Full Notification

In a press release today, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that there were 149 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 72,137 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 190.0 to 153.1 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital overnight due to COVID-19 symptoms remained at 45 patients, with seven patients in the ICU.  While the County DOH’s pandemic death toll remained at 563, the County Executive said that the death of a resident earlier this week was a man in his 80’s.  The County Executive added:
 
Sadly, we’ve lost another county resident from complications due to COVID since Tuesday, and I extend my sympathy to his loved ones.  As we start the holiday weekend and people travel and gather together, I encourage you to remember the precautions outlined by the CDC if you are indoors, and to get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t already.
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.5% of the County’s total population and 91.9% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.5% of the total population, and for boosters was 63.9% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 90.6% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 77.4% for the total population, and for boosters was 55.5% of the eligible population.
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 125,007 tests Statewide were 8,543 or 6.5% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.4%.  The Capital Region had 4,999 tests of which 409 or 8.3% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 10.2%.  The County had 1,017 tests of which 114 or 10.9% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 11.6%.
 
In a press release today, Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (6.49%), and the current numbers for COVID-19 hospitalizations (2,483, -35), new hospital admissions (435), ICU patients (234, -9), intubations (95, +4), and 23 deaths. 
 
For the sixth consecutive week, CDC’s map of level of community spread again shows that Albany County has a “high” level of COVID-19 spread.  At this level, the CDC recommends that residents wear facemasks in public indoor spaces.   And while most of the State remains at the “high” level, several local counties have improved including Schenectady which is now at the “medium” level and Schoharie at the “low” level.  As of yesterday, the nation has 250 (7.76%) counties at a “high” community level.  The number of counties with a “medium” community level has reached 668 (20.73%), with 2,305 counties (71.52%) at a “low” community level.  
 
At this “high” level of community infection, County DOH is “strongly recommending that face masks be worn in public places and private businesses.”  The Town also strongly recommends that all persons wear facemasks in public settings at indoor Town facilities.  
 
The State Legislature has passed legislation that would commit preserving 30% of the State’s lands and waters by 2030.   The Town has already committed to President Biden’s similar effort at the Federal level, and is one of a handful of municipalities to adopt a conservation easement program which will allow property owners to voluntarily agree to preserve environmentally sensitive lands in return for reductions in property taxes.   We have already received several inquiries from landowners even though only the Town has agreed to tax reductions under the program.  We are awaiting word from the County Legislature on whether it will extend County property tax breaks to eligible property owners under this program.   We are also hoping that the five school districts in the Town will also recognize the benefit of protecting conserved lands and provide property tax reductions. The Town has other environmental tools, including planned unit developments, country hamlets, and conservation subdivisions, to meet its goal of preserving 30% of the Town’s land mass.
 
A reminder that Town Hall is closed on Memorial Day, and the Transfer Station is also closed tomorrow.  I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend.    
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.    
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor