Town updates COVID-19 operations

WINSTED — Town officials recently provided an update to its services and COVID-19 restrictions.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for the CT Emergency Alert and Notification System to receive updates, alerts for emergencies and other important community news. Go to townofwinchester.org and click on the link on the home page.

Town Hall & Department of Public Works: Both facilities remain locked, and visits are by appointment only. “The public is asked to please refrain from visiting the buildings for nonurgent matters and is encouraged to conduct business via phone, email or U.S. Mail to the extent possible,” officials said in a statement.

Town staff are available by phone and email, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursdays, and 8 am.-noon on Fridays. “It is quite likely that callers will be greeted by a voicemail message. We encourage you to leave a message. Staff are checking voicemail frequently and you will receive a call back as soon as we are able,” according to the statement.

Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of a number of e-government services offered by the town; those can be found on the home page at townofwinchester.org.

Assessor’s Office: Property Record Look-up database available for online access and Tax Exemption forms available for download. Please call the Office regarding deadlines for specific tax relief programs.

Building Department: Permit forms available for download. Inspections are being completed on a limited basis. Please contact the Building Department for details.

Collector of Revenue: Pay tax bills either by mail or online.

Fire Marshal’s Office: Permit forms available for download. Inspections are being completed on a limited basis. Please contact the Fire Marshal's Office for details.

Planning & Community Development: Applications available for download.

Police Department: Alarm permit, Bingo permit, and Raffle permit applications available for download.

Purchasing: Public bids and RFPs available for download.

Recreation & Parks Department: Register for programs and classes online.

Registrar of Voters: Register to vote or change a political party affiliation.

Senior Center: Renter’s Rebate Program

Town Clerk: Absentee Ballot application, Dog License application, Trade Name Certificates, Request forms for certified copies of birth records, marriage records, and death certificates available for download. Land record database and public document database available for online access.

Winchester Police Department: Anything that is suspended or changed is temporary. The public will be notified when that changes. The routine number for the Winchester Police Department is 860-379-2721. For emergency calls, Winchester Police Officers will respond as normal.

For non-emergency calls the Winchester Police Department is accepting complaints over the phone. Callers will be asked to provide their name and phone number to the dispatcher. The caller can expect an officer to call them back shortly to discuss the issue and determine if police response is necessary. All phone calls will be made from a Winchester Police Department landline so the caller ID identifies the Winchester Police Department is calling. If you are unsure you are speaking with a Winchester Police Officer, hang up and call our routine phone number listed above.

If police response is needed, you will be asked to meet the officer outside of your residence or business.

If a police report is needed, the information can be taken over the phone and you will be provided a case number If you must come to the police department, you are asked to call the Police Department in advance.

Fingerprinting has been discontinued until further notice.

Social Services & Senior Center: The senior center is closed. Senior van transportation is continuing for medical and food appointments only. The Senior Van, operating between 6:30 am.-noon, is providing rides to medical appointments and to get food. Drivers are available for early morning shopping hours at Stop & Shop.

Those in urgent need of essential items such as groceries, toiletries, pharmacy items or other urgent needs can contact the Salvation Army Food Pantry at 860-379-8444, who are prebagging food and placing bag outside the door for pickup. As the Senior Center continues to reach out through friendly phone calls between 8 a.m.noon, members who may need Meals on Wheels, staff is completing the Form 5 and forwarding to WCAAA.

Beardsley and Memorial Library: Open for curbside pickup. Call 860379-6043 for more information. Take a look at the digital content available through the Library’s website by visiting http://www.beardsleylibrary.org/

Facilities & Parks: Effective May 20, the park basketball courts, skate park and tennis courts are open. Residents are asked to practice social distancing, and to gather in groups of 5 people or less. Playgrounds remain closed until further notice.

Beaches will open May 30 with lifeguards on duty. Be advised that capacity at each beach will be limited.

Regional Refuse Disposal District #1: The district contnues on its regular schedule with the exception that the Swap Shack is closed until further notice. Sticker sales for the 2020/21 season are underway, and must be purchased by July 1.