Essex County restarts bus service, in-person meetings

ELIZABETHTOWN | A committee of the Essex County Supervisors agreed to resume bus service in early April and return to in-person meetings, as rising Covid vaccinations are beginning to restore confidence that a more normal spring and summer are in store. The Essex County Ways and Means Committee voted March 29 to restart the county transit system effective April 5. They also gave their approval to the Lake Placid Marathon scheduled for Sept. Bus service was canceled in March of last year due to the pandemic. County bus drivers had been kept busy during the Year of Covid by disinfecting county buildings and public places with ultra-violet cleansers; that work will continue, as the county approved the hiring of temporary help to do the job. Supervisors Chair Shaun Gillilland also said the county is negotiating with the state for the operation of the new hiker shuttle that was supposed to begin operations last summer but was included in the transit shutdown. If it begins this summer as intended, plans are for the shuttle to run the length of Keene Valley, hopefully alleviating some of the parking and congestion at popular mountain trailheads. Even as things return to normal and vaccinations are opening to all adults, Gillilland warned residents against letting down their guard. Infections are rising in the Capital Region and in Clinton County, he said, and Essex County has shown a slight uptick in its daily reports. Officials are concerned that spring break travel could lead to another surge in illnesses. In the space of about six weeks, the county has gone from not having enough vaccines to not having enough people to administer them to. Gillilland urged supervisors to be ambassadors for the vaccine to get as many people inoculated as possible. The supervisors themselves, meanwhile, were planning to return to in-person meetings on April 5, with masks and "pandemic seating" that has their desks widely spaced. "I think it's important because we have better discussions when we can meet in person," said Lewis Supervisor Jim Monty.

Signup for our newsletter

Essex County restarts bus service, in-person meetings

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS