This week in the villages: The Shared Use Path has been years in the making and today’s the day it opens to the public for the first time. Ballots for the Nyack Schools budget and board vote must be received in the mail by Tuesday. Also, if you want to vote in the June 23 New York State Primary election via absentee ballot, you must apply on or before Tuesday. Effective Monday, Metro North is increasing peak train service due to Phase 1 and 2 increases in ridership.
What’s SUP? (It’s SUP Opening Day, today)
Tired of walking / jogging / cycling the same regular route up and down Broadway to Hook Mountain? Beginning today (June 15) at 2p, you can add Tarrytown to your daily trot or ride when the 3.6 mile bike/pedestrian Shared Use Path (SUP) on the Mario Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge opens to the public at 2p.
The Rockland Landing for the SUP is located in South Nyack (1200 Route 9W). Dogs, drones, and skateboards are prohibited. The path will be open daily from 6a-10p.
Metro-North Increases Peak Service
Metro-North is adding M-F peak service trains to the the Hudson and Harlem lines. Hourly service will continue to be provided during off-peak periods, on middays, evenings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. During this special schedule, off-peak fares will continue to be in effect. HudsonLinkNyack.com, the website that provides customized bus/train schedules for the H07 buses and Metro North trains from Tarrytown, has been updated to reflect these changes.
Village of Nyack
Nyack Schools Budget Vote and Board Election
This year’s Nyack Schools’ budget vote and board election will be 100% vote by mail.
On June 7, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the deadline for school districts to receive school budget ballots to be counted. The school district must receive ballots by mail through June 16 by the school district. Find out more about what this means for the local election, who the candidates are, and what the district might expect in “Vote By Mail Stresses Nyack Schools, Budget Vote, Candidates.”
Click on the names below to read why each of the candidates for the Nyack Schools Board of Education think you should vote for them:
Parking Updates
Parking fees were suspended for all parking in the Village of Nyack at the start of the lock down in March. Parking permits are now required for the Catherine St Lot and Spear St Lot. New or renewal permit applications may be found on nyack-ny.gov.
There is no overnight parking on:
- Main St (Midland Ave to Broadway)
- Broadway (Cedar Hill to High Ave)
- Franklin St (Depew Ave to High Ave)
On street parking and the municipal lots on Main St are still available at no fee and the Artopee Lot is available for overnight parking. Additional updates on parking will follow as the parking regulations are phased back in. Contact the Parking Authority at 845-358-3851 or at parking@nyack-ny.gov.
Reopening Nyack
The Village of Nyack has put together a “Guide to Reopening Our Village” with information for residents and businesses. It may be found on nyack-ny.gov.
Property Tax Update
Property tax bills will be mailed out during the first week of June. Governor Cuomo has granted a 21 day penalty-free period making the bills due by July 21, 2020. On July 22, 2020, a 5% penalty will be added. An additional 1% penalty will be added on the 1st of the month, every month after until and including October. On Nov 1, 2020, all unpaid tax bills will be sent to the county to be relevied onto the county bill in Jan, 2021.
Expedited Outdoor Seating Permit Process
At the May 28, 2020 Nyack Board of Trustees meeting, the Village Board approved a resolution to expedite the outdoor seating permit process for restaurants and businesses. An Outdoor Sidewalk Cafe Application may be found on nyack-ny.gov. For more information, contact the Village of Nyack Building Dept at buildingdepartment@nyack-ny.gov or call 845-358-4249.
Moratorium on Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
The Nyack Village Board recently enacted a moratorium on gas-powered leaf blowers until the end of June, 2020. Residents are requested to please share the landscaper notification with your landscaper. All concerns regarding this moratorium should be directed to Jim Politi, Village Administrator at 845-358-3581. Please do not contact the Orangetown Police Department about leaf blowers.
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The Village of South Nyack
Franklin Street Park Tennis Court
The Franklin Street Park Tennis Court is now open. Please keep in mind that due to the COVID-19 epidemic,
you must follow all recommended social distancing guidelines when playing tennis on this court, including singles play only.
Town of Orangetown
Town Hall is Now Open to Visitors
Orangetown Town Hall is now open to all visitors. Guests are asked to wear a mask and maintain social distance within the buildings. Hygienic barriers are in place and there are markings on the floor to help remind you of the need to maintain social distancing. All visitors will be required to sign a visitor log.
Reopening Businesses
On Tuesday, the Town of Orangetown entered Phase 2 of the NY Forward reopening plan. If you are unsure if your business is allowed to reopen, please visit businessexpress.ny.gov for more information. If you know your business is allowed to reopen and you have yet to fill out your affirmation, please visit the Town of Orangetown’s Kickstart Orangetown Page.
Phase 2 allows outdoor dining and the Town Board has authorized a Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit. The Temporary Outdoor Dining Application and additional information may be found on orangetown.com. A sketch plan is required to be submitted. Please send an email containing the business name and address to buildingfoils@orangetown.com or through the town’s online system to inquire if an existing site plan and/or survey exists, or you may call 845-359-8410. The building department is open from 7:30a to 5:15p for summer hours, but the building is closed to the public until further notice. They ask that all communications be via phone or email. You can call or you may also send an email to obzpae@orangetown.com and directly to your assigned inspector.
SAVE THE DATE – Frozen II – Drive-in Movie Night
On Sat, June 27, 2020 the Orangetown Parks & Recreation Department will be taking over the Pfizer/IRG Realty parking lot for a Family Movie Night. The night will feature a 40′ x 35′ movie screen, music and food trucks. The gates will open at 6:30p and at Frozen II will be shown on the big screen at 9p.
