News & Events

Click on link to view briefing: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news#

Update for Tuesday, May 5, 2020:

• The SBA has released a PPP Loan FAQ document. It can be found HERE. They also released a “Talking Points” document for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for agricultural businesses. That can be found HERE.
• The SBA also announced they would reopen their EIDL loan application portal, but only for agricultural businesses. Businesses who had applied before the portal closed will be processed on a first-come first-serve basis. Information on the reopening of the portal can be found HERE.
• The State has released a tracking page where you can see how regions are doing in regards to meeting the reopening metrics. Currently no region in the state has met the requirements to reopen. That page can be found HERE.
• ​New guidelines have been released by the Governor’s office that detail the framework for reopening the state. This includes instructions on what each business must include in their reopening plan. The guidelines can be found HERE.
• “With Gov. Cuomo’s guidance yesterday on re-opening, we are working together with our neighbors to plan & coordinate a regional approach to responsibly and deliberately reopen our local economy. Building on the work we’ve accomplished to date, leaders from Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Greene, Columbia, and Putnam counties have agreed to meet later this week to work together, share data, ideas, concerns, and best practices while advocating for our small businesses, farmers, families, and region.”- Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.
• County Executive Molinaro further stated that he expects Dutchess County to begin the Phase 1 reopening on May 17.
• In today’s (Tuesday) press conference, Governor Cuomo announced the CDC’s projection model is expecting daily deaths caused by the virus to double because of the relaxation of social distancing in 31 states. He said this is why he will not accelerate the reopening of the state from the parameters laid out yesterday. He reiterated that if a region is reopened, that does not mean the restrictions cannot be reimposed. Governor Cuomo said in areas that saw infections increase, he would “tighten the valve” to ensure the state does not have another flare up.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

Hello Residents of Beacon Housing Authority (BHA). BHA wanted to extend its sincere appreciation to all residents during these unprecedented times. We are happy to hear that many of the residents have been using the website to stay informed and access resource information.

As you are aware the physical office is closed and office staff are working remotely from home. BHA is encouraging residents to utilize E-mail as the most effective means when contacting office staff.

Here are a few updates for BHA Residents to review. BHA continues to encourage all residents to adhere to the Governor’s Executive Order regarding the use of Face Masks when in public. BHA has posted signs through out the property and has initiated a weekly Robo Call will to serve as a community reminder.

With recent changes since the Coronavirus Pandemic many of us are experiencing new challenges which are impacting us in different ways. As we go through these unprecedented times please be aware of your own physical and mental health needs. Are you feeling anxious, isolated or more depressed than usual? If so, focus on activities that will help relieve these feelings of stress and anxiety. Self care is often over looked when we are busy taking care of the needs of others. Please take some time for yourself and review the flyer below. It could prove beneficial to you or someone you know. Click on the link below to explore the MHA Website:

https://mhadutchess.org/services/

Mental Health America of Dutchess County is a great resource and offers many programs and services that are worth exploring.

Update for Friday, May 1, 2020:

• The U.S. Department of Labor has issued new COBRA notices for employee benefit plans. The press releases detailing these notices can be found HERE.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released guidance for restaurants and beverage vendors offering take-out or curbside pick-up options. You can view the guidance HERE.
• The New York Attorney General’s office has released a bulletin regarding the Paycheck Protection Program in multiple languages. The bulletin can be found HERE.
• Having trouble navigating the SBA PPP Loan and Forgiveness? Here are four resources for you:
  • PPP Checklist
  • Covid-19 PPP Forgiveness Estimator
  • PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculator
  • Intyllus Loan Forgiveness Workbook
    ***The partners in the Dutchess Business Notification Network have not created these tools and we are not responsible for the accuracy of it’s content or formulas for calculating loan forgiveness or otherwise.***
• In today’s (Friday) press conference, Governor Cuomo announced both grade schools and colleges, would remain closed in New York for the remainder of the school year. The decision on summer schools being allowed to operate will be made at the end of May, and will be made in conjunction with the decision to reopen regions. The governor also called for schools to develop plans that take into account the new social distancing guidelines. These plans would be used to reopen the schools at the beginning of the next school year.
• Governor Cuomo announced the state is directing insurers to waive all cost sharing, co-pays, and deductibles for mental health services for front-line workers.
• A decision on whether to extend or end the eviction and foreclosure order will be made in June, according to Governor Cuomo.

