Music :: Beer :: Chai :: Pumpkins :: Retail Therapy Guide 9/18/2021
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Last Call At Quinn's - For Now - The Restaurant And Music Venue Pauses To Reassess
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One month after the announcement of an aggressive and celebratory live music lineup, Quinn’s has announced they will be closing temporarily to reassess how to move forward in a COVID-19 era with the current variant, Delta, circulating.
As posted on their FB page on September 10, 2021: “Quinn’s will be taking a big ol’ breather as we assess how best to venture forward. We adore this community and are hopeful to return. That being said, stop by tonight for a drink (or several) as we all say “see you later.” We will be closed tomorrow and onward. Stay tuned for updates”
First indicated on September 2, 2021, the venue announced that their music lineup would be postponed for September, but the restaurant would remain open.
Just over half of Dutchess County is vaccinated. Vaccinations have proven to decrease the severity of illness for those who do get infected. Non-vaccinated people’s bodies are contributing to the mutation of variants, which is keeping the pandemic alive and dangerous.
Slaterpalooza '21 Celebrates 100th Year :: Outdoor Music Fundraiser In Glenham Features 7 Bands
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Slaterpalooza, the all-day music festival booming from the Slater Chemical Fire Company in Glenham, celebrates is 100th year on Saturday, September 18, 2021 with a lineup of 7 bands for an outdoor concert. “To date, we have disbursed more than $30,000 to members of 32 First Responder companies,” organizer Kevin McGarry told the Beacon Free Press. “This year is the 100th anniversary of the Slater Chemical Fire Company, so we really want to make this the biggest and best so far! We also have a United for the Troops setup, a booth for donation and merchandise sales.”
About The Event
Doors open at 1pm, and the entertainment runs from from 2:30pm-9:30pm. The event is kid-friendly, but not dog-friendly. Lawn chairs and dancing shoes are recommended. There will be a food truck, raffles, 50/50, and coolers are permitted with a designated driver.
As for COVID-19 safety measures, McGarry told the Beacon Free Press: “The entire event is outdoors, Masks are optional.”
Suggested minimum donation is $10/adult, and $5 with current Hospital ID. Free for Active Military. All proceeds go to Slater Chemical Volunteer Fire Company and local First Responders in need.
The Slater Chemical Fire Company is at 76 Old Glenham Rd., Glenham, NY 12527. Take Route 52 past the Healy car dealership, and take a right at the gas station after Industrial Arts.
Featuring 7 bands, get ready to experience: Raw Honey * Times Square * Heavy Gauge * Last Minute Soulmates * NO 149 * Boomkat * Circle 65
About Glenham
As a refresher or introduction about Glenham, see A Little Beacon Blog’s past article here. The firehouse was named for Private Jesse E. Slater, the only Glenham resident killed in World War I. “Chemical” was added to the name after Texaco donated a Ford Model T fire engine that used chemical foam.
Summary of the 9/13/2021 Beacon City Council Workshop Meeting :: Housing, Meeting Time Off, Etc.lea
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The September 13, 2021 City Council Workshop agenda and video recording of the meeting have been added to A Little Beacon Blog’s Easy Access City Government section.
In short, a brief summary of some of the items discussed on the agenda is below. Click here for links to the agenda items for any digital resources linked to the topics discussed, as well as the video recording of the meeting.
Housing Initiative Prioritization + Parking
The City Council discussed Mayor Kyriacou’s Affordable Housing Proposals, lingering on the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) component. The Mayor, who is a landlord who has owned several properties in Beacon, wants to see the right to have an Accessory Dwelling Unit be approved as of right for homeowners to build and rent out. An Accessory Dwelling Unit is like a giant garage/studio, that is a stand-alone structure built next to someone’s home, that can have water and electricity flowing to it. There are restrictions as to how far it needs to be from the house, and how large it can be.
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Editorial Note 9/20/2021: The paragraph above originally included a line stating that Mayor Kyriacou “is married to a realtor,” which has since been deleted. Mayor Kyriacou submitted what can be taken as a correction during the City Council Meeting on 9/20/2021. While he did not email or phone in with this correction, as is standard with most publications, he included it after his public service announcements, leading with sarcasm: “I've been made aware that I am a bigamist, which I find interesting. My spouse of 30-some years is a professional and spent most of the last dozen years in higher education as a marketing and communication executive. The last 6 years at West Point, but before that at Fordham and at RPI. But apparently I have a second spouse who is a realtor. So, unbeknownst to me, I've been married twice. And I wanted to say, whoever you are out there, come say ‘Hi,’ and I'll learn a lot more. I could at least have some fun, right? Oh, and I learned that online, by the way.”
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Currently, Beacon’s zoning laws make building Accessory Dwelling Units difficult. In general, ADUs have not been popular with the public - rather - the public who is motivated enough to attend public meetings to speak out against them. Including when homeowners want to build an ADU for in-laws or caregivers. The fear by some of the public is that the ADU will be used by developers and homeowners as rentals. Which seems to be the goal of affordable housing.
The Mayor’s proposal encourages small residential units and more cluster housing. City Administrator Chris White projected his vision of who Accessory Dwelling Units was intended for: couples and single people moving from New York City who do not need large homes, he said, and move to Beacon without cars. He referred to this concept for the ADUs as “workforce units,” and stated that he did not think homeowners would build luxury Accessory Dwelling Units, similar to the expensive apartments on Main Street. He assumed homeowners would use low or moderate grade materials to keep costs down. Which does not indicate what the homeowner may then charge for that unit.
