UPDATE #9 (1:40 p.m.) Norwood to Close Town Hall Offices During the Week of March 16

NORWOOD — The Town of Norwood has made the decision to close many of the Town Hall offices from March 16 through at least March 20 due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, which the World Health Organization has declared to be a global pandemic and President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency.

The Norwood Public Schools will be closed during this time as well.

All Police and Fire services will continue to operate as normal, however members of the public are encouraged to call the department business lines for routine business and avoid coming into the police and fire stations, as communities across the nation practice social distancing to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The closures for other town departments will be as followed:

• All Town Hall offices will be closed to the public. However, some departments will have staff available by telephone during normal business hours.  Town Hall services will be available by appointment, on a case by case basis, please call Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 781-762-1240. Payments for the Treasurer may be left in the drop boxes around the building or in the parking lot, or paid through the mail or on-line. 
• The Department of Public Works and Norwood Municipal Light and Broadband Department buildings will be closed to the public. Rubbish and recycling collection will continue as normal. Staff will be available in cases of emergency and residents are asked to call the offices should they need assistance.
  • Department of Public Works: 781-762-1413
  • Norwood Municipal Light and Broadband Department: 781-948-1100
• The Senior Center will remain open for older adults to pick up to-go-meals Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The facility will be closed to the public. The bus will continue to run daily, but with limited riders. Taxi coupons are also available and can either be purchased by mail or by calling the Senior Center. AARP has temporarily postponed all appointments until further notice. 
  Staff will still be available and can be contacted at 781-762-1201.
• The Recreation Department will be closed, and all activities and programs are postponed until further notice.
• Morrill Memorial Library will be closed, and all activities and programs are postponed until further notice.

The Norwood Public Schools will provide free Grab & Go meals to all teens and children 18 years old and younger at selected sites. Meals will be provided at the following sites Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• Balch Elementary School, 1170 Washington St.
• Callahan Elementary School, 90 Garfield Ave. 

The town recommending that residents practice social distancing and avoid large crowds and large-scale events for the time being. Public health officials are seeking to slow the spread of the coronavirus to avoid a sudden overburdening of the region’s healthcare system. 

For more information, visit the Town of Norwood’s COVID-19 informational page or call the health department at 781-762-1240. You may also visit the DPH’s website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

###