The Waldoboro town office now offers walk-in service after about six months of service by appointment only.
Town Manager Julie Keizer said the town office resumed walk-in service on a trial basis in mid-September, to ensure state public health guidelines could be met.
“We did it quietly and softly to see how it would go. We changed it on the website and on the phone calls and we are open,” Keizer said.
Only two people at a time may enter the lobby in the interest of physical distancing.
Keizer said the town office is honoring appointments made up until Thursday, Oct. 1, when there will be no further appointments scheduled and town office services will be available on a walk-in basis only.
“You may have to wait, but it seems to be going reasonably well,” Keizer said.
Masks must be worn in the town office, according to Keizer.
“All the rules still apply. It doesn’t mean you can just come in without a mask or in droves,” Keizer said.
Keizer discussed the changes at the town office with the Waldoboro Board of Selectmen on Sept. 22.
Selectman Robert Butler said he has received phone calls from residents about the town office being closed. But Butler said the town office has been open throughout the pandemic, fielding inquiries and handling registrations and other town business on an appointment-only basis.
Keizer said the town office has not closed on a day it would otherwise be open since March, when COVID-19 arrived in Lincoln County.
“We have been here doing curbside and phone calls, but to some people that is not open,” Keizer said.
Election hours
Keizer said the town office will be open on Fridays in October, strictly to handle matters relating to absentee ballots and voter registration.
“On Fridays between 9 and 5 you can come get your absentee ballots or you can register to vote. That is what we are doing to extend our hours and hopefully that will be well received,” Keizer said.
Keizer urged residents to exercise patience when visiting the town office, as employees are hard at work and have received over 1,000 absentee ballot requests.
The town expects to receive absentee ballots from the state the week of Monday, Oct. 5.
Keizer said voters can drop absentee ballots in a red ballot box attached to the town office or hand them to a staff member.