Perhaps he has not seen the adorable tear-down renovation of the tired house with studio garage on Cross Street.
Parking Requirements Possibly Waved For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Parking requirements for Accessory Dwelling Units is also under consideration to be waved. Parking requirements are the number of parking spaces a property owner must make available to tenants. Often, these requirements are used to stall a building project if street parking cannot be found.
Councilmember George Mansfield suggested that people are moving to Beacon without cars. City Administrator Chris stated his belief that generally, people moving to Beacon do not have cars, and therefore do not need parking spaces. Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes suggested that people do buy cars after moving to Beacon in order to leave the bubble of Beacon for necessities, jobs and enjoyment.
City Administrator Chris stated that with people moving from New York City without cars, there is less of a need for parking. He stated that he feels that assuming someone would want to buy a car after moving to Beacon, and to park that car in one of the property’s parking spots that the building owner is required to offer, is a “social justice” issue, concluding that poor people do not want to own cars and absorb the burden of incurred expenses from car ownership, and instead can rely on existing public transportation as a better idea.
City Administrator Chris stated: “Where is the evidence that you need that level of parking that we require in our code? I felt like, as a planner, a lot of this was made up. 'You have this size unit, you need 2 cars or 3 cars.' There is no evidence that you necessarily need that. Also, just be aware that we have new technology and common solutions that we could implement. The new technologies...George rode here on an electric bike. We see the proliferation of micro-mobility through scooters. If you watch people whipping up Beekman from the train station, you'll see a lot of people are looking at these things as much cheaper than maintaining a car with insurance and repairs. Again, a social justice issue is that we shouldn't have to require every poor person to own a car to get around. The other part is the societal thing which is moving toward that micro-management where there is on-demand transit. The County seems to be moving in that direction, and I've talked to them about piloting something like that in Beacon. Because again, you have 5 square miles. It's a walkable, compact community. Particularly with the new e-bikes. It really makes it accessible to someone who never would have been able to ride a bike."
Councilmember Air reiterated: "The issue is getting out of town."
It should be noted that there is no requirement of a person living in a building or house to own a car, even if they have access to a parking spot from the building owner.
Additionally, for couples who move into these units, who start families and stay in these small dwellings because they cannot afford to buy larger homes, may eventually have kids old enough to go to soccer or ice-hockey practice. Getting the family to soccer practice in Beacon on an e-bike would be impossible, and getting the family to ice-hockey practice in Poughkeepsie would be very difficult on public transit.
No Discussion Of Families With Children
There was no discussion of families - parents with children - who have moved out of Beacon because they grew out of their small apartment or rental in a duplex, and cannot afford to buy a house in Beacon with a yard. Nor was it discussed how many families are living in cramped quarters in their current small apartments because they do not want to move out of Beacon, or move out of the Beacon City School District.
City Administrator Chris stated: “Now you see more people moving in who are single adults, empty nesters, younger people who maybe have a different...or are single or are just 2 people. We are building houses for these huge families...and I know I look a lot of the housing as someone who is single, and it doesn't fit. It would never fit. I don't need that much house. I think a lot of people think that way."
Several families have also left Beacon because they could not find a house to buy with several bedrooms with a yard in their price range.
Also not discussed was how many people of high and low incomes do buy cars after moving to Beacon from New York City. Leaving the bubble of New York City for any community outside of that island usually involves leaving the municipality for doctor appointments, different grocery shopping experiences, dining out in new locations, visiting family, going to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, etc.
Some people who do not have cars hire taxis to get their children to school, to the public pool, to Girl Scouts. Some take the bus, however, getting children onto public transportation is work.
Recreation Needs Assessment Scoping
Parks and Recreation Director Mark Price was called to the meeting by City Administrator Chris to present Mark’s early vision of what the Recreation Study could look like. Now that the Recreation Department is done with the Kids Camp Program and the Public Pool Program, the City Administrator said that he felt that Recreation Director Mark had time to think about preparing the study.
In last year’s budget planning, where there was a groundswell of demands from the public for more money to be placed into the Recreation Department, which Recreation Director Mark voluntarily decreased. Mayor Kyriacou earmarked at least $50,000 for a Recreation Study to discover what people needed.
During this City Council Workshop, Councilmember Dan Aymar-Blair pointed out that he wanted to see the building of a new and larger Recreation Community Center be part of that study, and recalled that the budget earmarked two studies for $50,000, totalling $100,000: one for programs, and one for a building. He did not want to see the building left out.
Mayor Kyriacou and City Administrator Chris responded that they wanted to see programs first in order to see what kind of building to build. For instance, City Administrator Chris suggested that a theater program could happen in the Memorial Building, which has a stage and according to him, sits empty most of the time, he said.
It should be noted that the Memorial Building was dedicated to the Veterans, where Veterans are regularly requesting maintenance to it as it is in disrepair.
Councilperson Air Nonken Rhodes stressed their desire to see a space for “hanging out,” that is not structured with programming, but just is a place for kids to come hang out, in addition to programming going on around the space.
Hiring and Promoting City of Beacon Employees
In the hiring and promoting of City Employees, the Council has requested more information before they make hires, which they do by voting at public meetings. Spearheaded by Councilperson Jodi McCredo, who wants to see more information before the Council votes to hire people, she has made a suggestion to City Administrator Chris to see resumes before being presented with a candidate at public meetings. In past workshops, City Administrator Chris has responded to that concept that he did not want to “waste their time” with sending resumes, but could consider obliging.
