Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, Norwalk City Hall will operate with limited staff and scaled-back services amidst the growing COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. City Hall will have staggered hours and are subject to change. Please call ahead before visiting City Hall. Norwalk First Responders will maintain their normal shifts and schedules. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling made this decision to protect the health and safety of the public and City staff, while maintaining core government functions. A majority of Board and Commission meetings over the next two weeks will also be canceled, or moved to teleconference.
The public is asked to visit norwalkct.org and take advantage of the many online services available. The City’s Customer Service Department will be available to answer questions and can be reached at (203) 854-3200 or customerservice@norwalkct.org.
The following City Departments/Agencies will be CLOSED to the public:
- Business Development & Tourism (can be reached via phone - 203-854-7948)
- City Clerk (can be reached via phone – 203-854-7701)
- Early Childhood (can be reached via phone – 203-854-4148)
- Law Department (can be reached via phone – 203-854-7750)
- Human Relations and Fair Rent (can be reached via phone – 203-854-7989)
- Norwalk Public Library (both branches)
- Norwalk Public Schools
- Youth Services (can be reached via phone – 203-854-7788)
The following Departments will operate with ADJUSTED hours/services:
- Building Department
- Building permits by appointment only Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm by appointment only. Call (203) 854-7755. Trade permits reviewed Tuesday-Thursday 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, no appointment necessary. Mechanical inspections should be called into (203)-854-7966. Electrical inspections should be called into (203)-854-7968. Phone calls will be returned either that day or the following business day.
- Fire Marshal
- Open for plan review drop-off Tuesday-Thursday 8 am – 12 pm but appointment only. Special permit walk-in hours are Wednesday only for 8 am – 11 am. All matters, research requests, general information, and file access will be conducted Tuesday-Thursday mornings from 9 am – 12 pm.
- Norwalk Health Department
- Monday-Friday, 9 am – 2 pm, by appointment only, no walk-ins. Essential services only. Visit norwalkhealth.com for a full breakdown of services and changes.
- Planning and Zoning & Conservation Departments
- Permit reviews will occur Tuesday – Thursday from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm by appointment only. Inspections and time-sensitive matters will be handled as-needed. Specific inquiries can be directed to Steve Kleppin at SKleppin@norwalkct.org or 203-854-7780.
- Public Works Department - Engineering
- Public Works Department – Solid Waste
- The Transfer Station will have limited hours; Monday-Friday 7 am – 2 pm. The Yard Waste site will be open Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 12 pm. Solid Waste and Recycling services by the City of Norwalk will remain on normal schedule.
- Recreation & Parks
- Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Please call ahead or email Recreation@norwalkct.org. All City Parks will remain open.
- Tax Assessor/Tax Collector/Town Clerk
- Tuesday-Thursday, 10 am-4 pm.
To reach the Mayor’s Office, please email Mayor@norwalkct.org.
All public meetings from March 16 – March 27, 2020 have been cancelled, EXCEPT for the following:
- March 16
- Water Pollution Control Authority
- Board of Estimate & Taxation Budget Review
- March 17
- Norwalk Housing Authority
- Ordinance Committee of the Common Council
- Planning Commission
- March 18
- Board of Estimate & Taxation Operating Budget Public Hearing
- March 24
- Board of Health
- Common Council Meeting
This list does not include Board of Education meetings. For those details, please visit norwalkps.org.
Some meetings may not occur in person, but rather, will be conducted via teleconference. Members of the public can call in to participate. The City’s website, norwalkct.org, will post updated agendas and information in the coming days. The City of Norwalk strongly encourages members of the public to submit comments electronically for meetings and public hearings.
Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for the City’s CodeRED Emergency Alert Notification System at norwalkct.org/codered. Mayor Rilling will provide updates on the City’s website, social media, and CodeRED.
The State of Connecticut has launched a Joint Information Center (JIC) as part of a coordinated effort to provide critical institutions playing a major role in the response with information on developments related to coronavirus. The JIC is intended to provide all stakeholders – including the media, municipalities, school districts, hospitals, medical providers, colleges and universities, the business community, and others – with a resource for specific information related to the State of Connecticut and its response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The JIC can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 860-754-8342 or emailing COVID19.JIC@ct.gov.
Those who feel symptomatic should call their doctor for guidance and avoid showing up to an emergency room or doctor’s office. Residents can call 2-1-1 for additional guidance. Murphy Medical Associates is offering drive through testing in Greenwich, Stamford, and Stratford. Please visit coronatestct.com for more details.
The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 will also be shared online at norwalkct.org/coronavirus.