Oakland limits hours, makes service changes

On Thursday, March 19, the Town Commission approved a resolution declaring a State of 

The Oakland Town Commission met in an emergency meeting Thursday, March 19, to approve a resolution declaring a State of Emergency due to the threat of coronavirus disease. The resolution is available on the town’s website, oaklandfl.gov.

The town is following the social distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health and has issued the following protocols, which go into effect Friday, March 20. This will remain in effect until further notice.

TOWN HALL

Town Hall will operate with limited staffing and is closed to the public for in-person services. This decision was made to protect residents — especially older persons and those with underlying medical conditions — and town employees.

Those with questions can call the main number at (407) 656-1117 during normal business hours.

UTILITY BILL PAYMENTS

Residents wishing to pay utility bills are being strongly encouraged to call in credit card payments to (407) 656-1117 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or they can drop their cash or check payments in the utility payment box at Town Hall or through the mail slot on the side door of Town Hall, 230 N. Tubb St.

“In recognition of financial hardships that customers may experience, service disconnections for water customers have been temporarily suspended,” the town said in a press release. “This policy may be adjusted as the situation develops.”

PLANNING & ZONING BUILDING PERMITS

The Town of Oakland Planning & Zoning Department offices are limiting its hours for in-person service.

Hours of operation are limited to 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for pick up and payment of permits and drop-off of new permit applications.

The public is being encouraged to call in credit card payments between these operating hours to (407) 656-1117, Ext. 2105, or take a check made payable to the Town of Oakland.

These are the only permit types that may be submitted via email as a PDF to [email protected]: fences, air-conditioning, interior renovations and alterations (call PDCS LLC at [407] 277-9795), reroof, and windows and doors.

All other permit types must include a digital copy via disc or thumb drive and appropriate hard copies for the building official to review and must be dropped off at the P&Z Department, 301 N. Tubb St., Suite 114, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Permit requirements are available online at oaklandfl.gov/876/Building-Permit-Information. 

Anyone with questions can email [email protected] or [email protected].

When the permit is ready, individuals will be notified directly by the town of Oakland via email.

PUBLIC WORKS

The Public Works Department at 50 E. Gulley Ave. will be closed to the public and is only open for deliveries.

Water and sewer services will continue to be provided in a safe and uninterrupted manner. Tap water remains a reliable and safe source of drinking water for residents.

Trash, recycling and yard waste will continue to be collected as normal.

Parks will remain open, but visitors are urged to maintain proper social distancing of at least six feet.

Processing of right-of-way permits will continue but will only be accepted electronically by emailing [email protected]. Visit oaklandfl.gov/638/Right-of-Way-Permits for the form and instructions.

OAKLAND AVENUE CHARTER SCHOOL

The Florida Department of Education determined that all public and private K-12 schools must close through April.

OACS staff is working to move coursework online until school resumes or for the remainder of the school year. Additional information will be provided to parents as it becomes available.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Oakland Police Department is operating normally with modified nonemergency responses. For information, call (407) 656-9797, Ext. 2. For emergencies, call 911.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Orange County Fire Rescue Station 37 is operating normally providing fire and EMS services.

BUSINESS TAX RECEIPTS

Applications are available online at oaklandfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/75/Occupational-LicenseLocal-Business-Tax-Receipt-PDF?bidId=. Once received, the town clerk will contact the applicant with the permit fee, which can be dropped off at the town’s drop box. The permit then will be issued by mail.

OAKLAND NATURE PRESERVE

The Oakland Nature Preserve remains open, but the museum is closed. Social distancing should be practiced.

EVENTS AND MEETINGS

The Town Commission work session and regular meeting, scheduled for March 24, have been canceled.

Celebration Among the Oaks, scheduled for April 4, has been canceled.

All Historic Town Hall and Oakland Meeting Hall scheduled events through April have been canceled.

An updated list of event and meeting cancellations can be found online at oaklandfl.gov.