NEW LONDON CLOSES SOME CITY OFFICES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS

New London — City Hall was partially closed on Monday with limited access to the probate court and city clerk’s office on the first floor, a move to limit interactions due to coronavirus concerns. The clerk’s office is providing essential services only.

All other city departments, such as the building and recreation, are conducting business by telephone and by appointment only when personal interaction is necessary. The goal is to continue providing municipal services to the greatest extent possible, Mayor Michael Passero said in a statement.

The New London Senior Center is also closed. Staff will continue to provide services to the senior population including planning for food and meal delivery for those in need.

“We are strongly encouraging our most vulnerable populations to shelter in place and self-isolate,” Passero said.

Passero said a detailed city executive order will be issued later on Monday with protocols for public meetings. Boards and commissions will continue to conduct scheduled meetings with a conference call option for members to participate and the public to listen in. Public comment will be accepted in written form in advance of meetings. All meetings will be consolidated to the Senior Center for enhanced disinfecting in a limited area. town facilities.

The town released the following information about the steps it is taking:

Starting Wednesday, the Town Hall, Town Hall Annex, and Human Services building will be closed to the public, “except by appointment and potentially some curbside services.”

“It is anticipated at this time that, with the above restrictions, the public will be able to access Probate Court, the Shennecossett Golf Course with some restrictions and Human Services for food donations or emergency food distributions or remote counseling. The Senior Center is continuing to provide call meals for those who call ahead and pick them up and driving seniors to critical appointments while people can still obtain permits from the Office of Planning & Development.

The Groton Public Library, Senior Center and the Community Center remain closed.

All recordings in Land Records must be mailed; Land Record search is available through the CTPortal.

Vital Records services will no longer be available except through internet services at Vitalcheck.com.

Marriage licenses are available by appointment only.

Residents can contact departments to find out more information or to schedule an appointment.

Starting Wednesday, committee and commission members can hold meetings through a “Zoom” type platform, with members having the option to participate remotely or in person if they keep a 6-foot buffer zone from another individual.

“Due to health concerns and the CDC’s guidance of not allowing gatherings of over 50 people, access to the meetings will be restricted to the members and staff,” the notice states. People can still provide comments for the official record by emailing Council@Groton-ct.gov, or by mailing comments.

The town is also encouraging people to conduct business remotely.

The declaration, which will extend through June 30 unless ended sooner, will allow the town manager to “exercise emergency powers as needed to help the community, as well as make the town better positioned to access emergency federal aid,” according to the notice.

“I ask people to be safe by practicing social distancing, but to not panic,” Burt said in the announcement. “We hope the actions we are all taking early will allow us to move through the emergency as quickly and painlessly as possible.”