Upcoming Events and Webinars
Webinar: Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC): Step by Step instructions with a CPA 
Host: NFIB
Date: February 24, 2021, at 12PM
Panelists: Elizabeth Milito, Senior Executive Counsel, Legal Foundation, NFIB, Holly Wade Executive Director, NFIB Research Center, Matt Evans, CPA, CMA, CFM
Register: HERE
Webinar: Legislative Action Seminar
Host: Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Date: March 10, 2021, at 9 AM
Panelists: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19)
Register: HERE
NEW Updates For Wednesday, February 24, 2021
  • Governor Cuomo has announced that beginning on March 15, weddings and catered events can resume statewide. The announcement can be found HERE.

  • Establishments must review and comply with the updated Detailed Guidelines for Food Services on the Phase Three webpage of New York Forward found HERE. 

The updated guidance includes the following:

  • Effective March 15, 2021, Responsible Parties throughout the state, including event venue and facility owners and/or operators, and event organizers (i.e., planners and producers), must comply with additional requirements for non-residential events (i.e., gatherings held outside of a household) that involve the gathering of attendees – above the State’s social gathering limit – for an event, which may feature the preparation and service of food and/or beverage for parties, including but not limited to wedding receptions, celebrations, and similar private venue events, such as meetings and conferences.
  • As of February 24, 2021, the State’s social gathering limit is 50 or fewer people in non-residential settings.
  • Responsible Parties are prohibited from holding in-person and catered events between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 5:00 AM local time until further notice.
  • Responsible Parties must maintain sufficient employee or event staff (e.g., security) presence to ensure compliance with these health and safety requirements, including limiting capacity, prohibiting unnecessary congregations, and managing movement and traffic.

  • Occupancy: Responsible Parties must limit occupancy of in-person and catered events to the lesser of: 50% for a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy, or 150 people, exclusive of employees and event staff.
  • Responsible Parties may have more than one event (i.e., gathering) on the same premises at the same time so long as each event is separate and distinguishable. Each event must be held in different areas on the premises (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor spaces, separate rooms). Attendees from separate events shall not share any spaces or rooms, use the same entrances/exits at the same time, or otherwise engage in in-person interaction or come into contact with each other. Restroom capacity must be limited to avoid congregation of attendees, who must wear face coverings and maintain social distance within, and while waiting for, restrooms.
  • Any concurrent events on the same premises that share attendees or a common purpose are prohibited. However, an on-premises restaurant dining room or area that serves patrons in parties who are unassociated with the event attendees may continue to serve such patrons within the designated area so long as they are separated from the event spaces or rooms.
  • In accordance with the State's cluster zones, fewer individuals are permitted to gather in non-residential settings within those areas based on the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Such restrictions shall apply to catered events held in those areas. Specifically, 25 or fewer people are permitted to gather in non-residential settings in yellow zones, 10 or fewer people in orange zones, and no gatherings in red zones.

  • Local Health Department Notice: Responsible Parties must notify their respective county health department or local public health authority if they plan to host in-person and catered events above the State’s maximum social gathering limit, which is 50 people, as of February 24, 2021. (Note: As referenced above, areas that are designated as cluster zones may have lower social gathering limits in effect.)
  • For each event above the social gathering limit, Responsible Parties must submit event details to the local health authority, at least 5 days in advance of the event date, and such details shall include but not be limited to the (1) Responsible Parties’ contact information, (2) event name or function, (3) event address, (4) event date and time, (5) event duration (including loading and unloading times), (6) expected number of event attendees, (7) expected number of event staff, and (8) location on-premises (e.g., indoor, outdoor) indicated by description and/or on event floor plan.
  • Events may be subject to inspection by local health authorities to ensure compliance with all provisions of the guidance.

  • Contact Information for Tracing: For any event conducted pursuant to this guidance, Responsible Parties must require each attendee (or, if attendee is a minor, an adult from their party/household/family) in attendance to sign-in before or immediately upon arrival to the event, providing their full name, date of birth, address, email, and phone number for use in potential contact tracing efforts, if necessary. 
  • The sign-in process may be conducted through any means that the Responsible Parties establish to collect the above contact information, including but not limited to a digital application and/or paper form. 
  • Responsible Parties must maintain a record of the aforementioned sign-in data for a minimum period of 28 days and make such data available to State and local health authorities upon request.

