Exterior of Trumbull Town Hall, in Trumbull, Conn. April 5, 2017.
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media file photoTRUMBULL — The town has dropped its policy requiring visitors to most town hall offices to call ahead first.
The town instituted the policy in January in response to “staffing issues” related to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, First Selectman Vicki Tesoro said multiple employees at town hall had either gotten sick with COVID or been exposed to it, leading to under-staffing.
Because of this, members of the public were asked to call before visiting town hall to make sure the person they wanted to see was present. The only exceptions were the tax collector, town clerk and the building department. The restriction was supposed to be lifted Jan. 14, but was extended multiple times as COVID positivity rates in town remained high.
Last week, Tesoro said the policy would be reviewed again on Thursday and that it was possible that, by Monday, the “call-ahead” provision would be dropped.
On Monday morning, the information about calling ahead was no longer on the town web site.
Tesoro confirmed that town hall had “returned to our regular hours” and that the call-ahead provision was no longer in place as COVID numbers continued to decline.
The town had also temporarily closed the tax assessor’s office due to COVID-related staffing issues. But Tesoro confirmed last week that the assessor’s office had reopened.
All town employees and visitors are still required wear a mask while indoors at all Town of Trumbull government buildings, regardless of vaccination status.