Editor’s Note: This letter was provided by Pelham Town Supervisor Dan McLaughlin.

Dear Pelham Neighbors,

This is an unprecedented time in the history of our town. As I write to you today, there are multiple members of our community who have tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts are with those families who are ill, as well as those who are experiencing emotional and economic distress at this time of great uncertainty.

Please know that the Town of Pelham is here to support you, and we are working with a number of organizations to provide much needed assistance to our residents. In addition to working with the school district, both Villages and local organizations (like Pelham Together and Pelham Civics) we have been working on a regular basis with County and State elected officials and Health Department officials. Last week, the National Guard delivered to the Town a number of sanitizing supplies provided by the County which were shared with both Village police departments, fire departments and offices.

I wanted to share a few key steps the Town has taken that will be critical to slowing the spread of the Coronavirus in our community and protecting the most vulnerable among us:

Seniors Programming: It is important to protect our senior citizens and those who have chronic medical conditions. Our seniors are encouraged to call our Town Senior Advocate, Carolyn Veith at 914-738-5004 if they require assistance. Our team has been updating our Resident Emergency Assistance List (REAL), and a questionnaire will be mailed out to all residents. Please complete it and return as soon as possible. The confidential survey helps the town identify citizens who are most vulnerable so we can check on their well being during emergencies. While we encourage limiting visits with our senior citizens, we do ask that you make extra efforts to reach out to them virtually or by telephone.

Recreation Department: Recreation: All activities are currently postponed and will follow the School District return date of April 13th at this time (subject to change under these fluid circumstances.) All employees have been asked to work remotely. For any questions, please contact 914-738-0153.

The Library: In these challenging times, libraries can be an extraordinary force for keeping us connected and inspiring creativity, fostering discussion and providing a wonderful escape. Although the library building is closed until further notice, the staff is developing ways to continue to provide patrons with access to materials and to find ways
for us to get together online. In the meantime, please explore our digital collection, which includes streaming movies, TV, and music. For information on what’s available click here. And, be sure to download the Westchester Library System app. You will need an active library card and your PIN to access the online materials. The Westchester Library
System has doubled the borrowing limits for Hoopla and Kanopy. Please visit the library website for updates.

The Courts: As of 5pm today, the courts have been directed to close for 45 days, and will reopen on May 5th (subject to any new developments). There will be no court appearances, except for arraignments for certain matters that will take place in Westchester County Courthouse. Employees will not be present to answer phones or in person to answer questions. Court staff will be working remotely during this time. Parking tickets can still be paid through the drop slot in Town Hall or can be contested beginning May 5th. Please use the following phone numbers for court related inquiries:

Criminal cases: 914-738-7030
Traffic violations: 914-813-1651
Parking tickets: 914-738-2205

The Office of the Assessor, the Clerk’s Office, the Tax Office and the Comptroller’s Office will be closed, though available as needed. Please call 914-738-0370 for assistance on urgent matters.

I know that the new restrictions will place an enormous burden on many small businesses in our community. Senator Biaggi’s office is collecting information to forward to the Governor’s office in support of a request to the Small Business Administration for an emergency declaration. If you run a small business in Pelham or anywhere in New York, please complete this form. Pelham small businesses can fill out this survey to add their business to a directory of Pelham small businesses and connect with the Pelham Chamber of Commerce. More information is available here. Please support our small businesses as much as possible during this emergency.

While I know there has been a lot of guidance provided thus far from various sources, I would like to reiterate that for anyone who believes they are experiencing symptoms, please immediately contact your healthcare provider, as well as:

• The NYS Novel Coronavirus Hotline:1-888-364-3065
• People under self-quarantine or exposure to known case, call 1-866-588-0195
• NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline (888) 364-3065
• Westchester County COVID-19 Information Call 211

Please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website provides helpful information on facts and guidance about exposure:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts.html, and https://www.who.int/ and https://www.health.ny.gov/.

And finally, for anyone who may be experiencing stress or depression as a result of the Coronavirus, please know that there are a number of local resources available, including the following:

• Westchester Department of Community Health at (914) 995-1900, where they will provide supportive counseling and refer you to longer term services if you need it.
• Crisis Prevention and Response Team at (914) 925-5959
• National Suicide Hotline (800) 273-TALK or (800) 273-8255
• For Teens: visit Pelham Together at: https://pelhamtogether.org/resources-for-help-and-support

On a positive note, as a proud member of this community for 35 years, I know we will come together to rally to help one another. If the Town can be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to reach out. All office phone numbers are on the main page of the Town website.

Sincerely,

Dan McLaughlin

Supervisor

Town of Pelham