Community News

Click HERE  for the May 22nd Covid Update from the Town of Stanford

Click HERE for the May 13th Covid Update from the Town of Stanford

Click HERE for May 1st Covid Update from the Town of Stanford

Click HERE for the April 21st  Covid Update from the Town of Stanford

Update from County Executive Molinaro

April 16, 2020

As we face this pandemic together, communicating with you remains a priority. Below you will find the some of the latest information about the virus and our efforts to respond to it. Stay Safe. Be Well. We are all in this together. 

Situation Update

There are now 1,975 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dutchess County, 19 fatalities, as well as 212 individuals who have recovered. There are over 213,000 cases statewide with over 18,000 hospitalizations and 11,586 fatalities. As always, we encourage you to visit our dashboard for the most up to date, verified, local data. 

Protecting Yourself & Others

As we are seeing the positive impact of our diligent efforts, it is now more important than ever to continue to:

1. Wash your hands regularly!  Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose etc.
2. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.  Viruses can survive for days on surfaces.
3. Practice Social Distancing. Keep at least 6-feet between you and others.
4. Stay home when possible. Practice social distancing. Keep at least 6 feet between you and others.
5. Wear a face covering when outside of your home. Face coverings help prevent people who may have the virus and do not know it. Per an Executive Order from Governor Cuomo, all people in New York must wear a face-covering in situations when not maintaining social distancing. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items can stop the spread of COVID-19 when traditional surgical masks and N-95s aren’t available and significant social distancing is not possible. Check out this flyer on how to make your own face covering. 

See our flyer which provides these tips and other helpful information. We encourage you to share this information with your constituencies. We have also created two posters that should be hung in public locations to help keep residents informed about how to stay safe and how to get help.

NY on Pause

Governor Cuomo announced today that the “New York State on PAUSE” executive order will be extended through May 15^th.

Applications Now Open for ‘Dutchess Responds’ Fund

In partnership with the Community foundation, the Dutchess Responds Fund has initiated a rolling application process to support nonprofits that have been providing critical support to the community as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In collaboration with the Dyson Foundation, the first round of Dutchess Responds Fund donations, which exceeded $50,000, was recently distributed to numerous emergency food pantries and programs throughout the county, with a special emphasis on those that provide fresh produce and distribute or deliver food to those in need.

This revolving application process will allow current and future donations to the fund to support two priorities—Front Line and Service-Challenged needs. Grants will be available to non-profit agencies in increments up to $10,000 depending on funding availability. For more information, contact Community Foundations at (845) 452-3077 or email grants@communityfoundationshv.org. More information is also available in our press release.

Alternate Care Facility Update

Dutchess County’s Recovery Center stands ready as needed should local hospitals exceed their capacity to care for those impacted by COVID-19. Dutchess Community College’s Conklin Hall Dormitory serves as the location for the Recovery Center, with 176 rooms and 457 beds on 4 different floors. Total capacity will vary based on number of guests requiring single room and/or access to private bathroom per their care plan. Staff is trained and prepared and the facility is ready for patient admission, however, it is not expected it will be necessary to open the facility this week as local hospital bed capacity has remained stable. Hospital capacity is evaluated daily, looking out three days, to determine if it is necessary to open the recovery center. Learn more by checking out our press release. 

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

We are proud and grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of our Dutchess County Public Safety Dispatchers who continue to work tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and all year long, at the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response to ensure first responders reach Dutchess County residents in need as quickly as possible. This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and we hope you’ll join us in recognizing their contributions in this critical and life-saving role, even if it has to be from a safe distance.

COVID-19 Time Capsule

These are unprecedented times for people of every age, and schools and other organizations have posted the following COVID-19 time capsule for kids, allowing boys and girls to creatively document their experiences living through this pandemic to look back on years from now. Check out our Facebook page for fun worksheets to print out and include in your time capsule!

Local residents are also invited to take part in the Dutchess County COVID-19 History Survey to document their experiences during the current pandemic and will better prepare leaders for the health crises of the future.

Business Community Update

Businesses are encouraged to visit DutchessBNN.com to sign up for daily emails and access important information and resources.

• A Virtual Contact Breakfast was held with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. If you were unable to attend, or want to re-watch the webinar, you can watch the full recording HERE.
• The New York Department of Health has issued the Interim Guidance for the requirement that businesses offer face masks to employees that must interact with the public. The guidance can be found HERE.
• As we work together to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our community, we encourages businesses adopt best practices to protect their employees, as well as customers, when it is absolutely necessary for residents to go out. Check this flyer for more details. 

We’re All In This Together

The uncertainty and anxiety surrounding everything happening in our community with COVID-19 can easily become overwhelming, but we’re here to help. If you need someone to talk to, our HELPLINE is available 24/7 via call or text at 845-485-9700.  

