Now more than ever it is important to ensure that we get our share of Federal dollars. Each year, the Federal Government spends about $675 billion on programs and services used by our residents. Please take 5 minutes to respond and visit www.my2020census.gov<http://www.my2020census.gov> today. You can also respond over the phone at 844-330-2020.
If you did not get a Census ID, or lost the initial invitation - that's okay - continue to follow the link at the beginning of the questionnaire to respond without a Census ID.
Your response matters. Your privacy matters. Your help matters. Together, we can ensure that our community receives the resources it needs. Health clinics, fire departments, schools and even roads and highways - the Census can shape many different aspects of our community.
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2020 Digital Pet Show for Mendham Residents!
Get your cameras out and your pet camera ready! Show off your cuddly fur babies by participating in the Townships Digital Pet Show.
Email your pets photo to David Guida at dguida(a)mendhamtownship.org and it will be posted on the Mendham Township Recreation Facebook Page.
Prizes for the pets with the top 3 most likes. Contest ends on May 31, 2020.
Good Luck!
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Mendham Township Sirens for Solidarity, tonight at 6:00 pm. When you hear the sirens, step outside, wave, clap your hands and make some noise in solidarity! Let's honor and thank all of our frontline heroes and healthcare professionals as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in our community and beyond.
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Like many of you, I spent the greater part of my day yesterday hiking our local trails. The brief window of beautiful weather had me very excited to get out there.
Unlike some of our neighboring communities, most of our trails and parks are currently open. We are extremely lucky in Mendham Township to have these incredible open spaces which make it so easy to get a dose of nature close to home.
A few weeks ago, the Governor closed all state and county parks and trails. This Executive Order closed Patriots Path, and the National Park Service closed Jockey Hollow National Park. Due to overcrowding and numerous incidents taking place, the Township was also forced to close Buttermilk Falls. Fortunately, though, we have several other parks and trails in Mendham Township that are open. Please click Hike Mendham<https://www.hikemendham.org/> for more information.
As the weather gets warmer, I want to encourage residents to get out and explore these natural gems in our community. If you haven’t hiked locally, I encourage you to try it. Most of the time, hiking can be a wonderful activity for social distancing. Hiking is great outdoor exercise and there are no high-touch surfaces.
However, because of the nature (pun intended) of narrow trails, navigation can be tricky when coming across another hiker. Communication and social distancing are crucial at this time. If you see another hiker on the trail, verbally communicate. When passing someone on a trail, one of you should responsibly step off the trail to keep 6 feet away from the other person. I know it can be difficult at times to conceptualize what 6 feet really is. I was reading a hiking blog the other day and came across the following examples which I know helped me:
* 2 extended trekking poles
* The width of your car
* A moose's antlers
* 2 golden retrievers nose to nose
The hiker going uphill is generally agreed to have right of way, as that requires more momentum; however, it is still important to communicate regardless of the situation. Also, if there are other hikers in front of you, try to maintain enough distance so that you do not need to pass them. If you need to pass someone, verbalize that you are passing on the left. Hiking in a single file line can help facilitate this.
This should go without saying - Our first responders are limited and exceptionally busy right now. If you intend to hit an open trail, please be careful and do not take unnecessary risks that could lead to a fall or injury. Being rescued requires a lot of personnel in close quarters, increasing the risk of transmission as well as pulling someone away from the front lines where they are desperately needed.
Also, if you or a loved one is sick or has been required to quarantine because of a recent exposure, please refrain from hiking the trails and being in public spaces. Wait and rest until you’re fully recovered before hitting the trails.
Finally, please do not throw or leave garbage on the trails.
Happy trails, and stay well!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Good Morning,
Attached please find the Township Committee (TC) agenda for Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
For a complete agenda packet including resolution(s) and ordinance(s), please visit Mendham Township's website at http://mendhamtownship.org/ or by the using the following link to the agenda page:
http://mendhamtownship.org/cn/Meetings/?tpid=9854
Please note that the agenda packet may be updated if additional information becomes available.
