March 25, 2020 - In This Issue:
A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:

Dear Friends,

We are keeping updated on Coronavirus and doing our best to share this information widely.  What you need to know today:
  • The COVID-19 mobile testing site in Ulster is up and running. The site is by appointment only.  If you think you may be positive for the Coronavirus, first call your doctor and have a consultation. If your doctor recommends a test, he/she will give you a number to call for an appointment at the mobile testing site. If you show up without an appointment, you will be turned away. If you do not have a primary care physician or health insurance, call the County's hotline 845-443-8888 for assistance. 
  • We have 7 confirmed cases in Kingston as of today, and we expect that number to grow exponentially as more tests are conducted. 
  • We cannot stress enough how important it is to follow isolation protocol. The Governor has called for NO GATHERINGS OF ANY SIZE OR FOR ANY REASON. We must all follow this advice to flatten the curve. 
  • We know this is a difficult and stressful time for everyone. NYS announced today a COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline for mental health counseling: 844-863-9314. I encourage all to use this resource. 
  • The City created a webpage to help support local businesses during this time. Also, the Kingston Local Development Corporation's Micro Enterprise Lending Program can provide low interest loans up to $7,500. The program is geared to new or younger businesses and is designed to focus on capital assistance for small business entrepreneurs. More at Kingston Recovers. 
  • City of Kingston parks remain open but the Forsyth Nature Center has been closed. (Don't worry - the animals will be cared for!) 
  • My daily update on Radio Kingston has moved to 5:00pm each weekday. We are working on getting a video component as well as the live radio update. 
  • We are asking everyone to abide by the guidelines of staying home if you are sick, distancing yourself from others even if you are well, and washing hands and surfaces often. For the sake of yourself and your community, stay safe and take good care.
As always, th e County's COVID-19 phone service is available from 9:00am to 7:00pm everyday: 845-443-8888. 

-Steve
The Kingston Community Gives Back

To all the folks from our community who are volunteering, who are delivering meals, who are helping your neighbors in any number of ways: THANK YOU! 

Our City of Kingston staff began helping out with food distribution this week. At the Everette Hodge Community Center kitchen, City employees will be helping the Family of Woodstock team to package and deliver about 600 meals a day for those in need.

So many partners in the community have been helping in this effort:

- Family of Woodstock
- People's Place 
- YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County 
- Kingston YMCA Farm Project
- Rise Up Kingston
- Everette Hodge Community Center 
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County
-  Hudson Valley Farm Hub
- Kingston Food Coop
- Radio Kingston
- UlsterCorps
-  Kingston City School District
- Community Action
-  Salvation Army
- Ulster County
- Hudson Valley Seed

And many more community members

Tomorrow, we will be announcing a new combined hotline for community food pick-up and delivery that brings together all the local food security resources into one place. Stay tuned for more information on that, and ways to volunteer! 
Childcare for Essential Service Workers

Starting Monday, March 23, 2020 the  YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County will begin providing emergency child care in Kingston, New Paltz, Marbletown and Ellenville for the families of first responders and essential employees, those who have to work during the Covid-19 Crisis. Care is being offered in accordance with New York State and Ulster County health and safety requirements, including reducing capacity at each site is reduced by 50%, thus space at each site is limited.
Reg istration forms are available online at: https://ymcaulster.org/emergency-child-care.

Forms can be returned via fax or email. If you have any questions about the program please reach out to our Youth Development Director Cailin Rooney at CRooney@ymcaulster.org 845-338-3810 ext.110.

More resources from the County below: 

Resources for Small Businesses

We know this has been an extremely difficult time for local businesses. We appreciate our community coming together and following the guidelines put in place by Governor Cuomo to keep us all safe and healthy. 

The City of Kingston has created a webpage of resources for small and local businesses to help get through this challenging time: www.kingston-ny.gov/KingstonRecovers. 
Community Financial Relief 

Kingston is facing unprecedented economic challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic and many of our neighbors will find themselves in places of genuine hardship over the coming weeks and months. To help alleviate some of this stress, Radio Kingston's Community Fund is offering increased capacity to support Kingstonians during this time of great disruption. 
 
Residents within the City of Kingston's School District who are in need of financial assistance for any reason will be able to receive one-time financial support through the Community Fund. Information for the fund will be through Family of Woodstock via phone and online. Support applications will begin processing on Monday, March 23. To stay informed, visit:  radiokingston.org/community-fund
 
This is a time to support our collective well-being and help each other navigate the road ahead, together. We need your help in order to meet our community's needs. Please consider donating to the Community Fund to keep this resource flowing:  bit.ly/knycommunityfund  
Kingston Farmer's Market Open by Appointment


CLICK HERE to sign up and reserve a shopping time for Saturday, March 28. 
Kingston 311
The  Kingston 311 app, website and phone  system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311  app, available for  Android  &  iPhones , is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. 

This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311.  Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us. 
Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
mayor@kingston-ny.gov

The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit: