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Adirondack Journal / News Enterprise
March 28, 2020
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
Warren County shifts to lockdown mode Gov’t cuts on-site staff, four meal sites closed By Thom Randall CORRESPONDENT
QUEENSBURY | In order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Warren County government closed its many buildings to the public, cut their on-site workforce by 75 percent and changed how it interacts with its citizens this last week. Meanwhile, many thousands of area citizens hunkered down at home with their Warren County government closed its facilities to the public on March 20, four days after declaring a state of emergency. Following state mandates, immediate family members, cutting off con- the county cut on-site staffing by 75 percent and closed four Office for the Aging meal sites to the public —although as of March 21 there was only one tact with others — except via social media, confirmed case of COVID-19 among the county’s 64,000-plus residents. Photo by Thom Randall Skype and Facetime — in order to stay healthy Moore said that the federal Centers for county buildings were closed. “Our goal is to minimize the disruption of and help contain the disease. Disease Control’s ban on public gatherings, services and maximize the ability of employPeople seeking to attend the county’s As of March 20, however, there was only the state’s closure of gyms and theaters, its ees to do their work,” he said. one confi rmed case of COVID-19 among the monthly Board of Supervisors meeting were prohibition of on-site serving of restaurant also turned away. These citizens were advised Moore said that the county Sheriff’s county’s 65,000 or so residents — a number and tavern patrons, as well as Gov. Andrew Department, its Public Health Department and bound to increase as more local citizens are to view the proceedings via YouTube live. Cuomo’s mandate to cut local government staff Office of Emergency Services would conduct Those citizens tested for the virus. — as reasons for the county’s emergency status. their duties “as normal,” likely with full staffing. seek ing to meet Between March “A state of emergency declaration will Our goal is to minimize w ith the count y Some meal sites to close 14 and March 22, help entities in Warren County in their S o c i a l S e r v ice s the disruption of services and New York’s novel Moore also announced that four of p e r s on ne l we re efforts to execute these required emergency the county’s meal sites would be closed, conf ir med coromaximize the ability of employees adv i se d to c a l l measures,” he said, noting that such a procnav irus cases although the home-delivered meals to the (518) 761-6300 if at lamation would also support any upcoming elderly would continue — but at a reduced to do their work.” exploded f rom all possible, but if federal or state measures, if any, to help frequency. To be closed to congregate meals about 700 cases to —County Administrator Ryan Moore
16,887 cases in merely eight days. Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close, and mandated that municipal governments’ onsite staffing had to be reduced by 75 percent. Last Sunday alone, the number of those confi rmed infected with COVID-19 in New York State had risen by 4,627 in merely one day. Health officials said the increase both due to both the increase in testing as well as the rapid spread of the virus. Many dozens of people showing up to conduct business at the county municipal center’s DMV entrance May 20 — four days after the county declared a state of emergency —found the door locked and encountered a security officer informing them that all
an in-person visit to the Human Services building was imperative, they should visit the building alone, observe social distancing protocol and strict hygiene measures. The county’s state of emergency was issued not only to keep employees safe so the county could continue to provide vital services to the public, but also to enable enforcement of the new federal and state mandates related to the coronavirus pandemic, according to county Administrator Ryan Moore. “The State of Emergency declaration was not issued because of a change in our assessment of the risk posed by the virus here in Warren County,” he said. “We face the same risk we’ve always faced — which we’ve been taking seriously and planning for thoroughly.”
businesses and other entities obtain financial restitution or assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He added that people “should not panic,” but interpret the proclamation as an aspect of the county’s “calibrated response” to keep its citizens healthy and safe. Looking to the future, Moore said the emergency status was “the fi rst of many steps” that Warren County would be taking “to implement a recovery effort from the economic consequences of this pandemic.” Moore said that the workforce reduction was implemented by having some employees work from home or other remote locations, as well as staggered scheduling of essential employees. He said that these cuts and realignments were effective at least through March 31.
are the meal sites at Countryside Adult Home in Warrensburg, the senior center in Lake Luzerne, the Chester Municipal Center, and Cedars Senior Living in Queensbury. Moore said that the people routinely visiting these sites have been called and offered the opportunity to have meals delivered to their homes. The county is decreasing Meals on Wheels deliveries from five days per week to three days per week, but the deliveries will include frozen meals so that the program’s clients will still have as many servings as they did with the prior schedule. Moore also said that the ban on non-essential meetings in county facilities have been canceled, and the Lake George Village annual election has been postponed until April 28. ■
JOHNSBURG DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
CORRESPONDENT
NORTH CREEK | Johnsburg has declared a state of emergency in an effort to help curb the growing novel coronavirus pandemic. Town Supervisor Andrea Hogan issued the declaration March 22 citing the intention to address the threat of COVID-19 and how it “poses potentially life-threatening circumstances that could develop rapidly.”
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• The North Creek Ski Bowl hiking and biking trails are open from dawn to dusk only. Residents are required to maintain safe “social distancing” in traversing the trails. • The Outreach Center Backpack Program continues to operate through coordination with the school breakfast and lunch deliveries. Hogan noted that to comply with Gov. Cuomo’s directives to municipalities statewide, most all of the Johnsburg highway crew members have been furloughed until further notice. Town roads will be monitored and maintained, she said, adding that as necessary, highway workers will be called in to for maintenance or road repairs. Those residents who see a safety hazard are urged to call the town highway garage at 518-251-2113. ■
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held at the Johnsburg Senior Center, but Meals on Wheels delivery will continue on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Individuals who seek to be added to the list of those receiving meal deliveries should contact local officials or the Warren County Office of the Aging. All other town buildings are closed until further notice, including Tannery Pond Center, Scout Hall, the Minder Lodge and the Wevertown Community Center. Some town venues remain open: • The town transfer station is open with normal operating hours. Those residents who do not have tickets with them will be asked to leave their name, address and phone number with the attendant, and they will be billed later.
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department extensions, and leave a message. Email addresses for staff members can be found on the home page of the town website. The town court and library are both closed until further notice. Hogan noted that the library’s free WiFi extends outside to the parking lot, and people are welcome to park and access it on their electronic devices — but they must stay in their cars or observe social distancing practices. Hogan also said that the Adirondack Community Outreach Center and its food pantry are closed; however, food pickup is available. Those seeking this service are urged to contact the outreach center at 518-251-3481 or adkcommunityoutreach.com. Also, congregate meals will not be
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By Thom Randall
She said the town’s employees, many of them working from home, would continue to respond to the needs of Johnsburg citizens as much as possible. “The ride may get bumpy for all of us — Cooperation, calm and courage are hallmarks of this community, and we will emerge on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis together,” she said. The declaration noted that the Johnsburg Town Hall is closed to the public, and that town staff is working from home, but they will promptly respond to emails or voice messages left on the town hall phone system. People with matters requiring assistance from town employees should call 518-251-2421, listen to the prompts for staff and
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