Page 1104 – Rockland News – No paywall. No paper. Just the facts.

Moody’s Upgrades Rockland’s Bond Ratings

New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Finance Stephen DeGroat announced that Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the County’s issuer and general obligation limited tax (GOLT) ratings to Aa2 from A1 (a double upgrade) noting that Rockland’s outlook remains stable.

“To receive a double upgrade while we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic is incredible and speaks to the work we have done over the last 7 and ½ years to right Rockland’s fiscal ship,” said County Executive Ed Day. “Moody’s clearly approves of the proactive steps we took early in the pandemic to the limit the fiscal damage caused by COVID-19.”

As the rationale for the ratings increase, Moody’s Investors Service Rating Action cited, “The upgrade to Aa2 reflects a reserve position that continues to improve despite the pressures placed upon the county during the pandemic. Sales tax revenues, which were projected to be hard hit in 2020 fared better than expected.”

The Moody’s Rating Action went on to say, “This, coupled with the county’s strong governance and conservative budgeting, particularly for sales tax revenues, is driving improved reserves. The rating further reflects a significant tax base, above average socio-economic profile and a manageable long-term liability profile.”

“This upgrade is all thanks to our talented and hardworking county employees who adapted so well during the pandemic to keep county government running and on the right track. We are making great strides in our recovery, and I have no doubt that by staying the course we will emerge stronger and better than ever before,” said County Executive Day.

Moody’s Investors Service also issued an in-depth Credit Opinion which attributed the County’s performance to Rockland’s conservative sales tax budgeting, “As late as August of 2020 Rockland was bracing for a decline in reserves anywhere between $15 and $65 million. Not only did those results not materialize, but management’s budgeting of sales taxes was a key to its operational performance in 2020.”

The Moody’s Investors Service Rating Action and Credit Opinion are available upon request.

Update on Upper Nyack’s Clean Energy Program

A message from Rockland Community Power

Upper Nyack’s residents and small businesses are eligible to participate in the Rockland Community Power clean energy program. This program helps the community transition to clean energy while also protecting consumers from rising energy costs. Since November 2021, Rockland residents and small businesses in the six Rockland Community Power communities have collectively saved more than $885,000.

Keeping Your Summer Electric Bills Down

As we move through the hot summer months, your electric bills will most likely go up, as you use air conditioning or fans.

If you are purchasing your electricity through the village clean energy program, you are protected from rate increases over the summer, since the rates are fixed. Orange & Rockland prices are variable.

The amount of energy you consume will most likely go up. However, the rate or price per kilowatt hour stays the same in the village program.

Here are a few key (mostly free) ways to conserve both money and energy through the hot weather. When you save energy, you are also reducing your carbon footprint.

Close windows and lower shades, blinds, and curtains on hot, sunny days. Raise shades and open windows after dark to let in cool evening air. Close your blinds facing up to keep the room cooler. Without window treatments covering the window during the day, your air conditioner is forced to work much harder.
Avoid cooking with your oven on the hot days. Cooking with your oven will heat up your kitchen and make your air conditioner work harder.
Maintain your air conditioners for maximum efficiency. Change your air filters regularly and vacuum the air intake vents to remove dust.
Turn up the temperature by 2 degrees. Keep your space cool, not cold. If you have to put a sweater on, you are wasting money and energy.
Turn down the thermostat while you are away. Lower the thermostat setting when you return home. Or install a smart thermostat that will do this for you. The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommends setting your AC to 78° when you are home, and 85° when you’re out, to cut your cooling bill by 10%.
Resist the impulse to set your thermostat colder than needed when you first turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and will result in wasted energy and expense.
Turn your water heater down to “vacation” setting when you go on vacation.
Add a ceiling fan. If you use air conditioning, adding a ceiling fan will actually allow you to raise the thermostat setting on your AC by about 4 degrees Fahrenheit without changing your comfort level.

Learn more about how to save on summer energy costs at: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/spring-and-summer-energy-saving-tips

Your Energy Choice: By now, each of you should have the energy option of your choice, whether it’s participation in the village program or opting out. If you were switched over, you should see Constellation NewEnergy CCA, the supplier for the RCP program, listed on the third page of your bill. If the option of your choice is not listed on your bill, please give us a call at 845 859-9099 option 1 or email info@RocklandCommunityPower.com. You can always join the program or opt out at any time and with no participation or exit fees.

Customer Assistance & Outreach: The helpline will continue for the life of the program, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. You can also reach the Community Coordinator at Peggy@JouleCommunityPower.com or call 845 859-9099 option 1.

In Person Only Meeting

Please note that this meeting will be “IN PERSON” only.

The Village of Upper Nyack Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm . As you may be aware, the Governor’s COVID executive order ended June 25th. With it ends the authority for fully remote meetings; all board meetings going forward must occur in person.

The meeting will be held in the Village Hall meeting room and will be open to the public to attend.

Questions may be submitted in advance to boardsecretary@uppernyack-ny.us.

Are you a organ donor yet? ‘Walk With Heroes’ on July 18th

Rockland Organ Donation Alliance (RODA) will be offering the opportunity to Walk with Heroes at the Palisades Center on Sunday, July 18th, to learn more about organ donation and to celebrate healthy living and a brighter future.

What are we doing?:

Bringing Organ-Donation into everyday life! Organ donor registration made easy while you exercise and shop.
Staffed by many healthy transplant recipients (bring your camera).

People are encouraged to come as early as 10 a.m. to sign up as walkers and get started on their Walk With Heroes.
Everyone receives a Swag-Bag (t-shirt, wristband, etc.).
When a Donor REGISTERS as a Hero, a free raffle ticket is issued for free Sneakers!
Refreshments will include pastries, coffee and water.

Reviving and Rebuilding Rockland

Take the Survey

New City, NY, – County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Alden Wolfe announce the launch of three surveys to gather input on the needs of residents, businesses and community based organizations. The survey results will help determine how best to utilize the $63.18 million that Rockland will receive from the American Rescue Plan.

The surveys will be open until July 25, 2021 and are available in the following languages:

English
Spanish
Haitian Creole
Yiddish

A new webpage has been created on RocklandGov.com to host the links to the surveys. This page will be regularly updated to provide complete transparency during this process: https://rocklandgov.com/departments/county-executive/reviving-and-rebuilding-rockland/

“We know the pandemic has taken a toll on so many residents, businesses and community based organizations and we need to better understand your experiences, difficulties and successes,” said County Executive Day. “This federal funding is intended to help all of us fully recover but we need your help to ensure it is spent as effectively as possible.”

“We have struggled through one of the most challenging chapters in our nation’s history and the American Rescue Plan will provide relief that is desperately needed by residents, businesses and community organizations,” Legislator Wolfe said. “These surveys take just minutes to complete but they will provide the information necessary to understand and respond to your needs and priorities. You are partners in this recovery endeavor, and we will be listening to what you say.”

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 11, 2021. This $1.9 trillion economic relief package delivers on the commitment to protecting the American people from the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.