March 12, 2020
HORNELL, NY – At this month’s Board of Public Safety meeting the Coronavirus outbreak was discussed and also measures the city will take to hopefully prevent it from affecting us locally.
Fire Chief Frank Brzozowski said his department is in constant contact around the state to stay updated on the spread of the virus. “I have been through several meetings this past month between our hospital and state and county offices and I am making sure we are taking all the necessary precautions to avoid or be able to handle an outbreak. We did put our department in as a first responder and what equipment and manpower we can provide, but this is actually a busy time for us with the new hospital move and other tasks.”
Mayor Buckley added that he thinks the national media has blown it out of proportion and urges resident to remain calm and practice good hygiene and residents should be all right. “We will be asking our HAT bus drivers to wipe their buses down on a regular basis and also our police and fire departments with their vehicles. I know they do this now, but it is a good time to do it more frequently.”
Brzozowski also reported that the city has bid on a new ambulance and should be receiving it soon. According to the chief, the cost usually runs between $150 and $180k for a new ambulance but they will be getting it substantially lower ($118,705) because of the dealership making a bulk purchase. The new ambulance will be powder coated white instead of the traditional red.
Police Chief Ted Murray told the board that his department has received one of their two new Dodge Durango police cars and should have it equipped and on the road by mid-April.
Code Enforcement officer Bud Burdette had much praise for the cleanup effort on Preston Ave and presented before and after pictures of the dramatic difference. He also praised everyone from the landlords to Rose’s Construction for the team effort that got the job done in a timely manner.
