IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Opening of Gyms and Fitness Studios
The governor today announced gyms and fitness studios in New York State, which have been closed since March 22nd, will be permitted to open, beginning next Monday, August 24th. To be allowed to open, such facilities will be limited to a third of their total capacity, and those utilizing the facility will be required to wear masks at all times, among other guidelines; further guidance has not yet been made available. As previously announced, bowling alleys throughout the state are allowed to open if they following specific guidance, which is available online at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/…/SportsAndRecreationSummaryGui…
Opening of Bowling Alleys
On Monday, August 17th, bowling alleys may open at 50% capacity, with every other lane closed, cleaning and disinfecting protocols in place, food and beverages may only be served to those groups staying in their own lane, groups may not interact physically with groups in other lanes, and all customers must wear face coverings.
In addition, New York State will issue guidance on how gyms can re-open on Monday.
Data-driven guidance for reopening schools
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new, data-driven guidance for reopening schools in New York State. Schools in a region can reopen if that region is in Phase IV of reopening and if its daily infection rate remains below 5 percent or lower using a 14-day average since unPAUSE was lifted. Schools will close if the regional infection rate rises above 9 percent, using a 7-day average, after August 1. New York State will make the formula determination during the week of August 1 to 7. New York State, the Reimagine Education Advisory Council and the Department of Health released finalized guidance and guiding principles for reopening schools today, which are available here (https://www.governor.ny.gov/…/Pre-K_to_Grade_12_Schools_Mas…). The DOH and Governor’s Reimagine Council are working closely with the Department of Education as it releases education guidance. Plans to reopen schools are due on July 31.
Village Hall is Open
Village Hall has reopen to the public with limited access. Village Hall will be open to visitors, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4pm. All persons entering Village Hall must wear a face mask. Residents are still encouraged to make payments by mail, or by placing payments in the lock box located behind the building.
Re-Opening Guidelines for Use of Village of Wappingers Falls Parks and Playgrounds
- Everyone must:
- Avoid close contact with people, even when outside. Keep a distance of at least 6 feet to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
- No large groups or gatherings that make it difficult to social distance
- Wear a Mask, especially if unable to social distance. (Exception for under 2 years of age or for medical reasons). If you are eating, please be sitting at a table, on a bench or on the ground before removing your mask
- Sanitize your hands before and after using playground equipment.
Hand Sanitizers are located in every Village Park.
- Children should be supervised at all times and assisted in using hand sanitizer as needed.
- Avoid games and activities that require close contact. Basketball courts are open only to one person shooting. NO PICKUP GAMES. Only low risk sports activities at this time.
- Don’t share equipment such as bicycles, helmets, balls or frisbees.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
- Boat docks and launches are open.
- Respect our Parks! Clean up and Please put all garbage in garbage cans.
- Respect our Community! Limit your time so that all our residents have an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Stay Home:
If you are sick or not feeling well
If you are elderly or have an underlying medical condition that puts you at risk. Remain in the safety of your home and enjoy your own personal outdoor spaces.
New York FORWARD
Office of the Mayor Press Release
April 1, 2020
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, on Sunday March 22nd the Village had its first infection of COVID-19. Yesterday its reported cases increased by 50% to a total of 12. After reviewing the data from the County, the Village’s small urban population is second in Dutchess County in both infections per 1,000 and per square mile. (Second to Beacon and the City of Poughkeepsie respectively). It is apparent that this virus likes urbanized areas. Please listen to the recommendations of our County and State. This virus is very contagious and it especially preys on the weak. It is absolutely recommended that Village residents take heed and stay at home, limit trips to the grocery stores, wash your hands and take care to practice social distancing. Remember, here in the Village where there is a higher percentage of elderly, it is especially important to protect each other by following these recommendations.
Dutchess County released it’s COVID- 19 Dashboard
New Coronavirus Dashboard is now available at dutchessny.gov/coviddashboard with data about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our community, including information on the number of confirmed cases and a map of the cases in each of the County’s 30 municipalities, as well as other important information.
Temporary Suspension of the Open Meetings Law
NOTICE:
Temporary Suspension of the Open Meetings Law by the Governor’s Executive Order 202.1:
Due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency, the Village of Wappingers Falls will cancel the regular meeting that was noticed for March 25, 2020. It will however have an emergency meeting as explained below.
Executive Order 202.1 temporarily suspends the Open Meetings Law requirement for public bodies to provide the public with in-person access to public meetings. Through April 11, 2020 at the earliest, public bodies may hold a public meeting in the following four ways:
1. In person at a public location;
2. In-person at a public location, with some or all of the members attending via video-conferencing and in-person attendance allowed at all locations where video-conferencing is occurring as well as at the public location;
3. By conference call, with either an in-person location where some board members are present, or with all board members participating remotely, but allowing the public to listen to the conference call, which must be recorded and a transcript provided at a later date; or
4. By video-conferencing, with either an in-person location where some board members are present, or with all board members participating remotely, with the public able to view the video-conference online, which must be recorded and a transcript provided at a later date.
For the safety of its official, employees, residents, and the general public, the Village has decided to go with a combination of options 3 and 4. Until further notice, the Village of Wappingers Falls will be employing Zoom for Village Board meetings and WebEx for Planning Board meetings. No meetings of the Zoning Board of Appeals are currently scheduled. Each service allows participation by the public either by computer or smartphone over the internet, or by telephone.
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Village Board will conduct a short emergency Zoom meeting solely for the purpose of voting to have a Special Meeting on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 5:00 pm. This meeting will be held exclusively online, with no one attending in person at Village Hall. The Trustees and meeting attendees will participate via remote access through Zoom by computer. No public hearings are scheduled for this meeting. The public is invited to listen to and watch the meeting either via computer or telephone, but there will be no live public participation during this meeting. The Village is in the process of establishing email addresses that public comments may be sent to. We will post this information on the website as soon as it is available. We will also post the Zoom meeting information as soon as it is available.
March 25th meeting will be recorded and posted on the Village website.