|
| | Q.
What are the regulations regarding the wearing of gloves and hats/hairnets in food service facilities?
|
Per Section 14-4.90 of the New York State Sanitary Code:
“Food is to be prepared and served with no bare hand contact unless the food will be subsequently heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or greater for foods that were not previously heated or to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) or greater for foods that are being heated for a second or subsequent time. Convenient and suitable utensils and/or sanitary gloves are to be provided and used to prepare or serve food to eliminate bare hand contact and prevent contamination. Waxed paper, napkins or equivalent barrier to prevent hand contact may be used to serve food.”
Per Section 14-1.72 of the New York State Sanitary Code:
“All persons within a food service establishment who work in areas where food is prepared are to use hats, caps or hair nets as restraints which minimize hair contact with hands, food and food-contact surfaces.”
Click Here to access more of the New York State Sanitary Code.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Where can I obtain information regarding CPR or attend a class?
|
Contact the following organizations for information about CPR classes:
- Alamo (845) 471-6618
- Vassar Brothers Medical Center Education Department (845) 454-8500
- St. Francis Hospital Education Department (845) 483-5000
- American Heart Association (845) 485-4703
- American Red Cross (845) 471-0200
- Dutchess County Department of Health (845) 486-3413
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How do I get medical and dental care if I don’t have any money?
|
You can apply for Medicaid, or someone can apply for you on your behalf, at:
Dutchess County Department of Social Services
60 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 – 10:30 AM.
You can also apply at Dutchess County Community Action Partnership. The offices are open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. (Closed for lunch from 12 noon to 1:00 PM). An appointment is required. Call (845) 437-0222 to schedule an appointment at a Branch office near you.
POUGHKEEPSIE
84 Cannon Street
RED HOOK
44-46 E. Market Street
DOVER PLAINS
3414 Route 22
BEACON
544 Main Street
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
If I am under 21 am I eligible to receive Medicaid?
|
Individuals under 21 are eligible to apply for Medicaid. If they are under 21 and living with their parents, their own income and their parents’ income and resources would also be taken into account. If they are NOT living with a parent only their own circumstances would be used to determine eligibility. However, they would be required to file for Medical Support against each parent.
For the new (10/02) Family Planning Benefit Program, (FPBP) if an individual under 21 years of age does not have access to parental financial information or doesn’t want their parents to know about the application for this program, the Department will determine eligibility based on the child’s income. The Department of Social Services (60 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY) will NOT require the applicant to file for medical support against his/her parents.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
My child has an elevated blood lead level. What do I do?
|
The Dutchess County Department of Health can help you and your child’s health care provider by providing a range of services that might include any of the following: health information, reminder letters, child development assessment, nutritional information, environmental assessment. For more information call (845) 486-3419. Visit the New York State Department of Health's website for more information on elevated blood lead levels in children: .
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How can I manage my child's asthma?
|
The Dutchess County Department of Health has a program called Open Airways designed to help parents and children learn how to manage asthma. Program kits available throught the Mid-Hudson Library System. For more information call the department at (845) 486-3559 or click HERE to visit the website of the American Lung Association.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
My neighbor's yard is full of junk and trash. What can be done?
|
You should register this type of complaint with two agencies:
- First, call the Environmental Health Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 and ask to speak to the public health sanitarian who handles the municipality where your rental residence is located.
- Second, call the building and zoning department for the municipality where your rental residence is located and notify them of the problem. Click Here for municipal contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What makes a lot approval invalid?
|
Natural and manmade problems can invalidate a map. For example, removing (mining) the soil from the proposed septic area invalidates the map since the soils which the approval was based on are no longer there. Changes in drainage can cause a lot to be wetter now than when the approval was granted. Conditions regarding ground and surface water would no longer be met. Occasionally, mistakes were made while drafting the plans. Misrepresentations and/or errors on a map invalidate the approval.
Check to see that the map has been legally filed with the Dutchess County Clerk's Office. Even though a map may be stamped by DCDOH, it is not valid until it is filed. Click Here for Environmental Health Services contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How can I find someone to remove a wild animal (squirrel, bat, etc.) from inside my home?
|
From time to time, squirrels may get into your attic, a skunk may enter your basement, raccoons may get into your chimney, or you may find a bat in your house. For professional assistance with removing a wild animal, contact a nuisance wildlife control officer. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has information about Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators on its website. You can also contact the DEC at (845) 256-3098 for information about Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators.
