Dear Quogue Residents,
Most of you probably heard that Governor Kathy Hochul announced last Friday that effective today
(Monday, December 13) masks are required to be worn in all indoor public places unless the business or
venue implements a “vaccine requirement.” This policy applies to any publicly or privately owned
indoor space that is not a private residence—offices, stores, restaurants, post offices and all
others. Exceptions to the mask requirement exist for persons in a restaurant or bar who are “actively”
or “physically” eating or drinking (figure that out) and for individuals alone in an enclosed room. If the
masking requirement pertains (i.e. the place has not implemented a vaccine requirement), it applies to
everyone in the space over age 2 and able to tolerate a mask irrespective of vaccination status. If a
business or other venue chooses to implement a vaccine requirement, it must require proof of “full
vaccination” (I think we know what that means by now; boosters are not part of that definition) for
persons age 12 and older and a single dose for children ages 5 to 11. The new requirements will be
enforced by local Departments of Health (Suffolk County in our case), and violations by individuals or
businesses can result in civil fines of up to $1,000. The policy applies until January 15, 2022, but I am
pretty sure we will hear more about it before then. You can read more about the Governor’s
announcement and the surge in cases and hospitalizations that prompted it
here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/frequently-asked-questions-proof-full-vaccination-or-maskrequirement-businesses-and-venues?emci=e116e11c-f15a-ec11-94f6-0050f2e65e9b&emdi=a23500d2-765b-ec11-94f6-0050f2e65e9b&ceid=239053.
If you have been in town, you have noticed that Jessup Avenue was fully opened and repaved just
before Thanksgiving. The contractor, South Fork Asphalt, will do a little more this month, and the
Highway Department intends to line diagonal parking spaces on the east side of the street, which should
eliminate the fairly randomized mix of parallel and diagonal parking that presently exists. The final coat
of asphalt and lining of the street will be accomplished in the spring. At that point, all the covers of the
drainage structures (primarily) and the curb structures will be flush with the street.
As we continue with the holiday season, please remember to patronize liberally our merchants in
Quogue. In addition to some of the obvious necessities of life (coffee, food and some alcoholic
beverages), there are many great gift ideas for young and old alike available in our stores. Avoid the
malls and crowds (see the first paragraph above), and shop local. You know that you want the stores
here to thrive, and so please use them.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday season, and make sure that you wear those masks to make it more likely
that you can do that.
Peter Sartorius
Mayor

Dear Quogue Residents,

I have had a few inquiries about the U.S. Census, and I will answer them as best I can.  The census is driven by physical addresses.  Aimee Buhl, our hard-working Village Clerk, spent many hours over the last couple of years working with the Census Bureau to verify physical addresses in Quogue.  That does not mesh well with our PO Box-based postal system, unfortunately, and census forms were not delivered through the mail to residents.  Nevertheless, some census forms have been delivered locally.  I know we got one a few weeks ago from a census worker who drove into the driveway.  Irrespective of whether you received your census paperwork, however, you can complete the on-line questionnaire available at https://my2020census.gov/login.  If you don’t have your 12 digit Census ID, you can click below the boxes where the ID would be inserted where it says “If you do not have a Census ID, click here.”  That should enable you to complete the questionnaire, I believe.  Alternatively, the census canvassing period has been extended by three months to October 31.  Although census workers are on the shelf right now because of the corona virus, they are scheduled to resume after June 1 and hopefully they will be fanning out in Quogue after that. Please make every effort to assure that you are counted.

Anyone who is entitled to unemployment benefits is probably aware that getting through to file a claim has been very difficult.  Yesterday, the State introduced a new streamlined system.  Here is the link:  https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/nys-department-labor-launches-new-streamlined-application-new-yorkers-apply-pandemic.  If you still are having trouble, try Assemblyman Fred Thiele’s office (631-537-2583).  He has offered to help constituents navigate through the system.

As you know, Governor Cuomo extended the NY PAUSE until May 15.  Nevertheless, discussions are beginning on the means to open up, and a number of task forces have been formed.  One very big issue is the beaches—whether or to what extent they will be open.  I expect that this decision will be made on a regional basis, but it is a difficult decision and I cannot predict the outcome.  More to follow.

If you want to follow the number of COVID-19 cases in the area here is a link to the Suffolk County website:

https://gis.suffolkcountyny.gov/portal/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/76a26a0c83634266aa9efc35bd4f1975.  A check of the website this morning shows 6 confirmed cases in Quogue on a cumulative basis.

