Thursday, February 25, 2021

OSHA Issues Stronger Workplace COVID-19 Safety Guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released updated guidance to assist most employers and workers with implementing a coronavirus prevention program and mitigating the risk of the spread of coronavirus.

The guidance titled, “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace” (Guidance) was prepared to comply with an Executive Order issued on January 21, directing the federal government to take “swift action to reduce the risk that workers may contract COVID-19 in the workplace.”

The complete document can be found here.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Ovid Town Board Offers Tax Relief to Seniors, Disabled.

The Ovid Town Board has unanimously adopted two local laws to provide partial property tax exemptions to senior citizens and resident property owners of the town with disabilities who have limited incomes.

Meeting via “Zoom” meeting, the town board determined at its regular meeting (Wed 2/10/21) that qualified property owners should be partially exempt from town real estate taxes on a sliding scale, based on income. Under the scale, persons with maximum income of $18,000.00 can be eligible for a fifty percent (50%) exemption, while those with higher incomes, up to $25,999.00 can receive exemptions ranging from forty-five (45%) to ten (10%) percent.

One law covered the senior exemption. The other set forth the exemption for disabled persons. Under the local laws, the sliding scale can be adjusted by resolution in the future, if the town board determines it appropriate to do so. Application for exemptions must be made annually to the Town Assessor's Office.

The local laws were drafted by Town Attorney Steven Getman at the request of Town Supervisor Joe Borst. All members of the town board voted to support the exemptions.

In addition to Borst, the members of the town board are Mark Couch, Erik Holmberg, John Hubbard and Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty. The town’s assessor is Anne Morgan.

Each local law is effective upon filing with the New York Secretary of State.

A copy of the draft minutes of the town board’s February 10 meeting, containing the text of both local laws, can be found at the town's website.

Monday, February 8, 2021

Second Amendment Legal Update: February, 2021

A monthly update, prepared for the Schuyler County Chapter of S.C.O.P.E. NY, a statewide 501(c)4 organization dedicated to preserving the 2nd Amendment rights for the residents of New York State.

For a complete PDF copy of this month's update, click here.

Monday, February 1, 2021

New York: Large Weddings Allowed to Resume with Local Health Approval

New York State officials have announced that larger capacity weddings will be allowed to resume on March 15, subject to approval by local health departments (LHD).

Events can be held at 50% capacity with a limit of 150 attendees. All patrons attending the event are required to be tested for COVID-19. Local officials are awaiting additional guidance about the role that they are expected to play in approving these ceremonies, as well as the state’s testing parameters.

More coverage is available here.