Since some wild animals (like skunks, raccoons, and bats) can carry rabies, you should take proper precautions if you decide to remove one from your home yourself. Avoid contact with the animal's saliva or nervous tissue. Any exposure (bite, or an open wound or mucous membrane exposure) to a wild animal should be reported to the Dutchess County Department of Health. During normal business hours, you can reach the Department at (845) 486-3404. After normal business hours, on weekends and on holidays, call (845) 431-6465.
Keep in mind, if you find a bat in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or intoxicated or mentally compromised person, do not let the bat go. Capture the bat and then call the Dutchess County Department of Health for additional guidance. During normal business hours, you can reach the Department at (845) 486-3404. After normal business hours, on weekends, and on holidays, call (845) 431-6465.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What contaminants are likely to be found in well water?
|
Bacteria are the most common. Bacteria are normally present in the air, soil, and water. Most of these bacteria are beneficial or harmless. Bacteria can enter the well through improperly installed or damaged equipment.
- Nitrates (dangerous for infants) from sewage systems or fertilizers have been found in some wells.
- Sodium and chloride (salty taste) from water softeners or road salt have been found in some wells.
- Iron and manganese (brown or black staining) are found in some of the bedrock and are found in some wells.
- Certain wells have contaminants from fuel spills or spills of other industrial or agricultural chemicals.
Click Here for Dutchess County Department of Health's Environmental Health Services contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What should a well be tested for?
|
DCDOH recommends testing for bacteria yearly. See the Department of Health's webpage titled Environmental Water Laboratory for more information.
Your eyes and nose are very sensitive. If you notice a change in the water quality, you should consider testing. Suggested test parameters depend on the nature of the change.
Other chemical tests should be done if there are specific problems in you area. Click Here for information regarding Environmental Health Services contacts.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Is there a law regarding cleaning up after your dog?
|
Dog manure complaints are handled by both municipalities and the Dutchess County Sanitary Code. Individual municipalities may pass local laws governing dogs, including leashing, barking, confinement to the owner’s property, or picking up waste. Also, there may be restrictions on the type or number of dogs. In these instances, the code enforcement officer or dog warden in the municipality will enforce these regulations.Click Here for a list of municipal phone numbers that you can call to find out about the specific dog-related laws that may be in effect in your city, town or village.
Public Health Nuisance complaints regarding accumulation of dog waste are investigated by the Health Department under Article 8 of the Dutchess County Sanitary Code.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How long does a lot approval last?
|
Plans approved since 1985 expire 5 years from the date of approval. The owner of the lot can request an extension of the approval (up to 3 years). The lot will be evaluated by the Dutchess County Department of Health and the original approval may be extended.
Plans approved before 1985 generally do not have expiration dates, however, you will be required to demonstrate compliance with all the conditions of approval on the map. Click Here for Environmental Health Services contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What can I do about a possibly rabid animal on my property?
|
If an animal on your property appears to be sick, or if it is behaving strangely, it may have rabies. Avoid contact with the animal and keep your domestic pets away from the animal. Call the Environmental Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health for guidance, at (845) 486-3404. Click Here for more information about rabies.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Who can I call to report a sewage odor?
|
To report a sewage odor, call the Environmental Health Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 and ask to speak to the public health sanitarian who handles the municipality where the odor is occurring. The sanitarian will conduct an investigation and will enforce the New York State and Dutchess County Sanitary Codes as appropriate. Click Here for a list of municipality contacts and phone numbers.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How can I find my septic tank?
|
The septic tank is usually about ten feet from the house under six to twelve inches of soil. The house sewer (the pipe from the house to the tank) is usually straight, so try to find where it leaves the basement and look outside ten feet from there. If you can't find the house sewer, look for cleanouts by the foundation or vents on the roof.
Older houses have cast iron house sewers, so metal detectors may work.
The Dutchess County Department of Health makes sketches of tank locations for systems during the inspection of approved septic systems. If you can't find your copy, our copy may be available. For contact information regarding the Departement's Environmental Health Services, click Here. Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
I have found sick/injured wildlife. What should I do?
|
If the animal appears to be sick, it may have rabies. Avoid contact with the animal and call the Dutchess County Department of Health for guidance, at (845) 486-3404. Click Here for more information about rabies.
If the animal has suffered an injury that would make it hard for the animal to survive or take care of itself, volunteer wildlife rehabilitators will take the animal free of charge and care for it until it can be released back into the wild.