Each family may register one car for the evening and the cost is $15. As a part of the evening, we will be saluting the healthcare and essential workers for all they have done for our community over the last 3 months. Space is limited and registration will begin Mon, June 15 at 6p on register.communitypass.net. If you don’t already have a Community Pass account, you can set one up prior to June 15. Pre-registration is required, no on site registration will take place on June 27. Please note COVID-19 guidelines will be in place. More information can be found on orangetown.com.
Orangetown Highway Department Drop-off Center
The Orangetown Highway Department Drop-off Center is now open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A list of COVID-19 Access Regulations and Safety Guidelines may be found on orangetown.com.
Town of Clarkstown
Save the Dates – 2020 Comprehensive Plan Workshops
The Town of Clarkstown will be holding Comprehensive Plan workshops by ward via teleconference on the following dates where residents are asked to voice their opinions and share ideas for the future of the town:
- Ward 2 – Councilman Michael Graziano – Mon, June 22, 2020 from 7-9p
- Ward 4 – Councilman Patrick Carroll – Mon, June 15, 2020 from 7-9p
Residents are encouraged to participate by phone at 845-286-9068 or by watching through Facebook Live on the Town of Clarkstown Facebook Page. To learn more and submit comments, please visit compplan2020.clarkstown.org.
Tele-Town Hall Wed, June 17, 2020, 3p (new day)
Join Supervisor George Hoehmann for an update on a group telephone call to ask any questions or bring up any concerns you may have. Call 845-203-6304 to join, or watch on FB live.
Town Board’s Resolution to Expand Outdoor Dining
In a move meant to boost the morale and bottom line of local businesses in Clarkstown, the Town Board recently approved a resolution granting the town’s Building Inspector the ability to grant Temporary Outdoor Dining permits. This will allow, on a case-by-case basis, businesses to utilize underused parking spaces to allow for increased capacity to serve more patrons while spaced for social distancing. If you are interested in applying for a permit for your business, please contact the Building Department.
Banners to Honor High School Seniors at Congers Lake Walkway
On Tue, June 16, 2020 at 1p, there will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting for Clarkstown’s Salute to 2020 High School Graduates on the walkway at Congers Lake Memorial Park. The walkway will display over 100 banners recognizing 2020 graduates of Clarkstown North, Nanuet Senior High School, Albertus Magnus, Clarkstown South, Nyack High School, Spring Valley High School, and Ramapo High School. The ceremony will take place across from the Paul Farmhouse, 61 Gilchrest Rd, Congers.
Reopening Clarkstown: A Helpful Guide for Small Businesses Webinar
The Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce, the New City Chamber of Commerce, and Supervisor George Hoehmann recently hosted a webinar to discuss the process of reopening small businesses after COVID-19 closures. If you missed the webinar, it may be viewed on the Town of Clarkstown YouTube channel. A copy of the powerpoint presentation may be found on town.clarkstown.ny.us.
Community Centers
The Clarkstown Recreation Department has been filming activities for residents to enjoy while home and social distancing. They will be broadcast every day on the Town of Clarkstown Government Access Channels (Cablevision/Altice Channel 78 and Verizon Channel 35). A schedule for the week may be found on town.clarkstown.ny.us. There will be other recreation activities broadcast on FB Live (on the Town of Clarkstown Recreation & Parks) led by recreation staff and volunteers at 11a each day. Videos will also be on the town YouTube Channel.
Clarkstown Mulch Site Open
Residents of the Town of Clarkstown may pick up compost and wood mulch during regular park hours for use at their residence at Germonds Park, 185 Germonds Rd, West Nyack.
Rockland County
New York State Primary Election Tue, June 23
The New York State Primary is coming up on June 23, 2020. This includes presidential, federal, state, and local races. Polls will be open that day and early voting started on June 13. And thanks to an executive order by Governor Cuomo, you can also vote by absentee ballot, but you must apply for an absentee ballot on or before June 16, 2020. All the information you need may be found in Weekender Recommendations: Voting Absentee in June 23 Primary.
Free Mosquito Dunks
To help Rockland County residents reduce the number of mosquitoes on their property, free mosquito dunks will be offered to keep pools and outdoor spas mosquito free. Mosquito Dunks® are small, donut-shaped objects that float on the water’s surface and release bacteria that kill mosquitoes in their larval stage in water before they become flying, biting adults. They are for use in closed or unused private swimming pools and spas and are effective for approximately 30 days. A single dunk will treat an area of about 100 square feet.
Mosquito Dunks® will be available, free of charge, for curbside pickup at the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex, 50 Sanatorium Rd, Pomona. The giveaway will begin at 10a on Fri, June 12, 2020, and will continue every Tuesday from 2-3p and every Friday from 10-11a until Oct 30, 2020, or while supplies last. Visit rocklandgov.com for additional information about the program.
Meals On Wheels Needs Volunteers
Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to help with weekly cooler pickup, weekly grocery pickup, frozen meal delivery to senior center members in the Clarkstown area, and daily driving. If you are interested in volunteering for any of these services, please visit mowrockland.org or call (845) 624-6325.
Save the Date: Police & Patrol Officer Civil Service Examination on Sept 26, 2020
Rockland is now accepting applications from candidates interested in a career in law enforcement. A written competitive examination for the Civil Service positions of police officer and patrol officer is scheduled to be held on Sat, Sept 26, 2020, but may be subject to change based on the current health crisis. There are also examinations for Spanish, French/Creole, and Yiddish speaking officers. If interested, applications to take the examination must be received by Wed, July 15, 2020. An online application may be found at mycivilservice.rocklandgov.com. You may also apply by mail at Rockland County Department of Personnel, 50 Sanatorium Rd, Building A, 7th Floor, Pomona, NY 10970. The application fee is $30. For questions, contact the Rockland County Department of Personnel at (845) 364-3737 or at RCPersonnel@co.rockland.ny.us.
