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reopening

The YMCA reopens Monday with modifications for safety during coronavirus pandemic

By Billie Owens

From the YMCA:

We are excited to announce the Y, located in Genesee County at 209 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia, will be reopening on Monday, Aug. 31st

The GLOW YMCA will initially have modified hours. Branch hours will be Monday-Friday 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. & 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. (We will be closed weekdays for four hours in the afternoon for sanitizing and cleaning purposes to ensure safety.)

The GLOW YMCA is reopening safely and slowly, and in a financially responsible way. To do that, we have decided to take a phased approach when it comes to reopening.

We want to ensure you that our staff will be trained on all new safety procedures; our facilities have been deep cleaned; and our equipment has been spaced out to ensure social distancing.

Phase 1: Helping you get prepared for reopening

As our facilities begin to open again, there will be numerous modifications in place to keep our members safe. Specifically, members should expect to see the following:

  • Masks will be required to be worn at all times within the facility by staff and members;
  • Bandanas and gators are not permitted. Masks must cover nose and mouth at all times;
  • Modified operating hours at all open locations;
  • Amenities suspended -- towel service, shower usage, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and coffee service will be suspended until further notice.
  • Pools will be open for lap swim only and will operate on a limited reservation system.
  • Limited Group Exercise classes will be offered with restrictions on space and capacity;
  • Multiple hand sanitation stations throughout the facility;
  • Members will be required to disinfect equipment before and after each use;
  • YMCA members only will be permitted -- no guests -- until further notice. There will be no one-day passes available for purchase until further notice;
  • Increased cleaning frequency;
  • Members who choose to workout in our facilities are encouraged to bring their own workout towel and water bottle. Drinking fountains will not be available;
  • Please note we will only be open to 33-percent capacity in each area of our buildings;
  • At this time for contact tracing, Y members will be required to check in and check out of the building.
  • A YMCA health screening will be required upon each visit to the facility. This can be done with this following link or in person when checking in.

Lastly, the YMCA will be extending all annual membership renewal dates by five months due to COVID-19 shutting our facility down for that duration of time. We will take care of this process internally for you.

We could not be more excited to welcome you back into our facilities after this time apart. Please know that through all of this, we have had the safety and health of you and your family in mind and will continue to do so in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Yours in Health,

Jeff Townsend

Executive Director

GLOW YMCA

Independent Living of the Genesee Region begins limited reopening today

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region begins limited reopening today.

In mid-March, human service agencies were among the many facilities that New York State required to close their doors to prevent people from gathering and thereby stem the spread of COVID-19.

While they have continued to serve people with disabilities by phone, email and the Internet, now that the State has entered Phase Four, the Batavia and Warsaw, New York offices of Independent Living of the Genesee Region have reopened on a limited basis, observing strict rules for everyone’s safety:

  • Consumers wishing to meet face-to-face with a service provider must first make an appointment, and complete a screening questionnaire over the phone, the day before the appointment. If they do not have face coverings to bring with them, inform the staff at this time, so one can be obtained (if available), or the appointment can be rescheduled for a date when they can bring one. If the staff member cannot be reached by phone, they should not come in, to avoid an unnecessary trip.
  • On arrival, if the answers to four short screening questions are acceptable, they are to use hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water and take a seat in the waiting area until a staff member escorts them to a private, sanitized meeting room. If the answers are not acceptable, they will be asked to reschedule and contact their medical provider.
  • Consumers are asked to maintain a six-foot social distance, and refrain from hugging, shaking hands, fist bumping or other physical contact.
  • On departure, consumers should, again, use hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water.
  • If a staff member fails to follow these protocols, consumers can alert the Human Resources Department or the staff person’s supervisor.

If you need your services provider’s phone number, you can call (585) 815-8501, and dial “9” to access the Dial-by-Name directory, or call the receptionist at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400, during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Batavia, the ILGR office is located at 319 W. Main St.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

GC DMV reopens by appointment only for permits June 17, other limited transactions June 22

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Genesee County Clerk Michael T. Cianfrini announces that the Genesee County DMV will resume in-person learner’s permits and CDL permits on June 17th by appointment only.

Commencing on June 22nd certain additional transactions listed below will be processed in-office by appointment only.

Please be advised that in-office appointments will be reserved for Genesee County residents only until further notice. Proof of Genesee County residency will be requested prior to entering the DMV.

Accepted license transactions to be conducted in-office include:

• Standard, REAL ID and Enhanced License renewals and transfers from out of state 

• First time applications to upgrade to REAL ID or Enhanced licenses or non-driver ID cards 

• First time applications for non-driver Identification Cards 

• Applications for Passenger, motorcycle or CDL permits 

• Conditional or Restricted Licenses 

• Vehicle registration reciprocity from another state

Appointments may be made starting on Monday, June 15th by calling (585) 344-2550 and follow the prompts between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Any transaction that can be done via drop box or mail will not be processed in-office, and we encourage everyone to continue to utilize those drop box services whenever possible. 

