LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE WAY TO PHASE 3

As the weather turns beautiful and phase 2 of reopening gives more people a reason to come to Cold Spring, it would be easy to think that the pandemic is over. It’s not, and citizens of states that have been cavalier about safety precautions are paying a price. 

The trends in our region are heading in the right direction because of good leadership and everyone’s hard work. But our progress could disappear in a week, and we’d be set back months. Stay with the program, even in the face of uninformed or cynical opinion otherwise. The pandemic will not truly end until there is an effective vaccine in large enough quantities to treat the general public. Until then, caution must be our watchword.

This past week, the mid-Hudson region moved into phase 2 under guidelines that allow limited in-store shopping and outdoor restaurant seating. In phase 3, projected to start on Tuesday, June 23, restaurants may offer limited indoor seating, and personal care services may reopen. Don’t forget to check forward.ny.gov regularly for updates and to read and affirm the phase 3 guidelines before opening your inside spaces. 

The PPP loan-forgiveness timeline has been extended up to 24 weeks from the date of the loan. 

The Village of Cold Spring reopened Dockside and Mayor’s Parks to the public last weekend, but social-distancing and mask rules remain in effect. Additionally, the village has restricted pedestrian traffic to one direction on each of the Main Street sidewalks. Directional arrows inform the public of the policy. At its June 2 meeting, the board of trustees passed a resolution temporarily prohibiting the placement of merchandise, store-related street furniture, and free-standing signs on the sidewalks. This resolution is meant to promote social distancing by maximizing the available sidewalk space. If you have questions about the resolution, email Jeff Vidakovich, the village clerk, at vcsclerk@coldspringny.gov. 

The Chamber will not hold its usual Virtual Breakfast in June. We will resume the Virtual Breakfast series next month.

We are sorry to report that Cold Spring has lost several businesses to the COVID-19 shutdown: Ellen Hayden Gallery and Arts and Antiques (40 Main St.), Meraki (82 Main St.), Bird’s Creations Chandler and Soapery (49 Main St.), and Burkelman (101 Main St.; Burkleman will keep its online shop and NYC storefront open). We will miss these vibrant businesses and their shopkeepers on Main Street.