May 22, 2020
To Downtown White River Junction Business:
With the gradual reopening of our businesses in Downtown White River Junction relative to COVID -19, the Town has been receiving inquiries about the use of outdoor public spaces for their businesses. The Town is in the process of reviewing the state’s requirements to understand if and how these requests might be accommodated, while providing for safe vehicular and pedestrian circulation.
It would be helpful for the Town to know what businesses are interested in pursuing outside spaces, and your proposals on how this could be achieved to meet the COVID reopening requirements, vehicle and pedestrian safety, and Zoning Regulations. Below are links to documents that explain in detail the state requirements and guidelines. If you are interested in using outdoor public space, please submit the following to the Town Manager’s Office, at Bgodfrey@Hartford-vt.org by June 2, 2020.
1. A letter of interest with your business name, address, and contact person with email and phone #.
2. Explanation of what you would like to do, and how it meets the COVID reopening requirements and pedestrian and vehicular safety.
3. Scaled drawing showing the location and what you intend to put in that space.
Thank you for your commitment to a vibrant downtown as we move forward together!
Brannon Godfrey, Town Manager
https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19/business/restart
https://accd.vermont.gov/news/update-new-work-safe-additions-be-smart-stay-safe-order
https://hartford-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/3663/VTrans-Guidelines-for-using-RoadwayROW-Final
Liquor Control - If a liquor licensee does not currently hold an Outdoor Consumption Permit (OCP) or needs/desires to modify the current outside consumption area description, they must submit a completed application for a provisional OCP to the Vermont Dept. of Liquor Control on the prescribed form. https://liquorcontrol.vermont.gov/provisional-ocp They must also immediately submit an OCP application to the municipality for approval by the local control commissioners. https://liquorcontrol.vermont.gov/sites/dlc/files/documents/Licensing/Forms/FILLABLE_Form_Outside_Consumption_Permit.pdf They will be given until June 12, 2020 to have this OCP approved by the municipality. If they fail to apply for this and have it approved by June 12, 2020, the provisional OCP will expire on that date. If they submit the application to the municipality, and the municipality fails to take any action on the application by June 12, 2020. The OCP will be deemed to be approved as presented to the town by DLL. DLC will issue these provisional OCP’s and email a copy to the municipality of jurisdiction as well as directly to the licensee.