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LABOR AND POLICY\Policy—COVID Policy—Emergency—RATIFY REVISED-9-14-2020
RESOLUTION RATIFYING ADOPTION OF REVISED TOWN OF
QUEENSBURY COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESPONSE PLAN
RESOLUTION NO.: ,2020
INTRODUCED BY:
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, the United States is facing a pandemic related to Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19) and there was a need for the Town of Queensbury to adopt a COVID-19 Pandemic
Response Plan (Plan) to deal with this emergency situation, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 123,2020, the Town Board authorized adoption of its
Plan and authorized the Town Supervisor to make modifications as he determined necessary as
further information became known, with the Town Board to later have the ability to approve or
disapprove an updated, revised Plan, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution Nos: 133, 147, 157, 178, 192, 204 and 216 of 2020, the Town
Board authorized and ratified adoption of the Plan as further revised, and
WHEREAS, certain modifications have been made since the Plan was last adopted and
revised and the Town Board wishes to consider the Plan as further revised as presented at this
meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and ratifies adoption of
the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan (Plan) as revised and substantially in the form presented
at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes the Town Supervisor, if necessary,
to continue making modifications to the Plan as he determines that in his discretion are necessary
as the situation changes and further information becomes known, with the Town Board to later
have the ability to approve or disapprove a further revised Plan, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to
distribute copies of this Plan to all Town Departments and the Warren County Office of
Emergency Services, and the Town Supervisor, Town Safety and Compliance Officer and/or
Town Facilities Manager to take any and all actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this
Resolution and the Plan, as it may be amended.
Duly adopted this 14`h day of September, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
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TOWN OF QUEENSBURY
742 Bay Road, Queensbury, New York 12804
PANDEMIC RESPONSE PLAN
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
DEPARTMENT MANAGERS
AND
PUBLIC SAFTEY OFFICER, CSEA AND HUMAN RESOURCES REPRESENTATIVES
Accounting: Barbara Tierney
Assessment:Teri Ross
Building & Codes: Dave Hatin
Building&Grounds: Chuck Rice
Cemetery: Connie Goedert
Court: Mike Muller and Eric Schwenker
CSEA: Susan Sheehan
Highway: Dave DueII
Historian:Joan Aldous
Human Resources: Pinnacle/Marge Mulligan
Legal: Pam Hunsinger
Parks & Recreation: Steve Lovering
Planning/Zoning: Craig Brown
Public Safety Officer/Fire Marshall: Mike Palmer
Town Clerk: Caroline Barber
Supervisor Executive Assistant: Victoria LaMarque
Transfer Stations/Solid Waste: Rich Paris
Water/Wastewater: Chris Harrington
TOWN BOARD
Supervisor:John Strough
Ward 1: Anthony Metivier
Ward 2: Harrison Freer
Ward 3: George Ferone
Ward 4: Amanda Magee
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTENT& PURPOSE PAGE 3
BUILDING LIMITATIONS PAGE 3
PROTOCOLS TO PROTECT EMPLOYEE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PAGE 4-5
TOWN BOARD MEETINGS PAGE 6-7
EMPLOYEE HEALTH PAGE 7-8
PANDEMIC RESPONSE PLANE- DEPARTMENT DISCUSSIONS PAGE 6-9
TRAVEL POLICY PAGE 9-10
VACATION DAY POLICY PAGE 11
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INTENT & PURPOSE
In an effort to keep our workers, visitors and residents healthy, and mitigate the migration of
COVID-19, Town Board and Town Managers have developed policy and protocol in regards to
restricting building use and on-campus social gatherings.
BUILDING LIMITATIONS
ACTIVITIES CENTER BUILDING
• Queensbury Senior Citizens have developed a plan to allow for some limited activities
and programs. The plan, activities and programs will undergo continuous overview for
safety.
• Town business meetings will be held here and open to the public; COVID-19 rules apply.
