April 2020 www.readingtonnews.com
The
Readington News A Community Newspaper
Serving All of Readington Township, NJ
Readington Township Addresses Coronavirus Pandemic
sure the best use of resources and safest path for the services needed. This is necessary to maintain the safety and wellbeing of all parties involved. Other changes include restricted access to the Police Department and the Municipal Building. These steps will allow for safer daily operations while still providing residents with necessary services. Remember to follow advice from the County Health Dept. at www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/coronavirus.html. Take practical actions to stay healthy, such as: Avoid close contact with people who are sick, wash hands often with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, and stay home if you are sick. This allows you to recover and protects others from becoming ill. If assistance is needed, call us at 908-534-4051. Reserve 9-1-1 for True Emergencies. As a community, and helping one another, we will overcome COVID-19. Remember to reach out via phone to your elderly neighbors who may need assistance, but avoid direct contact. Readington Township’s Volunteers and Staff are committed and continue to work together for you. Following is a message from Vita Taking a Hike – About 40 people, including a group of Scouts from Mekovetz, Township Administrator: Three Bridges Pack 182, along with their parents and leaders, as well as six Effective Tuesday, March 17: In folks who brought their dogs along, enjoyed an unusually warm, sunny afterresponse to the COVID-19 (Coronoon on Feb. 16’s Open Space Hike, prior to the public health restrictions. The navirus) Pandemic, Readington group walked about three miles on the well-maintained trails of the Lazy Brook Township is committed to providing Greenway, and also enjoyed some really impressive views over open fields and quality services that prioritize the along a pleasant wooded stream corridor. Many people are especially enjoying health, safety and welfare of resithe outdoors during the coronavirus outbreak. For local trails see https://readdents, employees and volunteers. ingtontwpnj.gov/images/OSAB/Trailheads.pdf. Readington’s Open Space Walks Officials continue to follow the latare scheduled for the third Sunday of each month, each at a different location, est CDC (cdc.gov), NJ Department and will resume when group activities are deemed safe again. The walks are of Health (nj.gov/health) and Huntsponsored by Readington’s Open Space Advisory Committee. erdon County Department (co.hunt- Photo submitted by Adam Mueller erdon.nj.us/coronavirus.html) guid-
Following is a message from Readington Township Mayor Jonathan Heller regarding the township’s plan during the Coronavirus pandemic: To Readington Township Residents and Businesses: Readington Township is monitoring and following the guidance provided from Hunterdon County Health Dept. along with Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and NJ Dept. of Health officials as we closely monitor and respond to the outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Each department within Readington Township, including Administration, Emergency Management, Social Services and Police are working side by side
to assure the safety of our staff and Township residents. Services needed by our residents are being provided safely and efficiently. We are coordinating with Readington Township Police, Whitehouse First Aid & Rescue Squad, Readington Township Emergency Management and CERT, Readington Volunteer Fire Co., East Whitehouse Fire Dept., Whitehouse Station Fire Co. and Three Bridges Volunteer Fire Co., each of which has a plan in place to meet the challenges ahead of us. When calling 9-1-1 or when requesting a response from emergency services, you might notice a different approach. Questions will be asked to as-
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ance in response to the pandemic. In light of the emerging public health threat caused by COVID-19 and to safeguard the health of residents and employees, the Township will be modifying the way we conduct business. Effective immediately, the Municipal Building and all Municipal Complexes (parks will remain open at this time) will be closed to all visitors until further notice. Non-essential meetings will be cancelled in the short term. Some groups or committees may arrange to meet by conference call in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act. Calling instructions for the public to attend any public meeting will be posted on the Township website. Healthy Township staff will be working normal hours (8:30-4:30, M-F) but the doors will remain locked. Staff can respond to questions and requests via email or by telephone. Other services will be provided by appointment only. Please call 908-534-4051 to make arrangements for your service that you may need. If you have arranged to deliver or pick up a document or item, please knock on the door upon your arrival and we will meet you to accept or deliver the document that
you requested. We request that all items or documents, including tax and sewer payments, OPRA requests, applications and permits, be delivered for processing through the lock box next to the front door. If the item is too large for the mail slot, please call ahead and upon your arrival to deliver the item. Do not leave any item unsecured outside the building. If you need a receipt for payment or delivered item, please include a note with your address and it will be sent to you. The lockbox will be emptied several times throughout the day. Registrar of Vital Statistics services will require special arrangements. Please contact the Registrar at 908-534-4051 ext. 0 for additional guidance. For questions that can be responded to via email, use the Township website direct department emails: readingtontwpnj.gov.
Readington News A Community Newspaper
Serving All of Readington Township, NJ
Hunterdon Healthcare COVID-19 Hotline 908-788-6440 Call 7 days a week 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.