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With remote access, the wheels of government keep turning

Patricio Robayo - Staff Writer
Posted 3/30/20

SULLIVAN — The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has touched every aspect of our lives and the way we conduct business. It has been no different for local municipal governments who are trying to find …

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With remote access, the wheels of government keep turning

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SULLIVAN — The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has touched every aspect of our lives and the way we conduct business. It has been no different for local municipal governments who are trying to find new ways of keeping residents informed while maintaining social distancing.

While all town halls are closed to the public until further notice, local governments still have to operate and provide services to their towns. Here is a look at two of them.

Fallsburg

In Fallsburg, they have embraced the change and are using technology to continue their town board meetings and still have residents participate.

Using Zoom, a remote conferencing service, the town held a virtual meeting on March 23.

Residents followed a link that was posted on the town's website and Facebook, where they were able to watch and participate as if they were sitting in the town hall.

“We are doing our best as a town board to operate the town while the offices are closed to the public. Our people working from home or when necessary, at their office,” said Fallsburg Town Supervisor Steven Vegliante.

During the meeting, various department heads for the town of Fallsburg reported on how they were dealing with the new reality, and most were working from home.

Supervisor Vegliante, during the virtual meeting, explained his reasoning on why he suspended the occupancy at the seasonal summer camps within the town.

“We have something that other towns probably don't have as much, and that is a significant summer camp and seasonal community. Those bungalow camps are a big part of our economy and a big part of Fallsburg going back 60 or 70 years,” said Supervisor Vegliante.

But according to Supervisor Vegliante, having the camps operate would violate the executive order from Governor Cuomo on a mass gathering of 50 people or more.

Furthermore, he said the town cannot inspect each camp daily to see if they comply.

“I have decided it was the best interest for this town and our county to suspend the certificate of occupancy temporarily,” said Supervisor Vegliante.

However, Governor Andrew Cuomo's office denied Fallsburg's recent Local State of Emergency.

Vegliante said he had requested a review and guidance from the Governor's office to draft an order that will comply with their guidelines.

“Whether or not our local order gets either reinstated or reissued ... [we] will continue to prohibit the use and occupancy of seasonal residences/bungalow colonies and camps within the Town of Fallsburg during the pendency of this crisis,” said Vegliante in a statement.

However, he said that order does not apply to those second homeowners who want to utilize their home.

But to keep everyone safe and not to overburden our local healthcare system, he is echoing the statement from County Manager Joshua Potosek for those second homeowners not to visit the county.

Moreover, Supervisor Vegliante said that town parks are open to residents, but offices and bathrooms are closed.

If residents do use the park, Supervisor Vegliante said to practice social distancing.

“I want to point out the unbelievable dedication our town staff in every single department,” said Supervisor Vegliante. “They are working and taking all this in stride. We are producing far better than I expected under these circumstances, and that is solely due to the dedication to our town workforce.”

Supervisor Vegliante now holds daily video briefings from his home to update Fallsburg residents on any updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and town affairs.

The daily briefings could be found on the town's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/

townoffallsburgny.

Thompson

The Town of Thompson is also making the best of the situation and is reaching out by Facebook to its residents.

After holding a town board meeting on Facebook Live on March 17, Town Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr. gave an update on Facebook this past week.

Supervisor Rieber said, “While the state is on virtual lockdown, Thompson is providing services on a limited basis. Remember please that the town hall is closed to public access.”

Supervisor Rieber gave an update on each department and how they are operating during this crisis.

A full list of departments' responses to COVID-19 could be found at www.townof

thompson.com/news/update-on-town-activities-and-services-by-department.

Supervisor Rieber said that within a few days about 13 town employees were set up with remote access in an effort to “keep government working.”

“All of your board members are working hard to manage this crisis,” said Rieber. “The depth of talent and dedication of your board and all of our staff is truly amazing.”

More information and updates can be found on the town's Facebook or website, www.townofthompson.com.

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