COVID-19
April 7, 2020 From the Skaneateles Town Supervisor - Skaneateles PRESS – Supervisor’s column
For over a week we have been working with department heads to establish their ability to work remotely from home and to create guidelines for our employees. Our Board members have been learning how to connect to Zoom Meetings as we do our best to allow access to our public meetings through this virtual meeting program. Information on how to connect to these meetings can be found on our Town of Skaneateles website at www.townofskaneateles.com and then go to our Calendar and the day of the meeting. It is a whole new way of operating for us and a whole new world for everyone.
On April 6th, after many discussions with the Parks Department, it was decided to close the tennis, volleyball and basketball courts at Austin Park due to continued refusal by some to follow the social distancing guidelines. The Charlie Major Nature Trail over the last two weeks and with glimpses of good weather, has been totally overrun. That trail allows very little opportunity for social distancing with the crowds that were going there. Overflow parking on our streets caused the potential for obstructing emergency vehicles ability to get through. Therefore, on April 7th this trail was also closed and barricades, fencing and signage put in place. Still people were ignoring these signs and barricades.
Mottville residents decided to take action on their own In addition to our signage that said the trail was closed, was a sign put up by the residents. The sign said “We are various residents…….WILL call police with license #’s………..YOUR license!!!!!! Don’t be stupid…GO HOME. I want to personally thank our Mottville residents for doing your part to keep us safe.
In a perfect world this would be enough for everyone to accept and follow these rules. The problem is when these closures are ignored. When social distancing is ignored. Right now is a critical time for everyone to do all we can to keep even one more person from getting this virus. It is extremely frightening to me to think how this virus impacts people. It’s your ability to breathe, to take a breath and for some, getting this virus means they will need to be put on a ventilator in order to breathe and save their life. My husband was on a ventilator and I know first-hand the longer you are on the less likely it is that you will ever come off. This is not the ordinary flu. There is currently no vaccine that will stop this virus. This virus can be transmitted by someone who is asymptomatic with no signs of being sick. This should scare every one of us enough to follow every guideline, to respect these guidelines and new rules that have been established to keep everyone safe.
Your Town government is here for you and we will do all we can to support what you need. Our departments are operating and our phones are being answered. Decisions we make now will decide our future. One of our residents stated to me that after this is all over they never want to hear the words “unprecedented time”. I couldn’t agree more. What will be our new normal is impossible to predict. What I do know is that Skaneateles has never backed away from a crisis, we have never backed away from a neighbor who needs help or from a family in crisis. We will get through this by doing everything we can to support each other and taking care of each other.
Janet L. Aaron
Town Supervisor
Dear Skaneateles Residents,
As the world, our nation, our state, and our county respond to the COVID-19 crisis, we provide you this update to our declared state of emergency in the Town of Skaneateles.
Onondaga County has confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Skaneateles. The Onondaga County Department of Health is supervising these and other cases to best aid each of these individuals and protect the public at large. Individuals who may have come in contact with someone who has been confirmed to have the virus will be contacted by the Health Department.
We are asking everyone in the Town of Skaneateles to adhere to social distancing. If you can, Stay Home even if you feel well. Keep 6ft of distance between you and others in public. Cancel unnecessary travel plans.
Essential services of the Water Department and Transfer Station remain in operation for your health and safety. Our Highway Department is on call to address any road needs. Town Hall, Planning, Zoning & Codes are conducting business remotely and public meetings will be held via video conference using Zoom (meeting info will be published). The Parks Department will continue to maintain our Parks and support our Conservation Areas.
The Outreach Office and the Ecumenical Food Pantry with our schools and numerous civic/religious organizations continue to extend their services.
If you or anyone you know is in need of meal assistance during this time contact:
Emily Cullen: ecullen@skanschools.org or (315) 291-2248
Looking to Help?
PLEASE DONATE to our Local Outreach Program
https://www.townofskaneateles.com/covid-19/outreach-covid-19-relief-fund/
Updates including any cancellations will be on our Website, Newsletter & Constant Contact Email.
Please email or call if you are not enrolled for these notices.
As able, please call & check in on other community members. We know this is a very challenging time for our residents as we try to navigate through hardships we never thought we would face. Skaneateles has never walked away from supporting each other and we will get through this together.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Supervisor directly at (315) 685-6726 or Town Councilors at the emails listed below. A Contact Sheet and suggestions for Social Distancing is attached.
Sincerely,
Janet Aaron Town Supervisor jaaron@townofskaneateles.com
Mark Tucker Town Councilor mtucker@townofskaneateles.com
Kevin McCormack Town Councilor kmccormack@townofskaneateles.com
Courtney Alexander Town Councilor calexander@townofskaneteles.com
Chris Legg Town Councilor clegg@townofskaneateles.com
Please Click on the link below:
COVID-19 Resources | Town of Skaneateles | Social Distancing Recommendations
Links to COVID-19 Contact Information
Town of Skaneateles COVID - 19 Statement
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
Onondaga County Information and Updates
NYS Governor's Executive Order Guidance - Essential and Non-Essential Businesses
COVID-19 Contact Tracing Information
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Testing for COVID-19 If you do not have a doctor and have questions, symptoms, or may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, call Upstate University Hospital's Triage Line at 315.464.3979 and you will be advised about testing. The line is open 7am to 11pm each day. |
Town of Skaneateles Directory of Contact Numbers and Emails
