MIDDLETOWN – As of June 1, Middletown officials initiated a phase-in plan to begin reopening municipal facilities to the public.
Town Hall (1 Kings Highway), Croydon Hall (900 Leonardville Road, Leonardo), the offices at Poricy Park Nature Center (345 Oak Hill Road), the Department of Public Works (52 Kanes Lane) and the Health and Social Services Department (180 Main St., Port Monmouth) reopened on June 1 with limited hours, according to a press release from the municipality.
Tax collection reopened to the public with limited hours on June 2.
All employees and visitors will be required to wear a mask when interacting in township buildings. Hand sanitizer will be available at all public counters. There will be plastic shields and floor markings showing 6-foot separations placed where appropriate, according to the press release.
“As our township facilities begin to reopen, we will do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our employees and residents,” Township Administrator Tony Mercantante said.
Phase-in public access to township facilities will include:
• One entrance: Members of the public may queue outside building and the entrance will be monitored by a police officer;
• Police will have one officer stationed at each municipal building to ensure guidelines are followed;
• Each department will determine the number of walk-ins that can be serviced safely at one time, given proper social distancing.
Township facilities are expected to be fully open to the public by July 6, however, this decision will be based on experiences during the first phase and by trends and rates of the COVID-19 infection, according to the press release.
The public is still encouraged to conduct municipal business by phone, email and virtual meetings with township employees. Visitors should call the department they are going to ahead of time to see if an appointment is needed, according to the press release.
Fire Prevention, Purchasing, Human Resources, Planning and Information Technology will begin public hours on June 15 and specific hours will be announced.
The Middletown Arts Center, senior center and township preschool programs will remain closed until further notice, according to the press release.
The Middletown Township Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, is collecting checked out items on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Patrons are asked to drop off the items in color-coded bins by the regular drop box near the exit of the library.
All materials are still on extended due dates and patrons may hold on to their materials if they cannot drop them off. Library officials will be announcing the return of library services such as curb side pick-up in the near future. Visit www.mtpl.org for updates.