The TC meeting will be held virtually via Zoom; access information is also attached.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Maria Coppinger
Township Clerk
Mendham Township
PO Box 520
2 West Main Street
Brookside, NJ 07926
973-543-4555 Ext. 211
973-543-6630 FAX
Masking has now been mandatory for several weeks for “essential business” shoppers and public transit riders in New Jersey. Two months ago, people would have been shocked to see someone walking into a bank with a face mask and gloves, but this is unfortunately the “new normal.” Masks don’t necessarily protect the wearer from getting the virus, but can be very effective in protecting people around them - namely essential workers.
Unlike the millions of Americans who can work from home during the COVID-19 crisis, healthcare professionals, first responders, grocery store clerks, delivery workers, warehouse operators, truck drivers, postal workers, construction workers, gas attendants and public servants are on the front lines keeping us safe and providing the public with essential services.
Protective measures like shelter-in-place and social distancing aren’t always an option for these individuals, leaving them and their families at a higher risk for catching the virus as they perform their critical duties. These essential employees continue to work in dangerous conditions, and many of them are experiencing a short supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In light of increasing evidence that asymptomatic COVID-19 individuals can transmit the virus and in order to protect those on the frontline, Governor Murphy ordered the general public to mask and for store owners to provide PPE for their employees.
A mask is worn to prevent the droplets that fly out of our mouths - when we speak, not just when we cough or sneeze - from being inhaled by those nearby. So, as we do our best to maintain at least 6 feet away from one another, our masks add another level of protection. My mask protects you, while your mask protects me. However, it is still extremely important to maintain appropriate distances between ourselves and others when in public spaces.
Like many of you, I do my best to limit going to the grocery store. I usually go on Fridays, make a plan, bring a mask, and limit my time in the store. Last week, when I did my grocery run, I was shocked to see a couple of people in the store without a mask, others attempting to use the t-shirt they were wearing to cover their mouths and noses, and I even saw two people wearing masks over their mouths and not covering their noses.
I cannot say that I was a mask expert before this pandemic, but I know one thing - the individuals described above are putting our essential employees at risk. With that said, I wanted to take an opportunity to share some resources and information on masking.
1. Wash your hands before putting on your mask and after taking it off.
2. When you put on the mask, make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits comfortably around your face.
3. Once you put your mask on, refrain from readjusting it or touching the front when you're taking it off.
4. Replace your mask if it feels damp.
5. When you're done with the mask, or replacing it with a new one, carefully take it off from behind or by the straps.
6. Either dispose of your mask - IN THE GARBAGE or put reusable cloth masks directly into the laundry hamper.
7. Wash. Your. Hands.
Since there’s a shortage of PPE, including masks, for doctors, nurses, and first responders, experts recommend that people don’t use the limited supply of medical masks, like surgical masks and N95 respirators, for themselves and instead leave those for health care workers. Consider using the following: bandanas, scarves, an old t-shirt, piece of cloth, a homemade mask, etc. Please see the additional resources below.
ASL Video Series: Easy DIY Cloth Face Covering<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9cnxxsEKpk&list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsf…>
How To Make Your Own Face Covering Video<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4>
If you have PPE you wish to donate like N95 respirators, face shields, protective goggles, surgical masks, or other protective equipment, visit covid19.nj.gov/ppedonations<https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/ppedonations>.
Lastly, I’d like to thank you all for working together to help flatten the curve and protect those most vulnerable in our community. You are doing a great job, but we have to keep it up!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
The Township Environmental Commission invites residents to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22!
Fifty years ago, thousands of Americans came together for educational teach-ins about the environment at colleges, high schools and community forums across the country. The day was organized by environmental advocate Denis Hayes and Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work.
In years to come, the day would grow into a global movement, with people rallying for a cleaner environment and the protection of natural habitats and species. Today, a new generation has taken up the cause to work for a cleaner planet, inspired by young leaders, such as Greta Thunberg of Sweden, who was named Time magazine’s 2019 Person of the Year.
