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Keep Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccination Process through State, Dutchess County
The City of Poughkeepsie continues to provide the latest information pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
New York State and counties, including Dutchess, are receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are providing more information about those initiatives.
As it may be many months before appointments become available, based on your eligibility and current vaccine supply, Dutchess County encourages residents to complete its Vaccination Information Request Form for residents to receive a notification when a vaccine appointment is available to them, based on eligibility, at a County Point of Dispensing (POD) site. Those who sign up will also receive updates about vaccine availability at other providers around Dutchess County, including hospitals, medical practices and pharmacies. The form is available on the County’s vaccine information page.
Those without internet access can call the Dutchess County Coronavirus Information Line at 845-486-3555 to hear weekly updates about vaccine availability in the county by selecting Option 1. Those over 65 years old can then choose to be connected with the Office for the Aging to be added to notification lists about appointment availability.
The County has two POD locations — one at the former JCPenney store at the Poughkeepsie Galleria at 2001 South Road Route 9, Poughkeepsie, and the former CVS at 3081 Route 22, Dover. These sites are by appointment only.
New York State also has established its own mass vaccination sites across the state, and residents can go to https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov to check their eligibility and see if appointments are available. They also can call the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline (833-697-4829), which is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., for scheduling appointments at New York State-run vaccination sites (the nearest state-run locations include Westchester County Center, the Javits Center in Manhattan and SUNY Albany); state-run sites in Orange and Ulster counties are expected to open “in the coming weeks,” according to New York State.
Vaccines are also available at some pharmacies and medical centers. The state advises people to contact their provider of choice to schedule a vaccine appointment that way if possible.
You also can download the state's app to get updates on COVID-19 exposure alerts here.
Other Contact Information Related to Virus
New York COVID-19 hotline and website:
888-364-3065
coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Dutchess County coronavirus updates:
dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm
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Mayor Releases Review of Police Reform Report; Council Sets Special Meeting
Mayor Rob Rolison and Police Chief Tom Pape requested a review of the city’s Police Reform & Modernization Collaborative plan by the John F. Finn Institute for Public Safety, Inc., in Albany.
The institute, established in 2007, works with criminal justice agencies to evaluate their operations and identify solutions and effective innovations. The institute also conducts research on criminal justice strategies, programs and practices to deepen its understanding of best practices and research in the field of law enforcement.
The institute’s recommendations reflect the City of Poughkeepsie’s continued commitment to reform-minded policies, and Mayor Rolison said both the city’s plan and The Finn review will be utilized during implementation to improve policing strategies and strengthen community relations.
The Council has set a special meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, March 29, to adopt proposed police reform and modernization plan to fulfill Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Executive Order 203. You can register for that meeting here.
Find out more about the city's police reform plans at www.cityofpoughkeepsie.com/policecollaborativeplan.
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City Fire Department Bolsters
Its Ranks With New Hires
From left, Mayor Rob Rolison, firefighters Scott Birkler, Anthony Larocca, Michael Lewis and Oscar Rendon and Fire Chief Mark Johnson stand in front of the Public Safety Building on Main Street. Firefighters Larocca and Birkler are New York State certified and will be assigned to the shifts after Department familiarization training.
Firefighters Lewis and Rendon, both city residents, are new recruits and will be attending The Fire Academy in Montour Falls before beginning their shifts. Welcome!
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Rendering by Mass Design Group
City, Dutchess County, Coalition Make Presentation About Youth Center
Earlier this month, Mayor Rob Rolison, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and representatives of the 35 Montgomery Community Coalition made a presentation to the Common Council regarding a proposed state-of-the-art youth center at the former YMCA site in the city. You can watch a replay of the presentation here.
The Mayor and County Executive recently announced an agreement in principle to have the County take ownership of the former YMCA site at 35 Montgomery St. and invest $25 million to build the new youth center at the site.
