Message from Mayor Sarah Neibart
Friday, April 3, 2020
The world is a very different place than it was just a few weeks ago. As we adapt to our new routines, we are pushed outside of our comfort zones and forced to confront this new reality.
We have a lot on our minds these days, and it is okay not to know how to react - we are all learning and doing the best that we can during this time.
Many of us find ourselves working in different environments, whether working from home with new “coworkers” - family members or children virtually learning alongside us - or working from deserted offices. In this unprecedented time, we have more professional and personal demands on us than ever before.
As we continue to do our best to settle into this new way of life, work, sleep, exercise, and eating patterns don’t necessarily get the attention that they deserve. Remember that good sleep, eating, and exercise patterns are how we strengthen (or weaken) our immune system every day. We don’t just feel better as a result, we are healthier and more able to cope with change. Regular sleep and exercise habits also help maintain a routine - by building structure into a day, we can provide some semblance of balance and order.
To help our residents remain active, we are expanding our Mendham Gets Fit campaign to an online platform. Starting next week, for the month of April, we will bring a variety of fitness classes right to your home via Zoom video conferencing. These classes are complimentary to residents and are being provided by the Township. Schedules will be posted on the Mendham Township Recreation site each week. We will be offering the following classes: Zumba, No-Equipment Bodyweight Bootcamp, Yoga, and Barre. Please email our Director of Recreation David Guida at dguida(a)mendhamtownship.org to get the Zoom link ahead of class.
In addition to physical activity, mental health is very important. Be sure to take mental breaks for a few minutes each hour and find time to stretch. Also, taking distinct breaks to clear your mind can help - take advantage of Mendham's many miles of hiking trails, call a friend, colleague, or loved one you haven’t spoken with in a while, or even give yourself 10 minutes to meditate. Social distancing should not mean social isolation. Please maintain social connections - check in on your neighbors.
If you or someone you know needs help, do not be afraid to talk to someone - our community is here to support you. To get in touch with the town’s outreach efforts, please send an email to outreach(a)mendhamtownship.org or call the non-emergency police number at 973-543-5848. Please leave a message and someone will get back to you. The Mendhams Stigma-Free Task force is also connecting residents across our communities to resources and support. You can follow them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/mendhamstigmafree/ or connect to the group by sending an email to mendhamstigmafree(a)gmail.com<mailto:mendhamstigmafree@gmail.com>. Young people can get free, confidential support by calling 2NDFLOOR, an anonymous helpline for youth and young adults between the ages of 10 - 24. The line is open to call or text at any time - 888-222-2228. If you’re overwhelmed and feel like you’re headed toward a crisis, please utilize NJ’s Crisis Text Line, text ‘NJ’ to 741741. The line is open 24/7, and a trained counselor will respond, listen, and help you through your concerns. If you or a neighbor need immediate medical and/or emergency care, please contact 911.
Some days will be harder than others, but rest assured that we will get through this together. Educating ourselves, listening to one another, and having a willingness to embrace aggressive social distancing practices are critical and are within our control. By taking care of ourselves and checking in on our neighbors, our community will stay strong. That is truly a measure of success in these uncertain times.
Message from Mayor Sarah Neibart
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
As of 3:00pm yesterday, 14 Mendham Township residents<https://health.morriscountynj.gov/coronavirus/> have tested positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus.
An increase in positive cases is not an indicator that our social distancing methods are not working, rather that the availability of testing is increasing. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing, are necessary public health methods to reduce a sharp increase in cases in an effort to “flatten the curve” to reduce the overwhelming burden on our healthcare system.
The below two charts were presented by Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli at Monday’s Daily Press Briefing<https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2458&v=rDBI4fpTogI&feature=emb_…>. These charts were created using a tool, called CHIME, or COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics which computes the theoretical number of people infected with a contagious virus in a population over time to predict outcomes. These illustrations are a good reminder of why aggressive social distancing practices are so important.
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True social distancing is staying at home as much as possible. If you have to go out for a necessary reason, maintain a minimum of 6 feet from others and limit your time in public places. There should be no reason - other than assisting a neighbor with obtaining medical care/medicine and food/groceries - that you should be over at someone else’s home. No one should be getting together to hang out during this time.
