The Office of the Mayor and the Office of Emergency Management made the decision to declare a local state of emergency to help curtail the possibility of community spread of novel coronavirus.
The declaration will ensure the continuous delivery of essential public services during the rapidly evolving outbreak of COVID-19 and allow for government operations to stay flexible to address staffing capabilities and essential operational needs, officials said.
The issuance of the emergency declaration gives the OEM Coordinator authority to implement and carry out emergency management operations that may be necessary to protect the health, safety and resources of our community. The declaration also authorizes the use of special orders or emergency protective measures that can be taken.
The following emergency protective measures were implemented Monday and will remain in place for the next 30 days, at which point the protocol will be reevaluated and extended if necessary:
- Residents shall utilize online payment options, U.S. Mail, or dropbox services at Town Hall for taxes, utility payments, licenses, permits and other local government business.
- Residents shall utilize phone, email, and if necessary, social media to make routine inquires and/or report information to the municipality.
- Administrative offices may close to the public and only allow Borough employees, employees of other local, county, state and federal offices and representatives of private entities having direct business with the Borough needed to carry out essential government services.
- Please do not come to Borough Hall unless you have urgent business to conduct.
- Residents who enter the building and show visible signs of flu-like symptoms may be asked to leave the building.
- Borough inspectors will be using discretion when entering dwellings and interacting with the public. Non-emergent inspections may be re-scheduled.
- Telephone screening for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to all inspections will be occurring.
- All Boards and Commission meetings are canceled for the next thirty (30) days.
- The Borough Council meetings will be held as scheduled, however, may be held by other means of communication equipment, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-8(b), if necessary. More information on this, including how the public will be permitted to participate in the meeting, may be forthcoming as conditions change.
- Borough employees may be enabled to work from home as needed.
- Work schedules may be altered and personnel reassigned as needed.
- In-state conferences and seminars are prohibited for Borough Officials for the next 30 days.
- All rental activities and group programs at the Garabrant Center, Phoenix House, and Library are canceled for the next 30 days.
- No new activities or rentals will be scheduled until further notice.
- All Recreation events are canceled for the next 30 days.
- All information is subject to change as this pandemic evolves.
Resources
- COVID-19 Information Hub
- NJ Department of Health COVID-19 Page
- Call 2-1-1 – The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the Public on COVID-19
- Where is COVID-19?