Towns slowly begin to offer services again

GOSHEN — At a virtual meeting of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (COG) on Thursday, June 11, first selectmen, mayors and town managers reported on how their municipalities are handling reopening senior centers and managing summer recreation programs as the state slowly reopens.

The COG is made up of leaders from 21 Litchfield County towns, including the six towns of the Region One School District. The group meets once a month in Goshen.

Henry Todd, first selectman of Falls Village, said the town pool will open on June 28. He said the town’s seniors are not anxious to reopen the Senior Center and added that the town provided iPads to seniors so they could stay in touch with each other.

There was a general reluctance to open senior centers too soon. Mayor Elinor Carbone of Torrington said that city’s senior center will remain closed for now, but will continue to provide meals and other services.

Some towns are providing outdoor activities for seniors.

Charlie Perotti of North Canaan said that the town’s pool is undergoing repair work. He said he thought a July 4 weekend opening is possible.

Carbone said it is too expensive to meet the safety guidelines for the city pool, and it will not open at all.

Torrington will have “pop up drive-in” movies in parking lots around town, she added.

Other towns have opened their pools or beaches, with restrictions on how many people can be there at one time.

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