This time last year, we were awaiting the emergency use authorization and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. As we prepare for our holiday celebrations today and later this season, I am grateful that many of us can once again celebrate with our families and friends.
We are still in the midst of the pandemic but with the expansion of booster and vaccine eligibility and increased availability of vaccines, we are more able to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19.
During the Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing on Monday, the New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner encouraged all residents to take precautions during this holiday season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director has also published holiday tips, which can be viewed by clicking here<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebr…>.
Regardless of how you are observing, I urge you to take this time to reflect. It has been an incredibly trying 21 months. Thank you to every one of our community members - residents, staff, first responders, and volunteers who have supported and helped the Township continue to move forward. I am extremely lucky to be your neighbor and honored to be your mayor.
If you are interested in getting tested before your holiday gatherings, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test can be picked up at your local drugstore or can be ordered online at CVS<https://www.cvs.com/shop/abbott-binaxnow-covid-19-antigen-self-test-2-tests…> or Walgreens<https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/binaxnow-covid-19-antigen-rapid-self-test…>.
I wish each of you, your families, and friends a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
On Friday, November 19th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their eligibility recommendations for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster doses<https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1119-booster-shots.html> to include all individuals 18 or older who are six months out from having received their second shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna two-dose primary series.
Individuals 18 or older who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, may receive their booster dose two months after their initial shot.<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html>
As a reminder, the Food and Drug Administration and CDC have also approved a “mix and match” approach so that individuals may receive a booster dose of a different vaccine than they initially received. If you have questions, please refer to the CDC and FDA websites and contact your healthcare provider.
The New Jersey Department of Health is encouraging all individuals who have not yet received a vaccination, to do so ahead of holiday gatherings and travel.
A complete list of NJ’s vaccination centers is available online at covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder<https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder>. Feel free to reach out to the NJ Vaccination Call Center at (855) 568-0545 if you need assistance in finding or scheduling an appointment.
Have a great week, and take care!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Today - Sunday, November 21st from 11:00am - 1:00pm at Brookside Field (1 E Main St, Brookside), please join Mendham Township Recreation and PBA Local 402 for a great way to give back to our First Responders before Thanksgiving!
Pre-registration is not required!
Join us for either a KID and FAMILY Zumba or an adult strength training class with Bolt Fitness. There will be a featured guest speaker and bagels, snacks, and juice.
Cost: $35 per participant
**All proceeds will be donated to Reps for Responders**
Our community continues to exhibit so much generosity and compassion as we continue to navigate this worldwide pandemic. In addition to the numerous efforts by community members to lend a helping hand and support others, the Mendham Township Recreation Department and Mendham Township’s Local PBA have arranged a pre-thanksgiving event for the community to give back.
On Sunday, November 21st from 11:00am - 1:00pm at Brookside Field, Mendham Township Recreation, PBA Local 402<https://www.facebook.com/MENDHAMTOWNSHIPPBA402/>, and Bolt Fitness<http://boltfitnessperformance.com/> are hosting a community fitness event where 100% of the proceeds will benefit the 501c3 nonprofit organization Reps for Responders<https://repsforresponders.org/>. Reps for Responders is an organization that supports the mental health and wellbeing of all first responders and military personnel with the ultimate goal of reducing the suicide rate in the first responder community.
During the event, there will be a featured speaker, bagels, coffee, and juice, and a choice of three workouts - a strength training workout with Bolt Fitness, a Zumba class, and a yoga class. All workouts are open to people of all ages. There is a $35 participation fee, and again, all proceeds will be donated to Reps for Responders. Pre-register by clicking here<https://register.capturepoint.com/reg/cat_program_class_detail.cfm?s&t&seas…>.
Hope to see you there, and have a great week!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Over the past year, we have seen many new volunteers join our boards, committees and first-responder organizations. We are grateful to these dedicated volunteers and thank them for their service. Without their time, skills and resources, our community would be hard-pressed to keep critical town government functions running smoothly and to maintain the quality of life that makes Mendham Township such a wonderful place to live.
As we enter 2022, these organizations could use more helping hands! If you are interested in getting involved with our open committees and organizations detailed below, please send a resume and cover letter to our Mendham Township Clerk (mtclerk(a)mendhamtownship.org) by Tuesday, November 30th.