If you have any questions regarding the information in this notification or any other business related concerns and suggestions, please email Contact@DutchessBNN.com. Please do NOT contact elected officials regarding information in this email as they are currently inundated with handling the government response to this crisis. This network was created to help coordinate responses and share the burden, and we ask that you please contact us with any questions or concerns so our elected officials can focus on their task at hand. Thank you for your continued support through this time.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

COVID-19 been challenging for New York, but it has been particularly challenging for our mental health. From cabin fever to loneliness, stress and anxiety, the impact is very real and it’s crucial we acknowledge the toll this pandemic has taken on our mental health. I want New Yorkers to know that help is available to anyone who needs it. To help New Yorkers during this stressful time, the State has set up an Emotional Support Hotline where people can get free emotional support, consultations and referrals to a provider. The hotline can be reached at 1-844-863-9314. New York has also partnered with Headspace to offer New Yorkers much-needed free meditation and mindfulness content as a mental health resource. These resources are available at headspace.com/ny We can’t underestimate the extreme emotional trauma that many people are feeling now and no one should feel like they are alone. New York is here for you.2 days ago · Subscribers of State of New York

1. COVID Counts:  In the county, there are 2,075 active coronavirus cases – 129 are in Beacon.  Our counts are rising, but slowly.  Keep up the social distancing – it works.
2. Next Phase:  The State is working on plans to gradually open up in the next weeks.  Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties are working together – we will come back online sooner than Westchester and New York City, but slower than places upstate.  I will keep you posted, but it will be gradual, and we will need to be flexible.
3. Schools:  The Governor has closed schools for the rest of the school year.
4. Pharmacy Testing:  The Governor has authorized licensed pharmacists to order COVID-19 tests, so that will be a local option.
5. Nursing Homes:  The County will test all county nursing home residents, to better protect some of our more vulnerable neighbors.
6. Elections:  The State Board of Elections has canceled the presidential primary.  There are some minor party primaries in Beacon on June 23rd; anyone involved will be mailed an absentee ballot application.
7. Weekend:  The weekend is upon us.  Remember: “In public, if there’s not social distancing, you must wear a face covering.”  Most open businesses have asked that customers wear a face covering, so please be cooperative and respectful.
8. Census:  Don’t forget the census.

Beacon has really pulled together.  Thank you all for doing your part. 

latest issue of Golden Living News for Seniors is now available!

Important Notices:
Our offices remain open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. We remain able to accept visitors only under strict limitations. Call or email before visiting. Many issues can be resolved without having to leave the safety of your home:
845-486-2555, ofa@dutchessny.gov.

Topics in this issue include:

• 2020 Senior Picnics Postponed
• A Virtual “Celebration of Aging”
• News from Dutchess County’s Utilities
• Other Aging News Online

View or download on DutchessNY.gov (.pdf) >>>

Molinaro Announces Efforts for ‘Restarting Dutchess’
Economy, Operations following COVID-19 Pandemic

Teams formed to streamline transition to re-open County

Poughkeepsie, NY… As communities throughout the nation and state look to reconstitute their operations in the wake of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has announced “Restarting Dutchess,” a multi-pronged initiative to appropriately re-open the County’s economy and Dutchess County Government operations.

As part of “Restarting Dutchess,” County Executive Molinaro has announced the creation of four executive-level teams – partnerships between Dutchess County Government leaders, members of the Dutchess County Legislature and several countywide elected officials – to guide the direction of the initiative forward to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

County Executive Molinaro has been working closely with Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan to ensure coordination among the three counties for cohesive reopening efforts with twice weekly online meetings – one focused on county operations and the other focused on economic development. As Governor Andrew Cuomo begins lifting statewide PAUSE restrictions and allows for specific activities in phases using a region-based plan, the three counties are advocating to be considered separately from the most southern region of New York, including Westchester County. The three counties took aggressive measures early on, including being among the first counties to close schools and stop gatherings. In Dutchess County, those efforts have led to a slowing in new cases and hospital capacity has remained stable with continued improvement. While Dutchess County Government remains laser focused on public health and safety, work has also been underway to ensure a successful transition to full County Government operations and reigniting the local economy.

County Executive Molinaro said, “Over these past months, we have been working 24/7 to address the public health impact of COVID-19, while at the same time providing guidance, support and assistance to our local businesses and organizations who have been impacted by the shutdown of much of the economy. While Dutchess County Government remains laser focused on public health and safety, we are also working aggressively to ensure a successful transition to full County Government operations and reigniting our local economy. This will be a careful balancing act – enabling the acceleration of economic activity while carefully monitoring the health data to immediately respond to any spikes in infection or hospitalization numbers. It will be a very fluid process as we adapt to a ‘new normal’ for the economy and Dutchess County Government.”

While the focus of most county departments and officials has been on addressing the coronavirus pandemic, every Dutchess County Government department has remained operational to provide residents with essential services and programs, under the constraints of mandatory work at home orders and drastically limited in-person interaction to ensure proper social-distancing protocols are adhered to for safety. County departments have continued to respond to residents needs with online, phone or email services. This has included photo document submission via mobile app to process temporary assistance applications through the Department of Community & Family Services; new Telehealth services for the Stabilization Center; and the County Clerk’s office has recorded more than 1,260 online land document transactions. Dutchess County DMV has developed a new procedure to register vehicles through the mail at http://www.dutchessny.gov/newregistration.