Drop boxes are located on Court Street outside of the DMV in Batavia, as well as near the Town Office in the Village of Le Roy. 

Acceptable transactions for the drop boxes are license plate surrenders, new registrations and registration renewals, title replacements and driver’s license renewals with an eye test. 

For information on vehicle registrations, please visit https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/dmv/drop­_box_instructions.php

The following guidelines apply for access to the County Office Building:

  • All visitors must enter the building via the door on the West side of County Building #1, between the County Building and the Old Courthouse; 
  • All visitors must exit the building out of the Court Street door on the East side of the building;
  • All visitors must check-in at the Information Desk upon entering the DMV;
  • Visitors are required to wear a face covering in order to enter the building and continue to wear it within the building unless directed otherwise by staff. Visitors who will not wear a face covering may be refused service and asked to make an appointment for a later date;
  • Visitors and staff are to maintain six feet of social distance when appropriate, and are to obey the floor markings when waiting in line;
  • Proof of Genesee County residency will be required prior to entering the DMV.

*As the situation and state mandates relating to the COVID-19 crisis are ever changing, please understand that it may become necessary to modify or change any guideline or procedure in the office.

For more information, please click here.

Now reopened with limited services: Richmond Memorial Library

By Billie Owens

Press release:

At 1 p.m. today (June 1) the Richmond Memorial Library reopened with limited services, including:

  • Browsing and circulating the library collection
  • Library account services (new cards, paying fines)
  • Placing holds on LOCAL materials only
  • Reference services
  • Faxing, photocopying
  • Limited computer access
  • Virtual library programs

Sorry, the library is NOT yet open for:

  • Sitting
  • Reading
  • Gathering
  • Playing
  • Interlibrary loans or holds
  • In-person library programs

The library has returned to its normal hours of operation for these services: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, for the safety of library staff, any library patron who is over 2 years of age must cover their nose and mouth with an appropriate mask or cloth face-covering in order to enter and remain inside of the library building.

Library patrons who are unable to medically tolerate a face-covering may request exemption or accommodation by contacting the Library Director Robert Conrad by telephone at (585)343-9550, ext. 7, or  or email:   rconrad@nioga.org

Please return most materials (books, movies, music, etc.) to the drive-up or walk-up book returns located outside of the library.

Materials unsuited for book returns (e.g., board games, Playaway devices) can be returned inside of the library. Fines will be waived on items returned before June 22.

All returned items will be held in quarantine and sanitized before being shelved or circulated. Sorry, we cannot accept donated materials until further notice.

The library's 2020-21 budget was amended to require no tax levy increase. Therefore, the library budget vote previously scheduled for May 7 was cancelled.

The library's 2020 trustee election will be held on June 9 via absentee ballot conducted in conjunction with the Batavia City School District's budget vote and trustee election.

Richmond Memorial Library’s online resources remain available 24/7!

Check out Hoopla and OverDrive for audiobooks, eBooks and more! Freegal offers free music downloads and unlimited streaming of thousands of songs through September. Borrow your favorite magazines for free with RB Digital.

There is a lot to discover at batavialibrary.org where all you need is your library card!

City reminds business that have been closed to flush internal plumbing systems

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia reminds businesses to flush internal plumbing systems if your facility has been closed or unoccupied for several weeks prior to reopening.

Our public water system contains a residual chlorine disinfectant. As water in a building slows or stops, the water can become stale or stagnate, causing a loss in this residual which could lead to bacteria growth.

This can also cause taste, odor, and discolored water issues, and the potential of higher than normal levels of lead and copper. Keeping the water flushed and refreshed, is crucial in these situations to ensure clean, clear water. 

The City of Batavia Water Department is issuing this guidance to ensure the safety of the water and the health and welfare of our customers as facilities reopen. 

The Environmental protection Agency (EPA) has issued guidance for Maintaining or Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with little or no usethe link can be found here.

Or visit the City of Batavia website for that guidance.

For questions or assistance, you can contact the City of Batavia Water Department at (585) 345-6315, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Town of Bethany opening Monday after 'PAUSE' for COVID-19

By Billie Owens

Public Notice

Town of Bethany offices will open on Monday, May 18, 2020.

Court has not reopened as of yet. Per NYS Court Administration an opening date has not been determined.

All visitors to the Town Hall must wear facial covering and practice social distancing.

Residents/customers must schedule appointments to handle business that cannot be handled via phone, email or regular mail. A drop box is also available near the Town Hall door.  Receipts, etc. will be mailed to you.

No visitors to the Highway Department are allowed without an appointment. Facial covering and social distancing requirements must be adhered to.

All Board meetings will commence beginning with the regularly scheduled in June. Facial cover and social distancing protocol must be followed by everyone in attendance.

-- Town of Bethany Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr.

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