PRESS RELEASE FROM SUPERVISOR DON MACSWAN MARCH 23, 2020:
Last week Governor Cuomo, by Executive Order, required that all businesses and government municipalities/agencies eliminate all unnecessary non-essential employees from reporting to work. Accordingly, only essential employees of the Town of Wheatfield are physically reporting to the actual work locations, the remainder of Town employees are working from home or are furloughed at home pursuant to the State mandate.
Please be assured however, that all Town essential functions and services are being currently maintained and will continue to be maintained.
Taking into account all the recent developments and State Orders regarding the Corona Virus (COVID-19), together with the State of Emergency that was declared in Niagara County and the Town of Wheatfield, I provide the following updated information and policies regarding The Town of Wheatfield.
Wheatfield takes seriously the health and safety of our residents, businesses and visitors. Therefore, we are taking a pro-active approach in an attempt to limit and slow down the spread of the virus, by instituting the following measures for Town facilities and activities:
1. A State of Emergency in the Town of Wheatfield was declared on March 16, 2020, lasting until further notice. We are requesting that you limit nonessential travel as well as public gatherings and meetings.
2. The Town of Wheatfield Youth Center and Community Center including all events, senior activities, meetings, outside organization activities are continuing to be canceled until further notice. The Youth Center is no longer accepting applications for summer camp, baseball and softball as these activities are full.
3. As there have been Corona Virus (COVID-19), cases reported in our area, the Town Hall is closed to the public. The Town Hall will still be maintained by essential staff and departments. The Town Clerk’s Office will still be accepting various payments online, by regular mail and drop box (at front entrance to Town Hall). Building permits are still being issued. As far as this and any other Town Hall business is concerned, we strongly recommend you to complete your town business on-line, by telephone, email or drop box (at front entrance to Town Hall). Any documents needing to be picked up can be done with specific arraignments with the respective department.
4. The regular Town Board, Zoning and Planning meetings continue to be cancelled through the remainder of March. Special meetings may be called for necessary or emergency business.
5. Any other town and committee meetings are postponed until further notice.
6. Electronic recycling at the Town of Wheatfield Water and Sewer Department is temporarily suspended until further notice.
7. The Town of Wheatfield Highway Department Building is closed to the public until further notice.
8. Town cleaning staff will be taking extra sanitation measures on high contact areas.
9. Wheatfield Town Court shall be closed and suspending and adjourning all cases except for criminal arraignments and emergency cases/orders. Any questions from the public should be directed to court phone numbers for guidance and adjourned dates.
10. As part of the essential services, the Town Supervisor’s Office, Town Attorney’s Office, Town Clerk’s Office, Highway Department, Water and Sewer Department and Building Department remain open.
11. Please be reminded that in contacting any department by phone or email, you may need to leave a message or voicemail due to reduced staffing. Please have patience for a return call or response, but be advised that we will make every effort to respond in reasonable time. As always, emergency calls should be to 911.
These policies and measures are subject to change and will be updated as needed.
Both I and Town staff will do our best to keep you informed as things change in the coming days and weeks.
To all of our residents, we will come out of this crisis stronger than ever, with a greater appreciation of our families and friends.
It is also a time to rely on our faith for strength and guidance to get through this difficult time.
If you have a neighbor in need, help out when you can especially with our Senior community.
Remember to follow all social distancing and cleanliness guidelines as advanced by the Department of Health and the CDC. Take care of yourself and do your best to look out for others who may need extra help.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Town with any questions.
Thank you and please do your part to stay safe.
Don MacSwan
Wheatfield Town Supervisor
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