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April 4, 2020
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• EDITION •
Municipal governments carry on, updates Policy-makers move forward amidst mandated statewide business closures By Alina Walentowicz STAFF WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has made adjustments to the New York State Open Meetings Law to address the public health crisis and management of COVID-19, temporarily disregarding “quorum”, “the minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid” according to Lexico.com. Municipal governments push forward via phone and video meetings with “essential” plans and initiatives amidst mandated business closures and operational adjustments made to accommodate physical “social distancing” practices.
CLINTON COUNTY LEGISLATURE UPDATES
The Clinton County Legislature holds its meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, beginning at 5:15 p.m. Members of the public can dial the conference call number listed on the county website on the day of the meeting in order to engage with proceedings. All legislative meetings for March and April—apart from regularl weekly meetings—have been canceled, according to a calendar attached to
a recent mailing from the county. At the meeting on March 25, Kimberly Davis (D)—running to replace Sen. Betty Little’s (R) seat in 2021—announced that the county’s “coupon installment program” taxpayers will be eligible to have their March interest penalty fee canceled if a payment cannot be made by the last day of the month. “If you did not pay your first installment by January 31st, your taxes are due to your town collector,” Davis said in a press release following the newly-held telephonic meeting. “We are advising each municipality to seek legal counsel from their town attorney about canceling interest for those taxpayers as well.” She added that the governor is the only official who can change the tax payment period. Leg islat ure Cha ir person Mark Henry, in a recent press announcement, discussed states of “emergency”, saying they allow the county to “reduce the standard limitations on purchasing and other procedures, which will allow us to better respond”. He said the county’s workforce is now well below the “essential” 50 percent. Additionally, the county will be coordinating with local hotels, such as Quality Inn, to explore potential overflow hospital needs.
COUNTY HEALTH AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS UPDATES
The county’s first-response system is fully in place and ready to go, according to Clinton County Office of Emergency Services Director Eric Day; his office is collecting and distributing any community donations of PPE.
TENTS ARE UP BUT SUPPLIES ARE DOWN By Laurel Carroll STAFF WRITER
NORTHERN NEW YORK | To help accommodate the increasing need for coronavirus screenings and testing, Hudson Headwaters Health Network (HHHN) has set up two large tents—one at the West Mountain 2 Health Center in Queensbury, and the other in Champlain—with other HHHN sites utilizing smaller tents. In the last week and a half, HHHN providers have ordered or performed roughly 500 COVID-19 tests, some returning with positive results. Unfortunately, due to the statewide shortage of testing supplies, tests have now been restricted to symptomatic network health care providers. Working closely with HHHN, the University of Vermont, Elizabethtow n Communit y Hospital’s
He said “local surplus vendors” continue to donate needed supplies—for example, masks from dentist offices not in use due to limited operations as a result of COVID-19 containment—in an effort to help alleviate this national shortage on a local scale. Beyond this, the county is continually communicating with the state regarding further supplies. Clinton County Director of Public Health John Kanoza said of calling 9-1-1, “Even if your symptoms are due to coronavirus, they are probably not an emergency.”
TOWN OF PLATTSBURGH MEETING UPDATES
On the Town of Plattsburgh’s website, residents can find published agenda packets for weekly board meetings; within the packets is the call information to tune in to the “Zoom Room” discussions taking place.
One of the Hudson Headwaters Health Network tents used for coronavirus screening. Photo provided
Ticonderoga and Elizabethtown campuses will help out by performing COVID-19 tests for Hudson Headwaters patients who are ill enough to require hospitalization. ■
Materials will be posted by the town’s contracted tech partner, who will post the content to the “agenda” section of the calendar page of the town’s website by the end of the day on Wednesdays, prior to the weekly 6 p.m. meeting on Thursdays.
CITY OF PLATTSBURGH MEETING UPDATES
Common Council meetings will continue to conduct business via Zoom, which will be live-streamed on Youtube. There were three comments submitted via the Youtube video’s adjacent chat box at the last meeting on Thurs. Mar. 26; there was one comment discussed that was submitted ahead of the meeting. As the state and counties continue to identify locations for temporary overflow beds should they be needed, City of Plattsburgh Mayor Colin Read (D), running for reelection this year, said the city will provide its recreation center to the
local hospital should the need arise. Read estimated that 40% of the county’s vulnerable population lives within the city. The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals has adjusted its meeting procedures during this time, and will also be live-streaming its meetings. Public comments will not be received during the meeting, and must be submitted prior via email to cityinfo@plattsburghcitygov. com with either the subject line “Planning Board Comment” or “Zoning Board Comment”. Interested individuals should check the city’s website for a meeting notice five days prior to whenever a meeting might occur. The city’s Landlord/Tenant Advisory Committee meetings have been postponsed by the chair and vice chair; look for an announcement regarding upcoming committee meetings. ■
House Passes Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Fire departments join forces to spread community cheer More on » pg. 2 Addie Light of Cadyville cheered on local first responders during the impromptu social-distancing parade as dozens of residents showed their support to volunteers by waving them on and flashing their outdoor lights in unity. Officials hoped the parade lifted community spirits and served as a reminder of their unwavering commitment to the region. Photo provided
WASHINGTON, D.C. | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik voted today to pass the CARES Act, the 3rd legislative phase of Congress’ emergency coronavirus response. This stimulus provides economic relief to small businesses and hardworking families across the North Country. “During this unprecedented public health crisis, I have prioritized support for our hospitals, healthcare workers, small businesses, and families in the North Country as we combat and ultimately beat COVID-19,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I strongly advocated for this economic rescue package focused on North Country small businesses and families in need of immediate relief, and today, Congress came together to deliver that relief for the American worker. I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis to overcome this public health crisis and the economic challenges and uncertainty that have come with it.”
THE CARES ACT PROVIDES:
Funding for Hospitals, Community Health Centers, and Health Care Workers – provides over $100 billion
for hospitals through direct payments and higher reimbursements, further expands access to telehealth services, and provides $16 billion for purchasing PPE and other critical supplies. Paycheck Protection Loans to Small Businesses – creates a new “paycheck protection” loan for small businesses that fully forgives the portion of the loan used to keep workers on payroll and pay their rent, mortgage, and utilities over the next few months. Direct Payments to American Families – provides an emergency tax rebate check of $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples, and an additional $500 for each child. Expa nded Unemploy ment Insurance for Impacted Workers – expands access to Unemployment Insurance for the self-employed and independent contractors who are not able to work during this public health emergency. Additional Tax Relief for Individuals and Main Street Businesses – includes tax provision for businesses and
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individuals to provide more relief, such as a refundable payroll for employers who keep their workers on payroll despite having to close their doors. Financial Support for Distressed Businesses of Any Size – allocates $454 billion through loans and loan guarantees to businesses of any size in distress, with priority for mid-sized businesses that are above 500 but not large corporations, to provide immediate liquidity. Funding and Flexibility for Students, Schools, and Colleges – provides over $30 billion for K-12 schools and colleges to help them continue serving their students, pauses all student loan payments, and student borrowers are held harmless if they were not able to finish their semester. Relief for Homeowners and Bolstered Housing Assistance – prohibits foreclosures for 60 days and allows homeowners to delay mortgage payments by shifting them to the end of their mortgage, while providing significant funding for programs serving low-income families and the homeless. ■