It should be noted that the public is not regularly informed when city employees are terminated or quit, unless the position is in the the public eye, such as the City Administrator position last year, Police Chief, etc. Terminations or resignations of employees of Police Officers, Highway Department, Water Department, etc. are not regularly shared in public meetings or in Resolution documents that are uploaded to the internet. One usually needs to find out by submitting a FOIL request.
Proposed Amendment to 2021 City Council Meeting Schedule
Mayor Kyriacou would like to have less City Council meetings, similar to what was tried during the summer of 2021 when public City Council meetings were paired with Workshops where the public is not allowed to speak. The lighter summer schedule left some Monday nights open with no meetings scheduled.
Mayor Kyriacou consistently tells his constituents that he is a “part time” mayor while he is out chatting in the community, or even during his most recent testimony against the Damskammer plant, as reported by the Beacon Free Press.
City Administrator Chris referred to the preparation for weekly meetings as a “hamster wheel” that was a lot of work. Mayor Kyriacou positioned the proposed change of reduced meetings as not necessarily a reduction of meetings, but as a way to favor seasonally crowded meeting agendas, such as October’s budget season.
Councilperson Dan disagreed with the proposal, and cited that he saw this as a reduction in meeting times. Though he figured his kids would like to see him on Monday nights, Councilperson Dan felt it right to continue with the weekly meetings. Councilperson George Mansfield noted that while he has been attending the weekly meetings for 12 years, and would appreciate an open Monday, he also wanted to continue with regular meetings for consistency for the public.
The Council was not aligned with the Mayor’s vision of a reduction in meetings, so the Mayor suggested hiring an additional support person for the City Administrator, to which the Council agreed was a good idea.
Community Facilities Grant Applications
Movement has been made on the awarding of unused grant money that can be used to improve buildings owned or leased by non-profits or by building owners whose buildings have been designated historic, or are in the Historic District. The monies need to be used for permanent structures that cannot be removed. The first entities who look the most promising are the Beacon Historical Society for an accessible ramp, and the Howland Cultural Center for facade improvements.
The River Pool of Beacon did apply for money to help with this temporary pool that it sets up in the Hudson River each year, but the City Administrator said that the grant rules state that the structure needs to be permanent, but that he was happy to see them apply and had not considered an entity like that. Applications are still open for this financial opportunity.
Executive Session Items
Personnel and Contract Negotiations
Details on what is talked about during the Executive Session portion of the meeting are never revealed. Only the City Council members, Mayor, City Administrator, Attorney, and if anyone else was in the meeting have access to this knowledge.
9/11 Remembrance Services In Beacon, Fishkill, Wappingers
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As reported in the Beacon Free Press by Kristine Coulter, different Remembrance Services are happening on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Those are listed below. In 2016, WPDH reported on 19 places in the Hudson Valley that have steel beams from the World Trade Center.
BEACON
Elks Lodge 1493 in Conjunction With The City of Beacon
Location: 900 Wolcott Avenue
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 11am
A remembrance service will take place at the lodge. A portion of a steel beam from the World Trade Center is outside of the Elks Lodge 1493, on Wolcott Avenue headed toward Mount Beacon. The dedication of a memorial took place in 2018.
There is a portion of steel beam from the World Trade Center at the small park bench area on the corner of Mattaewan and Verplank (near the High School Track).
WAPPINGERS FALLS
Sergeant Mark C. Palmateer 9/11 Memorial Park
Location: Corner of Route 9, Old Hopewell Road and Sgt. Palmateer Way.
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 8:30am
The Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer 9/11 Memorial Park services as a memorial for Sgt. Mark C. Palmateer, from the Town of Wappinger, who was the first Dutchess County soldier killed in Afghanistan on June 26, 2008, according to the Beacon Free Press. The park is also a memorial for all of the service members and first responders who lost their lives on and since September 11, 2001.
Mesier Park, by the Village of Wappingers Falls
Location: The Village of Wappingers
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 7-8pm
The American Legion, American Legion Reserved, 7 Spring Street
Location: Unclear
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 7:30pm-9pm
New Hackensack Fire District/Company Memorial
Location: 217 Myers Corners Road
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 6pm
FISHKILL
Village of Fishkill
Location: The steps of Van Wyck Hall, 1095 Main Street, Fishkill, NY
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 8:30am
Village of Fishkill Mayor Kathleen Martin and the Trustees of Village of Fishkill are hosting a public Memorial Service
Town of Fishkill
Location: 9/11 Memorial outside of the Police Station, 801 Route 52
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 10am
Town of East Fishkill
Location: East Fishkill Recreation near Davis House
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 5pm with a Prelude at 5:45pm
Attendees should bring chairs and blankets.
First Reformed Church of Fishkill
Location: 1153 Main Street in the Village of Fishkill
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Time: 3pm
As reported in the Beacon Free Press: ”It will be time to memorialize those who died and remember those who are still living with the pain of the day,”
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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The 'Library Of Things' Collection Is Available Now From The Howland Public Library
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The Howland Public Library has been working hard on its debut collection of things other than books, movies and magazines: the “Library of Things” collection, which is comprised of physical items for loan like binoculars, a ukulele or a Nintendo Switch.
