COVID-19 County Safety Plan 2895

Department Information
Board of Elections
Little Valley/Old school
207 Rock City Street
Suite 100
Little Valley, New York. 14755
United States
Contact Information
Cortney Spittler
716-938-2405
People
Physical Distancing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
The Cattaraugus County Board of Elections will be following physical distancing requirements and safety protocol.
All staff are required to have a mask on when they enter the building and at any time that they are unable to remain 6 feet apart.
All bipartisan duties are continuing with added safety measures, wearing masks when working when distancing is not feasible.
Hand sanitizer and gloves are available for staff use when opening mail.
Our front counter is being wiped down three times a day per recommendation.
We have social distancing posters posted in our office and will have a sign showing 6 feet from the counter in the event that we have more than one person at the counter at a time.
Yes
Yes
All staff meetings/discussions will take place in our main office area, where we can remain six feet apart. Any meetings between Commissioners will take place in our back room where we can remain six feet apart, when meetings take place in an small office space both Commissioners will wear facial coverings.
Yes
None, at this time all staff are consider essential.
All BOE full time staff is required to prepare for the June Primary Elections. We will revisit alternating schedules as soon as we certify the June Elections. We anticipate that will be mid July.
Yes
Polling site delivery is all scheduled ahead of time. Staff will call a week ahead of time to schedule drop off dates/times, they will then call when they are on their way to ensure that the polling site is open and BOE staff can get in/drop off while limiting in person contact.
All public officials who are responsible to pick up supplies for the June Primary will be scheduled to come in the day before the election, between the hours of noon - 5 p.m. they will be told before hand that a mask is required, their temperature will be taken when entering the building and that they may only enter the office if there are no other persons at the counter. They will be asked to wait in the hall until BOE staff is able to assist them (there will be signs marking 6 feet from the counter).
Per Executive Orders from NYS Governor Cuomo, the Cattaraugus County BOE has mailed absentee ballot applications to every active and inactive 'eligible' voter for the upcoming Primary. The absentee ballot application package also includes a paid postage envelope for return. Once the application is received the BOE will process and mail the absentee ballot to the voter, included is also a paid postage envelope for return. We feel that this will limit the number of in person voters this upcoming election season.
Additional Comments
Both Commissioners will oversee and enforce our safety plan. Employees should wear face coverings when unable to maintain a six feet social distance from other employees or the public. All staff will practice personal safety measures to reduce the potential for exposure. They are asked to disinfect their hands with hand sanitizer as needed and frequent hand washing is encouraged.
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Places
Physical Space Modifications

Please provide in detail any physical space modifications that are proposed to achieve social distancing requirements.  These modifications can include, but not limited to rearranging offices, adding physical barriers, etc.

Yes
We have been in contact with Jim, he will be visiting our office next week to discuss space modifications. We will work with Public Works/Building Maintenance to comply with guidelines. At this time we have desk that are not 6 feet apart, employees affected by this are wearing their facial coverings.
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Protective Equipment
Yes
Yes
Yes
Detailed Summary Options
All BOE staff has been given cloth face coverings provided by Cattaraugus County. We have a supply here in case an employee should forget to bring their mask to work or it becomes soiled. All employees understand that they are responsible to keep their face coverings washed and if they need additional they will contact their direct supervisor.
Gloves, hand sanitizer, paper towels and disinfectant are available at all times.
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Hygiene and Cleaning
Yes
Yes
Yes
Detailed Summary Options
The BOE office has multiple rest rooms for hand washing. We will make sure that we have enough antibacterial soap and paper towels at all times. Hand sanitizer is at every desk including our from counter.
The front counter of the BOE office will be wiped down three times daily as well as after any visitor leaves. It is the responsibility of the employee to wipe/disinfect their desk daily. Each employee shall only use their own office equipment, if sharing occurs it will be disinfected.
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Communication
Yes
Yes
Yes
Detailed Summary Options
Signs for our office are posted. They include 6 feet distancing, reminders to please wear a mask and hand washing information. The signs are posted in sight for any BOE visitors to see before entering the office.
In the unfortunate event that a BOE employee should test positive for COVID-19 the direct supervisor of that employee will be notified by the employee. The Commissioner will then notify the County Health Department and follow all guidelines set forth.
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Process
Screening
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Symptom Screening
Yes
Our entrance is the side door at the old little valley school, which is also the only open door to the facility during the hours of 9a - 5p.
Outside of normal business hours only staff may enter using their scannable badge.
We will continue to utilize the Cattaraugus County staff members assigned to our site. Every person (employee/public) is screened per County protocol.
If/when they are no longer available, we will work with the EOC to ensure we are meeting any guideless required.
All BOE staff members directly report to their Commissioner if any of the following occur: a temperature 100 degrees or over, cough, loss of taste/smell, headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea vomiting/diarrhea, difficulty breathing. If any staff member should report an illness, they will be told not to report to the office, they will be asked to call the EOC Nurse at 938-9119 to report they have been told to stay home due to self screening. The Commissioner will follow up with the employee & EOC.
PPE Request

Personal Protective Equipment, Social Distancing Markers, Signage, or Cleaning Products that you will need to reopen.

No
Yes
Eye Protection

Safety Glasses / Goggles

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Plastic Faceshields

on hand for full time and part time employees to wear on election day
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Other Eye Protection, Please describe

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No
No
Yes
Cleaning/Disinfecting Supplies
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No
Yes
Thermometers
"No touch" thermometer for our front office for after the EOC no longer provides someone at the entrance of our building.
We would also like additional for the BOE staff that will be traveling from poll site to poll site on Early Voting/Election Day.
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