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Vaccinations Are Readily Available, So Protect Yourself from COVID-19!
The City of Poughkeepsie continues to provide the latest information pertaining to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The state and counties — including Dutchess — have been receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are providing more information about those initiatives. Vaccination appointments have become much easier to obtain, including walk-in acceptance, as was the case at the pop-up clinics held this week.
You can learn more about vaccination sites here.
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 can then choose to be connected with the Office for the Aging to be added to notification lists about appointment availability.
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.
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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City of Poughkeepsie Announces It Will
Update Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Codes
City officials recently announced they will update the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Codes to provide a vision and guidance for future growth and development in the city.
The ambitious, multi-faceted process will include the formation of a Project Steering Committee, meetings with the Common Council and city staff and preparation of a public engagement strategy.
Consultants czb LLC, in partnership with Ingalls Planning & Design (IPD), has been selected to assist the city in completing the project. The city received nine proposals from a wide range of firms during a competitive selection process. A committee composed of city staff, residents, Planning Board members and Common Council representatives reviewed the proposals, ultimately landing on the czb/IPD team. The team brings a unique mix of national perspective and New York State experience to the project.
“We are very excited to finally be starting this process and to be working with the czb team,” said Planning Director Natalie Quinn. “The team has an impressive resume and fresh approach to using the comprehensive planning process as a way to develop decision-making tools based on local values. We think the community will be very excited by their dedication to broad and diverse engagement throughout the process.”
The city’s Comprehensive Plan was last updated in 1998, and it’s been over 40 years since the City’s zoning ordinance was comprehensively reviewed and updated.
“We are excited to get this critically important work under way,” said Mayor Rob Rolison. “As we work our way through the COVID-19 pandemic and start to return to more activity and public gatherings, the time is right to take on this task of charting a future vision for the city. The city is seeing more development projects, and staying ahead of this curve through thoughtful planning concepts and ordinances is essential to the city.”
During the past 20 years, the city has engaged in a number of strategic planning efforts to target key areas across the city for revitalization. These areas include the waterfront transit-oriented development area surrounding the Poughkeepsie Train Station, the Walkway-Gateway District near the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Site, and most recently, the City’s creation of an Innovation District aimed at transforming the core commercial section of the city’s downtown into a vibrant economic center anchored by increased residential population and a creative economy.
Updating the city’s comprehensive plan is funded in part by the Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant Program, Title 15 of the Environmental Protection Fund through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A key goal of the City of Poughkeepsie is to integrate principles of sustainability and climate change adaptation within the city’s blueprint for growth. The city also aims to simplify and reduce the number of zoning districts and modernize regulations in order to address current and future development trends.
The process is expected to take 16 months to complete. The initial phase will include the launch of a project website where residents can follow the progress and find out how to get involved.
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City Sets Public Meeting For Thursday
to Discuss Two Bridge Projects
The city will undertake reconstruction projects on both the Washington Street and Garden Street bridges over the Fallkill Creek and will hold a virtual public information meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 10, to discuss the projects. Both bridges have been identified as requiring reconstruction to restore them to states of good repair.
Alternatives for the Washington Street Bridge are rehabilitation of the existing stone masonry arch bridge or the replacement of the existing bridge with a new structure. The proposed new arch bridge will be designed in keeping with the aesthetic and historical nature of the site. Both alternatives will include the creation of a pocket park on the southwest corner of the arch and geometric improvements to the intersection of Fallkill Place, Verazzano Boulevard and Brookside Avenue with Washington Street.
Alternatives for the Garden Street Bridge are rehabilitation of the existing stone masonry abutments and replacement of the bridge deck or replacement of the entire bridge. Either alternative will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety, including new crosswalks and provide intersection improvements.
Meeting Registration — 5 p.m. June 10, 2021:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/617408080054343180
Please submit any questions, comments and concerns to City of Poughkeepsie, Office of the City Engineer, 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., engineeringdepartment@cityofpoughkeepsie.com
Additional information can be found at Poughkeepsie City Hall, 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. For the digital brochure and more, visit the website at www.cityofpoughkeepsie.com/engineering/bridges/
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Take the City of Poughkeepsie Survey
on American Rescue Plan Funding
The federal government’s recently approved $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan includes aid to cities and localities. The City expects to receive approximately $20 million over a two-year period. Mayor Rob Rolison wants to hear from residents regarding their views of city priorities that could be addressed through the American Rescue Plan. You can take the survey here. The deadline to fill out the survey is Sunday, June 6.
Learn more about the American Rescue Plan here.
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Lead for America Is Recruiting Fellows to
Make Impact in Poughkeepsie Area
Are you a recent college graduate or young professional looking for a transformative work opportunity to make a difference in Poughkeepsie? Consider applying to be a Lead for Poughkeepsie Fellow! Lead for Poughkeepsie (LFPK) is an affiliate organization of Lead for America and is recruiting its inaugural group of Fellows to serve on two-year full-time public service placements with social impact organizations in the City of Poughkeepsie.
LFPK is recruiting Fellows from the City of Poughkeepsie and/or Hudson Valley region (along with newcomers to our area) with a demonstrated commitment to social change in our community. Fellows will join a national network of young leaders from across the nation and benefit from professional development programming with leading national organizations and universities. Fellows are compensated with living, healthcare and housing stipends (or in-kind housing).
What makes a great Fellow? LFPK is looking for changemakers who are committed to building a more just, prosperous, and equitable Poughkeepsie for all. Leaders who see their community from a place of abundance over scarcity. Dreamers who strive to reimagine Poughkeepsie’s revitalization by investing in its people, culture and institutions.
If you would like to apply to be a Fellow or know an emerging young leader who you think would make a great Fellow, learn more at: https://www.lead4america.org/lead-for-poughkeepsie. To review Fellowship placement opportunities in Poughkeepsie, visit: https://www.lead4america.org/placementsites (scroll to New York). Application deadline is Tuesday, June 15.
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Southern Waterfront Task Force Seeks Public Input Through Survey
Last month, the Poughkeepsie Common Council created a task force to explore the redevelopment of a 13-acre site on Poughkeepsie's southern waterfront.
The site is at the end of Rinaldi Boulevard. The land would nearly double the amount of riverfront space in the city. The task force is seeking public input in order to provide recommendations to the council and mayor about the use of this land.
In addition to soliciting feedback through public meetings, the task force has developed a survey. To access the survey, follow this link: https://forms.gle/E82Zo5yyTgug1h69A It is also available in Spanish at https://forms.gle/7dWUg3MZkCLHx6D87
Learn more about the task force here.
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Fire Department Continues Servicing
And Testing Fire Hydrant System
The City Fire Department has been servicing and testing the City fire hydrant system. This system is directly linked to the drinking water supply.
Be further advised that during the testing period, the water is safe, but should be run until it is clear. Also use caution when doing white laundry; it is recommended that you should wait a 24-hour to 48-hour period after the testing has been completed in the vicinity of your neighborhood.
Here are the dates and locations of places where testing still needs to occur.
June 7
• Hanscom Ave.
• Degarmo Pl.
• Circular Road
• Forbus St. between S. Cherry St. and Hooker Ave.
• Hooker Ave. between S. Clinton St. and Montgomery St.
• S. Clinton St. between Montgomery St. and Hooker Ave.
• S. Cherry St. between College Ave. and Church St.
June 8
• Fairmont St.
• Hammersley Ave.
• Virginia Ave.
• Glenwood Ave.
• Meyer Ave. between Fountainbrook Ave. and Willow Ave.
• S. Cherry St. between Oak Crescent and Underhill Ave.
• Forbus St. between S. Cherry St. and Virginia Ave.
June 9
• Willow Ave.
• Wilson Blvd.
• Park Ave.
• Maryland Ave.
• Meyer Ave. between Fountainbrook Ave. and Hooker Ave.
• Worrall Ave. at College Ave.
• S. Grand Ave. between Hooker Ave. and College Ave.
• Georgetown Square
June 10
• Douglas St.
• Daniels Ct.
• Lown Ct.
• College Ave.
• Forbus St. between S. Cherry St. and Daniels Ct.
• S. Grand Ave. between Willow Ave. and College Ave.
June 11
• Edgar St.
• Fox Terr.
• Gray St.
• May St.
• Lexington Ave.
• S. White St. between Fox Terr. and Church St.
• Fountain Pl. between Baker St. and Forbus St.
• Forbus St. between Daniels Ct. and Fountain Pl.
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City Has Summer Positions Opening; Bonuses Now Being Offered to Lifeguards
The city has posted summer seasonal positions in anticipation of opening its pools. A final determination will be made based on whether the city can adhere to the state safety and staff requirements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city has openings for pool attendants who are responsible for cleaning and maintaining order at the pools, lifeguards who are responsible for the protection of persons swimming and the recreational facilities and for pool managers who monitor the day-to-day activities of the pools and can also perform lifeguarding duties. $500 sign-up bonuses are being offered to lifeguards.
To learn more about qualification requirements and how to apply, view current openings here.
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Upcoming Meetings
Week of June 7, 2021
Monday, 5 p.m.: Planning Board, Special Meeting
Monday, 6:30 p.m.: Common Council
Tuesday: 6:30 p.m.: Southern Waterfront Redevelopment Task Force
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: Zoning Board
Thursday, 5 p.m. Public Information Meeting
Garden St. & Washington St. Bridges
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Historic District & Landmark Preservation Commission
Replay of Meetings
Southern Waterfront Redevelopment Task Force, May 26
IDA, May 19
Planning Board, May 18
Common Council, May 17
(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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