CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The governor's orders issued this week restricting gatherings means that Clarksburg public buildings won't be reopening any time soon. 

 

The Select Board, in a brief emergency meeting on Tuesday morning, voted to keep the library, Town Hall and Community Center closed indefinitely effective Nov. 4.

 

The board had worked with the Board of Health to prepare for reopening the buildings to the public on Monday. But Gov. Charlie Baker this week pulled back on gatherings as part of several orders made to address an uptick in novel coronavirus cases in the state. 

 

The reopening had been dependent upon getting the square footage of the buildings to determine the occupancy levels. The governor's orders, effective Friday, Nov. 6, are that personal can have a maximum of 10 people and event venues 25, as along as 6 feet of social distancing is maintained. 

 

Board member Danielle Luchi asked that the motion allow the library to continue its curbside operations. 

 

"I know they like have their trustees help out at the library and now I just want to make sure, hopefully, that they're being cautious and keeping it under 10 people," she said. 

 

Chairman Ronald Boucher did not see it as an issue since the library had been functioning this way for a while. 

 

The Town Hall reopening would mainly have affected access to the Selectmen's Meeting Room since most operations are being done by phone, email and secure drop box. However, the Council on Aging had been hoping to reopen the Community Center for activities for small groups of seniors.

 

The date was set for Nov. 4 because of the general election being held (today) Tuesday; the polls are open at the Community Center until 8 p.m.

 

A message was sent to boards and department heads about the decision. Luchi asked that signs be posted as well.

 

"Town officials want to be sure we continue to remain cautious in order to keep everyone as safe as possible," the message reads. "Please share with members of your respective boards and committees."

 

"It's just better to be cautious, you know," Boucher said. "We've gone this long, a bit longer won't kill us."