Yates approves new COVID protocols

YATES COUNTY--In a special session held Friday, May 28 the Yates County Legislature adopted new COVID protocols to move into accordance with federal and state regulations. During the discussion, concerns were shared by legislator Carlie Chilson in relation to some of the new designations.
The resolution reads, "effective May 28, 2021 the Yates County Legislature has adopted and wishes to implement the new guidelines wherein, all fully vaccinated employees who are more than two weeks past the date of their final dose of the vaccine will no longer be required to wear a face-covering/mask while at work, regardless of whether or not they are indoors or outdoors, with the exceptions outlined within the New York state guidelines; all fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to maintain social distance while on county owned property; visitors entering a county owned and operated facility are no longer required to complete the visitor health self-assessment form; members of the public who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear face coverings while indoors at a county facility; all signage at public entrances will be changed as quickly as practicable to communicate the new guidelines to the public entering a county facility; employees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to continue wearing a mask while not seated at their desk or they may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination; and visitors who are not fully vaccinated are required to continue wearing a mask while indoors at a county facility."
County Administrator Nonie Flynn acknowledged that proof of vaccinations will not be required, and everyone will be on the honor system.
An issue for Chilson was establishing a socially distanced section for legislative meetings along with a pre-COVID spaced section.
"I know that there are many that wear a mask despite being vaccinated," Chilson said. "People need to have their privacy be respected. If they choose to wear a mask that's their choice, but to have those designated areas I don't think it's appropriate."
Flynn then clarified that the division would merely be between socially distanced seating and non-socially distanced seating and that it would in no way ask or attempt to guess what a person's vaccination status is.
"I see what you are saying, thank you for the clarification," said Chilson.
The new COVID measures were adopted by the board.
The board also approved the salary range increase for the first assistant district attorney position unanimously from $85,033 to a range of $85,000 to $100,000.
After Chilson questioned the move, other legislators said that while District Attorney Todd Casella has hired quality candidates in the past, at least one has left for a similar position in another county that paid better.
The legislature also approved a letter confirming its support for the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request for engineering services for the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center's new business park.