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COVID-19: Municipal updates

Fri, Apr 17th 2020 02:00 pm

Town of Wheatfield

The following press release was issued on April 15

30 day extension of state of emergency declaration

A State of Emergency was declared in the Town of Wheatfield effective at 12:00 a.m, on March 16, 2020, which is to expire 12:00 a.m, April 16, 2020. This State of Emergency was declared due to CoronaVirus — COVID-19. This situation continues to threaten the public health and safety.

This State of Emergency shall be extended for an additional thirty (30) days or until rescinded by a subsequent order.

As the Chief Executive — Town Supervisor of the Town of Wheatfield, I, Don MacSwan, exercise the authority given me under Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law, to preserve the public safety and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, and health of the citizens of this Municipality. I hereby direct all departments and agencies of the Town of Wheatfield to take whatever steps necessary to protect life and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary.

Don MacSwan, Wheatfield Town Supervisor

 

Town of Niagara

The following message was posted to the Town of Niagara Facebook page April 10:

From the Supervisor: Trash Pick-up Concerns and Update

I have had numerous conversations in the last few days with local, regional and national representatives from Republic Services and they assure me that they will resume normal trash pick-up starting this coming Monday, 4/13/2020.

This means that regular household trash placed curbside, in trash bags or cans will be pick-up. Keep in mind that there is a 10 bag maximum per household. They will also backtrack and pick-up any trash in bags and cans previously left.

Lastly, bulk trash pick-up is still suspended until further notice. This includes large items such as furniture, carpets, large tree branches and stumps, mattresses, bed springs, white goods (all appliances) or any large item or dense material that will not fit into a standard 30-32-gallon garbage can or handled by one worker. Please do not place these items curbside.

 

Stay Strong, North Tonawanda

Residents, I want you to know I share in your frustrations in staying totally isolated from family and friends. This is a very difficult time in our lives, but I assure you we cannot do too much to combat this pandemic. Doing too little would have dramatic consequences for our community. 

According to the Niagara County Health Department the number of cases is rising moving upstate, and our peak will happen later.  No one can determine when this will transpire and how long we will remain there. If we rush to return to a “new normal” a second peak may happen and then the virus comes back even stronger. 

For these reasons I cannot stress how important current mitigation is to help keep everyone safe. You may seem okay but when you ignore the PAUSE rules set by the governor you put others around you at risk. It is every individual’s responsibility to consider not only their own but others health also. Please stay home for our medical staff and first responder’s welfare.  In Niagara County we have 166 cases with 616 tests having been given. The number of tests given statewide are below what is needed. It is possible if more tests were available the number of cases would be higher. There are several nursing homes in the area with positive cases and more cases within NT. All executive orders put forth previously are still in effect.  In addition, the golf course, Gateway docks as well as the boat launches at Sweeney Street and Gratwick Park are closed by Governor’s orders. With the holiday this week and improved weather everyone is anxious to go out, but please refrain from being outside. Only by exerting compliance will we combat COVID 19 and emerge as the wonderful community NT has always been. Stay informed, stay self -disciplined and help others by staying home. I wish everyone a blessed spring with much to be thankful for despite restrictions.

 

Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

The following press release was issued by NFARS on April 13:

Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station begins temperature screening at the main gate.

Col. Mark Larson, commander of the 914th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) made the determination in conjunction with Col. Gary Charlton, commander of the 107th Attack Wing (ATKW), to initiate a temperature check for all individuals entering the base beginning Monday, April 13, 2020, until further notice.

"We have a total force of six separate units on our installation, each with a responsibility to complete our common mission to support and defend our nation. However, we can't complete our mission if we don't do everything possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19," says Larson. "Our primary duty is to protect Americans, military members, employees, and their families. This measure should help us identify and mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 in our community."

914th Aeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS) is leading the screening process as a total force initiative with participating members from several units across the installation. Members don protective gear and stand at the front entrance to check the temperatures of every individual entering NFARS. Lt. Col. Shelley Durante, commander of the 914th ASTS, says this is necessary to provide our leadership the data required to make educated decisions quickly.

"We can't make smart decisions if we don't have data to back it up," says Durante. "We are the largest employer in Niagara County, and we must continue our mission while minimizing the risk of spreading infection."

The tools used to take temperatures are no-touch thermometers to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and mitigate potential congested traffic. Members turned away due to high temperatures are asked to return home to self-isolate, contact their supervisor, and seek proper medical attention if necessary.

For more information, please follow the 914th ARW on Facebook and Twitter at @914ARW or visit niagara.afrc.af.mil or follow the 107th ATKW on Facebook @107thNYANG or visit 107attackwing.ang.af.mil.

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