By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
After a nearly 3-month coronavirus shutdown, Longport, Ventnor and Margate are prepared to reopen their municipal buildings starting Monday, June 15.
Longport Borough Hall will reopen to the public 9 a.m. Monday, June 15 under social distancing protocols. The Board of Commissioners plans to hold its June 17 meeting in commission chambers with a 25% room capacity limitation.
Established guidelines for room capacity will be enforced in the event that the number of permitted persons is exceeded.
During a discussion about reopening the building held at the June 3 commissioners meeting, Solicitor Michael Affanato said the borough was not legally required to be closed under any of Gov. Phil Murphy's executive orders.
We voluntarily closed city hall for safety, he said.
Mayor Nicholas Russo said Lowes, Walmart and other superstores have been able to stay open during the shutdown.
This is a public building and the public should have the opportunity to come in here and do business and ask questions, Russo said.
According to Administrator A. Scott Porter, the floors will be marked at 6-foot intervals, use of the elevator will be limited to one person, hand sanitizers will be located throughout the building and employees will be required to wear face masks when dealing with the public. Signage will be placed at the entrance informing visitors of the regulations.
Just make sure we have a sign that says no mask, no shirt, no shoes, no service,' Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Lawler quipped.
Anyone entering Borough Hall will be required to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing of 6 feet. Visitors will be required to use the entrance located in the rear of the building adjacent to the parking lot.
All municipal employees who work at Borough Hall will be required to report to work Monday morning.
The library located within the building will remain closed until further notice.
Ventnor City Hall.
In Ventnor, employees will report to work on Monday, while the public will have access to the building starting Tuesday morning.
Mayor Beth Holtzman said visitors will be able to access the building at the Cambridge Avenue entrance, where an employee will be stationed with access to a telephone. The receptionist will contact the appropriate department for service. There will be no access to individual offices and shields have been installed to protect employees.
Employees and visitors are required to wear face masks. Employees will have their temperatures taken every day when they report to work, Administrator Maria Mento said.
Margate Municipal Building
According to Margate Commissioner of Public Safety, the Municipal Building will also reopen at 9 a.m. Monday with restrictions. Visitors will be required to make an appointment to access services.
The public can access the building through the old gym doors on Winchester Avenue, which are handicapped accessible. A receptionist will be stationed in the gym to assist visitors in obtaining the services they need.
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