Things will begin to start looking a bit more normal around Port Townsend’s City Hall starting Monday, April 12 as the public will be permitted to return to the building. 

City Manager John Mauro explained that the reopening was a step toward normalcy, but it would be some time yet before the city could let its guard down.

“It won’t be like it used to be, where you’d kind of roam around and see the wonderful building and find the staff member that you know and kind of knock on their door,” Mauro said at the city council's April 5 meeting.

Mauro said that while a local health mandate barring large in-person gatherings remains in place, the city should prepare for when the mandate is lifted and plan to make accommodations for visitors both in person and virtually.

In-person visitors to city hall will pass through a front desk area where staff will assist them with their business.

Appointments will still be required for certain city services and a full list of guidelines is expected to be made public on the city’s website Friday, April 9.

Citing the recent reopening of the Mountain View Pool, Mauro said staff have been excited to resume serving the people of Port Townsend. 

“Once we get the kinks worked out, the staff are just overjoyed to see the public again,” Mauro said.

“And hopefully the other way around as well.”