Call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at (845) 256-3098 for the names of licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitators in Dutchess County. Visit the DEC website for more information on sick or injured wildlife and wildlife rehabilitators.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Is my well protected?
|
The Sanitary Code provides some protection (chiefly by regulating development) for individual wells. The well owner should check the well and water system to ensure that all equipment is maintained and operated properly. The Dutchess County Department of Health is working with several agencies to increase the protection of wells and the public.
Click Here to find related links to sanitary codes; click Here to find additional information regarding wells; click Here for more Environmental Health Services contact informaiton.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
I found a dead animal in my yard. What should I do with it?
|
If there has been no contact with the animal by humans or pets, the dead animal can be either buried or double-bagged and disposed of in the garbage. Please call the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 for specific instructions regarding the handling of the dead animal (such as wearing gloves) and the depth to which it should be buried.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What is tested by Public Water suppliers?
|
Public water supplies test for coliform bacteria at least quarterly. Larger supplies may test for inorganic, organic, and radioactive compounds. For exact details, you can look up Part 5-1 tables 1 through 12 elsewhere on this site. Your water company should be sending a yearly report on their water quality. Click Here to find related links; click Here for Environmental Health Service contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What permits and/or approvals are required for me to add a bedroom to my home?
|
Most home alterations require a building permit from your town. Towns require Dutchess County Department of Health approval prior to issuance of a building permit. If your lot is approved, check the approval to see what conditions are required for your septic system for the total number of bedrooms in your home and addition. If your lot is not approved or your approval is for fewer bedrooms than you desire, you will have to get a new approval. Click Here for more information regarding building permits, certificates of occupancy and lot approvals.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Who can I call when I have problems with my water?
|
If you have your own well, you can call the Dutchess County Department of Health for advice. The Department of Health does not regulate individual wells. You may also wish to call a well driller or plumber.
If you receive your water from a Public Water Supply, you should call the owner or operator of the supply. If they do not solve your problem, you may then call the Department of Health's Environmental Health Services division with any health and safety questions.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What is the procedure for opening a food service facility?
|
The procedure for opening a food service facility and the permits, fees and inspections required will depend upon the type and size of the facility that you are opening. For specific requirements, call the Environmental Health Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 and ask to speak with the Public Health Sanitarian for the municipality in which the facility will be located. Click Here to access a table of fees for various types and sizes of permitted facilities.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How do I get my lot approved?
|
Hire a NYS licensed Professional Engineer. They can be found in the yellow pages under Engineers, Professional; Engineers, Consulting; Engineers, Civil; or Engineers, Sanitary. Registered Architects and Land Surveyors with an N exemption may also design septic systems. Your engineer will complete a design for your septic system and well location onto a blueprint. The design will be based on the size of your house (number of bedrooms), the topography of the land, the neighboring wells and septic systems, and the type of soil on the lot (including depth to rock or groundwater). Click Here for Environmental Health Services contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How come my water is white or milky?
|
If a glass of water appears milky, watch it for awhile. If the milkiness clears at the bottom first and gradually goes away, the milkiness was caused by air in the water. This condition has no health significance. Air in the storage tank or pressure tank (or well) has dissolved into the water. When the pressure drops (from in the pipe to in your glass) the air comes out (undissolves) and forms tiny bubbles that float to the top and rejoin the atmosphere. This condition is more likely to occur during the colder months (because the solubility of gases in water increases as the temperature decreases). Click Here for Environmental Health Services contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
My lot approval expired. What can I do?
|
The lot owner can request an extension of approval. Send a letter with your name, return address, and enough information to find your old approval (tax map number, subdivision name and lot number, street are useful). You may also use our HD-164 form.
Send to: DCDOH
Environmental Health
387 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Click Here for Environmental Health Services contact information.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Do I need a permit to operate a hot dog truck and where can I park it?
|
Yes, this is considered a mobile food service facility and it does require a permit from the Dutchess County Department of Health. Contact the Environmental Services Division of the Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 and ask to speak with a Public Health Sanitarian for the specific permit requirements for your hot dog truck: To find out where you can park your hot dog truck, contact the appropriate municipality. Click Here for a list of municipal contacts.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Is my well contaminated?
|
The best way to check for contamination is to test your well. The Dutchess County Department of Health can assist your efforts with specific advice on test types. Call (845) 486-3404 for assistance. Click Here to view more information regarding wells. For Environmental Health Services contact information, click Here.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Who should get an influenza shot?
|
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. Persons at increased risk for complications from influenza include persons aged 65 and older, young children, persons with compromised immune systems, and health-care workers. This information will be available on the flu hotline 845-486-3435.
Go to top of page
|
|
Printable version
