Area municipal offices re-opening

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: July 3 2020 Strathmore Times

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Municipal offices in Strathmore, Wheatland County and its villages, have or will soon be fully re-opened to the public, with some precautionary measures remaining in place.

Town of Strathmore offices have been open to the public since June 16, albeit with reduced hours and new protocols to protect staff and visitors from the virus.

As of June 29, the town’s offices are once again open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Additionally, the town’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) offices are open again.

Wheatland County’s office will be re-opening to the public on July 6. Although the office doors remain locked, members of the public are allowed into the office with the assistance from front office staff. Office hours remain unchanged, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with the exception of statutory holidays.

Wheatland County’s public works and agricultural service board shops, however, remain closed to the public “for the foreseeable future.”

The Village of Hussar office has reopened to the public under its regular hours – Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.), said Kate Brandt, chief administrative officer (CAO). The village has installed a plexiglass barrier at its front desk, provides hand sanitizer, and is allowing a maximum of two residents in the office at one time.

The Village of Rockyford offices recently re-opened to the public, said Elaine Macdonald, the village’s CAO. Their hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The village has installed a barrier and implemented new cleaning protocols to limit the potential spread of the virus.

The Village of Standard offices remain closed to walk-ins, said Yvette April, CAO. However, staff are working and residents can call the office to book an appointment to conduct matters there. 

“We will continue (the closure) for probably another week or two, she said. “I’m just waiting to see what happens with the second wave (of COVID-19).”