SAUGUS — The town will implement its reopening plan for certain municipal buildings — including Town Hall — this Monday, as cases of COVID-19 continue to drop in the community and surrounding areas.
According to a press release from the Town Manager’s office Friday, a standing queue, with floor markings for social distancing, will be implemented for residents visiting Town Hall. During the initial rollout, patrons who wish to visit Town Hall offices can enter the building and go to the office they wish to visit, where an employee will come out to assist them.
Alan Thibeault, director of the Saugus Public Library, also announced Friday that the library will reopen on June 7 with some restrictions. Updates for the library are available online at https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree said the Saugus Senior Center will announce its reopening plans shortly. Updates for the Senior Center are available online at: https://www.saugus-ma.gov/saugus-senior-center.
Crabtree said that, upon reviewing the town’s reopening options, local officials including Director of Public Health John Fralick and Town Counsel John Vasapolli determined that certain health and safety protocols, including social distancing and face coverings, will still be required.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley, who previously called on officials to reopen Town Hall, said she was glad to see Saugus’ municipal buildings once again open to the public, and added that she thinks residents are ready for the change.
“Besides the Town Hall, residents have been asking for months when the library will be ready to reopen. An opening date of June 7 still seems too long for something we’ve had over a year to prepare for,” Riley said. “Other towns and cities found a way to open their libraries weeks ago, and I hope ours can be opened even sooner than June 7.”
In observance of the governor’s orders announced this week, as well as the ever-changing nature of the pandemic, Crabtree said officials will continue to update the public and make further announcements on future changes.
Due to social distancing requirements, the town will continue to remain remote for municipal meetings.
“I want to thank the town staff for their hard work to get this reopening plan put together, and for the public’s continued patience during these challenging times,” Crabtree said. “While everyone must remain diligent in the fight against COVID-19, we feel it’s time to reopen certain parts of the town with some safety protocols. We all look forward to a time when we all can return to a normal way of life.”
For more information, residents can call the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.
