Local governments around Orange and Chatham counties are still working to operate while taking efforts to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. What services or meetings have been impacted? This post will track the latest updates from the various municipal and county governments.
The Town of Chapel Hill became the latest town to close its facilities to the public in an effort to promote social distancing.
The town made the decision effective at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. While the offices and buildings will be closed, town services and operations are still ongoing. Anyone with critical, timely needs for transactions at Town Hall can call 919-968-2743 and ask to speak with the department with which they are working. Permit applications may be dropped off at Town Hall each Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In addition, the Town Council is allowing a maximum of ten people into council chambers to attend its virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 25. The decision was made to follow Open Meeting Laws, but to encourage staying home. The meeting can be live-streamed from the town’s website or watched on cable access channels.
To read the full release about the town closing facilities and for details about Wednesday’s council meeting, visit town government’s website.
The Town of Carrboro has closed its town buildings to the public until further notice.
The town’s decision became effective immediately on Friday, March 20. Carrboro assures residents town services are continuing as planned despite the buildings being closed. More information can be found on the town’s website.
Carrboro’s Town Council will also be holding a special, remote meeting on Tuesday, March 24. The meeting, which will take place over the website Zoom, will be broadcast like normal council meetings and will discuss how the town plans to aid the community’s small businesses, non-profits and food insecure residents. To see the items on the Carrboro Town Council agenda, click here.
The Town of Pittsboro has closed offices at Town Hall and the Planning Department to the public in an effort to mitigate the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
Pittsboro because the latest municipality to take action on Wednesday, March 18, sharing the announcement it is adapting its operational protocols to limit face-to-face interactions and contact. The drive-up window at Town Hall will remain open for payments and all town offices will be accessible by phone and email during normal operating hours. The town also announced it is exploring how to hold its Board of Commissioners meetings remotely.
Mayor Jim Nass shared a statement with the community, saying residents should heed the messages of health officials across the county about taking steps to limit the coronavirus’ spread.
“These are difficult times, but this is a special town with a true spirit of community and together we will support each other and weather this storm,” Nass said. “Our priority is doing everything we can to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
The Chatham County Public Libraries are being closed to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17, according to county officials.
A release from the county said the closure is regarding the recommendations of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and is in the interest of protecting vulnerable community members and preventing the spread of COVID-19. The length of the closure is indefinite.
In the message, Chatham County officials told library patrons that holds on resources will be suspended, no fines will be accrued as of March 13 and book donations to the library are on hold. Programming, meetings and events offered by or hosted at Chatham County Library locations have also been suspended.
For more information on the county’s response to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, visit the web page dedicated to its efforts.
****UPDATE: The Town of Carrboro shared its park facilities would reopen starting Wednesday, March 18, to allow residents an outdoor area while practicing social distancing.****
The Town of Carrboro announced its park and recreation facilities would be closed indefinitely in an effort to curb the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
The town shared the news in a tweet accompanied by a graphic explaining the practice of social distancing, which the state and federal governments are encouraging to lessen the likelihood of the coronavirus spreading further.
@CarrboroRecPark parks to close until further notice in response to #coronavirus. Please encourage social distancing and be safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/Cb9Katls8E
— Town of Carrboro (@CarrboroTownGov) March 16, 2020
The news came days after the town canceled all its Park and Recreation programs and events through March 31.
The Town of Hillsborough announced on Monday, March 16, all town parks would be closed indefinitely beginning Tuesday to encourage social distancing.
While town greenways and trails will remain open, gates and restrooms at town recreation facilities will remain locked after Monday until further notice.
“We don’t take the decision to limit access to any of our public spaces lightly, but discouraging opportunities for people to gather in groups especially seems like the most responsible choice,” Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver said in the release. “I cannot emphasize enough how important social distancing is to slowing the rate of contagion. We are very fortunate to have Riverwalk and other trails where the community can get out, enjoy the fresh air, and keep a safe distance from each other.”
More information about the park closures can be found on the Town of Hillsborough website.
The Town of Chapel Hill shared a message with the community on Monday announcing all the Parks and Recreation programs and facilities in town are closed until further notice.
The town government tweeted a graphic with the information it, explaining the closures are part of its efforts to mitigate the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
— Town of Chapel Hill (@chapelhillgov) March 16, 2020
Customers are encouraged to use other bill payment methods during this time, including paying online, by mail, or using the drop box in front of the administrative offices. During normal business hours, OWASA staff can be reached via phone or email. Please allow for additional response time through the duration of this incident.
Read OWASA’s full release here.
The Orange County government said it is implementing various social distancing measures beginning on Monday, March 16, which will result in the closure of non-essential services and cancellation of public meetings. The announcement came after the county declared a state of emergency in the county on Friday, March 13, in response to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.
