By Press Times Staff
ASHWAUBENON – In response to concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the village implemented temporary restrictions this week to minimize human contact.
Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Rex Mehlberg said all department activities are being cancelled through at least Monday, April 13, including pool programming, senior programming, all exercise classes and classes in the schools and/or community center.
As the April 13 date gets closer, Mehlberg said the village will evaluate the situation to determine whether the cancellations need to be extended.
In response to Gov. Tony Evers ordering a ban of gatherings of 10 or more people and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advising against having gatherings that large, Mehlberg said private community center rentals are cancelled through at least April 13.
Mehlberg said groups which made rentals will be given a full refund.
He said no new group rentals in the community center to reserve a room until after May 1 will be accepted.
Mehlberg said the village’s Easter Egg Hunt, previously set for Saturday, April 11, has also been postponed, but will be rescheduled for a later date because there is too much candy to keep at the community center.
He said the village-wide rummage sale, originally planned for April 24-25, is being postponed as well and is tentatively being rescheduled for June 19-20.
Though the Parks, Recreation and Forestry offices will be open through April 13, Mehlberg said if a matter can be handled by phone, that will be the preferred method of communication with the department during that time.
The department may be reached by calling 920-492-2331.
Public safety calls
The village has also announced public safety officers will be changing how they handle some non-emergency calls to limit their contact with the public and keep the officers healthy.
Community members may be asked to provide information over the phone and/or asked to step out of their residences to speak with an officer to maintain a distance of 6 feet.
Fire/emergency medical service responses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, for a minimum of 30 days, the village is suspending the use of the medical drop box, fingerprinting and the ride along program.
More information will be posted on the public safety website, ashpublicsafety.com, and via its social media sites.
Meetings affected
To maximize the seating distance for committee members and attendees, the Tuesday, March 17, village Site Plan Review Committee meeting was moved from Conference Room A to the Village Hall Board Room.
Two other village meetings scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, the Parks and Recreation Board and the Finance and Personnel Committee, canceled their meetings with those agenda items going directly to the village board for action at its March 24 meeting.
General operations
Village President Mary Kardoskee said all other village government operations and business will continue as usual, but is subject to change.
She said general changes or restrictions regarding contact with the public may be implemented to minimize contact.