Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

April 25, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

Positive COVID-19 cases do continue to increase in Mercer County and the State of New Jersey.    On a positive and hopeful community note, as of April 23, a total of 225 East Windsor resident cases have recovered.

So it is even more important to continue this progress by practicing social distancing, following the advice and directives of health care professionals and government officials, and using good sense, so we can all get through this difficult period together.  We need to remember that the most effective and most caring responsible thing we can continue to do for ourselves, our loved ones and our entire community is to continue to do what we are doing.

Mayor Janice Mironov and Township police joined in the event on Thursday, April 23 to celebrate and express appreciation to the HEALTH CARE WORKERS of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton/RWJBarnabas Health.  The facility has been a great partner to East Windsor, Robbinsville and Hamilton during this health emergency. 

Mercer County has reported, as of April 25, 2020, there have been 159 new cases for a total of 3,245 Confirmed COVID-19   to date, and 5 additional deaths for a total of 183 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. The State of New Jersey today reported 3,327 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 105,523 cases, and 246 additional deaths for a total of 5,863 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the New Jersey official COVID-19 dashboard (CLICK HERE).

If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one during the current crisis, NJMentalHealthCares is available 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. at (866) 202-HELP (4357).

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP UPDATES

1. EAST WINDSOR MUNICIPAL COURT:  In accordance with the New Jersey Supreme Court April 24, 2020 Order (CLICK HERE), allowing municipal court sessions to resume to the extent possible based on facilities and technologies, the East Windsor Municipal Court will conduct a virtual, via video, Municipal Court session on Monday, May 11, 2020.  The municipal court office remains staffed (Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.) to respond to phone and email inquiries.  A drop-off box is located in the building entrance.  Municipal Court payments can be made online at www.njmcdirect.com.  For municipal court questions, call (609) 448-3228.

2. Continue to Enjoy EAST WINDSOR PARKS AND TRAILS as the weather brightens, and we appreciate the great cooperation demonstrated by our residents enabling this policy: (While New Jersey has closed all state and county parks) East Windsor Township Parks, Pathways and Trails continue to remain OPEN subject to RESTRICTIONS. The Township continues to monitor for compliance and the need for further local actions if warranted. Park visitors are reminded to comply with all social distancing requirements.

PERMITTED ACTIVITIES:  The only permitted activities in Township parks, pathways and trails are walking, running, bicycling or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.

REQUIRED RESTRICTIONS:   Playground equipment areas within the parks are CLOSED.  Group close-contact activities, including games of basketball and soccer, which do not comply with state social distancing requirements, ARE PROHIBITED.

Residents are asked to call the police department non-emergency line at (609) 448-5678 ext. 0 to report any observed non-compliance issues.

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES

1. Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 128 (CLICK HERE) on April 24, 2020 providing additional options to tenants who are struggling financially as result of COVID-19 and allowing tenants to direct their landlords to use their security deposits to offset rent or back rent.  The executive order waives provisions of statutory law that prohibit the use of security deposits for rental payments, enabling tenants to instruct landlords to use their security deposits to offset rent or back rent. Tenants will not be obligated to make any further security deposit relating to their current lease agreement but would still be responsible for any monies landlords expend that would have been reimbursable via the security deposit as outlined in the original contract (i.e. damage to the property).  However, should the tenant and landlord extend or renew their lease, then the tenant would be obligated to replenish the security deposit in full either six months following the end of the Public Health Emergency established by Executive Order No. 103 (CLICK HERE) , or on the date on which the current lease agreement is extended or renewed, whichever is later.  The order will take effect immediately and will be in place until 60 days after the public health emergency is terminated.
2. The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has established a rental housing information page at https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/renter as a single point of reference for tenants and landlords seeking information about their rights during the public health emergency.
3. Homeowners interested in taking advantage of the previously announced mortgage forbearance agreement with private lenders can visit www.covid19.nj.gov and search “Get Assistance."  Homeowners with questions or concerns related to conditions of an agreement with their mortgage lender will be directed to the Department of Banking and Insurance’s intake form for further assistance.
4. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) agencies, road testing, and inspection facilities will remain CLOSED to the public through at least May 10.  All driver licenses, non-driver IDs, vehicle registrations, and inspection stickers expiring before May 31 have been extended by two months. Most renewals, replacements, changes of address and other transactions can be processed online at www.NJMVC.gov.

For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:

• Call: 2-1-1
• Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
• Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
• Visit covid19.nj.gov for additional information

PRIOR UPDATES

For prior updates and resources visit the EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP COVID-19 information webpage:
www.east-windsor.nj.us/COVID

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.