”This collection was developed to meet the needs of our diverse and growing community,” said its curator, Kristen Salierno, who is the Director of the library. “There are three main accomplishments this collection will achieve. The first is that it will support a sharing economy that fosters sustainability efforts. With patrons sharing items, that means less waste. The collection also offers an opportunity to ‘try before you buy,’ to save money, and to test out something they might not have had access to otherwise. Finally, it supports the goal of providing equity to all members of our community. Those who might not be able to afford these items can still experience them through borrowing.“
The collection supports the library's mission to "provide free and equal access to information, education, enrichment, and personal growth experiences." The library's goal with this collection is to support lifelong learning and provide community members with opportunities to learn through the collection’s themes of Explore, Play, Create, and Connect. Explore the world with museum passes or STEAM discovery kits. Play videogames, a round of tennis, or a game of chess. Create a masterpiece with our Arts and Crafts kits. Connect to the world with WiFi hotspots or a camera.
The Library of Things collection was funded through a generous grant from the Mentmore Fund of the Common Counsel Foundation. The Friends of Howland Public Library also support the ongoing maintenance of this collection. For now, donations of "things" to the Library of Things collection are not being accepted.
Any community member who is 18 years or older, a resident of the Beacon City School District, and has a library card in good standing can borrow from the Library of Things. To view the full collection, visit their website at beaconlibrary.org.
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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MTA Suspends Weekend Train Service On Hudson Line, Which Includes Beacon Stop
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MTA service is suspended on the Hudson Line, which includes the Beacon stop, as well as Wassaic, Danbury, New Canaan, and other service changes.
Photo Credit: MTA website
As first announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, and first reported by the Highlands Current (which it looks like they squeezed in before their usual tight Thursday print deadline), the MTA suspended service on the Hudson Line (which goes to Beacon) on Thursday, and into the weekend, due to damages along the track from Hurricane Ida. The MTA is hopeful to restore limited service next week.
The MTA’s Deputy Communications Director Renee Price confirmed with A Little Beacon Blog: “Service is suspended on the Hudson Line this weekend. Crews are working toward establishing limited service early next week.”
MTA service is also suspended on the Hudson Line, which includes the Beacon stop, as well as Wassaic, Danbury, New Canaan, and other service changes.
Money Might Be Available To Residents & Businesses Impacted By Hurricane Ida In Dutchess County From FEMA - Preparation Steps
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The Fishkill Creek rushing through Beacon. The creek rose very high and caused damage throughout Beacon and Fishkill.
Photo Credit: Screenshot from Michael Post’s video.
On Friday afternoon via press release, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro encouraged local residents, businesses and municipalities that sustained damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida to document their loss and reconstruction. His office said that Dutchess County is currently working with the New York State Office of Emergency Management as the preliminary damage assessment process begins.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for 14 counties in Downstate New York on September 2, 2021, which includes Dutchess County and was approved by President Biden on September 3, 2021. This provides up to $5 Million in immediate federal funding to support response operations ahead of Completion of FEMA Damage Assessments, according to Governor Hochul’s press release.
Also included in her report was and update that DEC Staff continue to monitor for potential damage to wastewater infrastructure, respond to reports of petroleum spills and survey integrity of dams and levees.
As of Governor Hochul’s press release on September 3, 2021, road closures persist on U.S. Route 9, State Route 100, and the Saw Mill River Parkway in Westchester County.
Service on Metro-North's Hudson Line and New Canaan and Danbury Branches Remain suspended.
While compensation is not guaranteed, according to the press release issued by the County Executive's office on Friday (9/3/2021), if the County’s and New York State’s public damage assessment threshold is met, then Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) individual Assistance, financial assistance and direct services to eligible uninsured and underinsured individuals and households can be considered.
As part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Aid process, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response is currently communicating with chief elected officials from each municipality, in an effort to gather cost estimates on public property and infrastructure damages.
The Dutchess County Executive’s Office stated that they reached out to local mayors and supervisors in different communities to ask for contact information for local businesses affected by the storm to assist in connecting them with FEMA in the event the federal government approved disaster assistance for small businesses.
In Beacon, the comparable city leaders would be Beacon's Mayor Lee Kyriacou (mayor@beaconny.gov 845-838-5011) and the City Administrator is Chris White (845-838-5009 cwhite@beaconny.gov)
How To Begin To Prepare To Qualify
The County Executive recommends residents, businesses and municipalities that experienced a loss as a result of Ida take the following steps to document their damage:
Take photos of their loss or damage
Assemble a list of damaged or lost items
Collect receipts for materials they purchased to repair damage caused by Ida
County Executive Molinaro said, “Though Ida has passed Dutchess County, her impact will be felt for weeks or, in some cases, even longer as some residents, businesses and municipalities in our community look to rebuild following this damaging storm. I urge those affected to take steps to document the storm’s impact. Such evidence will bolster their application for reimbursement from New York State, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other possible sources.”
The press release stated that The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce is also contacting its membership, and the County Executive’s Office is coordinating outreach through other business associations to identify businesses affected by Ida.
State of Emergency Declared for Dutchess County During Hurricane Ida's Rain And Flash Flood Warnings
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The Fishkill Creek after Tropical Storm Henri. ALBB hasn’t left the house yet to see it after the remnants of Category 4 Huricane Ida.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
In the early hours of Thursday morning at 2am, during the day-long rainfall in the northeast from Hurricane Ida that devestated several communities in southern states, the office of Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro declared a State of Emergency for Dutchess County until 9am Thursday. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for New York just after midnight, as did the state of New Jersey. Flights out of major airports in New York and New Jersey were suspended and all airport parking lots closed due to severe flooding, The Port Authority said.
