Village halls shutter as virus spreads; community services remain open

Emma Jones
Village halls are closed, but villages will continue to provide essential services to the community. (Photo by Noah Manskar)

Mineola, East Williston and Williston Park village halls are closed until further notice in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Village government operations will continue with reduced staffing.

Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss and the board of trustees said in a televised announcement on Wednesday, March 18 that the village had already prepared supply inventories and coordinated efforts with outside emergency response organizations in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.

They have since taken further measures, including canceling all events and gatherings, to protect the community.

Strauss and the board said Mineola and five neighboring villages made mutual preparations to ensure collaboration in the face of potential staffing or supply shortages.

Parking regulations have been suspended in Mineola in order to accommodate residents working from home, families whose children have been sent home from college and health aides visiting senior citizens.

“One of the greatest challenges we face as a community is not the virus itself, but the impact it’s having on families because they’re staying at home more,” Strauss said.  “To make it easier for our families to cope, we are also taking steps to ease some of the burden on households.” 

Williston Park residents looking to pay bills may deposit them in the box on the front door of the village hall. Late fees for water bills, which were originally due March 16, will be waived for 15 days.

The tax lien sale in Williston Park originally scheduled for March 19 has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m.

All village elections have been postponed until April 28, in accordance with a state executive order.

“Public health officials have been clear that reducing density is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “and delaying village elections will help ensure poll workers and voters are not potentially exposed to the virus and at the same time maintain integrity in our election system.”

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth issued a statement  Sunday saying that all playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts and the town dog run are closed. Parks are open for passive use only.

“I cannot be emphatic enough: The only way to maintain public health right now is by staying apart.  This includes social distancing—even for children,” said Bosworth. “While this may serve as a temporary inconvenience, understand that the decisions we are making can literally save lives.”

The town declared a state of emergency March 13.

North Hempstead town facilities will remain closed until Monday, March 30. Essential services, including the clerk’s office, sanitation and the 311 call center, will continue operating. All meetings, programs and events have been canceled or postponed.

The town’s Project Independence grocery shopping transportation program for seniors will run on an expanded schedule, operating 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week.

“North Hempstead and our Department of Services for the Aging and Project Independence understand how incredibly difficult these times can be, especially for seniors,” Bosworth said. “We are proud to offer these extended hours to help our residents take advantage of when their grocery stores are less crowded.”

The Town of Hempstead, which declared a state of emergency March 16, has limited its town hall hours to Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Town clerk services will be unavailable until further notice.

The tax office is offering drive-through services at 200 North Franklin Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. All taxpayer forums for the month of March have been postponed.

Commuter parking permit enforcement will be suspended until further notice for Town of Hempstead LIRR stations.

The Department of Water will continue to function normally with regard to water supply and testing. Its customer service counter will be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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