Farmingdale Village Hall Closes To Public Due To Coronavirus

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand led his latest newsletter with a New Year's message to the villagers.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees and myself, we wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy and brighter New Year!!," he wrote.

Farmingdale Village Hall will be temporarily closed to the public due to a rise in cases of the coronavirus, Ekstrand said. However, residents can still get the help they need, as staff will be in the office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer phone calls or emails. Residents were asked to mail payments or use the dropbox to the left of the front door. The hall can be reached at 516-249-0093 or 516-293-2292. Emails are listed on the Farmingdale Village website. In the event of an emergency, residents can call the fire department dispatch number at 516-586-9820.

The mayor anticipates reopening Village Hall on Jan. 19.

All village board and public hearings went virtual awhile ago due to the pandemic. A new webpage was created so residents can keep track of upcoming meetings.

Ekstrand also shared a few announcements from Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

Curran announced a $6 million Nassau program to provide rental relief for residents struggling to pay their rent due to the pandemic, according to Nassau's website. The Rental Relief Program, to be administered by the Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDC-LI), will provide up to three consecutive months’ unpaid rent for the period beginning April 2020. The money will be paid to the landlord or property owner after the tenant's loss in wages and income eligibility has been proven.

The county will use funds provided from the federal Community Development Block Grant relief funds that were allocated to it.

Starting Wednesday, CDC-LI will ask interested residents to submit an "Initial Inquiry Form," which will allow staff to determine whether the applicant is eligible. The form is scheduled to be available at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Curran also announced a partnership with Nassau’s Federally Qualified Health Centers to offer free COVID-19 testing for residents. The COVID-19 testing will be available to all residents, regardless of insurance or immigration status, on evenings and Saturdays at the county’s health centers in Elmont, Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt and Westbury. Residents can call 516-396-7500 to make an appointment.

Curran also launched a public awareness campaign to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine called "We Can Do It, Nassau."

"Thank you to everyone for their understanding and cooperation during this crisis, please continue to shop / dine local - support the local merchants, wear masks, social distance, consider taking the vaccine when offered, and stay 'Daler Strong,' 'we are in this together!'" Ekstrand wrote.