Washington's Birthday: What's Closed, What's Open

Update 11:01 p.m. Monday:

Monday, Feb. 21, is considered a federal holiday, and state and local governments, including both Connecticut and the city of Norwalk, close most offices. Banks in Connecticut have the option of remaining open, but must announce it well in advance. Norwalkers who normally get their garbage picked up by the city on Monday will instead be hearing the rumble of those trucks on Tuesday. 

The state Labor Department offices are closed Monday with the exception of the TeleBenefits Call Centers. They will remain open for claims filing that day from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. According to a Labor Department news release:

"Although claimants can use the Labor Department’s automated TeleBenefits phone system or the WebBenefits online system to file, the February 21 holiday opening will be especially helpful in assisting individuals that need to speak with a Customer Service Representative to complete an unemployment insurance claim." (To read the news release, a PDF file, click here.)

In federal law, the name is "Washington's Birthday," not "President's Day," and that's how the federal government refers to it, although some states (not Connecticut) and organizations use the other name.

The following are CLOSED Monday:

• Banks and credit unions in New York state and elsewhere outside of Connecticut (and many banks in Connecticut, including Fairfield County Bank, Bank of America, People's Bank, Wachovia Bank—banks here may remain open if they announce it well in advance)
• City offices and City Hall, including municipal garbage collection services scheduled for Monday, which will take place on Tuesday (but citywide recycling will continue on Monday and the transfer station will be open).
• Federal government offices.
• Libraries—including Norwalk Public Library, South Norwalk Library, East Norwalk Library and Rowayton Library
• Post offices
• Public schools in Norwalk and elsewhere (but Norwalk schools will be open from Feb. 22-24 to make up for lost snow days)
• State offices, including state courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles (normally closed on Mondays)

The following are OPEN Monday:

• Banks and credit unions, perhaps— they may remain open at their discretion in Connecticut. TD Bank branches are open.
• Grocery stores
• Metro-North will operate on a Saturday schedule
• Norwalk Transit District will operate on a regular schedule.
• State Labor Department TeleBenefits Call Centers (although the rest of the Labor Department will be closed Monday).
• Recycling pickups will occur as scheduled, and the Norwalk transfer station and recycling center on Crescent Street will be open.
• Restaurants
• Other businesses

Editor's Note: To find out about U.S. presidents who were here in Fairfield County, check out:

Correction:

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle offices would be open on Mondays. They are normally closed Mondays and will be closed on Washington's Birthday.