New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct releases 2021 report

Pursuant to the Judiciary Law of the State of New York, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct has released its Annual Report of activities, covering the period from January 1 through December 31, 2020.

The Commission is the independent agency designated by the State

Constitution to review complaints of misconduct against judges and justices of the State Unified Court System and, where appropriate, render public disciplinary determinations of admonition, censure or removal from office. Its objective is to enforce high standards of conduct for judges, "who must be free to act independently, on the merits and in good faith, but also must be held accountable should they commit misconduct."

A complete copy of the report is available here.

Town of Ovid approves Public Health Emergency Continuation of Operations Protocol

This Pandemic Plan has been developed in accordance with the amended New York State Labor Law section 27-c and New York State Education Law paragraphs k and l of subdivision 2 of section 2801-a (as amended by section 1 of part B of chapter 56 of the laws of 2016), as applicable.

The plan was developed based on best practices and guidance available largely as a result of the COVID19 Pandemic. The plan is intended to provide ongoing guidance for the current pandemic as well as future guidance for any other infectious disease outbreaks requiring a state and/or county emergency declaration.

No content of this plan is intended to impede, infringe, diminish, or impair the rights of us or town valued employees under any law, rule, regulation, or collectively negotiated agreement, or the rights and benefits which accrue to employees through collective bargaining agreements, or otherwise diminish the integrity of the existing collective bargaining relationship. The Town currently has no collective bargaining agreements.

This plan has been approved in accordance with requirements applicable to the agency, jurisdiction, authority, or district, as represented by the signature of the authorized individual below. The undersigned attests that this plan has been approved and represents the most current version. All previous versions are obsolete.

As the authorized official of the Town of Ovid...this Pandemic Plan has been developed, approved, and placed in full effect in accordance with S8617B/A10832 which amends New York State Labor Law section 27-c and New York State Education Law paragraphs k and l of subdivision 2 of section 2801-a (as amended by section 1 of part B of chapter 56 of the laws of 2016), as applicable, to address public health emergency planning requirements.

BY RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD, TOWN OF OVID, COUNTY OF SENECA, STATE OF NEW YORK, ON THE 10th DAY OF March, 2021.

Town of Ovid, New York CONTINUATION OF OPERATIONS PROTOCOL by Steven Getman on Scribd

Law Day 2021 theme announced: "Advancing the Rule of Law Now."

The American Bar Association has announced that the theme for Law Day 2021 is "Advancing the Rule of Law Now."

"The rule of law is the bedrock of American rights and liberties—in times of calm and unrest alike," the organization noted. "The 2021 Law Day theme—Advancing the Rule of Law, Now—reminds all of us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice."

The Rule of Law rests upon the idea that no person is so important as to be above the law and conversely no person is so insignificant to be beneath the law. The United States was founded on the principle that voluntary adherence to the Rule of Law expands, rather than limits, the opportunities for freedom.

The United States Congress has statutorily designated May 1 as the annual day for commemoration of Law Day. Law Day is held to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession.

For more information, click here.

Making a Parental Designation: Options available if parents are unable to temporarily care for their children.

The article, “Parental Designation: A Way of Planning for the Expected and Unexpected,” suggests how making a “parental designation” under General Obligations Law 5-1551, can be an option for parents who need to make alternative living arrangements for their children without surrendering parental rights or involving Child Protective Services (CPS).

The option is not available to everyone. It requires having a person who is willing and able to take on the responsibility of being a “designee.” In addition, it will not prevent an investigation or court proceedings that might arise under the Social Services Law, the Family Court Act or the Penal Law.

The specific requirements for drafting a valid “designation” can be found in General Obligations Law 5-1552. In addition, a pre-printed form can be found here (forms are not a substitute for accurate legal advice).

Persons interested in exploring the “parental designation” option are encouraged to consult competent legal counsel of their own choosing.

Second Amendment Legal Update: March, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Schuyler County “Bridging Community Connections” Event

Schuyler County officials, in conjunction with other state and local agencies, will be hosting a virtual panel discussion on “Bridging Community Connections,” and community resources available to youth and families living in Schuyler County.

The online event is Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 10:00 am. The keynote presentation will be by Jutta Dotterweich, and will focus on COVID-19’s impact on the emotional well-being of adolescents. The event will also be recorded for later viewing.

The registration deadline is February 19. The first 100 registrants will receive a “Bridging Communities” gift bag.

Interested community members can register for event by clicking here.

The event is sponsored by partnerships with the Schuyler County Youth Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Workforce New York, Council on Alcoholism and Addiction in the Finger Lakes, Glove House, Inc. and Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties.