Mayor’s Message April 2020
I am writing this newsletter from my home office, where I have been working for the past two weeks. I am very aware that each of you reading this is also taking personal steps to prevent the spread of COVID19. Unfortunately, I have just learned that my wife Brenda has tested positive for COVID19, and is currently in isolation and receiving oxygen at Northern Dutchess Hospital. Despite the many precautions we took, she was somehow exposed. My message to everyone is that this brings home how very contagious this virus is, so please continue to very carefully follow all the guidelines from health officials to protect yourselves and your loved ones. I cannot stress how important this is. I will be quarantined for at least two weeks.
It is heartbreaking to see the usually bustling streets of Rhinebeck so quiet. But, it is proof that our community is coming together to follow the social distancing guidelines set by health officials. I am so proud of you all because you are, quite literally, saving lives. Health officials tell us that by being apart now, we will make it possible for our normal life to pick back up once this crisis is past.
Please continue to follow the social distancing guidelines whether you are at the park, the grocery store, or waiting for take-out. Avoiding gatherings of any size for any reason. Be careful, stay home, and even if you are well, continue safety practices, social distancing, and hand washing. To those of you who are continuing to work in our hospitals, our markets, our restaurants, to our first responders, and government employees, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our businesses are finding creative ways to hang in there, making us delicious take-out meals, delivering books and supplies, teaching classes online. I would love to hear from anyone who sees an act of kindness or has a story about how we are coping. These are tough times, but we will make it together.
The Dutchess County Health Department is tracking cases in the county, and I am in regular touch with our County Executive, other Mayors, and our County Legislator. We are also continuing to work closely with doctors and hospitals, business leaders, churches, schools, as well as many residents. Our first responders are well equipped, ready to help anyone who needs it. First responders and medical personnel are working tirelessly through long shifts, and we are providing all possible support for them.
Our Rhinebeck COVID19 Committee, made up of local leaders, is meeting two times a week to stay current on the needs of our food pantries as well as elderly citizens who may need extra support right now. Thank you to all the people who have offered help. We will continue to keep you posted when we find a need for volunteers. We all have to balance our desire to help others, with the medical advice to stay home to prevent the spread. Our food pantries are currently well stocked and open for business should anyone need supplies. The Church of Messiah is every Saturday from 10AM to 1PM in the church parking lot. The Rhinebeck Reformed Church's Food Pantry will offer two, pre-packaged food bags per family on Tuesdays, 10 am to noon. For those who want to help, donations can be made to the Regional Food Bank of NE NY at regionalfoodbank.net or https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1415634 . The Rhinebeck Schools are now closed until April 14th, and will be handing out “GRAB-N-GO” school breakfast and lunch to students on Mondays and Thursdays from 8-10:30 am.
Some brief updates on other Village business. Our water upgrade project is ahead of schedule. The water mains are installed on Livingston, Chestnut and Platt, and everyone on those streets are now connected. We will be repaving starting in mid-April at the same time that we launch the Route 9 work. This is when the black-top plants open for the season. The end result will be an improved road surface and proper drainage. We have already authorized and installed (5) new catch basins to improve poor drainage locations on some streets. The board recognizes the need to repave Mulberry as well and we are moving forward on obtaining bids to pave it at the same time. We will be paving 1.3 miles of road this spring, improving a major portion of our village.
On March 12th, Basil Seggos, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner announced the latest round of certified Climate Smart Communities across New York State. The Village of Rhinebeck made the list with a “Bronze Certification” which recognizes the steps we are talking to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Locally our county, Dutchess, is also certified Bronze, as are our neighbors in the Town of Red Hook.
And I am happy to announce that we have a new Village Clerk, Martina McClinton of Stanfordville. Martina served 4 years as an Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy, then as a Medical Secretary and Patient representative in the medical field. She is efficient, competent, highly adaptive and flexible, with a strong commitment to teamwork. She was one of over 190 applicants for this position. The interview committee consisted of Deputy Mayor Ric Lewit, Treasurer Karen McLaughlin and myself. When Village Hall re-opens, please stop by and meet Marina!
Don’t forget the 2020 census is now open online at https://my2020census.gov/ Invitations to respond to the census are going out through mail. The invitation provides instructions -- including giving you a census ID code -- to complete the form. You will also be able to respond by phone or by mail.
The Election Date for the NY State Primary and local Village officials, has been moved to June 23rd, because of public health.
STAY HOME. STOP THE SPREAD. SAVE LIVES! #VILLAGECARES
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or comments. You can reach me by phone 845-876-7015 ext 2 at Village Hall or via email to MayorBassett@VillageofRhinebeckny.gov Gary Bassett Mayor Village of Rhinebeck 76 East Market St. Rhinebeck, NY 12572 845-876-7015