SOUTH HADLEY –  The South Hadley Selectboard began their June 1 virtual meeting with new COVID-19 updates and reopening plans.

Town Administrator Mike Sullivan stood in for Health Director Sharon Hart stating, “This is somewhat of a milestone. It’s the first time probably in a year we've had one new case confirmed. We seem to be continuing to make progress and we are moving into a post–COVID environment.”

He continued, “Right now the success and our ability to come out of the pandemic is all really invested in the vaccine program and making sure that the vaccine program continues to grow. It’s been well received in South Hadley and we want to make sure that people continue to consider that. We can open things more quickly and expediently as we have more people with vaccines.”

Even though some of the mask mandate was removed on May 29, Sullivan encouraged residents who have not had the vaccine – or if they feel comfortable wearing a mask – to continue to do so.

Beginning June 8, all departments will be offering in-person Town Hall appointments. Sullivan said no department will have more than one person in each department. The time and which entrance the customer will be met at will be agreed upon in advance either by phone or email. The employee who arranges the appointment or assigned by a supervisor will meet the customer at the entrance to let them in and escort them to the exit when their meeting is finished.

A limited number of offices in Town Hall will reopen for in-person services to the public on July 6. Those offices include the town clerk’s office, treasurer/collector, the building department, the assessor’s office and the recreation office.  The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

At the end of the meeting, the board approved the layout for the River Lodge Road, made a motion to host the 2021 fireworks on Sept. 4 with a rain date of Sept. 5 at the Michael E. Smith Middle School, and accepted a donation from PeoplesBank Tiger donation.