PEABODY — Peabody City Hall will reopen to the public April 7, Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. announced Friday.
Visitors to the building, which has remained closed since March 2020, will still be required to wear masks at all times and adhere to six-feet physical distancing requirements and other public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“With health metrics continuing to improve, we can reopen City Hall safely and responsibly,” Bettencourt said.
Access to City Hall will be limited to the handicapped-accessible entrance located on Chestnut Street. After completing their business, visitors will exit through the building’s front entrance.
There will still be limits on access to specific departments, however, including the Health Department, Human Resources, the Retirement Department, and Veterans Services, which will remain open to the public by appointment only.
Visitors will also be asked to provide contact information and the specific departments they are visiting for contact tracing purposes. Hand sanitizer will be provided to everyone upon entering any department.
“Since the pandemic began last March, our city staff has worked tirelessly to ensure that Peabody residents and businesses continued to receive the highest level of municipal services,” Bettencourt said. “All essential services and infrastructure improvement projects continued citywide, and City Hall remained open virtually through our website, phone, and email, as well as by appointment with department personnel.”
Built in 1883, City Council President Tom Rossignoll said the building’s age has presented unique challenges when it comes to reopening.
“One thing that has slowed down reopening is getting the necessary infrastructure in place in a very old building,” Rossignoll said. “The plexiglass partitions, separation of spaces for distancing, signage, all of those things have taken longer than anticipated.”
City Hall’s modified hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to limit non-essential visits. For continued access to the city’s online payment and permitting portal, residents can visit www.peabody-ma.gov. Payments can also be sent by mail or delivered to City Hall using the drop box located at the handicapped entrance on Chestnut Street.
More information on how Peabody is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is also available on the city’s website.
“I want to thank our hardworking city employees who helped deliver essential services throughout this pandemic. I encourage Peabody residents to remain vigilant and to receive the COVID vaccine as soon as they are eligible,” Bettencourt said. “The safety of the public and our employees continues to be our first priority. Safety protocols will remain in place as the building reopens, and we are grateful for the public’s patience and cooperation during this difficult time.”
