In response to the rapid spread of news associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, both the towns of Fontana Dam and Robbinsville called emergency meetings last week.
The townships have declared states of emergency and made some significant changes to operations during the two meetings.
Fontana Dam
Held March 25, Fontana Dam’s council meeting ended with the unfortunate layoff of two town employees. But with Fontana Village Resort shut down – therefore eliminating the majority of the town’s revenue – the moves were a necessary evil.
“This is all with the understanding that as soon as this has passed, these people will be contacted and brought back in,” Town Administrator Zelerie Rogers said. “Nobody is losing their job because we don’t appreciate what they’ve done. This is all strictly due to this virus.”
Billing for garbage services ceased as of Wednesday. The resort’s restaurant – Mountview Bistro – closed at 2 p.m. March 25, while the village’s marina and the Pit Stop gas station will remain operational.
The phones at the resort itself will be manned during the closure from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.
“I think we’ve generally tried to get as many of our ducks in a row as we possibly can at this moment,” Mayor Rob Hardy said. “It’s not a lot, but for this little town it’s enough.”
The Town of Fontana Dam’s next meeting is Wednesday, April 15.
Robbinsville
Robbinsville Town aldermen voted unanimously to waive the three percent fee on credit-card transactions – plus late fees and disconnection for water and sewer – during the March 26 meeting.
The aldermen also made the decision to extend businesses that have been forced to close by executive order the option to lock their meter boxes.
“I feel sorry for these businesses that are closed,” Mayor Steve Hooper said. “Hopefully by May, this coronavirus is going to be bogged down.”
The Town of Robbinsville is tentatively scheduled to meet again Wednesday, April 22, at 1 p.m.