The National Weather Service has placed New Jersey under a <https://www.nj.com/weather/2021/01/nj-weather-winter-storm-warnings-issued-…> winter storm warning starting tonight through Tuesday morning. In Mendham Township, we are expecting up to 24 inches of snow. Mendham Township’s Office of Emergency Management, Police Department, Fire Department, First Aid Squad, and Department of Public Works have been in contact with Morris County OEM and JCP&L, and will be activating our Emergency Operations Center this evening.
Snow flurries have already started and will continue overnight. The heaviest snow is likely to fall between 7:00am tomorrow morning and 7:00pm tomorrow night. The snowfall will be lighter tomorrow evening, but it will likely continue for a good portion of the night and into Tuesday morning. Until the roads are cleared and safe, stay home and off the roadways, as conditions may become extremely hazardous, particularly on Monday as snowfall rates may be more than 2 inches an hour. In addition to the heavy snowfall, heavy winds could reach 35 to 45 mph tomorrow, hindering travel with reduced visibility, as well as blowing and drifting snow.
Please prepare yourself and your family for a possible power outage.
If you lose power, report your outage to JCP&L directly by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), or by visiting <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rstenergycorp.com%2F%3Ffbcl…> www.firstenergycorp.com<https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html?fbcl…> and clicking the “Report Outage” link on firstenergycorp.com, or by texting 544487. Please have your account number on hand.
If you notice a downed power line or a tree blocking the road, do not go near it, and report it immediately by calling the non-emergency police number at: (973) 543-2581 and pressing 0 to speak to an operator or email: mendhamtwpoem(a)gmail.com.
Please reserve calling 911 for emergency situations.
Generators can be a lifesaver during power outages, but such devices can also be dangerous if used or installed improperly. Never use a portable generator inside the house or a closed garage. Also, do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters, or other open flame heat sources to keep warm. These sources of heat can cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to build up in your home.
If you need assistance or someone to check on a community member, please email the Mendham Township OEM at: mendhamtwpoem(a)gmail.com or call them at (973) 370-5905.
Stay safe and take care,
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Recycling collections in the Township have been canceled tomorrow because of the expected snowstorm. All material will be collected next Monday, February 8th.
As of yesterday morning, the state reported that 724,371 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New Jersey. The total amount of COVID-19 shots given in the state has now eclipsed the cumulative reported number of COVID-19 cases in our state. As weeks and months go by, that gap will continue to grow. Unfortunately, the demand of the vaccine still exceeds the supply.
Reports of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials give many of us hope in the state’s ability to quickly ramp up vaccine distribution in the next couple of months. Although Johnson & Johnson has not yet been granted Emergency Use Authorization, the vaccine only requires one dose and does not require cold-chain storage (according to the company). It has also been reported that this particular vaccine targets every currently known variant of COVID-19.
While most of us are focused on vaccine delivery and distribution, the state is continuing to monitor the spread of B.1.1.7, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, that originally emerged in the United Kingdom. As of yesterday, there were 11 reported cases in NJ. Two of these cases are in Morris County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website states that this variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. There is still a lot unknown about this variant, but early studies indicate that there is also a higher degree of in mortality associated this variant. For more information on the new variants of the virus that cause COVID-19, please visit the CDC<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html> Website.
With reports of this new variant in our state, is it more important than ever to keep up social distancing, wearing a mask, and practicing good hand hygiene. Also, if you are sick, please stay home.
As more information about Vaccine Distribution and COVID-19 comes out, we will continue to keep you updated. New Jersey’s COVID-19<https://covid19.nj.gov/> information hub is also a great resource for information and to view frequently asked questions.
Have a good weekend and stay safe,
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Due to weather conditions, the Township's garbage hauler was unable to service all Tuesday-pickup streets today. The streets that were not picked up today, will be picked up tomorrow.
Happy New Year!
Tomorrow - Monday, January 4th Mendham Township's new recycling program starts. As a reminder, paper products will be picked up tomorrow followed by bottles and cans on the following Monday, January 11th.
Please refer to the attached schedule.