  • Screening Testing: For any event conducted pursuant to this guidance, Responsible Parties must require and ensure all attendees have received a negative diagnostic test result for COVID-19 using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or other nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) of comparable analytical sensitivity performance that was performed on a specimen (e.g., swab) collected within 72 hours of the event start time. Responsible Parties may also accept negative test results for COVID-19 from an FDA authorized antigen test performed on a specimen collected within 6 hours of the event start time. All attendees must present proof of the negative diagnostic test result (e.g., mobile application, paper form) to designated employees or event staff prior to, or immediately upon, arrival to the event. 
  • Responsible Parties may offer to perform FDA-authorized antigen testing for attendees to obtain test results of specimens collected within 6 hours of the event on-premises; provided, however, such antigen testing must meet all requirements and standards set forth by DOH, including timely and complete reporting of results to the Department’s Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS). 
  • To minimize potential exposure while waiting for PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results, individuals should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, wear a face covering when in public, maintain social distancing, and should avoid extended periods in public, contact with strangers, and large congregate settings.
  • Alternatively, attendees may provide proof of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the event. However, as DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to evaluate the effect of immunization on potential COVID-19 transmission, diagnostic testing is still recommended, and venues may choose to require testing. DOH, in consultation with CDC, will continue to monitor vaccination developments and revise guidance accordingly.
  • Employees and event staff must also be tested for COVID-19 through a diagnostic test prior to events, and must be tested biweekly thereafter for as long as they are actively engaged in hosting events and interacting in close contact with attendees. Alternatively, employees and event staff may provide proof of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination series at least 14 days prior to the date of the event(s).
  • Any attendee who fails to present a negative diagnostic test result or proof of immunization, as described above, must be denied entry to the event.

  • Health Screening: Responsible Parties must implement mandatory health screening for employees, event staff, and attendees prior to the event. 
  • As detailed below, health screening shall consist of questions regarding current or recent COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., temperature in excess of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), close or proximate contact with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case(s), recent positive COVID-19 test result(s), and compliance with State’s travel advisory.

  • Distancing: Responsible Parties must ensure that all attendees practice social distancing by maintaining a distance of, at least, six feet from other individuals, except for members of the same immediate party/household/family.
  • Responsible Parties must assign each attendee to a table or area, where they must be seated while eating or drinking for the duration of the event. To the extent practicable, individuals should be seated at a table or area with members of their same immediate party/household/family.
  • Where attendees may frequently interact with employees or event staff (e.g., host station, reception desk), Responsible Parties should install appropriate physical barriers. Further, Responsible Parties should consider implementing touchless systems for transactions that require close contact between attendees and employees/event staff (e.g., check-in).
  • Responsible Parties must post appropriate signage notifying attendees of social distancing requirements at the event location.

  • Face Covering: Responsible Parties must ensure that attendees, employees, and event staff wear acceptable face coverings at all times; provided, however, that attendees may remove their face coverings when seated at their assigned table to eat or drink. The face-covering requirement applies to any attendee over the age of two and able to medically tolerate such covering.
  • Responsible Parties may temporarily allow certain attendees to remove face coverings while presenting/speaking at the event, provided that such attendee maintain 12 feet of social distance, or be separated by an appropriate physical barrier, from other attendees.
  • Responsible Parties must post appropriate signage notifying attendees of face-covering requirement at the event location.

  • Controlled Movement: Responsible Parties must ensure that all event attendees are confirmed in advance (e.g., guest list) to ensure compliance with occupancy, plan movement of individuals throughout the premises, and prevent unnecessary congregation or foot-traffic congestion in common areas (e.g., entrances, exits, restrooms).
  • Responsible Parties must designate points of ingress/egress throughout the premises to ensure capacity and occupancy compliance.
  • Responsible Parties should develop a system to stagger the ingress/egress of attendees at the event venue or facility (e.g., timed entry, distanced waiting zones).
  • Responsible Parties should consider limiting amenities or event services that may present unnecessary interactions between employees/event staff and attendees (e.g., coat checks, valet, parking attendant), unless additional protective measures can be adopted (e.g., contactless transactions, frequent cleaning/disinfection of shared equipment or surfaces, use of disposable gloves).
  • Responsible Parties should adopt one-directional paths for attendees on floors and stairs, where practicable.