• Remote meetings/conferences are encouraged.
TOWN OFFICE BUILDING
• Building hours are 8 AM to 4 PM —building still restricted as per below.
• Residents are encouraged to do town business via phone, email or website.
• Visitors are encouraged to make appointments with the department they seek to have
business. See website for contact information.
• Visitor attendance will be guided to north entry doors—to insure traffic management
and security review. Security will maintain a list of non-employees attendance and time
in the building.
• Committee meetings or more than six attendees in the Supervisor's Conference Room
will be prohibited.
• Remote meetings/conferences are encouraged.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT BUILDING
• Will remain closed to the general public.
• Residents are encouraged to do town business via phone, email or website.
WATER BUILDING
• Water Department is closed to all outside visitors unless by appointment. Doors will be
locked after 8:30AM.
• Public Water Samples will be dropped off in the Vestibule. Private Water Sample will not
be accepted.
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PROTOCOLS TO PROTECT EMPLOYEE AND PUBLIC HEALTH:
• Every effort will be made to maintain the recommended six foot social distancing; if not
possible, then the wearing of masks is mandatory.
o Any town functions that could violate the social distancing standard are
prohibited, that includes cookouts, department meetings, etc.
• Employee gatherings that violate recommended social distancing are prohibited.
• In accord with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), employees who
have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not
come into work until they are free of fever (100.4 F or greater using an oral
thermometer), sign of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without
the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough
suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
• Department Managers will work with the Town's Building& Grounds Department to
assure that all door knobs and handles that are used by employees/visitors/etc. are
periodically sterilized.
• Avoid sharing pens and pencils.
• When cash money or documents transfer occur, sterilize hands immediately after and
before next transaction.
• Gloves required for all situations in which material/money/documents have to be
regularly exchanged.
• Employees who have fever, cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or bluish
lips or face should stay home and avoid public places. Employees are being instructed to
not report to work if they are sick. If ill, stay home and report such to your Department
Manager.
• Employees will avoid touching others, sharing dishes, glasses, cups, eating utensils,
towels and pets.
• Consideration should be given to using mailboxes rather than direct human contact
when transferring documents, etc.
• Employees will regularly wash hands with use soap and water and hand sanitizer:
Especially before and after eating; after sneezing, coughing or nose blowing; after using
the restroom; before handling food; after touching or cleaning surfaces that may be
contaminated; after using shared equipment and supplies.
• Employees will be accommodated if COVID-19 related school closings require home care
of their young children and/or they or other family members need care because of their
COVID-19 sickness or accommodation.
• We now have available for employee and visitor use a digital no-touch thermometer. If
you would wish to have an employee temperature check, please stop by the Town
Office building atrium where you will notice a table, on that table is the thermometer,
and some sanitizing wipes; aside the table is a trash basket. Please sanitize the
thermometer before and after using and dispose of the wipes. The average human
temperature is 98.6 +/- degrees Fahrenheit. If your temperature is 101 degrees
Fahrenheit or higher,you have a fever. Please be safe!
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• Employees who are at risk because of pre-existing illness, family illnesses that need
attending to, and those employees who may have been in contact with an infected
person will be asked to remain home and will not be on call in list.
• Town Managers will make their department's employees informed as to the following:
o Town employees are encouraged to take advantage of virtual doctor visits,
available through their health plan if they require medical services for common
health conditions.
o The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued a directive
requiring private health insurers in New York to make COVID-19 testing free
for patients by waiving any out-of-pocket costs. This includes any fees
associated with testing for novel coronavirus including emergency room,
urgent care and office visits to an in-network health care provider for the
purpose of being tested for COVID-19. On March 11, 2020 the IRS issued
Notice 2020-15 advising that High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP's) can pay
for COVID-19 testing and treatment before plan deductibles have been met.
o All copays related to COVID-19 testing and treatment will be reimbursed, if
not waived by the provider.
o Employees who suspect they may have COVID-19 should begin by contacting
their doctor or going to www.livehealthonlinne.com and complete the
registration. Once registered,the employee will be able to video visit a
doctor online all within the privacy and safety of your home. Please call all
toll free at 1-888-LiveHealth (548-3432) or email help@livehealthonline.com
if you have any problems registering.
o Note: Employees and Management should abide by Centers for Disease
Control's, "Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick" (see
APPENDIX A) and NYS Department of Health's, "Guidance on the Contacts of
a Close or Proximate Contact of a Confirmed or Suspected Case of COVID-19"
(see APPENDIX B).
