As the province begins to gradually reopen, so does municipal hall.
Due to the province’s second phase of reopening, the District of Squamish announced on June 3 that it is now offering limited front counter services at the building.
Virtual services are still available, but people can now come into the facility between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A special seniors time will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily, and they will be prioritized throughout the day.
Mayor Karen Elliott in a news release that safety would be top of mind.
“Municipal Hall hasn’t been the same without the comings and goings of our citizens and customers,” said Elliott.
“Our staff are working hard to continue to provide great customer service online, by phone and when absolutely required, face-to-face. Like many others, we will follow the orders and advice of public health and continually reassess our services through each phase of B.C.’s Restart Plan to ensure we’re meeting the expectations of our staff and citizens. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we open our doors again under new protocols and procedures.”
Some of the in-person services include purchase of transit passes, property tax and utility payments, dog licences, business licences and building permits.
However, the District is asking people to pay their property tax bills online or via the front entrance drop box, as it will be busy.
The municipality said the Home Owner Grant can also be claimed online.
Municipal hall’s operations are guided by a safety plan that has been developed based on WorkSafeBC requirements and provincial health order and guidelines, especially as they pertain to limiting gatherings to less than 50 people, and the continued requirement to physically distance and practice good hygiene, the new release says.
In the meantime, municipal council will continue to hold their meetings electronically, and will still be streamed at squamish.ca/live-meeting.
The District says a new online meeting platform will be launching this month, which will allow for public participation.