  • Activities: Responsible Parties must ensure that attendees are not congregating, except when seated at their assigned table. Attendees should only be standing when necessary (e.g., enter/exit, restroom, use of staffed buffet), when essential to the event (e.g., the entrance of bride and groom), or when permitted as follows:
  • Responsible Parties may provide cocktail receptions for attendees where standing is permitted with strict adherence to social distancing; provided, however, that attendees only remove their face coverings and consume food and beverages while seated. Further, attendees must not remove their face covering and must not consume food and beverage if members of different parties/households/families are within six feet.
  • Responsible Parties may permit live music, entertainment (e.g., DJ), and/or dancing within the following parameters, which will be revisited by the State as the public health condition continues to change:
  • Live music performers and other entertainers, particularly if unmasked or playing a wind instrument, must be separated from attendees by either 12 feet or an appropriate physical barrier.
  • Select attendees – who are designated to the Responsible Parties prior to the event – may participate in ceremonial dances with members of their immediate party/household/family (e.g., first dances at a wedding reception) so long as they maintain six feet of separation from other attendees throughout the dance.
  • Attendees may dance with only members of their same immediate party/household/family who are seated at their table in designated and clearly marked areas or zones that are assigned to them and spaced, at least, six feet apart from any other dancing areas or zones, and any tables. Ideally, each dancing areas or zones should not be less than 36 square feet. Attendees must wear face coverings while in their assigned dancing area or zone and cannot enter, use, or otherwise visit other dancing areas or zones.
  • Responsible Parties should consider staggered intervals for food service at staffed buffets to allow attendees to maintain social distance while waiting in line.
  • Responsible Parties should consider serving any passed foods (e.g., hors d’oeuvres) in containers that limit touching of any shared surfaces (e.g., platters) by attendees.
COVID resources for your organization
Business Resources:
  • NYS Small Business Development Center has published a list of micro-grant and micro-loan programs for pandemic relief. View it HERE.
  • The U.S. Small Business Association has created a streamlined webpage of federal resources which you can find HERE. It includes:
  • Funding options
  • Tax credits and tax filing help
  • Contracting assistance
  • And more!
  • 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
  • NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2020 NYS Community Development Block Grant Program competitive application for Public Infrastructure, Public Facility and Community Planning projects and open round application for Economic Development and Microenterprise activities.
  • CDBG Economic Development, Small Business & Microenterprise Application materials are available now. Applications for Open Round Economic Development and Microenterprise applications will be accepted throughout 2021 with rolling awards.
  • $17 Million in Funding Available for New York Communities' Climate Goals
  • NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities Program Can Help You Reach Your Community’s Climate Goals
  • Learn more about how the program works or connect with your Clean Energy Community Coordinator to get started
  • Find a Coordinator here
Funding Assistance:

Technical Assistance for Businesses:
 
Resources for Employers/Employees:
 
Resources for Individuals:

Hudson Valley list of local PPE suppliers: CLICK HERE
Representative Contacts
County Representatives:
County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro, County Executive (R)
Phone: 486-2000
Fax: 486-2021
 
County Legislature A. Gregg Pulver, Chairman (R)
Carolyn Morris, Clerk
Toll Free: 866-694-4800
Phone: 486-2100
Fax: 486-2113
 
County Clerk Bradford Kendall, County Clerk (R)
Toll Free: 866-694-4700
Phone: 486-2120
Records Room: 486-2125
Fax: 486-2138
 
Comptroller Robin Lois, Comptroller (D)
Phone: 486-2050
Fax: 486-2055
 
Sheriff's Office Adrian Anderson, Sheriff (R)
Phone: 486-3800
Sheriff’s Tip Line: 845-605-2583
NYS Sheriffs' Victim Hotline: 888-846-3469

State Representatives:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (D)
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
518-474-8390

State Senators:
Pete Harckham (D, WF) - 40th District
Albany Office 
188 State Street, Legislative Office Bldg
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2340
 
Susan Serino (R) - 41st District
Albany Office 
617 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-2945

 
State Assembly Assemblymembers:
Kevin A. Cahill (D) - District 103
716 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4436
District Office:  
1 Albany Ave., Governor Clinton Bldg., Suite G-4,
Kingston, NY 12401
845-338-9610
 
Jonathan G. Jacobson (D) - District 104 
435 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5762
District Office: 
154 North Plank Road, Suite 2
Newburgh, NY 12550
845-562-0888
 
Kieran Michael Lalor (R) - District 105
531 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248 
518-455-5725
District Office:
1075 Rt. 82, North Hopewell Plaza, Suite #1
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
845-221-2202
 
Didi Barrett (D) - District 106
553 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5177
District Office:
12 Raymond Avenue, Suite 105
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
845-454-1703
 
Federal Representatives:
President Joseph Biden (D)
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
 
Federal Senate Representatives:
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D)
478 Russell
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-4451
Fax: 202-228-0282
 
Charles E. Schumer (D)
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: 202-224-6542
Fax: 202-228-3027
 
Federal Congressional Representatives:
Sean Patrick Maloney (D) - 18th District
2331 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-5441
Fax: 202-225-3289
District Office
123 Grand Street, 2nd Floor
Newburgh, NY 12550
Phone: 845-561-1259
Fax: 845-561-2890

Antonio Delgado (D) - 19th District
1007 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5614
To view the Dutchess Business Notification Network website and see previous emails, important documents, and other resources available, click HERE.
 
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Dutchess Business Notification Network | [email protected]