Planning Board
The Planning Board functions under the guidelines established by the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D. The Planning Board adopts the Township’s Master Plan and Official Map and hears applications and makes decisions on subdivisions, site plans, and conditional uses. The Planning Board also advises the Township Committee on changes to the Township’s land use ordinances.
(Zoning) Board of Adjustment
The Zoning Board deals with the issuance of variances which are based on the municipality’s zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance establishes specific requirements for a land area within a municipality and regulates not only the uses permitted, but the size of the parcels, setbacks required, parking, signs, conditional uses and numerous other such regulations.
Parks and Recreation Committee
The Recreation Advisory Committee makes studies, surveys and recommendations to the Township Committee with respect to recreation programs and the planning, development, construction and maintenance of the town’s recreational facilities.
Tree Committee
The goal of the Tree Protection Committee is to preserve trees. This committee views trees as a precious resource which protects the semi-rural character and roadscape of the Township, thereby increasing groundwater recharge, reducing stormwater runoff, increasing soil fertility and allowing for increased wildlife habitat. The committee also encourages new plantings of native species of trees.
Board of Health
The focus of Mendham Township’s Board of Health is primarily septic and well-plan reviews, discussion and approvals. Morris County Office of Health Management provides services to Mendham Township including septic and soil inspections, well inspections, food licensing and inspections, health clinics, health education and health code enforcement. The nurses provide various health programs for residents, including child health clinics, hypertension screenings as well as programs to assist the frail and elderly. Each month, a health officer’s report is presented to the Board at their meeting; a flu clinic is scheduled for two dates in the fall.
Historic Preservation Committee
The Mendham Township Historic Preservation Committee's goal is to preserve and educate the community about its rich history and to encourage its protection. The committee catalogs and preserves historic documents and artifacts.
Wildlife Management Committee
The Mendham Township Wildlife Management Committee serves as the advisory board to the Township Committee on deer control programs and initiatives as well as provides general advice on wildlife management within the community. The Committee issues access permits to hunters to hunt on municipal lands and reports deer harvest totals to the Township Committee at the end of the season. It also maintains a list of licensed hunters who are permitted to hunt on private property.
Mendham TV Committee
Mendham TV is a public access cable television station. The station has been up and running for over 10 years, supported by private funds. The mission of Mendham TV is to provide a balanced view on issues of relevance to the community, highlight achievements and interests of the community and provide current information and schedules of community events. Mendham TV also seeks to offer a creative outlet for residents and students and to document events and activities, serving as a historical archive for the Township.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee assists the Township Committee in the municipal budget process. The Finance Committee conducts budget workshops to review department requests. After the workshops are concluded, the Finance Committee works with the CFO to present a budget to introduce at the Township Committee level.
Fire Department
The Fire Department is entirely a volunteer organization. The Department is comprised of two independent Fire Companies - Brookside Engine Company (www.bec1.org) on the east side of town and Ralston Engine Company (www.ralstonengine.org) on the west side of town. The Fire Department’s mission is to protect and serve our community from fire and other emergencies by providing fire suppression services, rescue services and to assist residents with problems beyond their control through code management, public education and incident response. The firefighters complete training to maintain their skills and are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone over the age of 14 is eligible to join.
First Aid Squad
Mendham Township First Aid Squad is also entirely volunteer. The First Aid Squad responds to 911 calls, and the EMTs provide pre-hospital emergency medical care around the clock. They also provide standby support for community events and for the Fire Department. Learn more at: www.mtfas.org.
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted to allow the administration of Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5 - 11 years old<https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html>. This decision comes on the heels of the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation<https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-pfizer-b…> last week.
The pediatric Pfizer vaccine dose is 10 micrograms, a lower dose than that used for individuals 12 years of age and older, which is 30 micrograms, and is administered as a two-dose primary series, three weeks apart.
The New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner announced on Wednesday that pediatric doses have already begun arriving in NJ and are being distributed to more than 230 sites across the state including primary care practices, independent and chain pharmacies, county and local sites, federally qualified health centers, acute care hospitals, urgent care, and university sites.
In Mendham Township, next Friday, November 12th from 3:00pm - 8:00pm, the Township and the Mendham Township School District are hosting a COVID-19 Vaccination and Flu Shot Clinic at the Mendham Township Middle School (16 Washington Valley Road, Brookside) for students and residents, ages 5 and up.
During the Clinic, the following immunizations will be available:
* Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for individuals ages 5 - 11. Children receiving the vaccine must be accompanied by an adult.
* Booster shots for all three vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson)
* Flu vaccinations
Additionally, anyone who would like to obtain their first COVID-19 vaccination can do so.
Appointments are necessary - please click here to sign up<https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054ca8aa22aaf58-mendham>. If your desired time is not available, feel free to email me directly
at sneibart(a)mendhamtownship.org for additional availability.
The safety of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was studied in clinical trials of over 3,100 children between the ages of 5 and 11 who received the vaccine, and no serious side effects were detected. Commonly reported side effects in the clinical trial included sore arm, redness and swelling, fatigue, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and decreased appetite. More children reported side effects after the second dose than after the first dose. Side effects were generally mild to moderate in severity and occurred within two days after vaccination, and most went away within one to two days.<https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-pfizer-b…>
If you have questions, please refer to the CDC and FDA websites and contact your family physician or healthcare provider. Click here for the FDA fact sheet for recipients and caregivers<https://www.fda.gov/media/153717/download>.
Have a great weekend, and take care!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Today - Tuesday, November 2nd is Election Day 2021. Polls are open until 8:00pm. To find your polling place, click here<https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-polling-location.shtml>.
If you choose to vote by mail, your Vote-By-Mail ballot must be postmarked on or before 8:00pm tonight - Tuesday, November 2nd and be received by the Morris County Board of Elections on or before Monday, November 8th.
If you choose not to mail in your Vote-By-Mail ballot, Vote-By-Mail ballots can be deposited into one of Morris County’s 30 secure ballot drop boxes by 8:00pm tonight - Tuesday, November 2nd. Click here for Morris County’s Drop box locations<https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Government/Voting-and-Elections/Ways-to-Vote…>. To drop off a Vote-By-Mail ballot it must be in the sealed envelope provided and the voter certification must be attached.
The closest dropbox for Mendham Township residents is at the Mendham Borough Police Station, 3 Cold Hill Road South. This dropbox is outside and under surveillance 24/7. This dropbox resembles a USPS Blue Mailbox, but it is Red, White & Blue and displays “Morris County – Official Ballot Drop Box”. Vote-By-Mail ballots will be picked up on a daily basis and brought to the Morris County Board of Elections. The County has stated that all security measures will be followed when collecting and transporting the Vote-By-Mail ballots.
You may also deliver your Vote-By-Mail ballot in-person to the Morris County Board of Elections Office by 8:00pm tonight - Tuesday, November 2nd. The Morris County Board of Elections Office is located at 10 Court St., 2nd Floor, Morristown. You can contact the Morris County Board of Elections at 973-285-6715 or elections(a)co.morris.nj.us.
You can track the status of your ballot by signing up for a My Voter Record account, here: https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/vote-track-my-ballot.shtml.
For more information, please visit the Morris County Elections Center<https://elections.morriscountynj.gov/>.
Due to the actions by the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last week, individuals who received either the Moderna or the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are now eligible for a booster shot.
You’re currently eligible to receive a Pfizer or Moderna booster if it has been at least six months since you received your second dose of either vaccine and you are:<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html>
* An individual 18 or older and work or live in a high-risk setting.
* An individual 18 - 64 with certain health conditions.
* An individual 65 or older.
* Long-term care resident.
For those who received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, the window for receiving your booster is two months after your initial shot. Everyone ages 18 or older who received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine is eligible.<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html>
The FDA and CDC also approved a mix and match approach so that individuals may receive a booster dose of a different vaccine than they initially received. If you have questions, please refer to the CDC and FDA websites and contact your healthcare provider.
On Tuesday, an advisory panel to the FDA reviewed Pfizer data and voted to support the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11<https://youtu.be/WLbGnS-kqTY>. Next week, the CDC’s advisory committee on immunization practices will examine that same data and make their recommendations. The state of New Jersey has pre-ordered 205,000 doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine in anticipation of its approval.
Adolescents 12 - 17 are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine right now. In NJ, 62.3% of children between the ages of 12 - 17 have received at least one dose, 70.8% of 16 and 17 year olds have received at least one dose, and 57% of 12 - 15 year olds have received at least one dose.
There are 1,739 COVID-19 Vaccine distribution locations across NJ. A complete list of NJ’s vaccination centers is available online at covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder<https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder>.
Have a great week, and take care!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township