Need a marriage license or pay a tax bill before Christmas? Friday may be your last chance since a number of city and town halls are closed Monday, the day before Christmas.

Officials in nearly a third of the 32 Berkshire communities The Eagle surveyed -- including Pittsfield -- said closing municipal offices on Christmas Eve is either tradition or employees use vacation and personal time to create a four-day holiday weekend.

Christmas is Tuesday, a legal holiday for all local, state and federal governments.

North Adams is among local communities with shortened city or town hall hours on Monday. As for the remaining town halls, it's business as usual.

"Traditionally, City Hall has been closed Christmas Eve, but it's the mayor's call," said Pittsfield City Clerk Linda M. Tyer.

Tyer noted City Hall will conduct regular hours Wednesday through Friday of Christmas week and New Year's Eve knowing people may have some necessary end-of-the-year business with the city.

"Liquor license renewals, for example, must be completed and fees paid by Dec. 31," said Tyer.

While a handful communities will have their town halls open Christmas Eve, some individual offices are either closed or have limited hours.

In Adams, the town clerk, treasurer, assessors, public works, and Board of Health offices are closed Christmas Eve, as well as New Year's Eve.

Stockbridge Town Administrator Jorja-Ann Marsden urged residents to call ahead Monday. Some town offices there will have limited hours on Christmas Eve. 

 
City/Town Dec. 24 Dec. 31
Adams Several offices closed Several offices closed
Alford Open, 8-10 a.m. Open, 8-10 a.m.
Becket Open Open
Cheshire Most closed Most closed
Clarksburg N/A N/A
Dalton Open, regular hours Open, regular hours
Egremont Closed Open, regular hours
Florida N/A N/A
Great Barrington Open, regular hours Open, regular hours
Hancock N/A N/A
Hinsdale Open 8:30-2:30 Open 8:30-2:30
Lanesborough Open, 8-1 Open, 8-1
Lee Open, 8:30-noon Open, 8:30-noon
Lenox Closed Open, regular hours
Monterey Closed Closed
Mount Washington Closed Closed
New Ashford Closed Closed
New Marlborough Open, 8-noon Open, regular hours
North Adams Open, 8-1 Open, regular hours
Otis Open, 7:30-noon Open, regular hours
Peru Closed Closed
Pittsfield Closed Open, regular hours
Richmond Open, 8:30-noon Open, 8:30-noon
Sandisfield N/A N/A
Savoy N/A N/A
Sheffield Closed Open, regular hours
Tyringham Open, 9-11 Open, 9-11
Washington Closed Closed
West Stockbridge Open, regular hours Open, regular hours
Williamstown Open, regular hours Open, regular hours

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To reach Dick Lindsay:
rlindsay@berkshireeagle.com,
or (413) 496-6233.