Municipal Building, playgrounds remain closed; greenways, parks open

The Oak Ridge Municipal Building remains closed to the public but is moving to a public check-in area where visitors can be escorted to secured areas of the building, City Manager Mark Watson said in an update Tuesday.

Playgrounds and basketball courts remain closed. Disinfection options are being reviewed for limited open times, the update said.

The Oak Ridge Public Library will begin curbside delivery of library materials beginning in mid-May, the update said.

Oak Ridge City Court is working to resume in-person hearings on May 11 with COVID-19 precautions, the update said. COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness that can be deadly. It has caused a global pandemic.

The city manager’s update said there is planning for a phased re-opening of the Oak Ridge Senior Center.

“The public health situation is rapidly changing,” the update said. “The City of Oak Ridge has concentrated on the implementation of ‘Tennessee Pledge’ efforts by the state government in the last few weeks. Please refer to state of Tennessee websites for updates and advice on precautions to be taken by particular businesses.”

City facilities will continue to be operated as outlined below, the update said. It said precautions and security matters are in place for the safety of municipal employees and the social distancing of visitors to city hall. Visitors may receive a temperature scan and be asked about their current health.

Call the city manager’s office or department offices listed on the city’s website if you need more information.

The update said financial transactions can be handled electronically and by mail.

“If you need to meet someone, you can call the department’s extension directly,” the update said. “Phone numbers are listed under each department below.” 

Municipal Building

• For the safety of employees and the public, the Oak Ridge Municipal Building is closed to the public but is moving to a public check-in area where visitors can be escorted to secured areas of the building.
• Departmental services are still available electronically or by appointment. This precaution should limit potential exposures to these employees.
• If you need to reach a department, call the number listed below for each department or click here for a list of all departments. You can also reach a department by email or social media.
• Executive Order 16 allowing governing bodies to meet electronically is expected to be extended past May 18. Therefore, official meetings may continue to occur electronically via Go to Meeting or Zoom. A limited number of boards and commissions will meet electronically and only if necessary. An official record of the meetings will be established for review on the City of Oak Ridge website. 

Library, (865) 425-3455

• The library book drop reopened May 4, but no overdue charges will be applied until further notice.
• The library will begin curbside delivery of library materials beginning in mid-May. Watch the library’s website and Facebook page for more details.
• The library will be getting a new roof. Construction scheduling will be worked out. Stay tuned for changes in schedule. 

Utilities, (865) 425-3400

• The lobby to the Utilities Business Office is closed until further notice. 
• Customers should make payments online or make arrangements by calling (865) 425-3400. 
• City utilities staff is following COVID-19 closely, with an eye toward opening the office during the next several weeks.

Central Services, (865) 425-1875

• For the safety of employees and the public, the Central Services Complex is closed to the public until further notice.
• Public Works and Electrical Department services are still ongoing, and this precaution should help limit exposure to these employees.
• If you need to reach Public Works, call (865) 425-1875. For the Electric Department, call (865) 425-1803.
• The Annual Citywide Household Trash Pick-up, which was set for April 6, has been postponed until further notice. A release will be sent out when a new start date is scheduled.
• The Waste Connections Convenience Center on Warehouse Road will accept bulk items and metal again on May 4 and will accept brush and yard waste on May 18.

Fire Department, (865) 425-3520

• All citizen visits and tours to fire stations and headquarters have been suspended.
• Fire administration may be reached via phone at (865) 425-3520.
• Businesses with questions for the fire marshal about reopening can contact Travis Solomon at (865) 425-3524.

Police Department, (865) 425-3504

• The main entrance to the police department is closed to the public. 
• To file police reports, citizens should call the police department for guidance at (865) 425-3504.
• Crime tips can still be reported online. 

City Court, (865) 425-3536

• City Court is working toward resuming in-person hearings on May 11 with COVID-19 precautions. Guidelines for City Court will be released in the near future.
• All cases scheduled during the time court was closed have been reset. Notifications of the new court date were sent by mail to the address listed on the citation(s). If you did not receive notification of a new court date, call the City Court Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3536.
• In the meantime, the City Court Clerk’s office is open for payment via mail. Citizens can send money orders or personal checks to: City of Oak Ridge – City Courts, P.O. Box 1, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 
• If a payment is past due, only a money order or a cashier’s check is accepted.
• If you have any questions about what is owed or whether you need to appear in court, please call (865) 425-3536. 

Animal Control, (865) 425-3423

• Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is temporarily closed to the public to ensure the safety and health of animals, employees, volunteers, and visitors. 
• Animal Control will continue to respond to animal emergencies. 
• Adoptions and owner reclaims must be scheduled by calling (865) 425-3423.
• Aggressive and loose animals in the city limits will be responded to by Animal Control. Animal Control may be reached during normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at (865) 425-3423. If you have a problem after hours, you can call the Oak Ridge Police Department’s non-emergency number at (865) 425-4399. 

Senior Center, (865) 425-3999

• The Senior Center is closed until further notice. There is planning for a phased re-opening.
• The ETHRA Senior Nutrition Program Home Delivered Meals (Meals On Wheels) will continue.
• The MyRide program is discontinued. Residents may schedule rides with ETHRA transit services.

Recreation and Parks, (865) 425-3450

• City of Oak Ridge playgrounds and basketball courts remain closed until further notice. Disinfection options are being reviewed for limited open times.
• Trails, greenways, and parks including tennis courts, and Blankenship Field and Track remain open for walking and jogging use.
• The Recreation Center and Scarboro Community Center remain closed until further notice.
• A decision regarding the outdoor swimming pool will be announced soon.
• Other programs and activities may be subject to postponement or cancellation.
• Restrooms at the following parks are closed until further notice: 
  • The Baseball Complex
  • Big Turtle Park
  • Carl Yearwood Park
  • Melton Lake Park 
• Summer camp registration is now open to children between the ages of 6 and 11. Due to space and staffing restrictions, teen camp will not be offered this year.

Centennial Golf Course, (865) 425-3450

• Water coolers at the Centennial Golf Course remain off the course for now.
• All restrooms on the golf course have been closed.
• Ball washers and putting green flags have been removed.
• Golf carts are only to be used by one person at a time.
• Raised golf cups are in play.
• The grill at the golf course club house re-opened Monday, May 4, with a limited menu of sandwiches and hot dogs in addition to the prepackaged food and beverages currently offered.

Community Development, (865) 425-3531

• No in-person assistance.
• Applications for building, planning, and zoning are encouraged and will be accepted via phone or email.
• Inspections in the field are continuing, although slight delays may occur on scheduling.
• Codes enforcement can be reached at (865) 425-3532. 

For more information, contact the City Manager’s office at (865) 425-3550.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

You can contact John Huotari, owner and publisher of Oak Ridge Today, at (865) 951-9692 or [email protected]

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