POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison announced steps today to limit the local government workforce to essential employees in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) while also prohibiting public access to city hall. The public access ban goes into effect Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
The mayor emphasized that essential workers — including public safety and the sanitation department — will be continuing their shifts.
“These are extraordinary times,” Mayor Rolison said. “We are taking these actions to help slow the spread of this virus while maintaining public safety and as many services possible.”
The mayor said the first round of nonessential workers will go on paid leave for two weeks effective Wednesday, and another round will go on paid leave for two weeks starting April 1, 2020.
Non-essential employees are considered any person who does not need to be physically present to perform their job functions, or they are not currently required to meet the core functions of city government during this response.
If you have an emergency situation, please call 911. Otherwise, the Police Department’s non-emergency number is 845-451-4000. Between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., you will be able to contact via phone the following departments: Assessor, 845-451-4039; Building, Planning and Community Development, 845-451-4007; Office of the Mayor, 845-451-4073; City Chamberlain, 845-451-4276; Corporation Counsel, 845-451-4065; Finance Department and Tax Collector, 845-451-4030; and Public Works, 845-451-4111.
Applications for Section 8 Housing must be made in person at 1 Civic Center Plaza between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. You can call 845-451-4020 for more information.
Payments for city services also can be done through the website at https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/finance, by mail at 62 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or by using the dropbox near the front door at the Police Station on Mansion Street.
Mayor Rolison has canceled other public meetings scheduled for this and next week. The mayor encourages residents to follow the city’s social media platforms for updates.
He also urged the public to get the latest updates on the COVID-19 and the impacts on our area at the county website at https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.htm
