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Rockland County Under Drought Watch

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2 years ago

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Department of Health has been monitoring water usage in the county which has been relatively low; however, water conservation is encouraged to preserve our drinking water resources and keep water available for fighting fires. 

“Back in 2022 when this County was faced with a water emergency, the people of Rockland stepped up to do the right thing and cut back water usage 15 percent below average,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I am once again asking our residents to do their part and reduce water usage until we surpass this drought.”

“Dry periods like we are currently experiencing can have a significant impact on our water resources when they occur in the spring and summer months, but we still have time to recover when they occur in the fall.  However, we cannot predict if we are at the beginning of an extended dry spell or if rainfall will normalize when we need it to,” said Sam Rulli, Director of Environmental Health.

To help conserve water, residents can: Check toilets, faucets, and pipes for leaks to prevent water waste; fix these leaks as soon as possible. Take shorter showers – this can help reduce our water demand.

In addition, observe the Executive Order Burn Ban issued on 11/1/2024 which prohibits all outdoor burning activities, including but not limited to the burning of brush, leaves, and other yard debris, along with fire pits and campfires, are all restricted until further notice. This decision is in response to abnormally dry conditions that pose a significant risk for fires to ignite and spread quickly due to the recent lack of rainfall, low humidity, and gusty winds.

The Rockland County Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates. For more information about the drought watch, visit Rockland County Conditions | Drought.gov and the NYS DEC Press Release.

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Government

Clarkstown Town Clerk Lauren Marie Wohl Launches Text Alerts for Tax Bill Updates

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4 days ago

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August 9, 2026

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CLARKSTOWN, NY — Beginning with the new tax season on September 1, the Clarkstown Town Clerk’s Office will offer residents a new and convenient way to receive updates about their tax bills directly by text message.

Town Clerk Lauren Marie Wohl announced that residents can opt in to the service by texting “TAXINFO” to 845-644-6899.

Once a resident’s tax bill is ready, those enrolled will receive a text message containing a link. Residents can then enter their property address to view their tax bill and, if they choose, make a payment online.

The new text notification system does not replace traditional mailed tax bills. Residents who sign up for the service will continue to receive their regular tax bill in the mail. The text alerts are intended to provide an additional and more convenient way for residents to know when their bills are available and access their information.

“Residents asked for a simpler way to receive tax bill information, and I’m proud that we were able to make it happen,” Wohl said.

Residents with questions about the new service can contact the Clarkstown Town Clerk’s Office at 845-639-2010.

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Government

Flock Cameras in Rockland County: Safety Tool or Privacy Concern?

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5 days ago

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August 8, 2026

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Flock cameras have become an increasingly debated topic across the country, including here in Rockland County.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers used by law enforcement to capture license plates and vehicle characteristics as vehicles pass by. Police can use the information to assist with investigations, including locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles associated with wanted suspects, helping find missing people and developing leads following crimes.

One of the cameras pictured is located outside The Shops at Nanuet in Clarkstown. A graphic from the website DeFlock also shows reported camera locations throughout the area.

Supporters say the technology can give police an important investigative tool and help solve crimes more quickly. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy and the collection of information about where people drive, even when they are not suspected of committing a crime.

The debate ultimately comes down to a question of public safety versus privacy.

What do you think? Are Flock cameras a valuable tool for law enforcement, or are they an intrusion on your privacy?

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