Woodstock’s town board unanimously passed a measure last week allowing town government workers sidelined by the pandemic to continue receiving full pay. While many employees have the ability to work from home and remotely connect to their town computers, people in some positions, like those requiring manual labor, are not working or are on reduced schedules.
An executive order issued by governor Andrew Cuomo allows communities to continue to pay their government workforce. Workers deemed non-essential will be paid without having to accrue vacation or sick time.
The sidelined workers may be asked to work modified schedules and will be required to be available to work when requested.
At the board’s regular meeting April 14 via videoconference, town clerk Jackie Earley thanked the town board on behalf of the employees for being supportive and making sure everyone was paid through the crisis.
Those employees still working have been very vigilant, supervisor Bill McKenna said. Many are taking working home with them and are available to other town officials and the general public by phone or email.
Usually at least one person in each department comes in to the office and picks up applications and other paperwork dropped off by the public in bins in the lobby at 45 Comeau Drive.
“We’re just on a limited basis as far as working with the public,” said Earley. “People have been very receptive” to the changes and they have been understanding.
McKenna commended employees for being available off-hours to answer his questions.
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