Orange County libraries will be closed to the public as part of the decision, with all activities and classes are canceled until further notice. The Orange County Department on Aging is also suspending activities at both senior centers, Passmore Center in Hillsborough and the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill, and any off-site classes.
Registered Lunch Program participants are encouraged to pick-up a carryout lunch Monday-Friday between the hours of 12 to 12:30 p.m.
In addition to the canceled work session on March 17, the HOME Public Hearing, the County Government Academy, the DSS Job Fair and the low-cost rabies vaccination clinic all are impacted by the social distancing measures.
“Essential public safety services will not be affected, but many non-essential services will be impacted by efforts to promote social distancing,” said Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair Penny Rich. “We appreciate the community’s understanding.”
All county services that do not create public gatherings will continue to operate, according to the release. Recycling collections and the convenience Centers will operate as usual. All county offices will remain open with all phone lines continuing to be answered. Staff is be encouraged to offer their services over the phone or online wherever possible.
Effective Monday, March 16, the Chatham County Council on Aging will suspend its congregate meals program and other activities offered at its Eastern and Western Senior Centers. The centers, located in Pittsboro and Siler City, will be closed to participants and visitors.
According to a release from Chatham County, individuals needing assistance should contact the Council in advance and the Council will work to meet the identified need. This includes frozen and shelf-stable meals for homebound seniors, help with assistive equipment, the provision of incontinence supplies, and emergency assistance with utility bills. The council is actively identifying other ways to assist those seniors who normally attend the centers’ noon-day meals program.
“We are providing instruction, equipment, supplies and encouragement so that participants can continue exercise and entertainment at home,” said Liz Lahti, Health Promotion Coordinator and Senior Center Manager at the Eastern Center.
“We are also scheduling a weekly conference call to allow all participants to hear an update about the Council’s status and to ask questions. We hope these calls can provide another social outlet for those without much outside contact,” shared Lacee Monte, the Council’s Deputy Director and Finance Officer.
Also effective Monday, March 16th, the Council will suspend its home-delivered Meals on Wheels program. The release said this action is being taken to protect both the homebound meals recipients and the volunteer drivers, many of whom are seniors themselves.
The Town of Chapel Hill announced Friday, March 13, events, programs and meetings will be postponed or canceled to limit the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard those in the community most at risk of contracting the virus.
A release from the town said all public meetings and special events are canceled until at least March 30 and potentially further. It also said the Chapel Hill Public Library and the Parks and Recreation facilities will be closing indefinitely starting at 6 p.m. on Friday. No items will be due while the library is closed and late fees will not be charged. Parks and Recreation facilities that will be closed include outdoor facilities and athletic fields.
All other town services including Chapel Hill Transit will continue to operate as scheduled, according to the message.
You can read the town’s full release about closings and cancellations on its website.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 16, but the agenda will be abbreviated.
The county released a statement on Friday, March 13, about the decision, saying it is an effort to heed Governor Roy Cooper’s recommendations of avoiding gathering crowds to slow the spread of COVID-19. The meeting will provide a brief opportunity for public comment, but the Board of County Commissioners is asking the public to defer any comment to the meeting scheduled for April 20.
Monday’s meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Agriculture and Conference Center in Pittsboro.
For more updates on Chatham County’s response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, visit the county’s web page about its efforts.
North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley held a press conference on Friday, March 13, to declare most District and Superior Court cases will be postponed and rescheduled for at least 30 days to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
While some court proceedings will continue, and protective orders and marriage licenses will be issued, Beasley said the decision was made to protect the public health of North Carolina.
Chief Justice Beasley: "Thousands of people enter our courthouses every day, most often because they have been summoned to be there … while the work of our courts must continue, my first priority is the health and safety of the public and employees" #Covid_19 #coronavirus
— NC Judicial Branch (@NCCourts) March 13, 2020
To read the full release from the state’s Judicial Branch, visit its website.
The Town of Carrboro announced on Thursday, March 12, it will be canceling all meetings scheduled through the end of March in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Town Council member Damon Seils shared the message on his Twitter page.
📢 All @CarrboroTownGov meetings—including meetings of the Town Council and the advisory boards and commissions—are canceled through the end of March. #Carrboro #CTC #ocpol #COVID19NC pic.twitter.com/8XT8yQhsri
— Damon Seils 🏳️🌈 (@damonseils) March 12, 2020
The Town Council was slated to meet two more times in March.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is canceling its work session scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, based on suggestions from health officials to avoid gathering larger crowds.
The decision was announced on Thursday, March 12. The board said current public health guidance led it to reconsider holding the meeting since items on the agenda were expected to draw higher attendance than usual.
In a message to Chapelboro, Orange County officials said the items slated for the March 17 agenda, which had not been released by the time of the cancellation, would be rescheduled for discussion at a later date.
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