The Villages: Nyack Hires a Supervisor, COVID Rates Drop

This week in The Villages, two quick news updates and then a ton of great information about local COVID testing and vaccination efforts in Rockland Country, notices of public hearings, military tributes and more.

Andy Stewart, appearing in his previous role as Orangetown Supervisor, speaking at a press conference at the John Green House on Main St in Nyack on 9/29/15.

Former Orangetown Supervisor and local resident Andy Stewart will take over as Nyack’s Village Administrator next month. A local resident since 1995, Andy is currently the city manager in Peekskill, NY where he has worked since January, 2020.  Previously, he was a Senior Vice President for Research and Analysis at Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a regional policy think tank. Stewart won three elections as Orangetown’s supervisor, serving as its CEO from From Jan 2012 – Dec 2017. His hiring is going to be voted on this Thursday by the Village Board of Trustees. According to the Village of Nyack’s press release, “Mr. Stewart is an avid ping pong enthusiast and hopes working local will help improve his game.”

Secondly, look at low the COVID cases have dropped in the past week! Dramatically. Is this the steep drop we were promised, following Omicron’s dominance? It’s important not to get too giddy about these things. Let’s just say things are looking better. Daily cases in Rockland are down 51%.

Deaths, however, continue to rise. That overall number refuses to drop. If you can, please get vaccinated and boosted as soon as you can. According to local research, those vaccinated have a 90% better chance of not being hospitalized if infected by the virus than those who are unvaccinated. And also, get tested whenever you think you need to. Free tests, can be sent right to your door! See below for details.

Nyack Area COVID Update through Feb. 4

Source: Rockland County Health Department / NYS Health Department, 2/4/2022

To get free at-home Covid test sent to your home, visit Covidtest.gov.  Every home gets four, takes about a week to arrive.

To schedule an appointment for a 1st dose, 3rd dose (for immunocompromised), or booster COVID-19 vaccine from any Rockland County Department of Health Clinic visit rocklandgov.com/departments/health/. To search for additional COVID-19 vaccination opportunities nearby visit vaccines.gov.

If you need information on where to find a COVID-19 testing site near you, visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website covid19screening.health.ny.gov.

A state operated COVID-19 testing site is open at the Patriot Hills Golf Club, 19 Club House Lane, Stony Point. Regular operating hours will be Mon – Sat from 8a – 6p and testing is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Appointments may be made at appointments.bioreference.com.

Rockland Community College (RCC), 145 College Rd, Suffern, is open as a New York State COVID-19 testing site. New York State has partnered with Quadrant Biosciences to operate the site which will provide oral, saliva-based PCR COVID-19 tests. Regular operating hours will be Mon – Fri from 8:30a – 4p. Appointments may be made at app.acuityscheduling.com.

Village of Nyack

Military Tribute Banners

It’s time to order your Military Tribute Banners for 2022. These banners make a beautiful tribute to honor your veterans, active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members. Banners will be displayed from Memorial Day to Veterans Day in the village downtown area. For more information, contact Ann Marie Tisty at 845-358-0548 ext. 283 or at annmarietisty@nyack-ny.gov.

Village of South Nyack

Notice of Public Hearing

A public hearing will be held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of South Nyack at Village Hall, 282 S Broadway on Tue, Feb 8, 2022, at 7:30p regarding a Local Law related to: CLASSIFY THE PROPOSED ACTION AND TO ESTABLISH A NEW LIGHT INDUSTRIAL OFFICE (LIO) ZONING DISTRICT & REZONE THE DPW PROPERTY AT 65 BROOKSIDE AVENUE AS LIO AS A STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT (SEQRA) UNLISTED ACTION, PROVIDE FOR THE REFERRAL OF THE PROPOSED ZONING LEGISLATION. The full text of the proposed law is on file in the Village Clerk’s office and may be reviewed by interested persons on southnyack.ny.gov and is posted on the outside bulletin boards at Village Hall located at 282 S. Broadway, South Nyack. N.Y. 10960. A copy of the proposed Bulk Table for a Light Industrial Office (LIO) Zoning Distruct may also be found on southnyack.ny.gov. The Board of Trustees will hear at said time and place all persons in support of this local law and any objections thereto. Interested parties may appear in person or by agent or representative.

Village of Upper Nyack

Village of Upper Nyack Election Offices to Be Filled

Two two-year trustee offices are vacant at the end of the current official year and are to be filled at the Village election to be held on Tue, Mar 15, 2022.

Nyack Public Schools

Find out more at Home Page – Nyack Public Schools (nyackschools.org)

Town of Orangetown

Children’s Playground at Veteran’s Memorial Park To Close Temporarily

The children’s playground at Orangetown’s Veteran’s Memorial Park will be out of service. The old playground will be removed and a new, all-inclusive playground will be installed. The grand re-opening is expected to be held in the spring.

Town of Clarkstown

Ambulance Corp Volunteers Needed

There is currently a nationwide shortage of EMTs and Ambulance volunteers. Within Clarkstown, there are five ambulance corps serving the community that are in dire need of volunteers. If you are interested, or know someone who may be please consider contacting and volunteering with one of these great organizations: Nyack, Congers/Valley Cottage, Nanuet, New City, or Spring Hill.

Rockland County

Rockland Youth Bureau’s 2022 Youth Employment Program

The Rockland County Youth Bureau is now accepting applications for the 2022 Youth Employment Program. The program helps people ages 14 to 24-years-old develop attitudes, skills, and behaviors to help them thrive in the workforce.

Employers from the private sector, local government, and not-for-profit agencies hire these individuals through the program to give them the experience they need for a successful future. For more information about the Youth Employment Program, please contact RCYB@co.rockland.ny.us or call 845-364-2929.

Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program

The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program will reimburse businesses between $5,000 and $25,000 for past expenses or fund future expenses for eligible outdoor dining COVID-19 mitigation equipment. Eligible entities include restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, wineries, and other similar places of business.

Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Tents
• Heat Lamps or other electric heating equipment
• Additional tables and chairs for outdoor dining
• Market Umbrellas
• Plexiglass Shields
• Tarps
• Patio Fencing

For more information and to download an application visit rocklandgov.com

New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund

Homeowners who are affected financially by the Covid-19 pandemic may qualify for up to $50,000 in aid. The Homeowner Assistance Fund is open through Feb 4, 2022. The New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund (NYS HAF) is a federally funded program dedicated to assisting homeowners who are at risk of default, foreclosure or displacement as a result of financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Visit nyhomeownerfund.org for more information.

Flu Vaccine Clinic

The Rockland County Health Department is holding flu vaccine clinics for the 2021-2022 flu season on various dates and locations. This clinic is for everyone 6 months and older.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome at all clinics. There is a $20 fee for those 6 months through 64 years old: cash or check accepted. For those with private health insurance, we will provide you with a receipt to submit to your health insurance for possible reimbursement. To make the process quicker, please print and bring the completed 2021-2022 FLU VACCINE FORM with you.

The vaccine is free of charge if you:

• are 65 years and older (please bring identification with proof of age)
• have Medicare or Medicaid (please bring your card)
• are uninsured or underinsured

The Health Department is giving the quadrivalent flu vaccine, which does not contain preservatives, including thimerosal. For more information about the flu and the flu vaccine clinics visit rocklandgov.com or call 845-364-2534.