Fallsburg suspends camps, bungalow permits

FALLSBURG, NY — On March 20, Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Steve Vegliante suspended certificates of occupation for camps and bungalow colonies in the town, based on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people and Cuomo’s recommendation that groups of more than 10 people should also be avoided.

In a letter to the community, Vegliante wrote, “If you own a home within our community, you are welcome to utilize your home. That is your right. As we lack the ability to inspect or monitor seasonal camps and bungalow colonies, as the Department of Health will be under the same limitations, and as they will violate the governor’s order, I have suspended the certificates of occupancy and therefore the operation of all camps and seasonal colonies within the town until further notice. This decision was not made lightly and with full recognition of the hardships it will cause. Unfortunately, the health of our town, county, state and country demand it.

“To our neighbors and homeowners, I would encourage you to be careful in your decision making as to where you decide to spend this time. While you are entitled to utilize your home here in the Catskills, we are under the same directives as downstate. We have the same shortages at our stores, and most importantly, we lack the healthcare infrastructure to meet the expected needs.”

This follows a press release by Sullivan County Director of Public Health Nancy McGraw and Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek urging visitors to the county to stay home: “Sullivan County currently has multiple cases of COVID-19 and is responding as aggressively and proactively as its limited resources allow. While you may be seeking refuge from the larger amount of cases downstate, you must be aware that this is a global pandemic. You and your family have a critical role to fulfill in halting the rapid spread of this potentially deadly virus, which can be dangerous and even fatal to the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.”

That release prompted discussion on social media about whether the tone was appropriate in this situation.

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