• Plexiglass barriers have been installed where the public interacts with our employees,
like Parks& Recreation desk, Assessment Office desk, Security desk,
Planning/Zoning/Codes desks and Greeting Desk Activities Center.
• All counters and desk tops accessible and used by the public must be wiped and
sterilized periodically.
• Employees and visitors must abide by signage of our social distancing standard of six
feet; use 6-foot distance markers.
• PPE supply inventory will be well maintained and made available for employee use.
• When traveling the building,outside your departmental areas, please wear masks.
• Recommended one person per vehicle. However, if more than one in a vehicle, all must
wear masks.
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PANDEMIC RESPONSE PLAN - DEPARTMENT DISCUSSIONS
ACCOUNTING: Barbara Tierney
• Staff schedules and regular hours are normal.
• Accounting asks:
• Please use the mail box to drop off items for Accounting
• Use the phone, email and scanning systems to communicate as much as possible
ASSESSOR'S OFFICE: Teri Ross
• Staff schedules and regular hours are normal.
• Closed to the public except for pre-scheduled appointments.
• The staff will continue to do as much business as possible by phone or email.
BUILDING & CODES: Dave Hatin
• Staff schedules and regular hours are normal.
• We are attaching this form to every building permit that is issued and we have posted
this form on our Building and Codes page
(https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessRe
openingSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf)
BUILDING & GROUNDS: Chuck Rice
• Building & Grounds have returned to full staffing, fulfilled a vacant cleaner position.
• Continue with sanitation Plan: Common areas: All common area surfaces as well as wall
switches will be sanitized as part of daily cleaning routine. All exterior door handles and
touch points will be sanitized as part of the daily cleaning routine. Carpet cleaning will
take place monthly or as dictated by the types and amounts of soils encountered.
CEMETERY: Connie Goedert
• Superintendent all other employees will have returned to full time. Crematory back to
one shift.
COURT: Eric Schwenker and Mike Muller
• At least two staff members will remain home and placed "on call," or will otherwise
"work from home."
• Town Court is postponing all non-essential court functions through ??
• All in-person court events for civil and criminal dockets are adjourned and will be
rescheduled EXCEPT: Arraignments or matters involving Order of Protection, Hearings,
or other proceedings granted on motion in consultation with the Administrative
Judge. If you are scheduled for any matters including.
• Notices of Adjournment, Appearance, or re-scheduled Court dates will be sent to
attorneys of record or via US mail and, where possible, in accordance with form UCS-
517. If your mailing address needs to be updated with the court, please call the
number: 518-745-5571
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• The Town Judges continue working with the NYS Court System/Office of Court
Administration (OCA) and the Governor's Office in an effort to address the abatement of
the migration of COVID-19.
CSEA: Susan Sheehan
HIGHWAY: Dave DuelI
• All employees back to full time.
• Breakroom meetings and other potential group gatherings/occasions must meet social
distancing requirements or masks are required.
• Administration and all other Highway Department Buildings are closed to the public.
• The Town is participating in the Warren County's mutual highway aid program.
HISTORIAN: Joan Aldous
• Appointments required.
• Use of mail, email and phone calls recommended.
• Masks required when social distancing cannot be maintained.
HUMAN RESOURCES: Pinnacle/Marge Mulligan
• Handout to Department managers: COVID-19 Return to Work Checklist—4 pages:
Planning and Communication; Policy Updates; Health and Safety; Employee Well-being
and Morale; leaves of Absence and Accommodations; Posters; benefits; Best Practices
and Other Considerations.
LEGAL: Pam Hunsinger
• Wearing mask when social distancing can't be met.
• Town counsel team (MMHS) will work remotely as much as possible and practicable.
PARKS & RECREATION: Steve Lovering
• All staff have returned to normal business operations.
• Public is allowed to access the registration counter, website registration and
appointments are encouraged.
• Signage offering COVID-19 safe behaviors and requiring compliance have been erected
at all parks and recreation site.
• Public use of athletic fields, playgrounds and picnic areas remains regulated and
restricted.
PLANNING/ZONING: Craig Brown
• All staff have returned to normal business operations.
• Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings have resumed with full schedules with
appropriate COVID precautions observed in accord with town's safe COVID-19 practices.
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QUEENSBURY SENIORS CITIZENS
• Queensbury Senior Citizens have developed a plan to allow for some limited activities
and programs. The plan, activities and programs will undergo continuous overview for
safety.
• Senior Citizens capture the name and phone number of each member or guest who
visits or attends a senior activity.
SECURITY
• Security hours will match the Office Building hours: 8 AM to 4 PM.
• The public intending to use the Town Office building will be restricted to using the
northern front entry, the entry monitored by security.
• Town Security will account for the visiting public; in that each person attending will be
documented, this includes the following: name, destination, and time entering and
leaving. All visitors are encouraged to make appointments prior to their visit to the
announced limited access buildings.
• All departments who have appointments will share those with security; please supply
security with the following information: who, what time, etc.
• Will visually observe persons entering the building; Fever, cough, difficulty breathing or
shortness of breath or bluish lips or face may be symptoms of COVID-19. At a distance of
6 feet, security will interview the suspect. If, through observation and interview, it is
determined that the visitor may be ill, they will be asked to leave the premises.
• Screening questions:
o Do you have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms, like a cough or difficulty
breathing?
o Did you travel outside the US in the last 14 days?
o Did you have contact with someone with possible COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
• A table is present for the purposes of offering visitors safety checks and PPE materials.
o Non-touch thermometer included.
TOWN CLERK: Caroline Barber
• Staff schedules and regular hours have returned to normal.
• Open to the public by appointment and walk-ins during school tax collection on Monday
Wednesday and Friday for cash payments.
• Whenever possible, we ask that the residents use the online option for payments or the
depository box located outside of the town office building. The depository box can be
used for tax payments, water/sewer payments, dog licensing/renewals and
communications.
• We will work with the Town's Security Department to assure COVID-19 safety protocols
are followed.
TOWN SUPERVISOR: John Strough
• Updating the Town's Pandemic Response Plan.
• Town Board Meetings are as open as COVID-19 permits.
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• Extra efforts have been made to make Town Board meetings accessible to the public:
Town Board meetings
TRANSFER STATIONS/SOLID WASTE: Rich Paris
• All employee schedules have returned to normal.
• All visitors required to be masked.
• Employees will use masks and gloves and replace at least daily.
• Normal operating hours in effect.
WATER/WASTEWATER: Chris Harrington
• Water/wastewater has returned to full staff and normal scheduling.
• Water Department will continue to take water samples as it has been.Walk-ins dropping
samples off, will not be permitted.
• Tap Applications and Sewer Permits will continue to be processed through mail.
OTHER
• The Town updates its Pandemic Response Plan continuously to be in accord with
Federal and State and County requirements and protocols.
• See attached policies on travel and vacation day carry over allowance.
TOWN BOARD APPROVED (AUGUST 17, 2020) TRAVEL POLICY
TOWN OF QUEENSBURY
DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
At all times,Town employees must be in accord with federal and state policies, Executive Orders,
and laws.
All travelers entering New York from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000
residents, or higher than a 10% test positivity rate, over a seven day rolling average, will be
required to quarantine for a period of 14 days consistent with Department of Health regulations
for quarantine.
The requirements of the travel advisory do not apply to any individual passing through
designated states for a limited duration (i.e., less than 24 hours) through the course of travel.
Examples of such brief passage include but are not limited to: stopping at rest stops for vehicles,
buses, and/or trains; or lay-overs for air travel, bus travel, or train travel.
All Town employees must inform their Department Managers of their vacation plans if those
plans involve travel to a restricted state.
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If an employee visits a restricted state then upon their return, they will be required to
quarantine for a period of 14 calendar days consistent with Department of Health regulations
for quarantine.
The 14 day quarantine time will be enforced;that particular employee will not be paid for this
quarantine time, nor can they use vacation, sick days, personal days or floating holidays.
Employees will be responsible for their share of benefits to be paid each pay period.
For questions about the travel advisory please refer to the guidance linked here:
i aps://c..oronavirus.h _ iLiit.r;;.`v/sy'S` rn/filLsJC culilerits/2020/'06/i ltel" Ilig,'elicianctd travelaci
visory.pdt
For general inquires contact the Hotline: 1-888-364-3065 or
Ask a Question: https.;f {..ii aviru healti n /.godfo!inlask-us-a-CiUtstiol
Precautionary Quarantine Requirements
Shelter Requirements Precautionary Quarantine
• The individual must not be in public or otherwise leave the quarters that they have identified as
suitable.
• Separate quarters with separate bathroom facilities for each individual or family group. Access
to a sink with soap and water, and paper towels is needed.
• The contact must have a way to self-quarantine from household members as soon as fever or
other symptoms develop, in a separate room. There must be a door that separates it from the
rest of the living area and has its own bathroom. Given that an exposed individual might become
ill while sleeping, the exposed individual must sleep in a separate bedroom from household
members.
• Cleaning supplies, e.g. household cleaning wipes, must be provided in any shared bathroom.
• If an individual sharing a bathroom becomes symptomatic, all others sharing the bathroom will
be considered exposed persons until the symptomatic individual is appropriately evaluated and
cleared.
• Food must be delivered to the individual's quarters.
• Quarters must have a supply of face masks for individuals to put on if they become symptomatic.
• Garbage must be bagged and left outside by the door of each of the quarters for routine pick up.
Special handling is not required.
• Individuals should self-monitor for fever and other symptoms of COVID-19 daily throughout the
duration of the quarantine period.
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TOWN BOARD APPROVED (AUGUST 17, 2020) MODIFICATION OF
POLICY RELATED TO CARRY OVER OF EARNED VACATION DAYS
TO 2021 DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHEREAS,as a result of requirements placed on the Town due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,
CSEA and Town employees may not be able to use their earned vacation days in 2020 by December
31,2020,and therefore the Town Board wishes to adopt a policy to provide all Town employees with
additional flexibility regarding the use of earned, but unused vacation days,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that as a result of requirements placed on the Town due to the COVID-19
Pandemic, the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes a modification to the Town's vacation
policy to provide all Town employees with additional flexibility regarding the use of earned vacation
days as follows:
VACATION DAYS.
For calendar year 2020 only, employees may carry over earned, but unused vacation days
to 2021 for use in 2021 in accordance with the following:
1. By August 31, 2020,each Department Manager must either approve or disapprove
this accommodation for employees within his/her Department to carry over earned, but unused
vacation days that may exist on December 31, 2020 to be used in 2021.
2. If this accommodation is approved by the Department Manager, all employees in
his/her Department may carry over up to 5 earned, but unused vacation days to 2021 for use in
2021 in addition to any provision in an existing policy for non-bargaining unit employees or the
provisions in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with CSEA for bargaining unit employees.
3. This 2020 vacation carryover policy is a one-time accommodation and shall not
serve as any precedent in the future for any reason.
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