Birmingham, Bloomfield Township close down

As the coronavirus pandemic grows locally and across the nation, local municipalities, including Birmingham and Bloomfield Township, are closing their physical doors and providing increased remote and online services. While city offices are continuing to serve the public, access to Birmingham City Hall, Department of Public Services and fire stations are now restricted to scheduled meetings only. Anyone requiring assistance is encouraged to contact any department by phone or email. Visit bhamgov.org/contacts to find the list of departmental contact numbers. Any documents can be dropped off at the Birmingham Police Department, 151 Martin Street. All on street and parking structure parking is free for the time being. All city commission, planning board and other committee meetings are currently canceled, although that may change after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order to temporarily change the Open Meetings Act to allow public bodies to conduct their meetings electronically, while also facilitating public participation, until April 15, 2020. To keep residents informed on all citywide information, whether coronavirus updates, which restaurants are offering carryouts, information for their neighborhoods and more, the city is encouraging residents to sign up at bhamgov.org. In Bloomfield Township, Township Hall is shut down in order to protect the citizens, township employees and visitors to the community, township supervisor Leo Savoie said. Most township employees are working remotely, he said, so the township is still functioning. “Staffers will continue to do their jobs from home, as much as possible. Public safety services will be delivered as usual and essential DPW services will continue unabated,” he said. Savoie said road department, water department and DPW department employees are coming in, but are being staggered. “We have a plan and we're continuing operations,” he said. While the front door of Township Hall is locked, there is a drop box in the front lobby for material to be dropped off. A resident help line has been set up, 248.723.3455, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday. Most board and committee meetings are canceled. Township departments and individuals can be reached by email and at www.bloomfieldtwp.org.