HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05 NewsletterTOWN OF ITHACA COVID-9 UPDATE – May 1, 2020
Website: www.town.ithaca.ny.us
Facebook: Town of Ithaca NY Twitter: Town of Ithaca (@IthacaTown) Thank you all for your messages of support for Town Staff! Check out our FB page or Twitter for photos taken as we began brush pick-up. The Town Clerk has also forwarded your messages of
“Thank You” and “Be Safe” she receives throughout the day.
The Governor’s office is looking at regional openings and we await those guidelines. In the meantime, we continue to work at under 50% staffing and using social distancing and personal protective equipment in continuing services to the best of our abilities.
BUILDING AND CODES As the Governor begins to ease restrictions, the Department will develop a reopening plan and
send out updates. Permits continue to be reviewed as they are submitted in preparation of
reopening.
SPRING BRUSH PICK UP
Just a reminder that we are using one crew to comply with social distancing guidelines as opposed to the usual three. This means the process will take longer than usual. If you had your brush out by April 20th, it will get picked up. If you know your neighbor(s) had theirs out by the 20th and it is still there, you can put yours out now, it simply means the crew hasn’t been by yet. That said,
there will not be any call backs; but
PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY RENOVATION ACCESS TO COMPOST, MULCH & BRUSH
Begins May 4th The Town has worked hard to devise a plan and signage to allow our residents to access compost, mulch and drop off brush even though the Facility is under renovation and not open to the public yet.
For the time being YOU DO NOT NEED TO SIGN IN OR REGISTER. Directional signs and rules for access are posted and a one-way traffic pattern has been instituted to allow access. (pictures below). You will do a loop around the entire building when exiting to maintain this traffic pattern and safety for you, us and our contractors.
Only one vehicle at a time is allowed at the compost/wood chip bins. There is specific signage to follow as well as a waiting area. Please be prompt in your pickup and drop off and be sure to wait until the vehicle ahead of you has left the designated area and of course, maintain social distancing guidelines while at the facility.
PARKS AND TRAILS AND COMMUNITY GARDEN Our parks and trails remain open but please practice social distancing and wear masks! The Town has received many calls and emails asking about enforcement of the guidelines, especially on the
trails; we have limited staff, and everyone knows what they should be doing. It is up to the people to be respectful of others and do what is right and expected. Playground structures and basketball hoops are closed due to the risk of shared equipment as detailed in the State and County Guidelines. Please, respect the rules and guidelines.
The Community Garden at Lindermann Creek was closed briefly while safe practices were developed due to risks associated with the shared tools the Town provides. The Garden is now reopened with revised safety rules in place. If anyone is interested in a plot, please contact the Town Clerk at townclerk@town.ithaca.ny.us
NYS UNIFIED COURTS REMAIN CLOSED The NYS Court System remains closed through May 30th. If you had a ticket or appearance
scheduled, you will receive notice of the rescheduled date when courts reopen. Notices will be sent to the address on the appearance ticket, so please make sure you have a forwarding address if applicable. No penalties or fees will be assessed during the closure.
DMV – Keep the Money LOCAL Transactions by mail
Tompkins County DMV is still doing transactions by mail and appointment in some cases. Many people don’t realize that if you renew at the County level instead of online or mailing forms back to the State, the County keeps a larger portion of the fees. Our DMV has a very user-friendly website at https://www2.tompkinscountyny.gov/dmv . If you just google it, it may take you to
the NYS site, so please, make sure you get to the local site and keep the taxes local!
CENSUS #2020
Go to www.2020census.gov to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire This remains a very important item for everyone in our town and county! Remember, some funding is dependent on CENSUS population figures! Students who normally would have been here in the County should fill out the Census as if they were her.
NEED HELP OR INFORMATION?
Need Help…
… getting food? Dial 211
… getting health insurance? Dial 211 … getting masks? Dial 211 or text your zip code to TXT211 or 898211
2-1-1 has interpreters for many languages