For Dutchess County, the National Weather Service issued River Flood Warnings from Thursday 4:31am until Friday 8:33pm flood warnings for Wappingers Creek, comparing it to a crest level last seen on 4/3/1970, stating: “Flood Warning for the Wappingers Creek at Wappingers Falls. From late tonight to Friday evening. At 10:30pm Wednesday, the stage was 5.0 feet. Flood stage is 8.0 feet. Minor flooding is forecast. Forecast…The river is expected to ries above flood stage late tonight to a crest of 9.7 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Friday afternoon. Impact…at 10.0 feet, Moderate flood stage. Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of 9.6 feet on 4/3/1970.”
Per the emergency state, Dutchess County restricted non-essential travel in 16 municipalities until 9 a.m. Public transportation schedule remained normal. Counties under the travel restriction were: Amenia, Pleasant Valley, Dover, Washington, Millbrook, Town of Poughkeepise, City of Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Union Vale, Wappinger, Wappingers Falls, Beekman, Town of Pawling, Village of Pawling, East Fishkill and Village of Fishkill.
County offices opened at 10 a.m. In Beacon, the 4-school elementary school supply drop-off where kids can briefly meet their teachers when dropping off school supplies was adjusted by a short time, and parents were advised that some teachers may not have been able to travel in.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said that remnants of Hurricane Ida caused flooding, as well as downed trees and wires throughout portions of Dutchess County. The Dutchess County Emergency Operation Center has been activated and continues to monitor the storm and provide resources as needed. The Dutchess County Emergency Operations Center will remain open throughout the day to continue to address storm issues.
Roadway Flooding In Dutchess County
Flooding included rushing water from the mountains, as well as creeks and rivers. “NYS Route 9, Town of Fishkill - near Clove Road, roadway partially closed due to water running off the mountain and across the roadway,” Molinaro tweeted. “CR-28, Town of Wappinger - Old Hopewell Road, east of Route 9, in the construction zone is flooding and hazardous due to significant water on the roadway. CR-111, Town of Washington - near the monument, now closed due to roadway flooding,” he cautioned in another tweet.
Flooding elsewhere in the region caused swift rescues of people in cars and on foot in small towns such as Mamaroneck and Larchmont, which are both located on the coast of New York in Westchester County.
Abandoned cars on the southbound side of the Saw Mill Parkway, near Yonkers and the Bronx.
Photo Credit: Mark Vergar/The Journal News
Flooding In New York City and Queens
Flash flooding took over parts of Manhattan and Queens, according to several reports including AlJazeera.
Video of water rushing into the NY Subway along 7th Avenue at the 28th Street stop.
Photo Credit: AlJazeera screenshot of video.
The flooding from the rainfall from the Category 4 Hurricane Ida caught some in the northeast offguard, where there were more warnings issued for Tropical Storm Henri. According to AlJazeera, “the National Weather Service said it recorded 8 cm (3.15 inches) of rain in New York’s Central Park in one hour Wednesday night, far surpassing the 4.9 cm (1.94 inches) that fell in one hour during Tropical Storm Henri on the night of August 21 – believed at the time to be the most ever recorded in the iconic park.”
Some Beaconites were caught in the Queens flash flooding in Ridgewood and Middle Village, with nowhere to go in all directions. Dutchess County Emergency Management urges everyone to not drive through water on a road, with this ryhme: “Turn Around. Don’t Drown.”
If you have pictures of areas in your part of Beacon or surrounding areas that you want to share to document how Beacon fared, email them to editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. We cannot pay for pictures this round, but appreciate your contributions.
Wishing safety for all.
Governor Hochul Makes Funding For COVID-19 Testing In Schools; Mask Mandate For Schools; Possible Vaccine Mandate For School Employees
/Days after being sworn in as New York’s Governor on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul issued new directives for schools in New York. These include:
Directed Department of Health to institute Universal Mask Requirement in all schools (public and private)
Began pursuing options to mandate vaccines for school employees
Launched COVID-19 Testing in Schools Program using $585 Million in federal funds in partnership with counties and BOCES
Established Additional Back-to-School Testing Program in Partnership with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rite Aid and BioReference
Acquired Millions of Masks for Students and Educators
Masking Mandate
While masking is generally accepted by Beaconites, some parents have indicated objection in social media and on reopening planning calls with Beacon City School Districts (BCSD) Superintendent, Dr. Landahl. He delivered his first reopening presentation on August 13, 2021, and is slated to present again via video call this evening with updated or clarified guidance based on New York State’s new guidance (read the slides here).
In response to this mask mandate, Dr. Landahl provided clarification on Mask Breaks, stating: “Universal Masking is now required by the state for staff and students in schools. Mask breaks will either be outside, or when students are separated from other individuals by 6 feet and under the guidance of a staff member for a brief amount of time.” Masking outdoors is not required by New York State at this time, and BCSD is following that guidance.
According to Governor Hochul’s press release, New York State has available more than 4.3 million child-sized clothed face masks, about 10 million adult-sized clothed face masks and almost 55 million non-surgical face masks to provide to students and teachers in schools across the state.
