Madison County has announced that it will be closing its offices to the public at end of business on Friday, March 20, 2020. The only operations that will be functional after March 20, 2020 are those essential services that have been approved by the Board of Supervisors. There is no date yet set to reopen to the public. (Video link)
Madison County over the past few weeks, has been preparing for ways to temporarily limit personnel in office, as well as staff exposure to the public. All Madison County buildings will be closed to the public. If you have an appointment already scheduled you will be contacted, if not contact the department.
“Although we are in uncharted waters, we can learn from what has happened around the world. The move to close the County is in the best interest to protect the health and safety of our employees as well as our residents,” said Madison County Board Chairman John M. Becker. “Limiting the number of people working in one location at a time is one way to do that, as well as temporarily suspending non-essential services.”
“We understand that closing the County in this manner has never been done and suspension of services may bring upon some inconveniences for our residents, however these are unprecedented times and we all have to work together,” continued Chairman Becker. “We thank you all for your patience and understanding during this time. Please remember that we are all in this together, we need to check on each other and keep our neighbor’s health and well-being in mind as well as our own.”
The Madison County Department of Health stresses that if you become sick, please stay at home and hold off on trips to public places and events until you are well. Public Health urges those who are not seriously ill to avoid hospital emergency departments, but instead call their primary healthcare provider or the newly opened regional COVID-19 triage line at 315-464-3979 if they think they have symptoms.
All County Departments will close to the public at the end of business Friday, March 20, 2020 unless otherwise indicated. Below is some additional information from each department:
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) –
– Closed as of Tuesday, March 17, 2020. If you need services go to dmv.ny.gov
Board of Supervisors –
– Committee meetings are being rescheduled, and if a meeting does occur we will have it open to the public via Zoom. If you need assistance please contact 315-366-2201.
Personnel –
– The March 28, 2020 civil service examinations have been postponed. “Last file dates” stated on existing exam announcements will remain in effect.
Department of Solid Waste –
– The Main Office will be closed to the public until further notice. Residents can call 315-361-8408 for assistance during normal office hours.
– Punch cards can no longer be purchased at the Main Office. If you would like to purchase a punch card please go to the Scalehouse at 6641 Buyea Road, Canastota, NY 13032 or to a designated local gas station vendor.
– Landfill and Transfer Station operations and hours will continue on their normal schedules.
– The Quarterly Saturday, April 4, 2020 Electronic Waste Collection Event at LOJO Technology is cancelled. The ongoing electronic waste program at LOJO Technology in Oneida is temporarily suspended, please hold on to your materials until the program can reopen.
– The Household Hazardous Waste Program is temporarily suspended. Residents will not be allowed to schedule appointments or drop off waste to the HHW facility in Syracuse. Please hold onto your materials for now.
District Attorney’s Office –
– If you need services please contact [email protected] or by telephone 315-366-2236.
Department of Public Health –
– The Department is working diligently on preventing and triaging COVID-19 cases and questions.
– During this time Early Intervention and Pre-K services will be suspended beginning March 23, 2020.
– Regularly scheduled immunization clinics, rabies clinics and the Suicide Prevention Coalition event have been canceled for the next 8 weeks.
– The Department will not be accepting ticks for identification until further notice.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office –
– The Sheriff’s Office will be taking extra precautions when interacting with the public. Patrols and staffing will remain the same.
– Also, as stated previously there are no in-person visitations at the Madison County Jail.
Planning –
– Office has suspended all non-essential functions, including local GML239m reviews.
– Madison Transit system will be discontinued at end of business on Friday.
– Madison County’s Parks (Oxbow Falls, Nichols Pond, and Delphi Falls) remain open.
– The Madison County Career Center Closed at end of day Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Please continue to check their Facebook page for updates, and as always, job searches can be done online from here: www.working-solutions.org. For those seeking assistance with Unemployment Insurance from the New York State Department of Labor, please follow this link: www.labor.ny.gov or call this number: 1-888-209-8124 for assistance.
Board of Elections –
– New York State has postponed Chittenango, Earlville, Munnsville, DeRuyter and Canastota Village Elections until April 28.
Department of Social Services –
– Please access applications for assistance (SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid and Child Care) online or through the mail.
– Current recipients will be notified of any case changes and how ongoing assistance will be delivered.
– For Emergency Needs (homelessness, utility emergencies and no heat), please call (315) 366-2211 first so that an appointment can be made.
– Services including Child Protective investigations (CPS), Foster Care and Preventive case management, Adult Protective and Home Care will all continue to be delivered by staff assigned to those activities.
Probation Department –
– Please contact the probation department about your upcoming appointments.
– Those seeking Orders of Protection through Family Court should not report to probation for assistance first. They should proceed directly to Family Court to complete and file a petition.
Highway –
– Main Office is Closed.
– Department will be performing essential functions only, including Snow removal (if necessary). All other non-essential Highway functions will be suspended.
Mental Health –
– If you are an existing client with a therapist, your therapist will contact you this week to discuss the plan throughout the closure. Medication appointments will continue as scheduled via phone.
– After-hours crisis line will be open 24/7 – Please call 315-366-2327 if you are in crisis.
– All clients who receive injections will be contacted by our nurse.
– Mental Health will not be allowing walk-ins for new clients as this time. If you are in need of assistance please call 315-366-2327 and a supervisor will get back to you.
Treasurer –
– If you need to pay your taxes please call 315-366-2371.
– Non-essential services will be discontinued as of close of business on Thursday.
Veterans Agency –
– The office will be closed to the public until further notice.
– The Agency will be providing all veteran support regarding VA claims and other veteran concerns remotely.
– If you are a veteran or dependent and are in need of assistance please continue to call the office at 315-366-2395.
– All in home claims and related services are suspended.
Facilities –
– Facilities will remain open for business even after buildings are mandated to be closed except for essentials departments. They will still conduct essential services such as cleaning.
Clerk Office –
– The Madison County Clerk’s office will be closed to the public and working at half staff.
– During this time, filers are encouraged to submit their transactions electronically. The office will be processing court and land transaction filed electronically or submitted by postal mail.
Canceled Events:
– March 20, 2020 – Immunization Clinic
– March 25, 2020 – Job Fair at Workforce Development in Wampsville
– April 4, 2020 – Rabies Clinic at Chittenango Fire Department
– April 4, 2020 – The Quarterly Saturday, Electronic Waste Collection Event at LOJO Technology is cancelled.
