factors, Glastonbury has determined that it is not yet appropriate to reopen Town Hall and other municipal facilities to the public. However, with the Governor’s Reopen Connecticut Plan in effect, the Town is beginning to reintroduce some previously suspended services through the use of PPE and added safety measures. For example, interior building and health inspections and fingerprinting services have been reintroduced this past week, and several recreational sites have been reopened with usage conditions (e.g. tennis courts, Dog Park, etc.)

While the majority of Town services remain available, the extended prohibition of gatherings through June 20 has a direct effect on many Town offerings. At this time, this translates to the continued cancellation of in-person events and programs, and the continued closure of town pools, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities. Despite the unfortunate cancellations and closures, many of Glastonbury’s recreational amenities are still available for resident enjoyment, provided face coverings are worn and social distancing guidelines are observed. This includes the parks and open spaces, hiking, biking, and walking trails, and boat launch at the Connecticut River. Additionally, many of the local restaurants have reopened their doors for outdoor dining, and other entertainment venues will provide outdoor recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.

The following Q&A section provides clarification and alternate processing methods for upcoming deadlines you may have previously addressed through an in-person visit to Town Hall.

How can I pay my taxes?

At this time, the Revenue Collection division is accepting all tax payment methods EXCEPT in-office payments while Town Hall is closed to the public. Residents may pay their taxes online, by mail, at People’s Bank branches (current tax bills only), or using the drop boxes at Town Hall, (located to the right of the main entrance on the exterior wall, or down the driveway past the flagpoles). Visit the Tax Payment Option web page for more information on these payment methods.

How will Dog License renewals be handled?

Dog License renewals are due in June. While Town Hall is closed to the public, dog owners may renew dog licenses online, by mail, or using the Tax drop boxes located at Town Hall. If using the drop box, please write "Town Clerk" on the outside of the envelope. (In-office renewals NOT available at this time.) Per the Governor’s Executive Orders, the deadline for dog license renewals has been extended from July 1 to August 1. For renewal instructions and additional information, please visit www.glastonbury-ct.gov/doglice.... Any questions not answered on the website may be directed to the Town Clerk’s office at (860) 652-7616 or townclerk@glastonbury-ct.gov.

How will Refuse Permit Renewals be handled?

New refuse permits effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 are not available for purchase until further notice. The Town is currently developing new processes for online and mail-in permit purchase and more information will be forthcoming. In the meantime, current (existing) permits will remain valid.

Moving Forward

Town staff will continue to evaluate opportunities to reintroduce suspended services and seek ways to provide uninterrupted programming to community members. Town operations will continue to reflect the most recent Executive Orders and CDC guidelines and staff will continue planning towards the eventual reopening of Town Hall and other municipal facilities when it is safe and reasonable to do so. All updates or changes will be shared to the town website, Facebook, and with local media sources as applicable. For resources, updates, and questions about COVID-19 and Town operations, please visit www.glastonbury-ct.gov/covid19 or contact the Customer Service center at (860) 652-7710 or customerservicecenter@glastonbury-ct.gov.

While this summer will certainly look and feel different than perhaps any that has come before, the hope is that this time apart will effectively minimize the spread of the coronavirus and ultimately shorten the duration of the pandemic. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we continue to balance the health and safety of staff and residents with meeting the ever-changing needs of the Glastonbury community. If you would like to provide feedback on a positive experience you had with Town staff, or suggest potential areas for improvement, please submit the feedback form at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/feedbac... or contact Kathryn at marketing@glastonbury-ct.gov.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Johnson, Town Manager

This press release was produced by the Town of Glastonbury. The views expressed are the author's own.