Print
Share page with AddThis

Bristol Town Office Reopening With Modifications

Posted on: July 29, 2020 - 8:44pm

For More information Contact:

Town of Bristol                               
Office of the Select Board – Town Administrator Nicholas J. Coates (Nik)          
5 School Street                                
Bristol, NH 03222                           
(603) 744-3354
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2020

Bristol Town Office Reopening With Modifications

The Bristol Select Board and Town Administrator have continued to monitor the COVID-19 situation in Bristol, Grafton County and the State. The active cases in Bristol, the County and State all appear stable at this time. While there are risks associated with reopening the Town Office at 5 School Street now while the region is in peak summer mode, we feel that we have put in place procedures and policies that will mitigate as many risks as possible. For this reason, and in consultation with public health officials, the Town Office will reopen on Monday, August 3, at 8:00am and will resume pre-COVID office hours. This includes Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:00pm for all offices, and Wednesdays until 7:00pm for the Town Clerk/Tax Collector.

The following outlines the “re-opening plan,” which will be subject to change if and as the conditions change. If cases begin to increase again, procedures put in place can include closing the physical space again and going back to a “Virtual Town Office.”

One thing we wish to emphasize is patience and respect for everyone. Unfortunately, a number of individuals have chosen to spend the last four months vandalizing Town property and have been physically and verbally confrontational to many staff members from all departments. It has taken a toll on employees who are also facing the same challenges you are. We understand that this ever-changing environment has been hard on everyone, but we do not accept that employees and Town property be treated poorly. We are all doing our best to provide the best service we can during this time and will continue to do everything we can to provide a good customer experience, albeit a different one during this time. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to working with you.

Online and Other Business Options:

We continue to encourage customers to conduct business whenever possible through the green drop box at the front of the Town Office, online through the Town’s website at www.townofbristolnh.org, over the phone, by mail, or email. At the bottom of this release is the contact information for staff contacts. You may contact these departments during normal business hours.

To accommodate re-opening the building, we have developed the following processes which will be in effect until further notice. These practices are based upon public health guidelines and are designed to keep both our employees and the public safe. Please note that certain departments may need to adapt procedures specific to their area of the building and services.

Conducting Business in Person:

Town Clerk/Tax Collector staff will allow two customers at a time in their lobby, which will be separated by a screen. Land Use and Town Administrator/Finance staff will allow one customer or family unit at a time in their lobbies. Please look before entering the building. If the lobbies are at capacity, please wait outside until space is available and then enter. If you are not sure, please call 744-3354 and the extension for the staff person which is listed below.

All transactions shall be conducted by Town employees located behind the glass windows of the Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Land Use and Town Administrator/Finance.

Meetings:

The main meeting room will be the only meeting room available for committee meetings. Furniture will be arranged according to CDC, DHHS, and Emergency Order guidelines.

The Select Board and other committees will hold in-person meetings at the Town Office. The public will have the ability to attend meetings. Select Board meetings will be livestreamed on Atlantic Broadband Channel 24 and the public can participate by calling 744-3354 x 190 then entering the password 1111#.

Building Processes and Adaptations:

The Town Office has been sanitized and will continue to be thoroughly cleaned every day.

Hand sanitizer stations have been established throughout the building, and members of the public are asked to use such hand sanitizer prior to entering any department.

Glass transaction windows are at all customer service counters.

Whenever possible, we ask customers stand 6 feet back from the customer service counter.

Upon entry, customers are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering to promote the safety of our employees. If customers don't have one, they will be offered one upon entry into the building. Employees will also wear face coverings during transactions to promote the safety of our customers.

Employees will be vigilant in monitoring their health, and those who are sick or not feeling well will stay home.

Unless it is necessary for face-to-face contact when responding to an inquiry from the public, employees will respond via telephone or email.

If an in-person conversation occurs, everyone is asked to maintain a 6 foot distance whenever possible, and if not possible, we encourage everyone to wear a face covering or meet outside.

Be Prepared and Be Flexible:

Department Heads have been instructed to plan for potential COVID cases in the event we experience higher than usual absenteeism. This may include rotating groups of employees to work from home/work on-site, so we ask for your continued understanding and flexibility regarding our ability to serve you.