Possible Vaccine Requirement For School Staff
Said Governor Hochul in a press release: “As Governor, my priorities are now the priorities of the people of New York - and right now that means fighting the Delta variant," she said. "My number one priority is getting children back to school and protecting the environment so they can learn safely. I am immediately directing the Department of Health to institute universal masking for anyone entering our schools, and we are launching a Back to School COVID-19 testing program to make testing for students and staff widely available and convenient. We are also working to require vaccinations for all school personnel with an option to test out weekly, and we are going to accomplish all of this by working in partnership with all levels of government."
In response to the proposed vaccine requirement, Dr. Landahl is preparing to follow through with requiring vaccinated staff to test weekly. He stated: “Governor Hochul is preparing to announce a vaccine or testing requirement for all school staff. I am hearing that this will be announced in the next few days. If it becomes law, all unvaccinated staff will be required to undergo weekly testing.” Dr. Landahl stated in his 8/13/2021 presentation that is is strongly supportive of this vaccination.
COVID-19 Testing Accessibility
According to Governor Hochul’s press release, to help ensure testing is available to students as they return to school, Governor Hochul is using $335 million in federal funds to launch a new COVID-19 Testing in Schools Program in partnership with local health departments and BOCES in New York State outside of New York City. In addition, New York City has received $251 million directly to initiate a COVID-19 Testing in Schools Program there, for a total of $585 million in federal funding in New York State to support these programs.
This is a huge development, as getting required testing for kids is time consuming, and challenging with different health insurances. Testing, at this time, is not free like the vaccine. Unless via a federal or state funded school opportunity such as this.
Governor Hochul also launched an additional back-to-school COVID-19 testing program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rite Aid and BioReference to make testing more widely available for New York State public school students before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
Active COVID-19 Cases Top 800 In Dutchess County - Numbers For The End Of August
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As we go about making choices in our everyday lives during the pandemic and rising impact of the Delta varient, knowing the numbers of our community and surrounding communities can help. To give context, at the end of June 2021, there were 56 Active Cases of COVID-19 in Dutchess County, as reported by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro during his first video Town Hall in response to other counties sending out public health alerts to the rising numbers on August 18, 2021. This week, the number of Active Cases exceeded 800 twice.
Also on the the day that the first Town Hall was broadcast, the Department of Health and Human Services made a joint statement with the CDC and other medical experts that it was preparing to roll out a 3rd Booster shot later in September, to be taken 8 months after the last shot of the first full vaccine series.
Since then, Dutchess County Executive Molinaro has made a second video Town Hall presentation on August 27, 2021 where he presented more data in context. It should be noted, that the County Executive stated that hospitals in Dutchess County have told him that they are concerned with the current number of COVID-19 hospitalizations (around 29 people hospitalized for COVID-19 at the time), as it stresses their entire system. Since stating that, the number reached 41 people hospitalized recently.
Giving context for the Positivity Rate Percentage: In June 2021, that percentage was .28%. One month later at the end of August, the number spiked to the 4.5% range. Other states that are currently fighting many more infections have higher percentages, like Florida (20%), and Texas (ranging between 10%-20% who needed to ask FEMA for additional refrigerated morgue trucks).
Currently, hospitalization numbers (people in the hospital) in Dutchess County have been rising to the high 30s. The number of Active Cases in Beacon have been fluctuating in the 30s. In this date range alone (8/18/2021 - 8/30/2021), 7 people in Dutchess County have died from COVID-19 related complications. Indications of vaccinated status is not included in the Dutchess Dashboard at this time, but Dutchess County Executive Molinaro has been providing it verbally in his Town Halls of late.
Peace, love and compassion for people fighting the virus, those who have passed, and to their loved ones. And to any condition anyone is suffering.
Below are the numbers of people impacted for the past few days, as recorded from the Dutchess Dashboard:
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/18/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 732 people
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 28 people
Dutchess County Deaths: 458 people
Dutchess County Positivity Rates:
8/18/21: 4.64%
8/19/21:4.64%
8/20/21: 4.64%
8/22/21: 4.64%
8/24/21: 4.64%
8/26/21: 4.64%
8/27/21: 4.64%
8/28/21: 4.64%
8/29/21: 4.64%
8/30/21: 4.64%
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 31 people
Fishkill: 63 people
Fishkill Village <5 people
Poughkeepsie: 106 people
Poughkeepsie City: 140 people
Wappingers Falls: 59 people
Wappingers Falls Village: 20 people
Hyde Park: 49 people
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/19/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 739
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 32
Dutchess County Deaths: 460
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 30
Fishkill: 64
Fishkill Village <5
Poughkeepsie: 101
Poughkeepsie City: 133
Wappingers Falls: 61
Wappingers Falls Village: 21
Hyde Park: 50
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/20/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 725
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 28
Dutchess County Deaths: 461
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 30
East Fishkill: 64
Fishkill: 56
Fishkill Village 6
Poughkeepsie: 103
Poughkeepsie City: 131
Wappingers Falls: 56
Wappingers Falls Village: 19
Hyde Park: 56
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/22/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 793
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 36
Dutchess County Deaths: 462
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 32
East Fishkill: 62
Fishkill: 54
Fishkill Village <5
Poughkeepsie: 107
Poughkeepsie City: 130
Wappingers Falls: 60
Wappingers Falls Village: 18
Hyde Park: 50
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/24/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 716
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 39
