Approved Minutes of the Peru Town Board’s August 3rd Emergency Meeting
An Emergency Meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on August 3, 2020 at the Peru Town Hall. Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Excused, Mr. James Douglass, Deputy Supervisor; Mr. Richard Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk. Also present Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board and Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent.
The Purpose of the Emergency Meeting was to discuss a personnel matter. The majority of discussion will take place during an executive session.
The Emergency Meeting was called to order at 5:31 PM by Mr. Douglass, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Mr. Irwin; seconded by Mr. Barber to go into Executive Session at 5:32 PM
to discuss a personnel issue. Action will be taken.
Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried
Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Barber to return to Emergency Meeting at 5:43 PM.
Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried
Discussion/ Resolution: Accept Covid-19 Policy
Mr. Provost asked if he would have to quarantine driving though “hot” states. Mr. Favro answered yes. He stated he had done research and wanted confirmation that all Town employees would have to quarantine if they had any contact with the “hot“ states. The board assured him all town employees would have to follow the policy. He was satisfied knowing that the Board would enforce the policy the same for all employees with no exceptions.
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE TOWN OF PERU’S EMPLOYEE TRAVEL POLICY IN REGARD TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 20.08.03-1
MOTION: Mr. Bruno SECOND: Mr. Irwin
WHEREAS, The Town of Peru takes its responsibility to protect the health and well-being of its workforce and residents seriously. On June 24, 2020 New York State’s Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 205, effective June 25, 2020 which provides in part, the attached travel advisory and quarantine requirements during the COVID 19 pandemic.
WHEREAS, The Peru Town Board has determined that a uniform set of personnel rules and policies regarding the current pandemic will benefit all employees and residents alike in an effort to keep everyone safe from the COVID 19 virus.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board adopts the Town of Peru COVID 19 Travel Policy.
RESOLVED, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
| Roll Call: | YES | NO | |
| Richard Barber, Jr. | x | ||
| Kregg Bruno | x | ||
| Mel Irwin | x | ||
| James Douglass | x | ||
| Brandy McDonald | Excused |
Carried: 4 Ayes 0 Nay
TOWN OF PERU
New York State Travel Advisory and Quarantine Requirements
August 3, 2020
The Town of Peru takes its responsibility to protect the health and well-being of its workforce seriously. On June 24, 2020, New York State (“NYS”), via Governor Andrew Cuomo, issued Executive Order 205, effective June 25, 2020, which provides, in part:
All travelers entering New York from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or higher than a 10% test positivity rate, over a seven day rolling average, will be required to quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days consistent with Department of Health regulations for quarantine.
The Town Supervisor may issue additional protocols for essential workers, or for other extraordinary circumstances, when quarantine is not possible, provided such measures continue to safeguard the public health.
Any violation of a quarantine or isolation order issued to an individual pursuant to the Commissioner of the Department of Health’s travel advisory by a local department of health or state department of health may be enforced pursuant to article 21 of the public health law, and non-compliance may additionally be deemed a violation pursuant to section 12 of the public health law subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000.
Based on the Executive Order and the resulting New York State Department of Health’s Interim Guidance, dated June 24, 2020, the Town of Peru has adopted the following policy regarding employee travel, effective immediately:
- Town Employees must report all travel plans to the following states (updated as of 7/30/2020): Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Texas. This is the current list of states based on the above matrix and may be updated by NYS from time to time. When updated by NYS, this policy will apply to any new locations identified in any written Executive Order(s)
- Town Employees entering NYS after visiting a state listed in (1) above, or as amended by NYS, from June 25, 2020, onwards are “required to quarantine for a period of 14 days,” i.e., remain away from their work locations for fourteen (14) days after returning to The travel advisory requires all employees to take personal responsibility for complying with the advisory on the best interest of public health and safety.
- Any Town Employee, deemed an essential employee or otherwise, who knowingly and willfully travels to a state listed on the above list (1a) or attends a function or event of more than 100 people must self-quarantine for a period of fourteen days upon his or her return, or from the date of the event, whichever is later.
- Any vacation or personal time leave requests, from this date forward, must disclose the location of travel if the employee will be traveling to or through the States identified at (1) herein, or as amended by the State. The leave request remains subject to the Department Head approval. Employees entering NYS after visiting a state listed in (1) above, from June 25, 2020, or as amended by NYS, MAY be able to telework subject to approval from the Department Head during the quarantine period. If unable to telework during the quarantine period, employees will be charged accrual leave time while overseeing the fourteen (14) day quarantine.
- It is the EMPLOYEE’S responsibility to monitor the “affected states” during the time of his or her travel. If a state is added to the list (1a above) during the employee’s travel that the employee either travels to or through, and said state was not on the list when travel was originally discussed with the Department Head or Town Supervisor, the employee MUST notify his or her Department Head and the Town Supervisor immediately upon the employee’s return to Clinton County.
Exceptions to the fourteen (14) day quarantine period exist for essential workers as identified by the Town Supervisor. Per the New York State Department of Health, essential workers are not subject to mandatory quarantine after travel, but should:
- Seek diagnostic testing for COVID-19 as soon as possible upon arrival (within 24 hours) to ensure they are not positive;
- Employee must provide written documentation of two negative COVID-19 tests taken at least 24 hours apart, to his or her Department Head, prior to returning to work
- Monitor temperature and signs of symptoms, wear a face covering when in public, maintain social distancing, clean and disinfect workspaces for a minimum of 14 days;
- To the extent possible, avoid extended periods in public, contact with strangers, and large congregate settings for a period of, at least, 7 days.
This directive is subject to change upon receipt of further guidance from the Governor’s Office, the NYS Department of Health
Motion by Mr. Bruno; seconded by Mr. Irwin to adjourn the Emergency meeting at 5:59 PM.
Ayes 4 Nays 0 Motion Carried
_________________________Supervisor ________________________Councilman
_________________________Councilman ________________________Councilman
_________________________Councilwoman
Posted: August 11th, 2020 under Heathcare News, Peru/Regional History, Town Board News.