Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 17, 2020 Update

Please visit https://www.henrietta.org/covid for the latest updates.

March 17, 2020

With so many other Town Governments closing, we were finding that people from across the County were coming to the Henrietta Town Hall to get passports or marriage licenses. This created an increased potential for the spread of the corona virus and also put an undue burden on our Clerk’s Office who, per the governor’s mandate, must work at half its normal staffing levels. As a result, we are suspending indefinitely all passport sessions and marriage license processing.

The Henrietta Senior Center is operating as one of the grab-and-go meal sites for Rush-Henrietta students. In addition, we are accepting donations of non-perishable food items, which we will disinfect the packaging and provide to the RHAFT food cupboard for distribution. If you need supplemental meal assistance, please call RHAFT at 453-2370. If you are donating non-perishable food items, please avoid the hours of 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM as those times are when the grab-and-go meals are in operation.

If you are a senior in need of supplemental meals, please call the Senior Center at (585) 334-4030 to arrange for participation in the program.

Reminder: The Recreation Center, Library, Senior Center, Tinker Museum, and Hansen Nature Center will be closed until further notice and all programming activity is suspended, including preschool, youth and adult programs, gym and room reservations, pickleball, walking track and open gym. While we know this will present an inconvenience, we are working towards slowing the spread of the Coronavirus and will also be working to offer some services through alternative means.

The Library has instituted curb-side pickup on Library items. Call 359-7092 or email HPLinfo@libraryweb.org from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday.

Town Hall remains open on a limited basis for essential activities, but we ask that residents only visit if they must. If your trip can be postponed, please do so. Please see https://www.henrietta.org/covid for the latest on the Town’s plans regarding this outbreak.

As of last night, we are now instructed to limit meetings to 10 people. As such, we are advancing our work on providing a live stream for the Town Board Meeting – something we had planned to do later this year. Per the new Executive Order from the Governor, the Town Board will be conducted without an audience in attendance but with the ability of the public to view it through a live stream. Anyone wishing to participate will be able to do so through the Facebook Live streaming, including the ability to type and ask questions regarding the topic currently under discussion. More details will follow.

Community Notice: The Bond Vote for the Fire District’s Station 6 has been postponed. Once restrictions begin to lessen, then will reschedule the vote.

Again, this is a rapidly changing and evolving situation. Expect more changes daily.

The best way to prevent acquiring COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyday preventative actions to help minimize the spread of respiratory viruses, including practicing “social distancing” if possible.

The CDC suggests:

• wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• stay home when sick, especially if medication is needed throughout the day.
• Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their health care provider.

As you are no doubt aware, this is a rapidly evolving situation. Please call ahead if you have any questions about Town facilities being open. If you are planning to visit Town Hall, you can call 334-7700 to ensure we are open.

Here are some resources with information regarding this evolving situation:

Town of Henrietta Coronavirus Updates: https://www.henrietta.org/covid

Monroe County Coronavirus Resources: https://www2.monroecounty.gov/health-coronavirus

Frequently Asked Questions by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

New York State Department of Health: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

Monroe County Health Department has a CoronaVirus Hotline at (585) 753-5555.

In addition, New York has established a Novel Coronavirus Hotline, which can provide additional information. Call 1-888-364-3065 with questions about travel and symptoms.

Sincerely,
Stephen L. Schultz
Henrietta Town Supervisor