From the U.S. Small Business Administration:

Given the trying times we’re dealing we wanted to give you some updates you can pass along to your businesses. The first question businesses should be asking is of their current bankers and landlords. Are they able to defer payments for a few months? On current SBA Loans banks do have the authority to provide a deferment. Given the situation, we hope that landlords and other lenders would provide deferment as well.

Next, New York State has been approved and declared a State eligible for C for the novel coronavirus. Businesses can apply for these loans at: www.sba.gov/disaster

Disaster Loan Fact Sheet

It is a good idea for folks to have 3 years of tax returns, P&L from last year, Balance Sheet, Monthly Cash Flow and a listing of their liabilities (Mortgages, loans, etc.) together before applying. These loans do not replace lost sales but can cover fixed costs such as rent, utilities and payroll (if keeping employees).

I am doing a webinar with the Better Business Bureau and Lynn Oswald from our NCCC SBDC on Wednesday, March 25th from noon to 1 p.m. Please join us from the webinar as we’ll explain more about the Disaster Loan program and give other tips and resources for business survival in this trying time. Link to register.

Our Small Business Development Centers, SCORE Mentors and Women’s Business Center are operating during this time. Most are doing appointments via phone or web conference, but are available for businesses who have questions.

Please let me know if you need anything or have any further questions.

Best regards,

Greg Lindberg

Small Business Administration

Public Notice

A State of Emergency is hereby declared in the Town of Pembroke, New York for a period of five days beginning at 5 p.m. today -- March 20, 2020 -- with possible extension if needed.

The State of Emergency has been declared due to the continuing nationally declared state of emergency, the New York State declared state of emergency, and the County of Genesee declared state of emergency due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.

Such conditions threaten or imperil the public health or safety of the citizens of this municipality.

As Chief Executive of this municipality, I have exercised the authority given to me under New York State Executive Law 24, to preserve the public safety and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being and health of the citizens of the Town.

Town offices are hereby closed to the Public and all nonemergency functions will be postponed. A drop box will be made available outside the Town Hall for the public to drop off important business.

The scheduled three-year assessment revaluation has been postponed until 2021.

Town meetings scheduled for next week are canceled.

For the duration of the State of Emergency, Town employees are being directed to work from home to the extent practicable and can access email and phone messages from home.   

Town Clerk, 585-762-4105, town-clerk@townofpembroke.org

Please mail all payments/paperwork to: 1145 Main Road, Corfu, NY 14036. Receipts will be mailed back to you. All March and April Dog License renewals will have until May 31^st to renew. Funeral Directors, please call to file a death certificate. If you need to renew a handicap permit, please call and one can be mailed out to you.

Town Assessor, 585-356-2150, assessor@townofpembroke.org

Call for appointment.

Building and Zoning, 585-762-4108, zoning-codes@townofpembroke.org  

Town Court, 585-599-4817, ext. 5

Town Court will be CLOSED until further notice. Please call with questions.

Town Supervisor, cell 585-762-4107 or 585-409-8429, supervisor@townofpembroke.org

Please call with questions, concerns.

Highway Superintendent, cell 585-506-2690, highway@townofpembroke.org

Thomas C. Schneider Jr.

Town Supervisor

We're talking with Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron.

From Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer:

I hope that this message finds you and your family safe and in good health. Over the last week, we have seen our lives and schedules turned upside down. From mandatory business closures and workforce reductions to school closures and travel restrictions, everyone has been impacted by the recent COVID-19 outbreak in New York State.

In addition to our daily lives, the current budget process has been significantly disrupted. Making matters worse is the fact that the state was facing a projected $6.1 billion deficit, prior to the current pandemic. This is expected to grow significantly due to the sharp decline in economic activity across the state.

I am hopeful that everyone will act responsibly and work towards enacting a straightforward, transparent budget. With ever-increasing uncertainty, I do not believe that it is appropriate to be advancing new “bold” programs or loading the budget with unrelated policy initiatives.

Furthermore, we must do all we can to protect critical public health programs and avoid balancing the budget with measures that will increase costs drastically for hard working families and small businesses, who are facing unprecedented financial uncertainty. Striking this balance will not be easy but is essential.

I will continue to monitor these situations closely and do all I can to advocate for Western New York families and small businesses during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Michael H. Ranzenhofer

State Senator

****************************

For more information regarding how to best protect you and your family, visit the CDC website or call the NYS Department of Health toll free at 1 (888) 364-3065.

For businesses with questions regarding the Governor’s recent Executive Order, I encourage you to contact Empire State Development Corporation.

Press release:

Currently, we are open, at our normal business hours. Starting Monday, March 23rd our hours will change to 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours will remain 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

First and foremost, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe, healthy, and in good spirits.

