A: You must notify the Department of your intent to open the restaurant, submit a drawing of the kitchen and ensure that it meets all of the requirements for a commercial kitchen.  The permits, fees and inspections required to open a new food service facility will depend upon the type and size of the facility.  For specific requirements, call the Environmental Health Services Division of the Health Department at (845) 340-3010.

A: On average it takes up to 90 days to receive a final autopsy report. It may take longer if extensive tests are needed due to extenuating circumstances.

A: The Health Department acknowledges the request, grants access to records, and/or denies access in writing, or within five business days of receipt of a request. The acknowledgement of the request includes an approximate date within twenty business days when it can be anticipated that a request will be granted or denied. However, if it is known that circumstances prevent the Health Department from granting access within twenty business days, or if the Health Department cannot grant access by the approximate date given and needs more than twenty business days to grant access, it will provide a written explanation of its inability to do so and a specific date by which it will grant access. That date must be reasonable in consideration of the circumstances of the request.

A: For information regarding communicable diseases, please contact the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Program at (845) 340-3090. Additional information may be obtained through the Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.