Town of Montgomery establishes committees to combat COVID-19

By Connor Linskey
Posted 3/25/20

The Montgomery Town Board has established several committees to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the nation.

The Town of Montgomery Emergency Response Committee consists of …

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Town of Montgomery establishes committees to combat COVID-19

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The Montgomery Town Board has established several committees to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the nation.

The Town of Montgomery Emergency Response Committee consists of each village mayor, village police chief, village department of public works head, town supervisor, town highway superintendent, state police representative, Orange County Sheriff Representative, Town of Montgomery Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Walden Fire Chief, Montgomery Fire Chief, Maybrook Fire Chief and Coldenham Fire Chief.

“The purpose of this committee is to coordinate communication between agencies operating within the Town of Montgomery charged with providing emergency services to residents,” said Town Supervisor Brian Maher.

This committee has been on the phone communicating with each other. Maher has asked each group what their needs are and if the town can fill any of those needs. A few weeks ago, Medline Industries Inc. provided some supplies, which the Town Board gave to the Town Ambulance Corps as well as the Fire Districts.

“We’re doing our best to fill those needs, to identify what those needs are and then act accordingly,” Maher said. “I’ve really been enjoying working with our leaders and those different organizations.”

The Town has also created the Town of Montgomery Community Response Team in reaction to the novel coronavirus. This group includes representatives from the Valley Central School District, local churches and faith-based organizations, service organizations, the Town of Montgomery Food Pantry, Town of Montgomery Senior Independence Project, Walden Community Council and more.

This committee meets via conference calls in order to stay up-to-date with what is happening in their community. Specifically, they have discussed how to distribute food to at-risk families and seniors within the Town of Montgomery.

“Since many service organizations’ volunteers are seniors we are calling on a younger demographic to step up and volunteer for our community,” Maher said. “Seniors and those with underlying health conditions are most at risk and we want to minimize their contact with the general public.”

The Town of Montgomery Community Response Team has joined together to collect and deliver food and essential hygiene items to senior citizens. They are collecting new and unopened non-perishable items such as dry goods, paper products, water, canned goods, pasta, personal hygiene items and gift cards for perishable items. Items can be dropped off at Town Hall, 110 Bracken Road.

A team of local business owners and concerned residents have been assembled to create the Business Task Force. The purpose of this group is to identify resources that may become available to small businesses who are suffering during this time.

“We also want to encourage residents to support local businesses and restaurants that may be closed to visitors,” Maher said. “Once again the goal of this task force is to identify problems that exist in the Town of Montgomery’s business community and assist where we can.”