Village meetings to go live online

Neither villages of Patchogue or Bellport have a confirmed case of COVID-19, however, in an effort to help stop the spread of the virus both villages have declared a state of emergency and are closely following CDC guidelines by taking all village meetings online.

According to trustee Susan Brinkman, she is currently working with all trustees and the mayor to get “Zoom” a video conferencing service operating from home. The live-stream, once all the kinks are worked out, will be accessible through a link posted to the village’s homepage.

All village board meetings will be held as scheduled. However, access will only be available through the video. The next and first online Patchogue meeting will be held on Monday, March 23 at 6 p.m. Those who tune in will not be able to speak but only watch in real time, however, emailed questions will be answered afterward. All planning, Zoning ARB and CDA meetings are postponed until further notice. Visit www.patchoguevillage.orgfor more information or to catch a meeting.

“We are following the recommendations of federal and state regulations: staying 6 feet apart. In a board room of our size we would all be sitting too close,” Mayor of Patchogue Paul Pontieri said. “This is about the health and welfare of our community.”

Bellport Village is also hoping to have their meetings ready to go live online as of Monday, their next scheduled meeting as well.

“Hopefully we have it set up by Monday,” Mayor of Bellport Ray Fell added. “We are all neighbors and were just trying to get through this. We are here to support each other.”

Also, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, Patchogue Village, has requested that their residents bring their garbage to the curb to help the now-limited DPW staff and shutdown all park equipment. However, if you are unable to bring garbage to the curb due to age or health call 631-475-4300, option 3. For information on the statue of Building Department applications or if you wish to make an application for a building permit call the same number. Building inspections will continue for exterior construction only and all permits due to expire will be extended.

“It goes against everything we believe in, locking the doors of Village Hall, except in a time of crisis,” Pontieri added. “Still, we have things to do but luckily everything can be done by phone and email. The public has to understand and be with us until this passes.”

Also, Village Court will not be in regular session. All cases including housing, parking, village ordinances and traffic are adjourned. When courts resume people will be contacted at a future date.

Bellport Village Hall is also closed to the public, however, if absolutely necessary call 631-286-0327 to make an appointment. All Bellport parks are closed and playground equipment as well. Also, all parking meters have been suspended. Also, though the golf course will be open as of the March 27 the locker rooms will be locked at the parking lot entrance with no locker room attendant. Also, the locker rooms and bathrooms will be cleaned nightly.

Peter’s on the green will not be open due to government restrictions. All tee times will be made by calling the Pro Shop 631-286-7206, no more than a day in advance. There will be a 10-minute tee sheet and suggesting groups are limited to their foursome. Only one person to a cart, carts will be cleaned and washed down prior to sending them back out. Also, the village is asking that no one touches the flagstick, no rakes in bunkers and water and ice machines will not be operational.

Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a delay in local government elections. Forcing Patchogue Village to postpone elections for its Village Board original scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 to Tuesday, April 28. There are four candidates running for three trustee seats and one candidate running for the mayor’s seat (unopposed).