Update COVID19 5/26 - Municipality Call Summary

 

Municipality Call Summary 5-26 (Thank you so much to Allen Ruffles, Treasurer County of Otsego)

A sales tax update was given.  The county's last two payments were down 26% and 33%.  The next payment is June 4^th and we’ll wait to see what happens with that one.

The county is still waiting for information on State reimbursement.  The new information put out there is that if the State doesn’t receive anything from the Federal Government by June 1, they will be reducing state reimbursement to local governments anywhere from 20%-50%.  Highway departments all across the State have still not received their CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) award letters and they want the local governments to work but at their own fiscal peril.  This will effect our movement on fixing Spring Street.  I will keep you updated.

The Mohawk Valley Region is currently in Phase 1 of re-opening.  Phase 2 should begin as early as this Friday or next Monday.  As of this point, local governments do not have to fill out the affirmation that private businesses are required to fill out.  I will keep everyone updated on this, as this is the most recent information we have at the moment.

If any municipality is hearing from their taxpayers that they don’t have to pay interest, penalties, or fees this is currently false.  There is a listing of municipalities that these late fees are waived for 120 days on the Governor’s website under Executive Order 202.32.

Executive Order 202.33 also allows certain gatherings of 10 or fewer people.  I suggest looking at this as well.

DMV’s are still currently closed across the State.  NYS wants residents to do a lot of their DMV transactions online.  Local governments will be able to open soon, but DMV’s will remained closed until further notice.    

 Here are the links to the Governor's Executive Orders we mentioned today:

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20233-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-20232-continuing-temporary-suspension-and-modification-laws-relating-disaster-emergency

Here is also a look to the NY Forward website that discusses re-opening:

https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase?utm_source=Governor+Andrew+M+Cuomo+Events+Invite&utm_campaign=23db16411f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_19_10_05_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4e71cb1faa-23db16411f-138196017

Memorial Day Celebration - Gilbertsville Continued:

I received a call from Steve Gayle, the Boy Scouts are going to be at the Monument at 8:45 to do a ceremony and have a tribute to veterans, all while practicing social distancing, and immediately moving to the overlook to to raise the military flags.  We are also fortunate to have Emily Hammond singing the National Anthem.  Thank you everyone for supporting our Seniors, Veterans, and our essential workers during this time.

Please remember to keep social distance and wear masks.  Thank you in advance.

Memorial Day to be marked Monday with car parade through Gilbertsville.

Memorial Day ceremonies will have a different look in the area than in previous years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the message of honoring veterans, active duty members, doctors, nurses, High School Seniors remains the same.

In lieu of a large public gathering with a keynote speaker, Gilbertsville has plans for a short classic vehicle parade route through the village starting  9:00am on Monday, at the Gilbertsville School, all while keeping social distance and enjoying the parade from your front yard.

I personally want to thank Thunder Musson for organizing this event.  "I still wanted to have something,  to show that we haven’t forgot about veterans and doctors, nurses, and High School Seniors, and all the essential workers who work so hard through this pandemic."

So please enjoy this great day from your front yard and remember to keep social distance.  

Updated information on re-opening for Otsego County

I want to thank Allen Ruffles, Treasurer of Otsego County for all of his hard work during this difficult time.  His updates and those of his colleagues have been both reassuring and timely.   

As you probably are aware, all of this is driven and under the complete control of the Governor, and things are constantly changing.  Local Governments generally follow the same rules as equivalent private business. For example, Highway crews follow the rules for construction, office staff follow the rules for administrative personnel.  They do allow for individual municipalities to bring back workers to the workplace earlier if they are deemed "necessary to implement the reopening".  It is considered a local decision what is "necessary", but overall he wants people working remotely to the extent possible/practicable during phase one.

Here are links to the the "NY Forward" website  which provides all the current information that is available at this time.  It contains everything we know as well, there are promised additions required this week.  One very important missing piece is the template that all phase one business will be required to fill out before they can open on Saturday.

   https://forward.ny.gov/ny-forward
 
    https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase

Currently phase one business's are allowed to open this Saturday May 16th, with retail using curbside pickup only.  Social distancing, masks and enhanced cleaning are required.  That is all supposed to be explained in the plan certification each business will need to fill out (but as I mentioned they have not uploaded that on the website yet).

I know this is all very confusing and the people with the governor's office are trying their best to keep up and inform us as best they can.  We have daily conference calls to try to keep up with the changes.  They are as frustrated as we are.

Update on Village, the Water Project and Continued Restoration 5/8

Hello everyone, 

The one thing I want to continue to reiterate is thank you for all your support through this tough time.  I understand those who are frustrated by all of this and I am sympathetic to the economic impact these changes are having on everyone but we must find a way to unite with what we have in common and continue to make the best of the current situation. Our resolve is determined by how we respond in the tough times and the reality is you can’t have and appreciate the high notes of life without experiencing the low ones too. I continue to appeal to everyone to please be considerate to one another, check up on your neighbors, and be mindful that this too will pass in time.

We are currently working with the construction company to have them finish up when the restrictions are lifted.  This includes some of the sink holes in the roads, restorations of the lawns, including new top soil and seed, sidewalk repair, and debris clean up  Please be patient, we are working with them the best we can.   

You will be seeing the Job Corps students back working on sidewalks when the schools are opened up again.

You might notice Richard in a new village truck.  We have been saving for 2 years going back to the past administration.  With responsible spending we were able to buy this truck.  The old truck will be going up to the municipal auctions soon.  

Please everyone take care of yourself and family, and be mindful that this will pass in time.

Mark

Public Hearing Budget 2020 April 13, 2020

OPENING THE VILLAGE OF GILBERTSVILLE VIRTUAL MUNICIPAL MEETING:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 202.1 COMPLIANCE

We opened the virtual meeting via ZOOM/teleconference, the Mayor followed these steps:

1.     Call meeting to order:  6:00 pm April 13, 2020

2.     Call the role of Board members; All Members Present

3.     The Board has a quorum

4.     Enter this into the record:

I, Mayor Mark Muller have confirmed with Counsel that this meeting is being held in compliance with Executive Order 202.1, issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on March 12, 2020. The Executive Order suspends Article 7 of the Public Officers Law to the extent necessary to permit any public body to meet and take any action authorized by law without permitting in public in-person access to meetings and authorizing such meetings to be held remotely by conference call or similar service.

This meeting is being held remotely via ZOOM virtual meeting software. The public has the ability to view or listen to this meeting live via the ZOOM app, web browser and/or by telephone. This meeting is being recorded, and will be transcribed at a later date.

5.  Adjournment:  6:20 pm, motion made by Glenn Foster, and 2^nd by Randy Palada.