County Executive Molinaro has been leading response and planning efforts with community partners and local elected officials as well, hosting regular conference calls to ensure open lines of communications and to provide updates from county government as well as updates about state and federal guidance to help them make informed decisions and assist in their planning processes. Twice weekly meetings are held with Mayors and Supervisors, weekly meetings are held with legislators, hospitals, healthcare providers and nursing homes, as well as well as ongoing meetings with area non-profits.

Town of Hyde Park Supervisor Aileen Rohr, President of the Dutchess County Supervisors and Mayors Association, said, “We thank County Executive Molinaro for his transparency, cooperation and guidance during this unprecedented pandemic. We appreciate the open lines of communication the County has engaged during these difficult times, as well as the willingness to work with individual municipalities to find sensible solutions to evolving challenges.”

Supporting local businesses and organizations has been paramount through the pandemic. At the outset in early March, County Executive Molinaro mobilized the economic Rapid Response Team, a coalition of local business community partners, and the Dutchess Business Notification Network was established, providing critical information and resources, including guidance about essential and non-essential designations. Other efforts under coordination of Assistant County Executive Ron Hicks, in addition to answering hundreds of daily calls with specific questions, have included:

• Survey of hundreds of local businesses for their needs and resources,
• Request of bank offer forbearance,
• Lobbied for and received federal approval for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans to Dutchess County businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,
• Hosted multiple countywide Tele-Town Hall conversations with local business community with thousands of attendees taking part online,
• Pause on the collection of the hospitality industry bed tax collection,
• Promotion of immediate job openings available for those seeking employment,
• Creation and distribution of best practices for businesses,
• Launch of the Business Restoration Task Force, and
• Distribution of free face cloths to local businesses, among other efforts.

Various promotional efforts, including TakeOut Tuesday, Farmstand Friday, and Dutchess Tourism’s #WeWillFlyAgain campaign, have also been launched to promote local businesses during the pandemic and to position them for success when the economic re-opening begins.

As part of “Restarting Dutchess,” County Executive Molinaro has constituted four distinct teams to ensure a smooth and orderly transition to a “new normal” for Dutchess County Government and the local economy:

Led by County Executive Molinaro and County Legislators Randy Johnson and Dierdre Houston, the Local Governments Team is working with the County’s 30 municipalities as they devise and implement their respective plans for re-opening.

Among the measures being taken through the Local Governments Team include a recent informational webinar, Conducting Public Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic, held for Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeal to ensure necessary meetings can be held to keep key projects moving forward. Over 220 attendees participated. County Executive Molinaro will also utilize the County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for creative measures to jump-start village and city centers.

Deputy County Executive William F.X. O’Neil, County Clerk Brad Kendall and County Legislature Assistant Majority Leader John Metzger will serve on the County Government Functions Team which is assessing Dutchess County Government departments’ current level of functionality during the pandemic and working for the full operational restoration of County Government.

Work of the County Government Functions team includes review of the County’s years-long Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and Coordination of Government (COG) plans. County department heads have also all been directed to provide comprehensive reconstitution plans, including how they will provide services in a new environment that includes new focus of public health and safety considerations as well as anticipated fiscal challenges.

Assistant County Executive for Economic Development Ron Hicks, members of the Th!nk Dutchess Alliance for Business, and County Legislator Don Sagliano will head the Economic Development Team, continuing to provide local, state and federal updates and guidance about a phased re-opening of the local business community. In addition to the efforts previously noted, this team is working closely with the Governor’s Office and Empire State Development for latest updates and information, as well as with the Department of Behavioral & Community Health to provide expertise and assistance to businesses and organizations as they develop their health and safety plans.

The Fiscal/Financial Team, with Budget Director Jessica White, County Comptroller Robin Lois and County Legislator Will Truitt, Chairman of the County Legislature’s Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee, is reviewing the County’s finances moving forward following the pandemic, as well as possible state and federal assistance available to Dutchess County.

Budget Director White and Commissioner of Finance Heidi Seelbach have provided Dutchess County Legislature a summary of the 2019 Annual Financial Statement which demonstrated the success of the conservative and prudent fiscal planning under the leadership of County Executive Molinaro over the past eight years. Dutchess County’s fiscal position, with a solid fund balance of nearly $60 million, will be vital in the coming months as the County Government feels the impact of lost sales tax revenue, state revenue reductions and other effects of the global pandemic.

Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver said, “Our legislative members are proud to work alongside County Executive Molinaro and his administration as we collectively find solutions that are in the best interest of all Dutchess County residents. Just as such collaborations have proved fruitful in the past, I’m confident these four partnerships will similarly benefit the residents we all serve.”

County Executive Molinaro said, “These four teams will meet regularly, both internally and externally, providing guidance and planning to ensure our successful path forward as we begin Restarting Dutchess. There is much more to come, with a great deal of work ahead, but we have a solid foundation to build on and are fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated people committed to Dutchess County’s future.”

Dutchess County Government continues to provide residents the most current information on its COVID-19 Community Impact Dashboard, as well as guidance on its website, dutchessny.gov/coronavirus, its Coronavirus hotline, (845) 486-3555, and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

www.dutchessNY.gov