We entered 2021 full of uncertainty and hope. Cautiously anticipating the efficacy of vaccines and a deep yearning for “precedented times”. As we reflect on this past year, and we transition to the next, New Jersey is dealing with a surge of COVID-19 cases. In Morris County, as of yesterday, there were 7,299 newly reported cases of COVID-19 over the last seven days. The Morris County Department of Health reported this week that between December 23rd and December 30th, the number of new cases in NJ had increased by 55%.
As we await for the peak of the new Omicron variant, it is clear, none of us are entering 2022 unscathed.
These past two years have been incredibly challenging for everyone. Thankfully, our community has remained relatively healthy. However, we have all been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another. Some individuals in our community are grieving the loss of a loved one, some have suffered major health setbacks, while others have lost their employment and livelihoods. It has been an incredibly trying time, which has caused many of us to question ourselves and our sense of direction. Although at times it seems like the world stood still, due to the strength and love of our tremendous community, Mendham Township was lucky enough to continue moving forward.
This past year was the second year in a row that there was no tax increase in Mendham Township - we actually had a slight tax decrease. We have also made great strides in growing our topline and attracting new families to the Township. Our construction office has processed more building permits than ever before. Also, earlier this year, the Planning Board approved the Township’s new Master Plan, and months later the Planning Board and Township Committee approved applications and a rezoning request that, in my opinion, will lead to smart, limited growth in the Township for years to come.
In addition to giving the green light on future projects - we were finally able to see some fruits of our labor!
On Monday, September 13th, the Historic Park at Pitney Farm was officially opened to the public! The park was built after years of planning and public input. A couple of weeks later, after over 30 years of efforts, the Township broke ground on its new Police Station, which is expected to be completed by Summer 2022. At that time, the Township will start the infrastructure improvements to the Town Hall Building and Library.
As we look towards the new year, I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to wholeheartedly thank Mendham Township’s professional staff and first responder organizations.
I have learned over the last two years that the strength of one’s community is measured by those willing to serve with no expectation of anything in return.
Since the first COVID-19 positive case in NJ on March 4, 2020, these individuals have been on the frontlines and have done everything in their power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Mendham Township. Among many other contributions, these selfless people respond to emergency calls, help with vaccination and testing clinics, contribute to weekly Township update meetings, help to facilitate public and educational forums, create assistance programs, run countless holiday and birthday parades, and take part in many other special events to bring smiles to residents’ faces. They combine the best of professionalism and compassion and, over the last two years, are the glue that has kept us together.
It has been an incredible honor working alongside these individuals and serving as your Mayor these last two years.
I have witnessed a sense of community from our residents and community members that surpassed any expectation I have ever had. Everyone in our community put aside their differences and focused on one thing — helping each other. It was truly extraordinary.
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Take care,
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance shortening the recommended isolation and quarantine period for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five, if symptoms are no longer present<https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance…>. After the five-day quarantine period is over, the CDC recommends that a mask be worn for an additional five days. In the release, the CDC mentioned that this decision was motivated by data demonstrating that the majority of virus transmission occurs early in the course of illness.
The CDC also updated its guidance related to COVID-19 exposures. For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines or more than 2 months after the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine and not yet boosted, the CDC now recommends quarantining for 5 days followed by mask-use for an additional 5 days. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to be quarantined following an exposure, but the CDC recommends wearing a mask for 10 days after the exposure.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should get tested after an exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19. To find a testing location in New Jersey, visit: covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing<https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing>. If you are interested in getting a rapid before or after your holiday gatherings, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test can be picked up at your local drugstore.
As a reminder, the NJDOH and Vault have partnered to offer free at-home PCR COVID-19 saliva tests. You can request a free test kit by visiting: https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.
Have a great night, and take care,
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
MENDHAM TOWNSHIP: It's time to get your pet registered & licensed for the 2022 year. Please see details below.
APPLYING FOR LICENSES
Dog and cat licenses are renewed or applied for annually. An application is attached to this email and can also be found on our website, here<http://www.mendhamtownship.org/documents/Board%20of%20Health/Pet%20Licensin…>. New pets six months of age or older must be licensed at this time or when this age is reached during the year.
DOCUMENTATION
Please include the rabies vaccination certification so that pet records may be updated. A rabies vaccination must have an expiration date valid through October 31st of the licensing year (2022) in order to obtain an animal license. All required documentation, the appropriate fee and self-addressed and stamped envelope must be submitted with the application form or everything will be returned to you.
Payment & LATE FEES
Registration and Payment is due by Monday, January 31. On February 1st, a $5.00 late fee will be charged for dog license renewals, and a $5.00 late fee will be charged for cat license renewals. There are no late fees charged for newly acquired dog and cat licenses received on or after February 1st. Payment can be made with cash or a check, made payable to 'Township of Mendham'.
DOG AND CAT LICENSE FEES
Description
Fee
License for spayed / neutered
$15.00
License for not spayed / neutered
$18.00
Late fee for dogs (added on February 1st for renewals only)
$5.00
Late fee for cats (added on February 1st for renewals only)
$5.00
Good Evening,
The attached agenda for tonight's (12/27) Township Committee meeting has been revised.
The Sharing Project Presentation has been postponed to January 24, 2022.
Resolution 2021-247, under the regular agenda, has been added.
Thank you,
Maria Coppinger
Township Clerk
Mendham Township
973-543-4555 Ext.211
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Township Committee Meeting - Monday, December 27, 2021 starting at 6:00 Executive Session / 7:30PM Regular Meeting
Attached, please find the Township Committee agenda for Monday, December 27, 2021.