At CountryMax, we’re hard at work ensuring our community will be able to get the essential food and supplies for their pets and livestock in these uncertain times. We take our responsibility as an essential community resource to keep pets and livestock fed and healthy extremely seriously, while also putting the health and safety of our team members, customers, and community at the top of the list.

We’d like to address a few key points about our stores and operations at the current time -- while also knowing that with an ever-changing world we may need to modify these at any time.

First, CountryMax Stores will remain open as an essential business. As mentioned, providing the community with an essential source of food for pets and livestock necessary for survival is literally what we’re here for on a daily basis, and it is heightened even more in this time of uncertainty. Our hours of operations have been reduced to those cited above. Store staffing has also been reduced where possible, but we will remain operational to make sure we can provide this essential animal health service. 

Next, we know that our role in informing the public of anything health related is very virtually zero-government and health organizations are (and should be) everyone’s source for anything public health related. Still, we are distributing signage throughout our stores to remind team members and customers to practice recommended guidelines, including “The Five” and social distancing. 

Finally, we ask that everyone in our stores -- team members and customers alike -- remember that we are all in this, and will get through this (coronavirus pandemic), together. We’re working as hard as we can to carry out business functions normally, but delays and temporary out of stocks are going to be part of life right now and we hope everyone can understand.

If you do not feel well or choose not to visit our stores, please remember we have at-home delivery or “buy online, pickup in-store” options available on our website.

Thank you for choosing CountryMax, and we are all hoping you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.

About CountryMax

It is a local, family-owned retailer, carries a large selection of healthy pet foods and pet supplies, barn and stable feed and supplies, small animals, home, lawn and garden, and wild bird supplies. CountryMax, in business for more than 35 years, operates 17 locations across New York State, including one in Batavia.

We're going to talk with John McKenna, CEO, and president of Tompkins Bank of Castile about programs available to assist small businesses and homeowners.

A dog in a residence at 236 State St., Batavia, reportedly died in a fire that was reported at 12:20 p.m.

A second dog reportedly lived in that home but its status is unknown at this time, said Batavia Fire Chief Stefano Napolitano.

The chief credited his crew with a quick knockdown preventing what could have been a dangerous, wind-driven fire.

The fire appears to have started at the rear of the first floor.

Nobody was home at the time of the fire.

The cause is not known at this time.

Initial report:

A structure fire is reported at 236 State St., Batavia.

The initial call was for smoke coming from the residence.

The caller doesn't believe anybody is home.

City fire responding.

How is the current soft quarantine affecting you? If you're sheltering in place, how are you keeping yourself busy/entertained? What has the experience been like for you? If you're working from home, do you miss your coworkers? Do they miss you? Are you able to stay on task? What adjustments did you need to make or new things did you need to learn? How are you coping with the kids not going to school? Are you getting the help you need?

Whatever you're story, please grab your smartphone and make a selfie video about your experience and email it to howard@thebatavian.com (you can also use WeTransfer.com).

Start your video by introducing yourself.  

And if you're one of the people under a health department-directed quarantine and are willing to go on camera for an interview (Skype, live stream), email howard@thebatavian.com and we can discuss it.

Press release:

Genesee Chorale, in light of coronavirus concerns, has canceled its spring 2020 season, including its previously scheduled May 1 and 3 concerts.

“Upon consideration of the safety of our members as well as the potential number of rehearsals to put together a concert in early May (if we are even able to assemble at that point), we have decided that this is the best decision for us at this time,” Chorale Director Ric Jones wrote in an email sent out to members Thursday.

Chorale Board of Directors members were unanimous in deciding to cancel the season, and also unanimous in their sadness at the necessity of doing so.

“Although I really love rehearsals and performing with the choir and I hate to see us lose out on the work we’ve done so far,” said Board Member Lindsay Edwards. “I think canceling the spring season is probably the best and safest move given the unknown nature of what is to come.”

Board members will be meeting at a later, safer date, to discuss future plans. The cancellation of the spring season is a “sad but wise decision,” said Board President Janine Fagnan, who urged members to stay healthy and safe.

Jones said the Chorale has some exciting things coming up for the fall season, including an invitational.

“At this time,” he advised singers, “please focus on your safety and that of your loved ones. I look forward to making music together soon.”

Public Notice

Norman Itjen, Village of Elba mayor, declared a State of Emergency at 12 p.m. today -- Friday, March 20, 2020 -- and issued an Emergency Order effective today, March 20, 2020 beginning at 12 p.m.

The Village Office, will be closed to the public effective March 20, 2020 for five days unless rescinded earlier or renewed in five-day increments. This is in an effort to do our part to control the coronavirus pandemic. The Village office for now will be open remotely through the use of phones, computers and mail, or through the Village drop box.

