WESTHAMPTON — Town leaders have declared a local state of emergency and closed all municipal buildings, effective 8 a.m. Tuesday, in order to protect residents from the novel coronavirus.
Westhampton Selectboard members made the decision Monday in consultation with the Board of Health. The town joins Amherst, Northampton, Easthampton, Goshen and Chesterfield in declaring local states of emergency in response to the virus.
The declaration eases procurement requirements for the town, allows for overspending on some line items, and gives the fire and police chiefs more flexibility in their staffing.
“I think we’re doing OK,” said David Blakesley, who serves on the Board of Health, on how the town has been dealing with the threat of the coronavirus.
The declaration was made so Westhampton could be reimbursed by the state for coronavirus expenses, Blakesley said, should money become available.
Blakesley also said that the governor prohibiting restaurant dining has been a hardship to Westhampton’s restaurants, although he does support the ban as a board member.
In declaring the state of emergency, the town also announced the suspension of Council on Aging programming and events, and said there will be no outside programs or events held at municipal buildings. It also stated that members of public bodies will either meet remotely or at least 6 feet apart from each other while sitting, and that the public will not be allowed to attend meetings in person but will instead be provided access through “adequate alternative means.”
While the municipal transfer station remains open, the Swap Shop will be closed until further notice.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.