The Mayor and County Executive are seeking approval from the Common Council to transfer ownership of the property for $10 to Dutchess County, which would allow the County to put forth $25 million for the demolition of the existing decaying structure and design and construction of the new center. Mayor Rolison and Council Chair Sarah Salem called for the special meeting to give the public and Common Council members a chance to learn about the proposal and comment on it.
The City Administration has determined the city does not have the financial capacity to complete this project on its own. As such, collaborating with Dutchess County Government and a coalition of community stakeholders will make the center a reality, achieving the goal and broadening its reach.
Under local finance law, the County must have an ownership of the property to finance the $25 million development project through municipal bonding. If the Common Council approves ownership by Dutchess County, the transfer of the property and bonding would then go to the Dutchess County Legislature for final approval.
The first phase of the project would transform the property into community green space while design plans proceed for the youth center and other community benefit services on the more than 3-acre property. Read more here.
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Council Seeks City Residents to Serve
on Board of Assessment Review
The City of Poughkeepsie Common Council is currently seeking residents who would be interested in serving as a member of the Board of Assessment Review.
The Board of Assessment Review consists of three to five volunteers who have at least a general knowledge of property values in the community. The Common Council members vote to appoint BAR members.
The BAR’s sole purpose is to arrive at a fair and impartial decision regarding the assessment of the property. The BAR conducts hearings in order to evaluate grievance applications and make a determination of assessed value based on evidence submitted by the property owner.
The BAR meets once a year, the fourth Tuesday in May — “Grievance Day.” However, members are usually required to participate in additional hearings and private deliberations. Additionally, Section 523 of the Real Property Tax Law requires BAR members to attend a training session before they can participate in the hearing and determination of complaints.
Any City residents interested in being a member of the Board of Assessment Review should send a resume and cover letter to Common Council Chairperson Sarah Salem at ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com by to Friday, March 26.
For any further information, contact Sarah Salem at ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com.
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Council Creates Southern Waterfront Site Task Force, Seeks Volunteers
The Common Council is seeking volunteers interested in serving on the Southern Waterfront Site Redevelopment Task Force.
Interested individuals should submit a cover letter and resume to the Common Council at ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com. The application deadline is March 20.
The Southern Waterfront Site Redevelopment Task Force will investigate and report on the options for the redevelopment of the waterfront land that was formerly the site of the DeLaval Separator Company and is now vacant. It will meet over a three-month period to hear from potential developers and redevelopment experts.
For any further information, contact Sarah Salem at ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com.
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Common Council Looks For Members
to Serve on Redistricting Commission
The Common Council is seeking applicants to join a five-member Redistricting Commission that will create a proposed plan for new ward boundaries.
The commission will be made up of volunteers and will be provided with a budget to engage the necessary consultants and resources for making an informed, equitable and appropriate recommendation for newly-drawn ward maps in the City of Poughkeepsie. Interested applicants do not need to live within the City of Poughkeepsie, but should have a strong knowledge of the City of Poughkeepsie system of government and the political process.
No employees, elected or appointed officials of the City of Poughkeepsie can serve on the Redistricting Commission, and no more than two members of the commission shall be enrolled with the same political party.
The Common Council will appoint by resolution four members of the Redistricting Commission and those selected commission members will then select a fifth member to serve as the commission's chairperson.
If you are interested in serving on the Redistricting Commission, please send your resume and a letter of interest to ssalem@cityofpoughkeepsie.com by March 31. You will be advised via email if an interview is required.
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City, County Announce COVID-19 Childcare Relief Scholarship Funding Is Available
The City and Dutchess County have announced money is available for COVID-19 Childcare Relief Scholarships to help low- and moderate-income families meet their needs for childcare for their school-aged children.
The County is allocating an additional $180,000 and launching its second scholarship program to residents outside the City of Poughkeepsie. The city is creating a corresponding program with $90,000 in federal assistance. The programs’ aim is to fill the gap between the number of days students will be physically in school and the days where students are not physically in school.