All scheduled meetings are postponed until further notice, please stay safe and keep your social distance.

Contact Information:

      Mail – Village of Elba, 4 S. Main St., P.O. Box 55, Elba NY 14058

      Email – elbavillage@rochester.rr.cm

      Phone – (585) 757-6889

      Website – elbanewyork.com

      Fax – (585) 757-9064

Statement from Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association:

“We are happy to announce that all New York small businesses, including restaurants, are now eligible for low-interest loans through the federal Small Business Administration.

"Up until (now), New York businesses were unable to apply for these much needed loans due to communities not being listed as 'disaster areas.' Through continued conversations with Empire State Development and representatives from the federal SBA program, we’ve conveyed how serious the situation is for New York restaurants.

"Many have already shut their doors and will not be able to reopen. While this is a great first step, we need to find additional ways to save the restaurant industry. When this pandemic is over, going out for a nice meal will help us all feel normal again. But some restaurants simply won’t make it.”

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: “We can’t thank Governor Cuomo and state officials enough for forgiving interest and penalties on late sales tax payments," Fleishut said. "For some restaurants, this little bit of breathing room could mean the difference between paying employees and shutting their doors forever. That being said, this relief is temporary, and we’ll continue to advocate for additional ways to help restaurants survive during this crisis.”

Public Notice

Donna Hynes, Town of Elba supervisor, declared a State of Emergency at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020 and issued an Emergency Order effective today, March 20, 2020 beginning at 12 a.m.

In the Town of Elba, our physical office and highway department will be closed to the public effective March 20, 2020 for five days unless rescinded earlier or renewed in five-day increments. This is in an effort to do our part to control the coronavirus pandemic. The Town will still be available to answer your inquiries remotely through the use of phones, computers and mail, or other means.

Town Clerk -- Taxes and dog license requests with required documents should be dropped off in the box located in the vestibule of the Town Hall or mailed in. Tax payments may also be paid online. They will be processed and returned via US Post Service. Please email Town Clerk Trisha Werth to inquire about other services.

Contacts:
Trisha Werth, town clerk

• townclerk@elbanewyork.com
• 585-757-2762, ext. 1

Mark Yungfleisch, superintendent of Highways

• 585-757-2762, ext. 5

Website: www.townofelba.com

Donna Hynes

Elba Town Supervisor

Press release:

Starting this afternoon at 4 p.m. Nate McMurray, candidate for U.S. Congress in New York’s 27th District, will hold digitally accessible Town Hall-style events in an effort to stay accessible to voters during COVID-19 pandemic and necessity of social distancing. The events will be streamed live and participants will have the opportunity to ask the candidate questions and receive answers in real time.

“This is a difficult time for our nation; the already struggling families of this district will be hit hard by this pandemic and need access to their leaders and candidates now more than ever," McMurray said. "The focus of our campaign has always been to lift up the good people of this region; while the coronavirus will inarguably impact the way we interact with them, it’s critical that we maintain open lines of communication and support for one another.

"My team is committed to utilizing alternative forms of engagement in order to address concerns, discuss the issues that matter most to NY-27 residents, and connect people with the resources they need throughout this crisis."

McMurray will begin live streaming today at 4 p.m. and will start every session by reading to the children of those participating. Those interested in attending the live session may access the event here.

McMurray is a native of North Tonawanda. He ran for Congress in NY-27 in 2018 and lost by less than 1 percent of the vote. He is a family man, an Eagle Scout, and one of seven children raised by a single mother when his father died of cancer at the age of 39. McMurray worked his way through community college, earned a bachelor’s degree at SUNY Buffalo, then earned a law degree from California’s Hastings College of Law.

The U.S. government awarded McMurray a Fulbright Scholarship to study the development of constitutional democracy in South Korea. His academic successes led to positions in private law practice, where he represented U.S. business interests in Asia. He was formerly the town supervisor of Grand Island, a conservative community in Western New York, where he was instrumental in bringing fiscal responsibility to local government and millions of dollars in new business investment to the town.

Public Notice

Change of policies in Town of Byron due the COVID-19: offices are closed to the public, however, the town clerk and essential employees will be there to assist you in any matters of the town. They are available via telephone or email.

If payments or other documents need to be dropped off, please use the drop box in the foyer. Any information about meetings or committees will be posted on the town’s website. Anyone without access to internet can call the office: 585-548-7123 and follow the prompts.

Also, all Town of Byron Court matters are on hold until further notice.

Peter N. Yasses, Supervisor

Press release:

As conditions evolve with the COVID-19 pandemic, National Grid is providing an update on its services. 