Bills list can be viewed at http://mendhamtownship.org/cn/meetings/meetingdetail.cfm?tpid=9854&mid=45945
The Township Committee will convene at 6:00 PM and will immediately adjourn into Executive (closed) Session.
At 7:30 PM, the Committee will reconvene into Regular Session to discuss and/or act upon the items described in the attached agenda.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Maria Coppinger
Township Clerk
Mendham Township
973-543-4555 Ext. 211
A couple of months ago, we were hopeful that this Christmas would be reminiscent of years past. Unfortunately, due to the surge of the Delta and Omicron variants, many holiday plans have been altered.
The daily reported COVID-19 positive cases this week were the highest since January 2021. To increase compliance in reporting and quarantine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<https://www.cdc.gov/> and the New Jersey Department of Health<https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2021/approved/20211216a.shtml> updated their quarantine recommendations for school settings and for the general public.
The revised recommendations allow for shortened time frames for students and staff to end quarantine after day seven with a negative COVID-19 test result collected between days five and seven of quarantine or after day 10 if testing is not performed. The guidance also re-enforces that the optimal quarantine time frame for those who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 is 14 days.
On Monday, the NJDOH Commissioner stated that options for shortening quarantine only apply if no COVID-19 symptoms develop during the quarantine period. If symptoms develop, the individual should immediately self-isolate, contact a healthcare provider and/or the local health department, and be tested for COVID-19. Quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after day seven. An unvaccinated person can end quarantine after day 10 if they haven’t been tested for COVID-19. If an unvaccinated person receives a negative COVID-19 test result collected between days five and seven, that individual can end quarantine after day seven.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 should get tested after an exposure. Testing is currently available at more than 100 sites statewide. To find a testing location in NJ, visit: covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing<https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing>. If you are interested in getting a rapid test after your holiday gatherings, the BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test can be picked up at your local drugstore or can be ordered online at cvs.com<https://www.cvs.com/shop/abbott-binaxnow-covid-19-antigen-self-test-2-tests…>.
As a reminder, the NJDOH and Vault have partnered to offer free at-home PCR COVID-19 saliva tests. These kits will be shipped through UPS with next day delivery. When complete, the test can be sent back in a prepaid package via UPS next day shipping. Results will be available 24 - 48 hours after the sample arrives at the lab. Over 6,000 at-home test kits have already been ordered. You can request a free test kit by visiting: https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/.
Wishing you and your families a very merry and healthy Christmas holiday!
Please continue to stay safe during this holiday season.
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township
Township Committee Meeting - Monday, December 27, 2021 starting at 6:00 Executive Session / 7:30PM Regular Meeting
Attached, please find the Township Committee agenda for Monday, December 27, 2021.
Bills list can be viewed at http://mendhamtownship.org/cn/meetings/meetingdetail.cfm?tpid=9854&mid=45945
The Township Committee will convene at 6:00 PM and will immediately adjourn into Executive (closed) Session.
At 7:30 PM, the Committee will reconvene into Regular Session to discuss and/or act upon the items described in the attached agenda.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Maria Coppinger
Township Clerk
Mendham Township
973-543-4555 Ext. 211
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January 8, 2022, Styrofoam EPS Recycling Day, 37 Ironia Road
On Saturday, January 8, 2022, The Mendham Township Environmental Commission and Mendham Borough ECOSST Commission will host a Styrofoam EPS Recycling Day at Mendham Township Public Works, 37 Ironia Road, between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
The following styrofoam items will be accepted:
* Foam sheets
* Foam coolers
* Foam packaging
The following styrofoam items will NOT be accepted:
* White foam cups
* Colored foam trays
* Food service trays
* Foam egg cartons
* Packaging peanuts
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January 8, 2022, Styrofoam EPS Recycling Day
On Saturday, January 8, 2022, The Mendham Township Environmental Commission and Mendham Borough ECOSST Commission will host a Styrofoam EPS Recycling Day at Mendham Township Public Works, 40 Mount Pleasant Road, between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
The following styrofoam items will be accepted:
* Foam sheets
* Foam coolers
* Foam packaging
The following styrofoam items will NOT be accepted:
* White foam cups
* Colored foam trays
* Food service trays
* Foam egg cartons
* Packaging peanuts
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New Jersey has made great progress in its vaccination effort; however, COVID-19 is still with us.
Last Monday, the NJ Department of Health Commissioner announced that on average 80% of current patients in NJ’s hospitals with COVID-19 as their principal diagnosis were unvaccinated; while 20% of COVID-19 positive patients had previously been vaccinated and were likely infected due to decreasing immunity.
As families get ready to gather around the Christmas Tree this week and case counts increase, it is critical that if you are 16 or older and six months out from having received your second shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, 18 or older and six months out from having received your second shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, or two months out from having received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, you get a COVID-19 booster. <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html>
In addition to boosters, another critical measure to help our community contain the COVID-19 virus is testing. If you are interested in getting tested before the holiday, 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…>.
In addition to the rapid tests, the NJDOH and Vault have partnered to offer free at-home PCR COVID-19 saliva tests<https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/>. The federally-funded kits will be shipped through UPS with next day delivery. Once received, individuals will connect via Zoom with a Vault healthcare professional who will guide them through the test and answer any questions. When complete, the test can be sent back in a prepaid package via UPS next day shipping. Results will be available 24 - 48 hours after the sample arrives at the lab. The results are also automatically shared with local public health officials who conduct contact tracing, which helps the state continue to track the virus.
If you would like to get PCR results faster, the Far Hills Pharmacy<https://farhillspharmacy.com/> offers same-day PCR test results.
Have a great week, and take care!
Sarah Neibart
Mayor, Mendham Township