OTISFIELD — Town officials plan to reopen the Town Office on Monday, taking safeguards while providing services to residents, Board of Selectmen Chairman Hal Ferguson said Thursday.

The municipal building on Route 121 has been closed Since March 18.

It will hold regular hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 4- 7 p.m. Tuesday. It will be closed on Friday.

The door will remain locked and social distancing safety measures have been established. Ferguson said that until further notice no cash or coin payments will be accepted; credit card and check payments only.

Ferguson said that while staff will be on hand, residents should follow the following procedures to conduct business.

  • Residents who need to drop off payments of documents should use the drop box.
  • Anyone who needs to conduct other business should call 207-539-2664 and use option 1 for administrative or option 2 to reach the administrative assistant. The clerks will answer any questions and attempt to resolve concerns by phone first.
  • No one will be given access to the town hall unless they have established phone contact ahead.
  • One person at a time will be given entry to the front hallway if it is necessary; doors will remain locked. The town asks that no one come to the building without calling first.
  • Each person should confirm their business to the clerks from the front entry and leave any pertaining documents on a table in the hall. The town official will retrieve the documents and process the transaction or business request.
  • A 6-foot distance is to be maintained between both parties and no one will be admitted beyond the front table.

Ferguson said normally there are three or four staff working during business hours. When the office reopens next week there will be two.

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Residents who need to talk to Code Enforcement Officer Fred Collins Jr. should call his office number, 207-539-2664, ext. 3. Collins is not holding business hours but is scheduling inspections and handling applications as usual.

Selectmen posted its official statement about disruptions due to COVID-19 on the town website, https://www.otisfieldme.gov/.

Ferguson said other closures, limitations and cancellations to town government, buildings and events will remain in place until further notice.

“We are taking steps in accordance with the Maine Center for Disease Control to maintain proper social distancing and other measures,” he said. “We will continue to serve our community within CDC guidelines.”

 


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