As Hamden went about its first day on lockdown, with businesses directed to work at half capacity and schools and public buildings closed, Mayor Curt Leng declared a state of emergency Monday evening.
His declaration came a day after New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker made the same announcement.
Hamden’s charter states that in a public emergency, “the mayor may mobilize, organize, and direct the forces of the town and call upon and cooperate with the federal government or the State or its political subdivisions.” It also authorizes the mayor to spend up to $100,000, or more if the Legislative Council approves a larger sum dedicated to the emergency.
Earlier on Monday, Leng sent out another press release announcing that all public buildings and departments are closed to the public for at least two weeks. The closures include all schools, libraries, the senior center, the Keefe Community Center, all public works facilities including the transfer station, and all other town buildings. Employees will work their normal 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule remotely, and will be available by phone and by email, the release said.
The release stated that the town is working on ways to carry out services like permitting and tax collection. Read the full press release here.
Leng posted a photo of his emergency declaration on Facebook. His post of the declaration is below.