We continue to be committed to timely and ongoing communication about any and all changes to our operating status as well as any recommendations to the public from public health and other government officials. Updated information can be found on the front page in the news section of the Town website at www.townofbristolnh.org, Town’s Facebook page (“Town of Bristol”), and public access television channel.

How To Complete Virtual Transactions:

Website: The Town website address is www.townofbristolnh.org, and we encourage you to visit the website frequently for new information and updates.

Town Office Mailing Address: Should you need mail anything to the Town Office, the address is as follows:

(Specify which Department, if possible)
Bristol Town Office
5 School Street
Bristol, NH 03222

Drop Box: In front of the Town Clerk/Meeting Room entrance to Town Office, there is a secure, green drop box where you may drop off checks (NO CASH) or other paperwork. Should your paperwork not fit, please refer to the list of contacts below to make alternative arrangements.

Town Office General Telephone Number: 744-3354 (See contacts below for specific extensions).

Transactions: The following is a list of the transactions most often performed for our residents in the Town Office.

Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s Office: Use the following options listed below OR call 744-3354 then choose option 2

Assessing Office: Use the following options listed below OR call 744-3354 then choose option 4 to ask a question.

  • Property Record Cards: In person or can be accessed on the Assessing page of the website at https://www.townofbristolnh.org/assessing-department
  • Filing for Exemptions and Credits: In person or information for verification or renewal can be sent by mail or dropped off in the drop box
  • Intents to Cut and Intents to Excavate: In person or can be mailed or scanned/sent to Land Use/Assessing Manager Christina Goodwin at [email protected]
  • General Assessing questions, call or email Christina Goodwin at [email protected]

Land Use/Permitting/Health Office: Use the following options listed below OR call 744-3354 then choose option 5 to ask a question.

  • Land Use permits: In person or online - Permit applications are available on the Town website at https://www.townofbristolnh.org/permitting-and-enforcement and will be accepted via email, mail or drop box outside the Town Office. Payments are to be made by check only. Should you need to drop off plans or applications which will not fit in the drop box, please call.
  • Building plan reviews: In person or will be accepted via email, mail or drop box outside the Town Office.
  • Verification of Owners on Abutters List: In person or already created abutters lists can be emailed for ownership verification to Planner Tyler Simonds at [email protected]
  • To file land use board submissions (including Planning Board, Zoning Board, Conservation Commission), or to review property files, site plans, subdivision plans, etc.: In person or call.
  • GIS/Maps: In person, call or visit https://www.townofbristolnh.org/assessing-department

Human Services: Call 744-2522. Messages are checked daily and responded to as soon as possible.

Applications for assistance can be picked up or dropped off at the Town Office or accessed at https://www.townofbristolnh.org/human-services-department and emailed to [email protected]

Finance/Human Resources: Use the following options listed below OR call 744-3354 then choose option 6 to ask a question.

Other Non-Town Office Departments:

  • Fire Department: Dial 911 for emergencies; for non-emergencies call 744-2632.
  • Police Department: Dial 911 for emergencies; for non-emergencies call 744-2632 during business hours or 24 Hour Dispatch at 744-2212.
  • Minot-Sleeper Library: Call 744-3352.
  • Driveway Permits, road-related issues, snow plowing and roadway drainage: Contact Highway Department Superintendent Mark Bucklin at [email protected] or 744-2441.
  • Trash and Recycling general questions: Contact Highway Department Superintendent Mark Bucklin at [email protected] or 744-2441.
  • Water/Sewer related questions: Contact Water/Sewer Office Manager Audrey Landry at [email protected] or 744-8411.

Parks, Trails & Playgrounds:

The Town works closely with the Tapply-Thompson Community Center to provide recreation opportunities in the community. Kelley Park, Eagle Scout Park, Millstream Park, the bike path, and Pemi Trail/Bristol Falls Park are open to the public. Check Kelley Park for more details on adaptations in place.

Beaches:

Beach parking is available to pass holders which include Bristol taxpayers, those who rent in Bristol, and guests of taxpayers. For more information, go to https://www.townofbristolnh.org/town-beaches

Events:

For more information about events, go to https://www.townofbristolnh.org/community-events-committee