Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh and Niagara County Manager Rick Updegrove today announced the following series of closings and service reductions as County Government complies with Governor Cuomo’s mandate to reduce staff reporting to government offices by 50 percent. This mandate will promote social distancing and curtail the spread of COVID-19.

“It is our expectation the closings and changes we are announcing today will be in effect minimally for the next two weeks dependent on further direction from the Governor,” said Wydysh. “However, we will be constantly reviewing our operations and if we recognize a way to respond to an important need in a way that still complies with the Governor’s mandate, we will certainly do so.”

County Manager Rick Updegrove said, “We are attempting to be as complete as possible with the list we are releasing today, but please understand, the situation is constantly evolving. I would recommend those who need to interact with county departments to please call ahead. A complete list of county departments and phone numbers can be found at niagaracounty.com.”

Aging

•   Congregate Dining sites are close effective Tuesday, March 17th. Any current program participant who wishes to call directly can contact us at 716-438-3030 for more information. We will work with senior housing sites to modify program delivery in order to serve those most in need.
•   Wellness Programs: Effective immediately, site directors will begin contacting regular participants to notify them of the cancellations.
•   Home Visits: Effective immediately, NCOFA staff will contact those who have appointments scheduled to inform them that appointments will now be via phone whenever possible.
•   Home Delivered Meals: This program will continue as usual, but with safety precautions put in place. Contact between delivery personnel and participants will be kept to a six-foot distance. Delivery personnel will contact participants a few minutes before arriving and ask that their door be unlocked if they don’t already have a location where a meal can be set that can be safely accessed by the participant. Delivery personnel and participants will still have a visual contact to ensure the participant is safe.
•   Senior Transportation: We will attempt to keep this program in place for as long as we can. It’s a very fluid situation, if there are positive cases identified in Niagara, service may be suspended to protect seniors. Staff will be calling to see if you are still in need of your ride to critical appointments such as dialysis or chemotherapy treatments etc. We encourage you to reschedule non-critical routine appointments for your own protection. Drivers have been provided with surface wipes, hand sanitizer, and information on personnel safety protocols.

 Attorney for the Elderly: Our attorney for the elderly will suspend all services except Tuesdays from 1:30 – 3:30 at the Niagara County OFA office at 111 Main St, Lockport. We will practice social distancing and have appropriate safeguards in place during this time to ensure everyone’s safety. If you need legal assistance during this time, we encourage you to contact Gary Billingsley by phone at 716-434-5783 instead of an in person visit. A revised April schedule will be posted on the Niagara County Office for the Aging Facebook page very soon.

County Clerk

 The Niagara County Clerk’s office is offering limited services. However, the three DMV locations in Lockport, North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, as well as Veterans Service Agency, Historian’s Office, Pistol Permit and Passport Offices are closed until further notice. Please call 439-7022 with questions.

District Attorney

 The Victim Impact Panel scheduled for April 21st at 7 p.m. at NCCC is cancelled.

Economic Development

The Center for Economic Development is closed. Staff is available via email.

The following meetings have been cancelled:

•   Niagara County Economic Development Alliance Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.
  Samuel M. Ferraro Center for Economic Development
•   Niagara County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee (CEDS) Meeting Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
  Samuel M. Ferraro Center for Economic Development
•   Niagara County Agribusiness Outreach Forum
  Friday, April 3, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County Training Center
•   Niagara County Free Business Workshop Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. City Hall, City of Niagara Falls
•   Leaders Encouraging Action & Progress (LEAP) Meeting Thursday, April 9, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
  Samuel M. Ferraro Center for Economic Development

Employment and Training

Public Works

Governor Cuomo encourage people today to take walks in the park in an effort to get fresh air. The public is welcome in Niagara County parks, but please recognize restrooms and other amenities are not currently available.

•   All project meetings will be conducted via conference call.
•   Weights and measures will keep all scheduled truck scale inspections appointments.

Environmental/Solid Waste

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events on April 18 and May 16 are cancelled until further notice.

Human Resources

Staff availability will be limited and reduced, internal and external customers are encouraged to deal with the Human Resources office and communicate via phone and by email.

Risk Management

Social Services

•   Please call the Department of Social Services before coming to the office. We may be able to answer your questions or concerns by phone without the need for an office visit. The phone number for the Niagara County Department of Social Services is 278-8400.
•   Our staff are currently reaching out to clients that have scheduled eligibility appointments and they will be conducting those interviews by phone.
•   Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) classes canceled until further notice.
•   If you need to speak to your assigned Child Welfare or CPS caseworker, please contact them directly before visiting the office.
•   For those who regularly make payments in our office, tough we are still accepting cash payments in person, we would strongly encourage you to send them in the mail whenever possible.

Treasurer’s Office

 The Treasurer’s Office will be open from 9 am – 2 pm beginning tomorrow through March 27.