The Town of Winamac is outlining plans to gradually reopen its facilities to the public. The town’s parks will open on Saturday, May 30, with facility rentals tentatively scheduled to start that day, as well. Park users will have to follow the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, and gatherings will initially be limited to 100 people.
Winamac Town Hall and other town-owned buildings will remain closed to the public until June 15. Town Manager Brad Zellers told the town council Monday that there will be some new safety features when the town hall reopens. “We’re going to make some plexiglass little covers, so when we do open the office, when we get to that, it’ll be more protected,” he explained. “It’ll just be temporary, but it’ll block people from getting in really close contact.”
For now, Winamac utility customers are asked to pay their bills online, by mail, or at the drop box at the town hall, and residents can meet with town staff by making an appointment. Town government meetings will take place as scheduled, but members of the public may only attend by phone until further notice. Town employees will continue on their modified work schedule until at least June 1.
At this point, several events in Winamac are expected to go ahead. The town council agreed Monday to let the Memorial Day event continue as planned but require those in attendance to wear masks and practice social distancing. But council members suggested delaying the car show by two weeks to June 13 and 14, since the governor hopes to allow gatherings of up to 250 people starting June 14.
Winamac also plans to hold a fireworks display on July 4, if funding is available. Zellers told council members that the fireworks company will allow the town to cancel with no penalty, if it can’t take place.
For now, the requirement to wear face masks in businesses remains in effect throughout Pulaski County, but the town council decided it wasn’t necessary to have its own nearly-identical version in place. Council members technically rescinded the town’s face mask rules, and Council President Tom Murray said the town will simply follow the county’s guidelines from now on.
