City Hall and other services start cautious re-opening process

May 27, 2020 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – Mayor Domenic Sarno has announced the requirements for the reopening of municipal buildings and services during the first phase of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan for the state.

Sarno said at a press briefing on May 21, “A lot of work has been done in this phased-in reopening,” he added, “It was very challenging to shut down and much more difficult to re-open.”

The city buildings that are part of this plan will reopen on May 27.

The mayor said that City Hall would be open on an appointment basis, with appointments made at least 24 hours in advance. The two city golf courses will be open, but by appointment only that are made online.

The senior centers will not reopen at this time and would be considered during Phase 3. All school buildings will remain closed, with any summer learning programs presented online, Sarno added. There will be no large parties allowed at Forest Park and the rest rooms will reopen with attendants.

The city’s libraries will re-open June 8 with curbside pickup of books by appointment only.

The city’s swimming pools and splash pads will be considered for reopening during either Phase 2 or 3, Sarno said.  

The following are additional details supplied by the mayor’s office about the Phase One reopening:
• All municipal buildings will remain closed to walk-in traffic.
• Individuals will need to schedule an appointment with the appropriate city department they are looking to do their city related business with, as there will be a limit to the number of individuals inside city buildings and city offices.
• Residents can schedule an appointment with the city department they need to conduct business with by calling either our 311 Call Center or by contacting that city department directly.
• Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
• For emergency issues, certain arrangements and accommodations might be possible but will be at the discretion of each department.    
• Based on volume, some appointments may have to be scheduled at a later date.  We ask for everyone’s continued patience and understanding.    
• Residents and businesses are encouraged to continue to conduct their city related business remotely when possible through the city’s 311 Call Center and at the city’s website at www.springfield-ma.gov.
• Under Phase 1 of the city’s reopening plan as part of public health contact tracking tracing efforts, a log of all persons entering municipal buildings (including name and phone contact information) must be kept.
• Residents must check in at the designated entry point for the municipal building they have their scheduled appointment at, only those individuals who have an appointment and who are on the appointment list will be allowed entry.
• Each city department will provide their appointment list to the designated city employee monitoring the municipal buildings entry point.   
• Residents who arrive for their scheduled appointment will have their temperature checked and will be required to wear a face covering before entering the building.
• Anyone – employees or visitors – with a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be instructed to leave immediately. There will be an exception to the face covering order for those under the age of two years, or those individuals who have a health condition that prevents wearing a mask, or where a mask interferes with their breathing.
• Individuals will have to wait outside of the department’s office they are schedule to meet with at the designated “Safe Stand Zone” until they are called in to the office by an employee – in accordance with the proper social distancing protocols by maintaining a safe distance of 6 feet whenever possible.    
• All municipal offices will have the proper public health and safety measures and equipment installed to preserve the city’s workforce and to protect the health and safety for both city employees and the public.  Facilities will be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis to help mitigate the community spread of the virus.   
• Traffic flow markers have been laid out in municipal buildings to encourage social distancing.
• Elevator use will be restricted to one individual at a time, unless they are accompanied by a family member.

City parks and golf courses

• Parks will continue to be open for passive recreation.
• Picnics in the parks will be allowed but with restrictions. e.g., immediate family members only, appropriate face coverings
• Playgrounds will remain closed during Phase I.
• The Farmers Market in Forest Park will open with strict guidelines.
• No more than 35-40 in the market at one time.
• Hand washing stations as you enter market.
• Vendors will round-off pricing to whole dollar to limit change.
• Patrons will wait to enter the market on south side of Cyr Arena.
• The Zoo in Forest Park will be allowed to open under strict guidelines, upon approval of public health sanitation staffing.
• Golf courses will remain open under current guidelines. Golf courses will offer takeout food services under the restaurant guidelines beginning May 21. Carts and restrooms will be monitored and opened. Bath attendants will be hired to maintain restrooms to CDC guidelines.
• Tennis courts will open with restrictions to be posted. e.g., each server uses own tennis balls, no doubles matches, etc.
• Toll booth will start accepting cash payments; attendants will wear gloves and masks. Season passes will be sold at the Info Center, which has a glass partition; one customer at a time in the building.
• Park and golf course concessions are currently open, operating take-out only. Only pre-packaged ice creams and food. Safe social distance guidelines to be followed.

“We want to reopen as soon as possible and that goes for our business communities as well,” Sarno said.

He noted the city’s COVID-19 Hotline 750-3250 is supplying information about the pandemic remains open.

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