Huntington
– Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci issued an Executive Order Declaring a Disaster
Emergency in the Town of Huntington on Thursday, March 12, authorizing the
closure of some Town facilities as additional measures are being taken to
prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“In an
abundance of caution, the Town is temporarily closing some of our facilities to
ensure vulnerable members of our community are not put at unnecessary risk,”
said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “Declaring an Emergency allows us to suspend
competitive bidding procedures for the purchase of critical supplies and
services, deny entry at any Town facility to individuals presenting symptoms or
meeting the criteria of exposure for Coronavirus, and appoint personnel to fill
vacancies or perform emergency services and duties.”
HUNTINGTON
TOWN HALL
Huntington
Town Hall remains open however additional signage and a more thorough screening
of visitors will be implemented starting Friday, March 13; visitors who appear
symptomatic will be denied entry to Town facilities. Residents are urged to use all
available online services offered by the Town to avoid making an unnecessary
visit to Town Hall. Residents should contact Departments directly
with questions about services, applications or forms that are available online.
Residents
may utilize the black mailbox outside the main entrance to Town Hall labeled
“Town Hall Mail” to drop off mail for Town Hall, including payment of taxes.
ANIMAL
SHELTER (DOG SHELTER ONLY)
The Town of Huntington Animal
Shelter, located at 106 Deposit Road, East Northport, is closed to visitors
and volunteers after an employee called in to report symptoms on Thursday,
March 12; a thorough cleaning of the facility is underway. Staffing is limited
to the minimum required to be on duty to maintain the care and feeding of the
dogs. Staff will continue to take in new dogs to the facility, greeting
drop-offs at the front entrance to the shelter during normal hours of
operation; calling the shelter ahead of your visit at (631) 754-8722 is
suggested but not required. The shelter is scheduled to reopen on Monday, March
16.
SENIOR
DIVISION
The Town of Huntington Senior Center,
located at 423 Park Avenue, Huntington, and Senior Division facilities will be
closed indefinitely beginning Friday, March 13, including the Adult Day Care
facility, the Senior Beach House, located at 239 Little Neck Road, Centerport,
and all Senior Clubs. Congregate Meals (frozen meals) will be available during
normal hours for pickup at the Senior Center facility (employees will bring the
frozen meals outside). There is no change to the Home Delivered Meal Program,
Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP), or Residential
Repair Services. Employees will be on-hand to answer calls from residents
during normal hours at (631) 351-3253.
Michael
Grosso, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Huntington Hospital stated: “Our infectious
disease and emergency management experts strongly support every public health
effort to protect our population. Discouraging large gatherings is one of these
efforts. Closing the Town of Huntington Adult Day Care Center for the
time being is a prudent step. Our elders are an especially vulnerable
population who should be encouraged to avoid crowds, while practicing good hand
washing and taking the other preventive steps recommended by the CDC and New
York State Department of Health.”
HART
BUS FIXED ROUTES & PARATRANSIT
HART Bus Fixed Route Service
and Paratransit Service remain unaffected however residents are urged to
avoid riding HART buses if presenting symptoms or if they meet any of the
criteria for exposure. Healthy individuals should only use HART for essential
travel.
PARKS
& RECREATION
The Parks
& Recreation Department has cancelled Saturday programs serving special
needs individuals. The Dix Hills Ice Rink remains open and we have reached out
to the leagues that use the facilities to ask for their assistance in
coordinating preventive measures.
Earlier
this week, Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci provided an update on preventive measures being taken at Town of Huntington facilities to
prevent the possible exposure and spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), including
more frequent cleaning and disinfecting of Town facilities, reminding residents
they can access many Town services online at HuntingtonNY.gov, by phone (631)
351-3000 and by email, and urged members of the public and Town employees who
are sick, showing symptoms of Coronavirus or at-risk to stay home and call
their doctor to schedule an appointment.
Information
on services the Town of Huntington can provide over the phone, online or by
email, as well as information and resources for communities, schools,
businesses, healthcare professionals and individuals from the Red Cross, the
CDC and Northwell Health Huntington Hospital, can be found at: http://www.huntingtonny.gov/COVID19
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