Local government boards

Some local government boards are still meeting amid the COVID-19 outbreak, via videoconferencing, while others are canceling meetings as they work out the details of how to do it safely.

In Saranac Lake, the Harrietstown Town Council’s regularly scheduled meeting for Thursday is canceled, according to Supervisor Mike Kilroy. Council member Jordanna Mallach is working to set up videoconferencing via the Zoom program for the next meeting, which will be rescheduled to 7 p.m. — instead of the usual 5 — on Thursday, April 2. More information about how the public can view the meeting will be announced when it has been worked out.

The Franklin County Local Development Corporation’s Board of Directors will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday via videoconference to address COVID-19 updates and any other matters. Anyone can watch the livestreamed meeting at https://www.facebook.com/franklin.ida.maloneny.

The Lake Placid Central School District Board of Education will meet on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Anyone can watch a livestream of the meeting at “http://www.lpcsd.org”>www.lpcsd.org; click on “live stream.” People can participate by emailing lpdistrictclerk@lpcsd.org; those emails will be read during the meeting’s regular “Good of the Cause” public comment sessions. Board agenda documents will be posted Saturday at https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/lpcsd/Board.nsf/Public. Agenda items include possible approval of the 2020-21 district budget and a capital project update.

Since previous meeting information may no longer be accurate, the Enterprise asks all local government boards in its coverage area to email meeting updates to news@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.

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Free microspike, snowshoe rentals for locals

LAKE PLACID — High Peaks Cyclery is offering free microspike and snowshoe day rentals to local residents so they can get out hiking amid icy, snowy spring conditions on mountain trails.

The Lake Placid outdoor gear shop echoes Essex County’s public message for visitors and second home owners to stay home and not come to the Adirondacks during the COVID-19 outbreak. But the store is open, since New York state has included bicycle repair shops on its list of essential functions. The shop discourages people from coming in to browse, but people can call at 518-523-3764 or email at highpeakscyclery@gmail.com. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

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Dewey Mountain

SARANAC LAKE — Getting out for some exercise is important when you’re cooped up to slow the spread of COVID-19, but if you go to Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, watch out for mud.

Spring has ended the official cross-country ski and snowshoe season at Dewey. The trails — owned by the town of Harrietstown — remain open for skiing, snowshoeing, and microspike hiking, as conditions allow; however, management announced Tuesday, “Spring conditions mean mud! If you’re leaving a mark in the trails (boots or tires) please avoid using them until trails are dry.”

Also, management reminded people to keep apart from each other during the COVID-19 outbreak.

“During these time of social distancing, it is important get outside and stay active, and at the same maintain suggested safe practices,” Dewey management said in an email.

Dewey has not yet announced its summer programming for children and adults.

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LPCA galleries close

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid Center for the Arts is no longer offering private appointments to view its galleries. LPCA will open with regular hours as soon as recommended by the federal and state government.

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DEC asks people to reduce bear conflicts

ALBANY — The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Wednesday reminded New Yorkers to take steps to reduce conflicts with bears.

“After a relatively mild winter, bears are emerging from their dens and have begun seeking out food sources, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in a press release. “Unfortunately, people sometimes make it easy for bears to find food near their homes. Fish and Wildlife staff at DEC have received reports of bears getting into garbage and pulling down bird feeders to eat the seed. It’s important that homeowners take measures to prevent bears from easily accessing these unnatural food sources.”

Feeding bears either intentionally — which is illegal — or unintentionally through careless practices around properties has consequences for entire communities. DEC advises everyone who lives in or visits bear habitat, which is much of upstate New York, to remove items that are attractive to bears. That includes taking down bird feeders by April 1, storing garbage inside secure buildings, and feeding pets indoors.

“Allowing bears to find food naturally keeps them out of trouble and reduces negative interactions with people and property,” the DEC said.

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Burn ban reminder

ALBANY — With spring officially here, the state Department of Environmental Conservation reminds residents that the statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14.

Conditions for wildfires are heightened in springtime, which is when most wildfires occur. Every spring as the snow melts and vegetation dries out, DEC forest rangers and local firefighters respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. The DEC says complying with the burn ban prevents unnecessary burdens on and dangers to state resources and local responders, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis.

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Community Lunchbox

SARANAC LAKE — The Community Lunchbox is still serving hot lunches every Monday and Thursday from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, although it has switched to take-out only amid the COVID-19 stay-home period. Its hours are 11 a.m. to noon.

Its menu for Thursday is quiche, Mexican lasagna, pasta casserole, dinner rolls, fresh fruit and brownies. Monday’s menu will be barbecued pork, sweet potatoes, pureed salad of picked beets, and cheesecake bars for dessert.

For more information, call Maggie Mortensen at 860-944-7236.