The HOWELL Times
Vol. 17 - No. 50
In This Week’s Edition
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Parks Open, Playgrounds Still Closed
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Community News! Page 8
Dear Pharmacist Page 9
America’s Test Kitchen Page 15
─Photo courtesy Bob Vosseller Local parks are open for passive recreation, but not playgrounds. By Chris Lundy and Bob Vosseller HOWELL – Spring was certainly calling residents stuck inside during the pandemic, and now parks are able to answer that call. Gov. Phil Murphy signed an Executive Order reopening all state parks. He also let counties choose whether to
open their parks and golf courses. This went into effect on Saturday, May 2. Social distancing will continue to be mandated. It was a small step forward, but perhaps bigger than it seems given that New Jersey is the second-hardest hit state for COVID-19. Local governing bodies
had recently urged the governor to reopen these recreation spots. “We are glad that the Governor heeded our plea to reconsider the closure of county parks and golf courses in New Jersey,” Mon mouth County Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone said. “The Monmouth County Board of Cho-
sen Freeholders has felt, throughout this entire pandemic, that our county parks are essential for our residents’ mental health and a great choice for passive recreation.” On behalf of the Board of Chosen Freeholders and County Park liaison Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, the parks and golf (Parks - See Page 6)
Freeholders Update Residents On COVID-19 Services By Bob Vosseller FREEHOLD – Members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently discussed extending public access restrictions through May 15 and its receipt of stimulus money from the federal government. During a recent press conference, Monmouth
County Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley provided an update on the status of COVID-19 conditions in the county. Arnone talked about the $108 million Monmouth County received i n federal stimulus money t h roug h t he
CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act. “We are in the process of working with the eight other counties, who were given federal stimulus money, to come up with guidelines and protocols for the stimulus money. We will be developing timelines and guidance
for the municipalities to submit for reimbursement,” he said. “County Administrator Teri O’Connor and I will be in contact with the administrators and mayors of each town to communicate these guidelines and protocols,” he added. Arnone also reported the success of the
Take Out in Monmouth initiative, which encourages residents to order from local businesses that are open. Originally including restaurants and then wineries, breweries and garden centers, the Take Out in Monmouth website, takeoutinmonmouth.com, (Update - See Page 7)
May 9, 2020
Howell Extends Grace Period For Taxes
By Bob Vosseller HOWELL – Thanks to the April 28 Executive Order by Gov. Murphy, Howell Township will be extending its grace period to June 1 for the second quarter 2020 Property Tax Payment. Township Manager Brian Geoghegan issued a public statement on April 29, explaining that the extension of the grace period “is effective immediately and will be memorialized in a resolution at the Council’s next meeting.” “There have been some questions as to why the Township waited to take action. We assure you that until (the Governor’s) Executive Order was signed, extending the grace period past May 11, it would have been an unlawful action of the part of the Howell governing body.” Geoghegan added, “now that the state is allowing municipalities to legally act, our grace period will be until June 1.” Tax payments can be made by mailing them to the Tax Collector’s Office at PO Box 580, Howell NJ 07731. A taxpayer’s cancelled check can serve as a receipt, but for those who would still like one, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the tax office will provide residents with a receipt. It is also possible for residents to utilize the secure drop box, located to the rear of the Township offices, at 4567 Route 9 North. The option of paying online is through the Howell Township website at wipp.edmundsassoc.com/ Wipp/?wippid=1321. Taxpayers can also make a payment through banks online and they can add the Howell Township Tax Collector as a vendor to online bill pay through your bank to remit payment. With this option the tax office advises residents to make sure to include your account number that is on your tax bill so they can identify the parcel this is intended for. If a taxpayer is unsure of their tax account ID it can be looked up by using the online payment link as well as looking on your tax bill. For those with Township serviced sewer, this is a reminder that you can also check the status of your sewer account online. The second quarter payment was due April 1, with the standard 10-day grace period. All the above payment methods are the same for your sewer account as well. Please note if paying your sewer account with your online bill pay feature (Taxes - See Page 6)
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