Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus & City of Middletown Mayor Joseph M. DeStefano are pleased to announce the City of Middletown is working with Orange County to hand out free COVID-19 rapid tests to Orange County Residents. This will be a drive through only event. Tests will be on a first come, first served basis, 2 kits per car, while supplies last. Distribution will start at 10 am while supplies last on Saturday, January 8^th 2022. Distribution will take place at Fei Tian College, please use the lower entrance of the former Middletown Psyche Grounds, across from 140 Monhagen Ave, and follow signs from there.  Thank you, Fei Tian College of Middletown, for use of the facilities. For more information call the Mayors Office at 845-346-4100 or go to the City Website, Middletown-NY.com

PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY
JOSEPH M. DeSTEFANO, MAYOR
CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

Pursuant to Section 24 of the New York Executive Law and in accordance with the Code and Charter of the City of Middletown, New York, I, Joseph M. DeStefano, Mayor of the City of Middletown, New York, make the following findings and orders in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, also known as the Coronavirus^[1], in New York State and particularly in Orange County:

WHEREAS, I issued a Proclamation of Local State of Emergency, effective March 16, 2020, based upon findings and conditions which are hereby fully incorporated into this Proclamation as if fully set forth herein, and

WHEREAS, I issued extensions of said Proclamation, and

WHEREAS, the findings and conditions that led to the issuance and extensions of such Proclamation have recently worsened in Orange County, and

WHEREAS, I issued a Proclamation of Local State of Emergency, effective April 7, 2021, based upon findings and conditions which are hereby fully incorporated into this Proclamation as if fully set forth herein, and

WHEREAS, the City shall be acquiring kits for the testing for Coronavirus infection.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the above findings and in accordance with applicable local and State law, I, Joseph M. DeStefano, Mayor of the City of Middletown, New York, have promulgated the following local emergency orders to protect life and health and to bring the emergency situation under control:

1.  The state of local emergency due to the virus as set forth above shall be reimposed  to be in effect commencing 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 and shall terminate on February 4, 2022, unless rescinded on an earlier date by me.

2.  All of the orders and directives set forth in my earlier Proclamation, effective April 7, 2021, are hereby renewed and re-issued as if fully incorporated herein.

3.   The City will soon be supplied with Coronavirus rapid self-tests.

A.  All City employees are encouraged to utilize these tests during work

hours if they are not feeling well or are experiencing Coronavirus symptoms.  If the test

is positive, the employee must obtain a PCR test and report the result to his/her supervisor.

B.  I have the option and authority to direct that all City employees perform

self-testing for Coronavirus once per week for the duration of this Proclamation.  If this Order is issued, employees must use testing kits provided by the City for these tests.  Immediately upon receipt of the result of such test, all employees must submit an attestation to his/her supervisor reporting whether the test is negative or positive.

                        C.  I have the option and authority to direct that all persons entering any City facility or building be screened in accordance with the most recent guidance issued by the Orange County Department of Health.  If this Order is issued, screening materials, including written questionnaires, shall be provided at all entrances to City facilities and buildings.

Promulgated this 5th day of January, 2022, at Middletown, New York.

Joseph M. DeStefano, Mayor
City of Middletown, New York

^[1]  This term includes all variants of the Coronavirus, including but not limited to, Delta and Omicron.

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March 16, 2020
PROCLAMATION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCYJOSEPH M. DeSTEFANO, MAYOR
CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

            Pursuant to Section 24 of the New York Executive Law and in accordance with the Code and Charter of the City of Middletown, New York, I, Joseph M. DeStefano, Mayor of the City of Middletown, New York, make the following findings and orders in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, also known as the Coronavirus, in New York State and particularly in Orange County:

            WHEREAS, various Federal and State proclamations have been issued regarding the outbreak of the subject virus and the severe threat it poses to life and health, and

WHEREAS, these proclamations have provided guidance for protection of the public and municipal employees in connection with public activities and gatherings, and access to public buildings, facilities and transportation, and

WHEREAS, cases of transmission and infection of the virus have been recently documented in New York State and particularly in Orange County, and more cases are expected to develop and/or be discovered.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the above findings and in accordance with applicable local and State law, I, Joseph M. DeStefano, Mayor of the City of Middletown, New York, have promulgated the following local emergency orders to protect life and health and to bring the emergency situation under control:

1.  The state of local emergency due to the virus as set forth above shall be in effect commencing 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020 and shall terminate on April 3, 2020, unless rescinded on an earlier date by me.  As Mayor, I also have the authority by means of an additional proclamation to extend this state of emergency for a period not to exceed thirty days.

2.  All City of Middletown buildings, including City Hall, shall be closed to the general public, unless escorted by a member of the Middletown Police Department or a City employee.  Such escorts shall be provided only to those persons having a reasonable need for such access.  Persons in need of such access are directed to come in person to the manned entrance between the Police Station and City Hall at 16 James Street.  Alternatively, persons needing access may contact the relevant City Department by telephone.

3.  Signs shall be posted at the entrances of all City buildings and shall include the telephone numbers of various City departments.  Such telephone numbers shall also be available on the City’s website.  For those wishing to pay taxes or engage in other written communications, the person manning the entrance between the Police Station and City Hall shall be authorized to accept such materials.

4.  All City employees shall report to their regular job sites at the usual times, unless directed to do otherwise.  Nothwithstanding any agreement or policy to the contrary, all employees are considered essential during this state of emergency.  Employees are encouraged, however, to utilize legitimate sick time if they are experiencing any symptoms of flu, fever, coughing or other illnesses. 

5.  All meetings of City boards, including the Planning and Zoning Boards, are hereby cancelled, subject to the following exceptions.  Any City board which must make a reasonably necessary decision during this state of emergency may meet to consider and vote upon such matter(s) upon reasonably practicable notice to the public; public attendance is allowable only pursuant to the escort referred to above.  The City Common Council shall continue to hold regularly scheduled or special meetings, if necessary, with public attendance available only through the escort referred to above.  All Council meetings shall continue to be televised live.  All Council and other Board meetings shall comply with all New York State requirements for conducting public meetings without the public being present.

6.  All City events and functions involving the general public are hereby cancelled or postponed until further notice.  Exceptions may occur only through advance approval by me.

7.  All City Department heads are directed to manage their respective departments and employees in a manner that will minimize exposure of such employees and any members of the general public to the virus in accordance with the recommendations issued by the Orange County Department of Health and all other relevant medical professionals and governmental agencies.  Department Heads shall comply with the Interim Guidance virus procedures, dated March 11, 2020, and as updated.

Promulgated this 16^th day of March, 2020, at Middletown, New York.

Volunteer Training is Tuesday January 10th at 5:30 pm and Thursday January 20th at 10:00 am

Help is needed NOW in Middletown! HELP LOCAL!
Help an older Middletown neighbor get to their medical appointment, or help get their groceries, or help by making a wellness call to check in.
Volunteering opportunities are flexible and are available for all ages-must be 25 to drive.
Call for training schedule and for more information: 845-341-1173 ext. 305 or email: volunteer@jfsorange.org
Social distancing guidelines observed.