Two cities in Henry County have issued official emergency declarations and another has already made a schedule change for April.

  Stockbridge Mayor Anthony Ford released a statement Saturday declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 situation, and the City Council scheduled a special called meeting for Tuesday morning (after this edition went to press) “for the purpose of COVID-19 pandemic response – public gathering restrictions,” according to a notice posted Monday morning on the city’s Facebook page.

  Stockbridge continues to suspend public access to its offices and facilities throughout this week as a precaution, and city staff will be teleworking while continually monitoring email and voicemail messages from citizens. All contact information for city departments can be found at www.cityofstockbrige.com.

  The city has extended a 30-day grace period for water and sewer customers during this time. Residents can continue to use online payment services for utility billing or call 1-866-248-4696 to pay monthly water and sewer bills. Also, residents should call 404-234-7056 for all city emergency water concerns during the closure. The city’s business services department is encouraging the use of its online payment system for transactions related to business licenses and building permitting.

  The McDonough City Council met Friday morning for a special called meeting and adopted an emergency and disaster management ordinance. Mayor Billy Copeland also signed a declaration of local emergency, which “enacts the local emergency operations plan in place with Henry County Emergency Management, thus providing for the possibility of greater resources to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens,” according to a statement.

  City officials said the declaration also prohibits gatherings of more than ten individuals at any location within the city and encourages citizens to comply with social distancing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the Office of the Governor.

  “While we, in McDonough, enjoy spending time with our family, friends, and neighbors, we must bear in mind that it is essential for us to comply with social distancing and to avoid gatherings with ten people or more, not only for our own safety, but also for the safety of those we care about,” Copeland stated.

  All McDonough government buildings remain closed to the public until further notice. That includes City Hall, Municipal Court, police and fire stations, public works, the Main Street Welcome Center and the C.O. Polk Museum.

  All parks and restrooms have been closed until further notice including Alexander Park East, Alexander Park West, Avalon Park,  HOPE Park, Richard Craig Park, and Rufus Stewart Park. City employees will be pressure washing and sanitizing the restrooms and playgrounds to ensure they are ready for when they are reopened.

  The city has temporarily suspended all water cut-offs and will reevaluate the timeframe as the situation develops.  Customers are encouraged to continue to make regular payments online, over the phone, by utilizing our drop box, or by visiting the drive-thru window. The convenience fee for paying online or over the automated phone line will be credited back to accounts.

  The Community Development Department is currently only accepting inspection requests for items that are immediately ready for inspection, with the condition that inspectors must be allowed to conduct inspections of the subject property unattended to comply with social distancing precautions. Permits may be purchased over the phone with a credit card and can be obtained via email. 

  In accordance with CDC recommendations, all city and Main Street events have been cancelled until further notice.  There has been no determination made relative to convening the City Council workshop scheduled for April 2, but officials are looking into various options.

  Hampton Mayor Steve Hutchison announced in a statement released late last week that the City Council’s regular meeting scheduled for April 14 has been cancelled. He added that the city will not permit or sponsor any public gatherings until further notice, but city services will continue uninterrupted although City Hall will remain closed to the public. City departments can be contacted by phone or email, and utility bills can be paid online or at the drive-thru window.

  As all of Henry County’s municipalities will likely be changing their announcements on a daily basis, visit www.henrycountytimes.com for the latest information.