Dutchess County Deaths: 463
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 26
East Fishkill: 66
Fishkill: 74
Fishkill Village: 7
Poughkeepsie: 87
Poughkeepsie City: 128
Wappingers Falls: 51
Wappingers Falls Village: 11
Hyde Park: 50
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/26/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 752
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 39
Dutchess County Deaths: 463
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 27
East Fishkill: 65
Fishkill: 72
Fishkill Village: <5
Poughkeepsie: 81
Poughkeepsie City: 126
Wappingers Falls: 50
Wappingers Falls Village: 11
Hyde Park: 50
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/27/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 782
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 41
Dutchess County Deaths: 464
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 26
East Fishkill: 79
Fishkill: 85
Fishkill Village: <5
Poughkeepsie: 100
Poughkeepsie City: 132
Wappingers Falls: 48
Wappingers Falls Village: 10
Hyde Park: 51
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/28/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 844
Dutchess County Hospitalizations: 39
Dutchess County Deaths: 464
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 33
East Fishkill: 89
Fishkill: 82
Fishkill Village: 7
Poughkeepsie: 115
Poughkeepsie City: 127
Wappingers Falls: 55
Wappingers Falls Village: 12
Hyde Park: 56
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/29/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 878
Dutchess County Hospitalization: 36
Dutchess County Deaths: 464
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 38
East Fishkill: 91
Fishkill: 84
Fishkill Village: 7
Poughkeepsie: 109
Poughkeepsie City: 128
Wappingers Falls: 56
Wappingers Falls Village: 11
Hyde Park: 57
COVID-19 Numbers for 8/30/2021
Dutchess County Active Cases: 750
Dutchess County Hospitalization: 39
Dutchess County Deaths: 465
Active Cases By Community:
Beacon: 30
East Fishkill: 77
Fishkill: 74
Fishkill Village: <5
Poughkeepsie: 90
Poughkeepsie City: 116
Wappingers Falls: 44
Wappingers Falls Village: 10
Hyde Park: 45
Only 56% Of Dutchess County Residents Are Fully Vaccinated; HHS Prepared To Roll Out Booster 8 Months From Initial Vaccination
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As numbers and percentages continue to be the driving force of the pandemic used to justify decisions, there is one metric that has been quoted more often than its sibling metric: the percentage of the Dutchess County population 18+ who have received one of two vaccination doses (73.6% as of 8/28/2021), vs the percentage of people who have received two of the two doses of their vaccine (56.67%).
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a joint statement with Medical Experts on August 18, 2021 including the CDC that stated their study of vaccinations wearing off and needing a booster shot. The statement did not detail if those who only had one dose of their vaccination were at greater risk for losing amounts of protection. The statement alluded to fully vaccinated people.
The HHS statement detailed: “The available data make very clear that protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decrease over time following the initial doses of vaccination, and in association with the dominance of the Delta variant, we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout.”
Community Protection Is Key
The CDC stressed on July 27, 2021 that as long as the community was not fully vaccinated, reduced risk of transmission would be difficult: “A growing body of evidence indicates that people fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) are less likely than unvaccinated persons to acquire SARS-CoV-2 or to transmit it to others. However, the risk for SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in fully vaccinated people cannot be completely eliminated as long as there is continued community transmission of the virus.
44% Of Dutchess County Not Fully Vaccinated
While it is important to celebrate the accomplishment of half the population of Dutchess County being fully vaccinated, 44% of people traveling throughout the county and into neighboring counties is a lot of people. People may assume that a friend of theirs is vaccinated, and may assume incorrectly. While some industries are requiring vaccinations in order to return to work, some employees are opting to work from home to avoid that mandate. Others, like this soap opera star who is openly against vaccinating, are one such example. As of today, actors are not required by their union to vaccinate in order to work on set with other vaccinated people.
The Booster Shot Preparation 8 Months After Initial Vaccine Series
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is preparing for all Americans get the 3rd shot booster, according to their August 19, 2021 statement. HHS stated that they are awaiting data for the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, but anticipates that boosters will be needed for that group as well.
From their statement : “We have developed a plan to begin offering these booster shots this fall subject to FDA conducting an independent evaluation and determination of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issuing booster dose recommendations based on a thorough review of the evidence. We are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose. At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster. We would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them.”
For example, if you got your full vaccination sequence with your second shot on April 27th 2021, you would get a third booster shot on or around December 27th. Which happens to be the one year anniversary date of this blogger’s quarantine release date from recovering from actual COVID-19! Would not wish the actual virus to be in anyone. See you in the booster shot line.
Majority Of Hospitalizations Are Non Or Partially-Vaccinated People
Photo Credit: Screenshot of the Dutchess County Dashboard taken on 8/30/21, reflecting numbers from 8/28/2021.
County Executive Marcus Molinaro offered new vaccinated segmented data on his Facebook Live update on Friday, August 27th, 2021. The County Executive’s Communication Director, Colleen Pillus, confirmed with ALBB this data:
Hospital Demographics 7-day average (8/15-8/21)
29 patients on average [in the hospital]
76% [people] partially or not vaccinated vs. 24% [people] fully vaccinated on average
The HHS and group of experts who signed the statement maintains that vaccinating is a highly recommended mode of protection, by elaborating: “Our top priority remains staying ahead of the virus and protecting the American people from COVID-19 with safe, effective, and long-lasting vaccines especially in the context of a constantly changing virus and epidemiologic landscape. We will continue to follow the science on a daily basis, and we are prepared to modify this plan should new data emerge that requires it.”
