All’s quiet in the ‘dog bark’
GERMANTOWN—Effective April 23, Palatine Bark, the Germantown dog park, is closed until further notice. Town officials say they cannot properly manage social distancing and safety during this time.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Germantown Town Hall, including all offices, will remain closed until at least May 31.
The Kellner Community Activity Building and the Parsonage are also closed until further notice.
All Town sponsored or supported outdoor activities usually held in May are canceled. These include but are not limited to the River Sweep, Garden Club, Yard Sales and Stroll, the Memorial Day parade and festivities.
The Little League season has been canceled. The Rabies Clinic has been postponed.
The Town Playground remains closed. Practice social distancing when outside. Wear a mask when in proximity to others.
The Town Board will meet remotely May 12 using Zoom audio/video technology. The agenda and information about how the public can participate will be posted by May 8.
The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals will meet remotely in May as necessary. Similarly, GEDAC, LWRP committee and WAC will also meet remotely. The boards and committees will use Zoom audio/video technology. Check the calendar and “News” on the Town website (www.germantownny.org) for more details about upcoming meetings, agendas and information about how the public can participate.
The Town will reassess the situation by May 31.
The Town will have hand sanitizer available Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to noon under the pavilion at Palatine Park. Bring your own small container to refill, as the Town is out of bottles, but does have gallon pumps. Volunteers will also be accepting food and monetary donations for the Food Pantry.
Pick up alone, together in spirit
COPAKE—Copake Grange #935 had planned its annual Grange Pick-Up Day for Saturday, April 25, but given that everyone must stay home, the Grange has decided to change the plan.
Since people still do need an occasional walk for exercise, the Grange encourages them to make their walk a good deed. Walkers should clean up the road in their neighborhood that they walk on, by picking up bottles and cans along the way. This will make the Grange’s Pick-Up Day a new experience. Together in spirit while staying apart. Participants should remember to wear masks to protect themselves and others they may come upon. When the Pick-Up Day walk is done, participants are invited to can send the Grange a photo of the “collection” at (glenn829@aol.com) to be posted on the Grange’s Facebook page.
Sanitizer, masks are free to residents
GHENT—The Town has a limited amount of liquid hand sanitizer and face masks (not medical grade) to distribute for free to Ghent residents who have been unable to obtain them elsewhere.
Both will be distributed Saturday, April 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. (or until the supply runs out) in the parking lot of Ghent Town Hall, 2306 Route 66.
The hand sanitizer will be distributed in individual plastic containers with lids, and residents will need to transfer it to their own spray bottles at home. The masks are in four-packs.
Town Board members will be on hand to monitor the distribution, but everyone must maintain at least a six-foot distance from one another, as mandated by law.
Residents should enter the parking lot via the State Route 66 entrance and proceed to the end of the line. When they reach the front of the line, one person only should exit the car and approach the table.
Take one plastic container of hand sanitizer and one mask 4-pack and immediately return to the car.
Exit the parking lot via the Garage Place exit. After the liquid is transferred to a spray bottle, wash hands. Also wash the masks before using.
No meetings, no casino trip
VALATIE—The Tri-Village Seniors meetings scheduled for Monday, April 27 and Monday, May 18 have been canceled. The group’s Turning Stone Casino trip and the May 12 trip to Villa Roma are also canceled.
Everyone will receive their deposit back for these trips. The group will keep everyone posted on the status of the Hudson River Cruise trip in June as well as the June meeting when those dates get closer.
Shopping assistance available to seniors
HUDSON—Any Columbia County resident who is over the age of 60 and needs assistance by having someone shop or pick up prescriptions for them, call the Office for the Aging at 518-828-4258.
The Office for the Aging has compiled a list of groups and volunteers throughout the County who will shop and deliver items to a resident’s home. The Columbia County Office for the Aging is here to assist during this difficult time.
Neighbors offers masks
ANCRANDALE—Ancramdale Neighbors Helping Neighbors (ANHN) now offers free masks to people and businesses in the area.
ANHN reports a generous response to its request for volunteers to sew masks. Now there are at least six Ancram women who are sewing masks to donate to their neighbors.
Anyone who needs masks or knows someone who does, should contact Jack Lindsey (518-329-7306) or Hila Richardson (917-414-8270) and they will arrange to get the masks to those who need them.
ANHN can also help with food and funds for emergency expenses during this time. Contact Mr. Lindsey or Ms. Richardson with these requests at the above phone numbers.
Legal Aid Society rolls out ‘Legal Line’
ALBANY—The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) remains reachable for the community and is fully-staffed and serving clients.
To meet the current challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) has created a comprehensive Covid-19 Legal Response which includes a Legal Line (833-628-0087) and a Legal Information Web Page. This initiative is meeting the urgent civil legal needs of low income people in the 16 counties the LASNNY serves. Equal justice under law means that everyone facing a serious civil legal problem because of this crisis, should receive the legal information, advice, brief service and representation they need.
“The community LASNNY serves is particularly vulnerable to the economic impact of this pandemic. Legal Aid’s Covid-19 Legal Response and our Legal Line continue to play a crucial role during and after the crises,” Lillian Moy, LASNNY executive director, said in a press release.
The toll free Legal Line (833-628-0087) is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information about LASNNY and its Covid-19 Legal Information page may be found at www.lasnny.org. Support staff will be working remotely to manage new intakes or requests for assistance, to put clients in touch with intake specialists and case handlers, as well as referrals.