Funding for this scholarship program was made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and awarded to the County and City for distribution through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to prevent, prepare for or respond to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
The City received its own CDBG-CV funds, so its residents are not eligible for County CDBG funds under federal regulations.
Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie are partnering with the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc., for the implementation of this program.
Scholarships are being awarded for the balance of the academic calendar year by a random selection process to low- and moderate-income families. The funds will cover 75 percent of the tuition for each child, paid directly to the childcare facility. Families will be responsible for 25 percent of the tuition.
Complete program guidance, detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found here.
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City Announces Grants for Microenterprise
Businesses Negatively Affected by COVID
City officials have announced a partnership with Community Capital New York in the administration of a $200,000 grant program to assist microenterprise businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
The City of Poughkeepsie Microenterprise Stabilization Grant Program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to stabilize microenterprises and preserve low- and moderate- income jobs. A microenterprise is defined as a business with five or fewer employees, including the owner.
“The City is dedicated to the growth and welfare of our community and its economic success, and the survival of these small businesses is of paramount concern to us,” said Mayor Rob Rolison.
The funding for the program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant COVID/CARES Act (CDBG-CV). Applicants must show they are not duplicating other assistance provided via the federal CARES Act. Applicants also must provide records and information to demonstrate the preservation or creation of a low- or moderate-income job as defined by HUD. Additional details, including the income requirements and the application form can be found here.
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Sign Up for City of Poughkeepsie’s Emergency Notification System
The City of Poughkeepsie has a great way for residents to receive emergency notifications and encourages people to sign up for them.
Through the Hyper-Reach Broadcast system, residents can select whether they want to receive notifications via email, text message or telephone call, or a combination of these options.
The system can be used in an array of circumstances, from locating missing children to evacuating a neighborhood in the event of an emergency. You can also choose automatic weather alerts for the City of Poughkeepsie. You can enter your home, business and/or church address, or an address of a family member who lives in the City of Poughkeepsie.
Anyone who would like to receive community alerts may register for Hyper-Reach notifications here or call 845-205-0596. The service is available in English and Spanish.
Emergency messages will be coordinated with the assistance of the City of Poughkeepsie E-911 Center and the City of Poughkeepsie Police Public Information Office.
The system can also be used to send out non-emergency community messages, such as known road closures and community activities, to anyone who has signed up to receive alerts.
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Public Arts Commission Creates Directory
of Galleries, Organizations and Venues
The buzz of our vibrant arts community diminished a bit in 2020, but is still humming along. Take a moment to view what the Poughkeepsie Arts Commission has created — a directory of art galleries, arts organizations and venues for status and contacts.
View the Poughkeepsie Arts Directory
Tune in to our PKGOArts social media feeds to stay current on arts activities in Poughkeepsie: Facebook, Instagram
Check out PKGO for information and stories about life in the city, news and events: Instagram
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Upcoming Meetings
Week of March 22, 2021
Monday, 5:30 p.m.: Common Council Informational Meeting
Tuesday, 6 p.m.: Waterfront Advisory Committee
Thursday, 6:30 p.m.: Ethics Board
Friday, 11 a.m.: CDGB Virtual Public Meeting
Replay of Meetings
Planning Board, March 16
Common Council, March 15
Common Council Informational Meeting, March 15
Common Council. Public Hearing, March 15
Common Council and Mayor, Special Meeting, for YMCA-Youth Center proposal, March 3
(Editor's note: Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) issue, please follow us the City of Poughkeepsie on Facebook and other social media platforms and check the city's website for any updates about meetings.)
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Delivered to your inbox weekly, each issue of The Buzz includes updates on City of Poughkeepsie projects, community initiatives, upcoming committee and board meeting notices, local events and other important information.
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Contact Info
City Hall: (845) 451-4200
DPW: (845) 451-4111
Police: (845) 451-4000*
Fire: (845) 451-4079*
City Court: (845) 483-8200
*During an emergency, dial 9-1-1
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