In terms of vaccinated vs unvaccinated, HHS continued: “We also want to emphasize the ongoing urgency of vaccinating the unvaccinated in the U.S. and around the world. Nearly all the cases of severe disease, hospitalization, and death continue to occur among those not yet vaccinated at all.”
As of August 28, 2021, there are 844 Active Cases of COVID-19 in Dutchess County. That is a 4.57% positivity rate, according to the Dutchess Dashboard, which changes daily.
To get vaccinated for the first time, visit the Dutchess County Vaccination page.
86% Of Hospitalized COVID-19 Cases In Dutchess County Are Non-Vaccinated People; Hospitalizations Rising - Hospitals Explain Why That Is Challenging Their System
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On August 18th, 2021, days after Sullivan and Orange Counties issued public health alarms about the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, prompting them to put into place a preventative mask measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 in their regions, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro delivered a video presentation via Facebook addressing the rise of cases over the summer a week after warnings in neighboring counties.
When last he gave a video presentation at the end of June 2021, there were 56 Active Cases in Dutchess County. By August 18th, 2021, just over a month later, there were 726. The number remains between 700-800 Active Cases today.
“Those who are seeing more severe cases and are coming to a hospital setting are overwhelmingly not vaccinated.”
Currently, he reported, there are 60-93 new cases each day of COVID-19 in Dutchess County. Whereas before, in June, there were 1-4 new cases each day. “None of these data-points individually would cause us to sound an alarm,” he said. “But collectively, we want to monitor those things.” With press releases coming out of the County Executive’s Office weekly about accomplishments including monies designated for grants, a new mental health website, agricultural spotlights, etc., no press release was sent about this spike from 56 to 726 new Active COVID-19 Cases in Dutchess County from June to August.
After Sullivan County mandated that all people in county buildings must wear masks, and Orange County strongly recommended that all residents wear masks indoors, ALBB reached out to the County Executive’s office on August 16th to inquire if Dutchess County or their Health Department had made similar announcements, but received no reply. Days later on August 18th, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro delivered his first COVID-19 update video. A week after that, the Dutchess County Commissioner of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH), Dr. Anil Vaidian MD, resigned, thanking the county for the opportunity to have worked for them.
Positivity Rate Rises To 4.8% (August) From .28% (June)
"Today we are at a 4.8% positivity rate. Not a 'transmission rate' this is a 'positivity rate,’” County Executive Molinaro explained, and then continued to give a reference point: “At the end of June, we were at .28% transmission rate. We are now at 4.8%." ALBB has confirmed with the County Executive’s office that the quoted .28% transmission rate was indeed referencing the positivity rate.
86% Hospitalized With COVID-19 in Dutchess County Are Not Vaccinated; 77% of Active Cases Are Not Vaccinated
County Executive Molinaro released hospital data not included in the Dutchess Dashboard that presents tracked COVID-19 data, confirming that 86% of those hospitalized in Dutchess County are not vaccinated. "Those who are seeing more severe cases and are coming to a hospital setting are overwhelmingly not vaccinated."
As for Active Cases, according to the data collected by Dutchess County Contact Tracers, who personally call people with Active Cases to check in on them to learn about transmission patterns, 77% of people recovering from COVID-19 told Contact Tracers that they were not vaccinated, County Executive Molinaro said.
Hospitals In Dutchess County Are Concerned And Explain Why 28 COVID-19 Hospitalizations In 1 Month Is Too Much
“Not every particular hospital room is built to contain an airborne virus of this kind. As those rooms fill up, hospitals have to use other rooms. As those rooms fill up, hospitals have to use other rooms. Use of those rooms might close down a whole floor.”
With 60-93 new Active Cases a day, and 8 new hospitalizations in a week, County Executive Molinaro exclaimed: “That is a pace that is of concern to all of us, in the public health world and in the health care world.” He went on to explain why the number of 28 hospitalizations in 1 month stresses the hospital system in Dutchess County, by explaining that not all hospital rooms are designed to entrap an airborn virus.
"The growth in hospitalization is what puts pressure on the health care system. There are several hundred beds that might be available in the region. That is true. Keep in mind that not every room in every hospital is protected in a way that would prevent an airborne virus - a virus that travels in the way that this does - to escape the room,” he stated. “Not every particular hospital room is built to contain an airborne virus of this kind. As those rooms fill up, hospitals have to use other rooms. Use of those rooms might close down a whole floor."
He went on to explain that hospitals have voiced concern: "Our health care providers - our hospitals - with whom we are on calls with every week - they have a level of concern about the transmission among individuals, visitors who come into the hospital, visitors to staff, and then those staff members have to isolate. Those become big challenges for health care providers."
As of 8/18/2021, in the last 10 days, 9 Dutchess County residents have lost their life to the virus, the County Executive said. “There are severe cases, and those severe cases are taking some lives." Later in the presentation, Molinaro said: "The severity of the cases have been on the incline.”
County Executive Molinaro ended with a push to get vaccinated, walking a middle line between encouragement and recommendation: "We encourage you to choose to get vaccinated. I hope that you will. We encourage you to get the answers to the questions you may have."
Where To Get Vaccinated In Beacon
Vaccinations are free, and available at the new Beacon Wellness Pharmacy on Main Street. An appointment is necessary to make on their website. Sun River Health on Henry Street is now vaccinating any person, not just current patients. Dutchess County is offering home services to those in need. Castle Point is offering a driving service for Veterans to be driven to an appointment, and is looking for volunteers to drive. Details for all of these locations is at the Dutchess County vaccination page.
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