Usually, the Township Environmental Commission participates in a cleanup event within our community, but this year’s Earth Day will be marked in a different way because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We invite you to take part in one of these activities, while staying safe at home:
Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) Activities:
Clean Up Your Neighborhood — Tomorrow, before you leave for a walk, grab a bag and gloves, and pick up litter along the way. Afterward, you can complete a survey of where you picked up trash and help RHA understand where and what kind of trash occurs. RHA also ask participants to share their pictures!
Identify Litter Spots - If you prefer not to pick up trash, RHA asks you to complete an Observation Survey. The information provided will help them learn where littering is occurring within the watershed, and they can target these areas for future cleanups.
Learn more about how to participate at RHA’s Website: https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/earth-day/
Environmental Movie — The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) encourages you to watch “Saving the Great Swamp, Battle to Defeat the Jetport.” This documentary tells the local story of how residents battled to stop an airport from destroying thousands of acres that were, instead, preserved as the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The film airs on NJTV at 8 p.m. on Earth Day. See the schedule at: https://www.njtvonline.org/schedule.
Support Schiff — Finally, what better way to celebrate Earth Day than taking a hike at our own Schiff Nature Preserve! The trails are all open, and it’s a perfect way to get outside, and enjoy the environment. Please maintain social distancing, while hiking, and only visit with members of your immediate family. You can prepare to hike by downloading maps at: https://www.schiffnaturepreserve.org/
In addition to the numerous efforts by our community members to lend a helping hand and support others, Mendham Township is formally launching the Mendham Gives Back Campaign starting tomorrow - Wednesday, April 22nd. During the next month, if you’re spring cleaning and looking to part with clothing, sporting equipment, or any shelf stable food, we would like to take it off your hands!
Thanks to Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson, School Superintendent Sal Constantino, DPW Director Dave Read, and Recreation Director David Guida, we have organized a collection site at the Mendham Township Elementary School, 18 West Main Street. Starting tomorrow there will be three bins in a trailer outside of the back of the school (by the new gym) labeled clothes (which must be bagged), sporting equipment, and food.
Simply drop your donation off in the bin!
Collections will run from Wednesday, April 22nd through Friday, May 22nd. The timing of the collection site is as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Wednesday & Saturday: 10am - 7pm
For Questions, please email David Guida a dguida(a)mendhamtownship.org
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A few notes to begin your week:
Our Flags: Township flags have been flying at half-staff over the last few weeks to mourn all those who have lost their lives throughout the state of NJ, and to support those who have been affected by COVID-19.
Sirens for Solidarity: As a friendly reminder, we will be sounding the emergency siren throughout Mendham Township tonight at 6pm to support our neighbors who have been directly impacted by COVID-19 and to honor our frontline workers and first responders. When you hear the siren, step outside for a few minutes (on your front steps or in your yard), wave, clap your hands, and make some noise in solidarity.
Mendham Township Gives Back: The Mendhams Stigma-Free Task Force<https://www.facebook.com/mendhamstigmafree/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARAnwfaT8Yfzad6Y…> has raised more than $1,000 for the Interfaith Food Pantry to purchase groceries for families in this time of increasing need. Please consider making a donation of any amount, and help us reach our final goal! Join us in helping others. Click Here: https://mcifp.harnessapp.com/wv2/campaign/1487<https://mcifp.harnessapp.com/wv2/campaign/1487?fbclid=IwAR11HLDbwbO61qB25ti…>
The Interfaith Food Pantry is focused on helping individuals and families manage through difficult times, and right now so many are feeling the stress of food insecurity in this public health crisis.
Mendham Gives Back Campaign: In the next couple of days we will be launching the Mendham Gives Back Campaign for the remainder of April and May - stay tuned for more information!
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To All Coe Farm Road and Valley View Residents:
Weather permitting, beginning on Monday, April 27, Cifelli and Sons will be repairing marked out curbs and driveway aprons. Once the work is complete, residents whose driveway aprons are getting repaired will NOT be able to drive on the blocks for 3 days. Residents will have to turn off their irrigation systems and park only 1 car at least 25 feet from their driveways on the upside.
Thank you for your cooperation.