We will get through this, but we all have to play a part in it. Please stay virtually connected with your family, friends, and neighbors. If you want us to check-in with an individual, please send an e-mail to outreach(a)mendhamtownship.org with the name, telephone number, e-mail, and home address of the resident. If you sense that a resident needs immediate medical and/or emergency care, please contact 911.
Now more than ever, we should all respond to the Census<https://www.2020census.gov/> online, by phone, or by mail. Responses are kept confidential and private. It's the law.
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.
April 1 is a key reference date for the 2020 Census. When completing the census, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1, 2020. You can choose to respond before or after April 1.
https://www.2020census.gov/
[https://2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/public/brand/2020-logo-sharin…]<https://www.2020census.gov/>
Take the Census | U.S. Census Bureau<https://www.2020census.gov/>
When you respond to the census, your answers are kept anonymous. They are used only to produce statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau is bound by law to protect your answers and keep them strictly confidential.
www.2020census.gov
Dear Township Residents:
Spring Break and the Coronavirus - We All Need To Do Our Part:
* No one, especially high school and college students, should be getting together to hang out during this time!
* The CDC has issued a Domestic Travel Advisory urging residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days.
* If you do decide to travel - upon return, you and your family should self-quarantine for 14 days.
* Please keep trips for essential services and goods to a minimum - designate one person to go out and minimize trips to limit possible exposure.
* If utilizing any of our open trails, do not meet up with or go out in groups (other than family members). Practice proper social distancing and remain at least six feet away from any companions! #RecreateResponsibly
Do your best to #StayHome, and remember we are all in this together!
Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus and a need for more medical personnel, the Morris County Office of Health Management (MCOHM) is looking for volunteers to join their Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). If you are a retired or inactive doctor, nurse, nursing assistant, paramedic, or a medical student, please consider helping to assist the MCOHM in serving our community during this health-care crisis as a medical volunteer.
The MRC is one of several components of the citizen corps. It provides health professionals and others an organization where they can volunteer their time and skills to respond to emergencies. The MRC is coordinated with municipal health departments by the MCOHM.
The MCOHM is relying heavily on the MRC to assist with the COVID-19 call center, the new Morris County Testing Site at CCM, and scheduling appointments for Morris County residents. If you do not have medical training, MCOHM could use your help as well! If you are interested in serving in the Morris County MRC, please follow this link for more information: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/public/mrc/.
Dear Residents:
If placing RTS garbage sticker orders online, please use the link provided below:
https://na3.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=13154a92-…
In an effort to minimize outings, we are asking our residents to purchase RTS garbage stickers from home. During this time, RTS has set up a Garbage Sticker Order Portal - you can click the link above to place your order. Please reach out to your elderly neighbors and friends and ask if you can purchase garbage stickers for them.
Please note that while RTS is able to process sticker requests, it's advised by their shipping center that there may be brief delays in USPS delivery.
We thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate through these times.
In an effort to minimize outings, we are asking our residents to purchase RTS garbage stickers from home. During this time, RTS has set up a Garbage Sticker Order Portal - you can click here<https://na3.docusign.net/Signing/?insession=1&ti=a4eb67beab5740cda74616a7d5…> to place your order. Please reach out to your elderly neighbors and friends and ask if you can purchase garbage stickers for them.
Please note that while RTS is able to process sticker requests, it's advised by their shipping center that there may be brief delays in USPS delivery.
We thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate through these times.
Dear Residents:
Morris County, in coordination with Atlantic Health System, is opening a COVID-19 drive-thru testing center for Morris County residents only, located at the County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph starting tomorrow - Monday, March 30th. Only residents who have a prescription from a medical doctor or medical provider and who have pre-scheduled an appointment for testing through the county’s COVID-19 appointment’s portal will be allowed to enter the testing site. For information and to make an appointment, please visit : https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting.
Morris County COVID-19 Patient Testing Consent Form<https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting>
Information about Morris County NJ's COVID-19 testing center. If you tested positive, you must stay at home and self-isolate. This means stay in a different bedroom from others in your home, and if possible, use a separate bathroom.
health.morriscountynj.gov
Message from Mayor Sarah Neibart
Saturday, March 28, 2020
As of today, there are eight Mendham Township residents who are currently positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus. Names, addresses and personal identifying information of these residents cannot be released or shared with the community.
