Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 18, 2020 Update

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

Corona Virus Update – March 18, 2020

Unfortunately, far too many people have been coming into Town Hall on non-essential business, especially as more and more governments close in the region. As such, we have decided to finally close the doors to Town Hall starting Thursday morning, even though it pains me to do so. We have set up self-service stations in the lobbies outside the Clerk’s Office and outside the offices of Building and Engineering. We will still be conducting business online, through the mail, and via telephone. If there is an essential need to conduct a piece of business in person, we will do so by appointment.

For Dog Licenses, we encourage you to pay them by mail or via the website. We have modified the website such that you can still renew, even if past the original deadline, as long as you have a valid rabies certificate. As we are aware that most veterinary offices are shut down except for emergency situations, we are extending all renewal deadlines, starting with February 29, 2020. Deadlines will resume 30-days past the “return to normal” date, sometime in the future. If you wish to make a payment in person, we have a drop box in the lobby just outside the Clerk’s Office. If you have any questions, please call the Clerk’s Office at 359-7035.

For building permits, we will have the necessary forms in the lobby of the old library, which is housing our Building and our Engineering departments while their space in Town Hall is being rebuilt. We will use the former book drop for people to drop the completed forms and any payments – by check is preferred, but if you wish to use cash, you can, but please make sure you have exact change. To contact the Building and Fire Prevention Department for questions or regarding an essential service, please call 359-7060. To contact the Engineering and Planning Department for questions or regarding an essential service, please call 359-7070.

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.

The schedule of upcoming public meetings are as follows:

Planning Board – the meeting for March 24th has been canceled. The meeting for April 14th will most likely be live streamed instead of allowing public presence.

Town Board – the meeting for March 25th will be live streamed instead of allowing public presence. The meeting for April 8th will most likely be the same. The same holds true for the Special Permit Hearings and Board Workshop sessions prior to the actual Town Board meetings.

Zoning Board – the meeting for April 1st will most likely be live streamed instead of allowing public presence.

Conservation Board – the meeting for April 7th will most likely be live streamed instead of allowing public presence.

Historic Site Committee – all meetings have been postponed until Public Hearings are allowed again.

More details will follow on how to participate in a live streamed public meeting.

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