BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) — Binghamton's curfew, along with other temporary measures enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, expires on May 16. City police will still enforce rules on social distancing and ensure restaurants comply with Governor Cuomo's Executive Order limiting them to take-out only.
Also set to expire are free garbage pick-up and free parking. Mayor Rich David estimates those two measures saved city residents $200,000, but that is revenue the city must now recover.
“The City is balancing the need to provide as much immediate relief to residents as possible with the underlying obligation to deliver fiscally responsible budgets to City taxpayers in the long term,” David said in a press release.
When David first announced the measures, which were meant to help residents who faced unemployment, he promised there would be no tax increase to make up for lost revenue.
“Like cities around the country, Binghamton is navigating a serious revenue shortfall due to the pandemic and uncertainty as it relates to state and federal aid. As our region slowly reopens, we must also take steps to increase our revenues.”
City Hall administrative offices are still closed to the public and the local state of emergency remains in effect.