This past Monday, we honored the legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who dedicated his life to civic engagement and social equality. Some of the ways we honor Dr. King’s legacy is through acts of service, building trust, and creating a safer community where every person feels welcomed. Although COVID-19 has limited our ability to gather together, many members of our community took action this past Monday during the National Day of Service in the same generous spirit that endured throughout 2020.
As we make our way through 2021 with expanded vaccine eligibility, I am confident that all of us will do our best to continue to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Many of you have already signed up to get vaccinated on the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System<https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/> and the Atlantic Health website<https://www.atlantichealth.org/conditions-treatments/coronavirus-covid-19/c…>. If you haven’t, please sign up at covidvaccine.nj.gov<https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/> and atlantichealth.org<https://www.atlantichealth.org/conditions-treatments/coronavirus-covid-19/c…>.
If you know someone who does not have access to the internet or a computer, please contact us at the Township. We have begun reaching out to and assisting senior citizens in our community and neighboring communities to make sure they get registered and have transportation to vaccination locations. It is our goal to ensure that every Mendham Township resident has the most updated information and access to the state and county registration websites so they can get vaccinated as soon as possible.
On Monday morning at 8:00am, the state will go live with its Vaccination Helpline. The number is (855) 568-0545. In the meantime, the County of Morris has established a COVID-19 Helpline at (973) 829-8250.
As we await updated guidance from the state on the administration of vaccines, an increase in the manufacturing supply chain, and the Emergency Use Authorization of new vaccines, the state is encouraging everyone to be patient, continue social distancing, wear a mask, and maintain good hand hygiene.
Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
sneibart(a)mendhamtownship.org
On Thursday, the state expanded vaccine eligibility to additional populations, including residents aged 65 years and older, those between the ages of 16 and 64 with certain chronic medical conditions, and smokers. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 with the following conditions are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine: cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Down syndrome, heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, obesity, sickle cell disease, and diabetes. With this expansion, over 4 million New Jerseyans are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of yesterday, more than 310,000 vaccine doses have been administered throughout New Jersey. Although more individuals are now eligible to receive the vaccine, this expansion has created an increased demand for the same limited supply. Currently, the state is receiving only a little over 100,000 doses a week. The Governor and NJDOH Commissioner have asked individuals to be patient as the state continues to update and implement its vaccine distribution plan.
To receive notifications regarding your eligibility to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, please sign-up on the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System<https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/> and atlantichealth.org<https://www.atlantichealth.org/conditions-treatments/coronavirus-covid-19/c…>. You will be contacted when appointments become available. The County of Morris has also established a COVID-19 Hotline where further information can be obtained. To access the hotline, please call (973) 829-8250.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Have a good weekend, and take care.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
sneibart(a)mendhamtownship.org
Yesterday, Morris County’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mega-Site opened at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall. New Jersey is rolling out vaccines in a phased approach until large quantities of vaccines become available. At this time, the state is vaccinating healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and staff, and active law enforcement officers and firefighters. For more information about the phased vaccination approach and priority groups, please refer to this NJ Health Department document<https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/VaccinePhasesFactSh…>.
If you would like to be notified when the vaccine is available to you, please register on the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System<https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/>. This online portal enables various groups in the initial phases and the general public to pre-register, find a vaccination site, and schedule an appointment.
As of 10:00am on Wednesday morning, 134,985 New Jerseyans had been vaccinated.
Additionally, the New Jersey Medical Reserve Corps<https://www.nj.gov/health/lh/njmrc/> is actively looking for retired healthcare professionals with vaccination skills to volunteer to vaccinate fellow residents. To volunteer, please visit covid19.nj.gov<https://covid19.nj.gov/>.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Have a good weekend, and stay well.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Mendham Township is offering drive-through COVID-19 Testing at the Mendham Township Middle School on Wednesday, January 6th and Thursday, January 7th.
Sign-up here: https://caregps.us/reg/mendhamtwp.aspx.
We are encouraging all Mendham Township School District students and staff members to get tested before going back to school for in-person instruction on Wednesday, January 13th.