1. MUNICIPAL OFFICES & FACILITIES
Physical public access to all municipal offices (including Town Hall, All Fire Houses, Senior Center, Donald Payne Community Center, Recreation Office and the Public Works Office) will be suspended through Sunday, March 29. Essential employees will be reporting to work and will staff municipal offices from 8:30 pm to 4:30 pm to answer questions and concerns from the public via telephone and email, however no in-office visitation will be permitted throughout the duration of the State of Emergency.
The Main Township Library and Vauxhall Branch Library will be closed to the public through Sunday, March 29.
All residents and property owners are encouraged to use our online payment options for taxes, utility payments and other online payment options.
The Union Municipal Court is closed with the exception of emergent matters until March 29. For additional assistance, please contact the court at: 908-851-5400.
The Police Department will be closed to the general public with limited emergency exceptions. For more information, please call (908) 851-5000. Emergent matters pertaining to the Police Records window will be handled at the Police Department Dispatch window. Routine reports can be requested via phone at (908) 851-5090 and will be emailed or faxed to you.
2. Building Department & Fire Prevention Bureau
For questions regarding permit applications for building and fire prevention:
Please call (908) 851-8509 to arrange an appointment for building permits and
(908) 851-5434 for fire prevention permits.
The Township will be erring on the side of caution and the inspectors will be using discretion when entering dwellings and interacting with individuals. Only essential contractors, homeowners, or authorized representatives necessary for the completion of any inspection shall be on-site during such inspection in an effort to limit unnecessary contact.
All non-essential inspections by the Building Department and Fire Prevention Bureau are suspended through March 29.
3. PUBLIC MEETINGS
All Boards and Commission meetings are cancelled through March 31.
The Township Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th will be held, the public will not be permitted to attend the meeting in person. The meeting will be livestreamed on the TV34 and Facebook live. The agenda will be limited to the business that is necessary for the continued function of the municipality and the public will have an opportunity to question and/or comment on the items on the agenda. More information on this, including how the public will be permitted to participate in the meeting, will be forthcoming next week.
4. GARBAGE & RECYCLING, LEAF AND BULK
Curbside garbage, recycling, vegetative waste and bulk pickups will operate on a normal schedule.
All information provided is subject to change as this pandemic evolves. Residents are advised to monitor the Township’s website and online social media for updates.
While we realize that altering protocols, cancelling programs, meetings and events and limiting our social interaction can be disruptive and upsetting, we are taking CDC recommendations very seriously and urge you to do the same.
The Township understands the public’s concerns about COVID-19 and the Health Department is working closely with the NJDOH and the CDC to monitor and respond to the situation.
The Health Department reminds the public to practice proper hygiene: More specifically:
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and remember to throw the tissue into the trash bin;
The CDC has established that older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. According to the CDC, older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. Therefore, we are committed to staying connected to our older residents during this health emergency and have taken the steps to make regular calls to our most vulnerable seniors at home. We may need volunteers to provide remote assistance to our seniors.
The Township Committee’s decision to declare a State of Emergency was made to protect the public health, safety and welfare of our residents, stakeholders and employees. We assure you, that we are monitoring this fluid situation in real time and have the appropriate measures in place to respond to emergent matters. We are prepared to take any and all actions necessary to continue to protect our residents.
We ask you to be safe, to exercise good judgment and remember not to panic.
We will continue to update you on our website, social media and code red as this situation unfolds.