Most SouthCoast Town Halls Still Closed to the Public

If you have tried to pay your excise tax or get a dog license in person lately, it has not been easy. One year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most town and city halls on the SouthCoast are still closed to the public.

We called around the region to see what is the norm for the level of public accessibility to local town and city halls. A vast majority of the town and city halls on the SouthCoast are still operating behind locked doors.

Let me stress that the staffs of these municipal buildings are still expected to perform their jobs, but a vast majority of that work is being done remotely, or while the town and city halls are closed.

Here is a list of the town and city halls and their status:

Acushnet

Town Hall is closed to the public. In-person business can be conducted by appointment only.

Mattapoisett

Open for regular business hours.

Marion

Town Hall is closed to the public. In-person business can be conducted by appointment only.

Rochester

Town Hall is closed to the public. In-person business can be conducted by appointment only.

New Bedford

Limited offices open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment only.

Dartmouth

Open during regular business hours; however, select offices may only be open remotely.

Fairhaven

Open for business-related matters by appointment only.

Fall River

City Hall is closed to the public. In-person business can be conducted by appointment only.

Wareham

Town Hall is closed to the public. In-person business can be conducted by appointment only.

Westport

Town Hall is closed to the public. In-person business can be conducted by appointment only.