HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2020-03-18 Local Emergency Declared
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Town of Leesburg Declares Local Emergency; Makes
Downtown Parking Free
Essential Town services remain uninterrupted.
Leesburg, VA (March 18, 2020) – This morning, the Leesburg Town Council consented to a
declaration of local emergency by Town Manager Kaj Dentler. The declaration will be in effect
until May 2, 2020.
In order to support the downtown businesses, as well as to avoid having people touch the
parking meters and payment kiosks, all downtown parking will be free as long as the emergnecy
declaration remains in effect. Beginning immediately, parking at the Town Hall parking garage,
the Church Street parking lot, and all on-street meters is free of charge. The two-hour limit at
parking meters will still apply. Meters will be bagged by the end of the week, but the free
parking begins immediately.
Despite the local emergency declaration, the Town of Leesburg continues to provide essential
services to its residents. In order to minimize risks and allay public concern, Town officials offer
the following updates and recommendations:
Finance & Administrative Services:
o Residents are encouraged to pay tax bills online at www.leesburgva.gov/paybills
rather than coming into Town Hall.
o Pay water bills online at www.leesburgva.gov/customerportal.
Parks & Recreation:
o Ida Lee Park Recreation Center and Ida Lee Tennis Center remain closed until
further notice.
o All Town parks are open dawn to dusk. Staff are monitoring parks as usual.
Residents should use common sense and follow the CDC’s advice for stopping
the spread of the virus.
Utilities:
o Town water is safe to drink and use for all household needs. There is no need to
buy bottled water.
o Per the Governor’s order, the Town will not shut off water service for non-
payment for the next 60 days.
o Emergency repair operations continue as necessary. Residents with water or
sewer service emergencies should call the Utilities Department at 703-771-2750
during business hours or the Police Department’s non-emergency number, 703-
771-4500, after hours.
Public Works:
o Trash and recycling collection continues as normal.
o Yard waste collection is scheduled to begin for the season on Monday, April 6.
o Brush collection and other street division services continue as scheduled.
o Requests for service may be submitted online at
www.leesburgva.gov/servicerequests.
Planning & Zoning and Plan Review:
o Offices are open with limited staffing. Applicants are encouraged to call before
coming into Town Hall (703-771-276).
“The Town of Leesburg will continue to serve the residents of the town through this crisis,” said
Dentler. “Our staff is comprised of highly qualified, dedicated public servants who are
committed to providing the best services possible. If residents have any comments or
suggestions during this emergency, I encourage them to reach out to my office via email
(townmanager@leesburgva.gov) or phone (703-771-2700).”
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