New York State has also established a Coronavirus Emotional Support Helpline at 1-844-863-9314, which is available 8am-10pm 7 days per week.

Other Items:

• Webinar on Open Meetings Law – Monday April 20^th, 3:00-4:00PM hosted by the Dutchess County Planning Federation. CLICK HERE for more information and to register
• Advisory Opinion from the Committee on Open Government
• NYSAC FAQ page including Open Meetings Law Information
• See attached FAQ regarding Code Enforcement from the NYS Department of State
• See memo from the Dutchess County Attorney’s Office regarding Enforcement of Emergency Orders Related to COVID-19

As always, we encourage you to visit dutchessny.gov for the most up to date information. Our COVID-19 Information Hotline is available 7 days a week to help answer questions and provide assistance at 845-486-3555.

We have been putting out weekly newsletter emails on the COVID-19 pandemic and what we are doing right here in Stanfordville to help our Community as well as what resources are available on the County Level.  Please sign up for our email list so we can keep you informed. You can do so at the very top of our Home Page.

Please find the link to our April 11th emailers: https://mailchi.mp/59c48f156b0b/town-of-stanford-covid19update-041120

The latest emailer was sent out on April 4th and here is the link https://mailchi.mp/3ba44c3f4702/town-of-stanford-facemasks

Here is the link to our emailer from March 28th  https://mailchi.mp/868fc985d56a/town-of-stanford-covid19update-20200328

Here is the link to our emailer from March 23rd https://mailchi.mp/ef9d748e280a/town-of-stanford-covid19update-20200323?fbclid=IwAR2hDgmOxeipGErIgij30YkAvNS4TZjH36h-QUinsWlwiU3aSrlQcaCwDkA

And our first https://mailchi.mp/504544ddb4f7/update-on-coronavirus-covid-19-from-the-town-of-stanford?fbclid=IwAR0pS1URygejI_-FWKUvIHy5tc_d3wenzyy3QaZjhvpHUkqXp6M2T8GlAvM

As the warm weather has arrived,  we are all so very tired of being housebound.  Our kids are even more stressed out than we are.  I would like to remind everyone that even within Stanford there are are open spaces we can take advantage of.  Within your family groups, masks are not necessary.  We just remind everyone to be mindful of social distancing when you approach others who may also be enjoying our beautiful outdoor spaces. We are so happy to be able to announce that Sparc Park has been opened in anticipation of Memorial Day Weekend. The playground is not open, but picnic tables are out, and social distancing measures are visible around the tables. We are asking residents not to move them.  The Tennis Courts are open.  The baseball field is not.  Roosters 82 has graciously donated two Dog waste stations to the park, so please make use of them and enjoy our beautiful park!   

Wilcox Memorial Park is open and will have picnic tables on the grass and near grill stands for families to enjoy. Social distancing measures will be visible around the tables and residents are asked to please not move the tables from the designated areas. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are allowed.  Whitlock Preserve is open.  The Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Millerton is open as well as the Dutchess Rail Trail.  I am working with the Audubon Society in an effort to reopen Buttercup Sanctuary.  It was their decision to close it.  This is a difficult time for all of us, but nature is still out there and I believe there are safe ways we can all enjoy it.  

Wendy

We had hoped to announce a full entry into the Phase I Reopening today, but Dutchess County is being grouped within the Mid-Hudson Region, and although Dutchess meets 6 out of 7 metrics to move into Phase I, we are being held back by other counties within our region.  That being said, both Dutchess & Ulster Counties have been given the green light for these activities:

1. Drive-in Movie Theaters are open for movies as well as for church services and graduation services
2. Houses of Worship may conduct services outside as long as the congregation stays in their vehicles
3. Our library in Stanford is not yet open, but there are many opportunities they are offering.  Check out their FB page.
4. Retail can deliver to curbside no matter the size of the store.  They can deliver items to a customer’s home or have the customer pick-up at curbside. The owner and one employee can be on site.
5. Single student horseback riding with a single instructor
6. Hunt clubs and gun clubs can operate.  However, there can be no food service indoors.  Food can be sold for “curbside” pick-up
7. All elective medical procedures are now allowed as well as acupuncture
8. Auto Maintenance
9. Pet grooming [if it involves the animal’s health]
10. Landscaping.  Please continue to social distance and wear mask protection if you are landscaping as a crew.
11. Non-motorized boating
12. Golf – one person to a cart

The County is also postponing its Foreclosure Auction so owners still have time to pay back taxes.

We will make every effort to restrict only certain areas of Sparc Park so the picnic tables and open air spaces are available to enjoy.  We ask that people outside of direct family clusters still maintain social distancing.  I hope to make this announcement within a few days.

Today a New York Court found the cancellation of the 2020 Democratic Primary to be Unconstitutional.  The ruling as been appealed to a higher court, but in the meanwhile, Democrats should contact the Dutchess County Board of Elections and request an absentee ballot.