By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the state, Gov. Charlie Baker has rolled back parts of Massachusetts’ re-opening plan.
In North Attleborough, this decision has prompted the town to make its own changes and re-evaluate its public access to certain facilities.
According to a notice posted to the town’s web site, effective on Monday, Dec. 14, Town Hall and the business offices at all other departments will be open by appointment only. Staff members will continue to work schedules that include multiple days within the buildings and remotely on others. Meetings will be by appointment-only and only for business that cannot be conducted online, using the town’s web site, or by phone.
“The decision to open by appointment only at Town Hall and our other departments’ business offices was not easy,” the statement reads. “However, it is necessary for the safety of the public and the Town staff members who have worked tirelessly to deliver vital services to the community throughout the pandemic. We look forward to fully reopening our buildings to the public as soon as possible.”
Town Hall re-opened to the public on July 27 following a period of being appointment-only. Meetings have continued to be conducted remotely, though Town Council briefly had in-person meetings with a number of guidelines. They have since switched back to fully remote.
Cases of COVID-19 have risen steadily over the past several weeks. The current case count stands at 940, with 70 active infectious. This is an increase of 170 over a two-week period and led the town to be designated a Red community by the Department of Public Health. There have been 29 deaths due to COVID.
