Politics & Government

Hempstead Town Declares State Of Emergency

The township made the declaration as the coronavirus continues to spread.

The Town of Hempstead declared a state of emergency as the coronavirus continued to spread across Long Island.
The Town of Hempstead declared a state of emergency as the coronavirus continued to spread across Long Island. (Town of Hempstead)

HEMPSTEAD, NY — Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin declared a state of emergency in the township yesterday, and also reduced the hours that Town Hall will be open.

The declaration will allow the town to respond more quickly to the spread of the coronavirus, Clavin said. In addition, starting today, Town Hall will only be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be operating with reduced staff. Though the building is open, residents are encouraged to do whatever business they can online.

“Along with New York State and Nassau County, the Town of Hempstead is declaring a state of emergency to protect town employees, members of the public and our entire community against the spread of the coronavirus,” Clavin said. “While many town employees will be working from home, Town Hall will maintain essential staff to keep government running while also practicing social distancing in its work-spaces of six feet or more.”

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The Town of Hempstead Water Department will operate at full capacity, continuing to provide water to its more than 37,000 customers. Sanitation and recycling pick-up will continue on the usual schedule. And the Hempstead Tax Office will offer drive-thru-only services from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead.

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All Department of Parks and Recreation activities, meetings, community room activities, physical fitness classes, cultural arts classes, youth programs and Camp ANCHOR activities are postponed until further notice. All 14 Town of Hempstead senior centers, Newbridge Ice Rink Arena, Echo Park Indoor Pool Complex and Rock Hall Museum are closed until further notice.

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