The Morris County Office of Health Management is the lead agency for investigating each case involving a person testing positive for COVID-19, including all close contacts. If it is determined that a County resident is infected with COVID-19, the Morris County Office of Health Management will contact those individuals who were in close contact with this person. It is important for everyone to monitor their health and consult with a primary care physician if exhibiting the following symptoms - cough, fever, tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
Our public health officials and first responders are working around the clock to make sure we are closely monitoring this situation, and I will continue to provide updates as they become available. An increase in positive cases is not an indicator that our social distancing methods are not working, rather that the availability of testing sites is increasing. Non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing, are necessary public health methods to reduce a sharp increase in cases in an effort to “flatten the curve” to reduce the overwhelming burden on our healthcare system. It may take several weeks before we see the full results of social distancing.
Staying at home is not just good advice to keep you and your families healthy, it is the law. If you have to go out for a necessary reason, limit your time in public and maintain a minimum of 6 feet from others. There should be no reason - other than assisting a neighbor with obtaining medical care/medicine and food/groceries - that you should be over at someone else’s home. Also, please refrain from block parties and community hangouts.
It is extremely important to follow the guidelines set by the New Jersey Department of Health. Please see the resources on the Mendham Township website<http://www.mendhamtownship.org/cn/news/index.cfm?NID=50762&jump2=0> which describe the steps you should take if you have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or if you have tested positive for COVID-19. Depending on your circumstance, you may have to self-isolate or self-quarantine. When self-isolated or self-quarantined, you should stay out of public places which include our trails and parks.
It is more important than ever to take social distancing seriously and limit your community movement. We are monitoring the trails and parks to make sure they are not overcrowded. If you take a hike, please remain at least six feet away from any companions and do not go out in groups (other than family members).
Please stay informed by visiting these helpful websites:
* Visit New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub: New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub<https://covid19.nj.gov/>
* NJDOH website: Department of Health | Communicable Disease Service | COVID-19<https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml>
* CDC website: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC<https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html>
* Morris County Office of Health Management: Morris County Office of Health Management<https://health.morriscountynj.gov/>
It is important to remember that this is a newly identified virus and information concerning COVID-19 continues to evolve daily; therefore, the messaging will change as the situation evolves. Due to the evolving nature of information, residents are encouraged to call NJ 211 with questions or concerns about COVID-19 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-962-1253 (24/7).
NJ 211 is New Jersey’s statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service operated by United Ways of New Jersey. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.
Mendham Township residents can also call the Morris County Office of Health Management’s COVID-19 hotline at (973) 829-8250. Please note this line is only open Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Message from Mayor Sarah Neibart
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Last night, the Mendham Township Committee passed a resolution which lowered the rate of interest on delinquent taxes and delinquent sewer fees to 0%. The Township Committee did this to alleviate the financial stress on residents who have started to feel the economic impact of the COVID-19 health crisis.
We are dealing with historic health and economic challenges. This global pandemic has already brought incredible stress to our healthcare system and everyday lives. Our leaders have had to take aggressive action to combat this virus. Actions which will save lives but will also have a profound effect on our society for decades to come.
On Saturday, March 21st, in an effort to try to mitigate and contain community spread and flatten the curve, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 107 which directed residents to stay home, closed non-essential retail businesses, and encouraged employees to work remotely.
Although some of our residents have been able to work from home, others have not. During this time, some residents have had to limit or close their businesses, utilize sick time, or seek unemployment. Upon learning this, the Township Committee wanted to explore every option to provide relief to residents who were struggling.
The due dates on real estate taxes are set by the state; however, municipalities have the authority to decide what interest rate is charged on delinquent taxes. With that said, the Township Committee encourages the timely payment of taxes; but understands the incredible circumstances residents might find themselves in right now. No one should have to make the choice between paying their property tax bill or buying food or medicine for themselves or their family. As such, it is expected that those who are fortunate enough not to be as financially impacted by the current crisis will pay on time to support the community and those most greatly impacted can make the choices they need to in order to support their families. By pulling together as a community, we will get through this…together.
Therefore, while the Local State of Emergency that I signed on Friday, March 13, 2020 is in effect, the rate of interest for all delinquent taxes and delinquent sewer fees will be 0%.