We have had offers from residents to help others who need it (e.g., buy groceries).  If you need some help, please email the Village Office (contact@villageofquogueny.gov).

Please keep at least six feet apart from others, wear your mask when you are in public and stay safe.

Peter Sartorius, Mayor

New Guidelines On Essential and Non Essential Businesses

Dear Quogue residents,

We surely have a record number of people using our roads for walking, jogging and biking.  That is understandable.  Most of us have plenty of time on our hands and do not have many other outlets for exercise.  I have had a number of people ask me to outline the rules and etiquette for pedestrians and riders and so here they are:

1. Walkers and joggers should be on the side of the road that is against the oncoming automobile traffic.  That allows you to see the vehicles most likely to kill or maim you (and jump out of the way if necessary) rather than just hear them coming from behind and hold your breath hoping they see you.  One has to maintain at least six feet between him or her and all walking companions not living in the same household.  That may result in some spread across the road, but obviously you have to revert to single file if you encounter a vehicle. Walkers and joggers overtaking a slower group should yield the side of the road to the slower group and not pass until the traffic allows ample room to do so.  It is nice to give a word of warning before you are right alongside them.
2. Bikers should be riding on the side of the road that is with the flow of automobile traffic. (In New York, doing so is required by law.) Occasionally they will encounter pedestrians who did not read paragraph 1 and are on the same side of the road.  That is not a reason to yell at the offending person or group or pass as closely as you can in order to make a statement.  Wait until you can give them a wide berth and then pass with a little advance warning.  A polite reminder to walk opposing the traffic would be all right as long as it is not accompanied by a dirty look.  This pandemic shows signs of being a long journey, and civility is important.
3. Have a facemask with you at least and wear it whenever you are not able to consistently maintain six feet of separation from others.  Governor Cuomo’s order mandating masks goes into effect at 8:00 pm on Friday, April 17^th.  There are residents of Quogue who are making cloth masks to share with our community.  If you are a Quogue resident you can call the Village Office to get contact information.

 Peter Sartorius, Mayor

Use of Facemasks

Post Office info

Updates from NYS

Helping Others 4-6-2020

Dear Quogue Residents,

These are uncertain times.  We know that many of you have come to Quogue from your principal residences in the past few days, and we welcome you.  Although Quogue may have much more open space than the locales of your other residences, the COVID-19 virus is present on the East End, and all of the precautionary steps we have all heard about over recent days must be assiduously observed.

The Village Office is operating with a split staff, but people can only come in as far as the vestibule and speak to the staff from there.  We are not accepting hand deliveries of paper, so please send them electronically or, if necessary, mail them.  Check the Village website for other announcements:  www.villageofquogueny.gov

The Quogue Village Police Department is fully staffed with all officers healthy and ready to respond to calls.  If you have a situation in which any member of your household is experiencing symptoms that might be associated with the COVID-19 virus or has been diagnosed with it, please take a moment to advise the police department so that officers will be aware if they need to respond to your location.  Its non-emergency phone is 631-653-4791.

 In that connection, below is a message from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone sent earlier today that you will find useful:

 Yesterday, I announced a number of new tools to assist coronavirus awareness among first responders.

 We are encouraging Suffolk residents to sign up for Smart911, which allows individuals to provide critical medical information to 9-1-1 and first responders. When someone calls 9-1-1-, their Smart911 Safety Profile is automatically displayed, allowing our public safety agencies to send emergency response teams to the right location with enhanced medical data, especially those who may need assistance not only during this outbreak, but during any emergency.

 You can create a Smart911 Safety Profile for your household at www.smart911.com or download the Smart911 App in the Apple Store or Google Play.

Individuals can also self-identify if they are under quarantine, and whether it is self-imposed or directed by a health professional. The Smart911 App allows quarantined individuals to receive check-in messages on their health status and sign up for alerts by Suffolk County to receive reliable information about the changing coronavirus situation.

 To that end, residents can now sign up for SMS text message updates on their mobile devices to receive updates on the latest information, health guidance and other developments relating to the coronavirus. Residents should text COVIDSUFFOLK to 67283 to enroll.

 Finally, we anticipate that a mobile testing site will open up at Stony Brook University today which will allow people to make appointments and get tested after speaking with a healthcare professional. Suffolk County residents who want to make an appointment for the test can call 1-888-364-3065 and they will be triaged by a healthcare professional.

 We will continue to do everything we can to prepare, respond and mitigate risk to those who need assistance and deliver information as quickly as possible.