Ensuring the health and safety of our customers and our employees remains our top priority. We will continue to focus on delivering essential customer services, while temporarily suspending nonessential work. 

Services Continuing

• Emergency response – As always, please contact us for all gas and electricity-related emergencies.
• Electricity and gas service – We have a comprehensive emergency response plan in place to keep the lights on and the gas flowing.
• Customer-requested service – We will continue to respond as usual to essential customer needs, such as turning on or off gas or electric services (i.e., for customer moves) — subject to municipal permitting and work restrictions. 
• Regular billing and ability to make payments – Our regular billing process will continue. Customers are encouraged to manage their accounts online. We offer a variety of  payment and billing options designed to make transactions easy and convenient. 

Services Temporarily Paused

• Collections activities & disconnections – We have temporarily suspended collections-related activities, including service disconnections. Customers needing assistance, can view our help making payments page for more information or call to speak with one of our Customer Advocates. Note: Call wait times may be longer than usual.
• Non-essential planned electric outages – We know many individuals are working from home and children are home from school. We are limiting planned service interruptions during this time. 
• Non-essential electric & gas related services – Planned maintenance and services such as manual meter reads, oil-to-gas conversions, gas service upgrades, and meter changes, may decrease the ability to keep social distance. You will be notified of appointment cancellations. 
• Energy efficiency on-premise services – We are temporarily suspending all energy efficiency service activities that require home or business visits, such as energy audits. 
• New York City and Long Island walk-in payment offices – Our National Grid downstate New York payment offices are temporarily closed. For additional payment options, visit ngrid.com/billpay. If you are a cash paying customer, please visit a Western Union location.

We appreciate your attention to this information and value your support. For updates and information on this evolving situation, please continue to visit our website regarding COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Gregory Knight 
Chief Customer Officer

Press release:

There are many families within the greater Genesee region that, during normal circumstances, don’t know where their next meal may come from. During this time of uncertainty, it becomes clearer that as a community, it is our call to help those around us.

Have you felt that urge to help, but just can’t figure out where to plug yourself in?  

Northgate Free Methodist Church will be assisting The Salvation Army with food collection and distribution.

They are setting up a drop-off point on Monday, March 23, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at their North Campus, located at 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia.

The Salvation Army is in need of the following items:

• Canned meats
• Peanut butter
• Jelly, soups or chili in cans
• Pastas, rice, beans
• Breakfast items
• Snack items for kids
• Shelf-stable milk

There will be volunteers available to unload items from your vehicle, and safety precautions will be made to maintain social distancing.

Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning has offered their fleet of vehicles to transfer the goods to The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army in Batavia is looking for some (relatively) younger people who are willing to volunteer to help shop and hand out food as people come in. This would be on a daily basis for as long as they are able to have food available. They currently are in the office from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day but as the need grows it will become likely that those hours will grow as well.

*If you can help out, call Todd at 343-6284.

In a time where we are being asked to remain apart, let’s do what we can to help those who are in need right now.

*Editor's Note: We were initially provided an incorrect contact number for Todd, the person to call if you want to volunteer for The Salvation Army. The phone number has been corrected.

From the New York State Workers Compensation Board:

New legislation signed by the governor provides a combination of benefits for eligible employees who are subject to an order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19.

These benefits vary depending on the size and annual income of the employer.

• Employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide job protection for the duration of the quarantine order and employees may use Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine. These benefits may provide wage replacement up to a maximum combined total of $2,884.62 per week.
• Employers with 11-99 employees and employers with 10 or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million will provide at least five days of paid sick leave, job protection for the duration of the quarantine order, and employees may use Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine. These benefits may provide wage replacement up to a maximum combined total of $2,884.62 per week.
• Employers with 100 or more employees, as well as all public employers, will provide at least 14 days of paid sick leave and guarantee job protection for the duration of the quarantine order.

Leave for Quarantine/Isolation of Employee’s Child

The legislation also provides Paid Family Leave for working parents whose minor dependent child is subject to an order of mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation. In addition to job protection, eligible employees may receive up to a maximum benefit of $840.70 per week for the duration of the quarantine.

Note: These benefits are not available to employees who are able to work through remote access or other means.

The provisions of the quarantine legislation take effect immediately, ensuring that New York workers will be able to take advantage of these benefits.

Questions?

For more information, visit ny.gov/COVIDpaidsickleave or call the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline at (888) 364-3065.

For more information or to apply for disability benefits and/or Paid Family Leave, visit PaidFamilyLeave.ny.gov/COVID19 or call the Paid Family Leave Helpline at (844) 337-6303.

Shortly, we will be live in an interview with Shawn Heubusch, Batavia's chief of police.