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

June 4, 2020

To Our East Windsor Community:

All of us have watched repeatedly the poignant video depicting the senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, in this year 2020 in this United States of America. The scene should give us all pause and spark serious reflection about the systematic injustices which remain rooted in our Nation and the resulting human consequences. Our hopes, our aspirations, our deep seeded values in this land of freedom and opportunity must encompass every single life. None of us can sit idly by, without speaking out and without acting, while other individuals, other groups of individuals do not experience the same fair treatment and opportunity that we wish for ourselves and for our children. We have much future work to do and it only works if we do it together.

Locally, our high school students organized a peaceful protest march on Tuesday to speak out on this important societal issue. We commend them for their public protest and the constructive manner in which they coordinated and conducted themselves. We can take heart in their initiative and public voice, as assuredly do their parents, and I am encouraged by the caring desire of these young people to make a difference and to see a change. Let us all recommit to do better and together to navigate our communities and our Nation to a future where every single human being, regardless of race, can truly be at home in America.

Mayor Janice S. Mironov

Below is the Resolution adopted by the Mayor and Council at the June 2 Township Council meeting:

RESOLUTION - EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP

WHEREAS, the Township of East Windsor, a community of ethnic, economic and educational diversity, takes great pride in its diversity and maintains an atmosphere of honor, respect and opportunity for every resident and visitor regardless of age, race, creed, religion, origin, sexual orientation, or gender identification; and

WHEREAS, the Township makes great efforts to reach out and work to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be involved and considered in all of our actions and activities, so as to best reflect the entire fabric of our community at large and to hear from the many voices that make up the one East Windsor Township; and

WHEREAS, recent demonstrations and protests across the United States, sparked by the video of the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis, Minnesota police officers, challenge public safety organizations and elected leadership across the country to respond honestly and effectively as concerns are raised by residents within our communities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Council of the Township of East Windsor, County of Mercer, as follows:

1. East Windsor Mayor and Council are deeply saddened by and strongly condemn the actions that led to the senseless and unacceptable death of George Floyd, and the underlying systematic failures which it again so dramatically surfaces.

2. East Windsor Mayor and Council remain committed to the morally, ethically and lawfully fair and just treatment of all Township residents and visitors.

3. East Windsor Mayor and Council and all Township departmental leadership will continue to take necessary steps, to maintain policies and procedures to ensure that all residents and visitors have effective channels of communication and processes, so as to be able bring to us all matters that call into question the fair, impartial and just treatment of anyone and without fear of retribution or reprisal.

Your Favorite East Windsor Restaurants for Pickup and Delivery

East Windsor To Go! - Social Media CONTEST #2 for Week Ending June 7

By supporting the East Windsor To Go program of ordering great food from our community restaurants, residents can win valuable gift cards from Barnes and Noble by sending us photos of what you ordered for pickup or delivery. For the next Contest, we are asking residents to get their elementary aged children, grades K thru 5, to show us what their favorite take-out or delivery food is from their local East Windsor restaurant. The best selection that includes the hashtags #EastWindsorEats and #EastWindsorKidsChoice is eligible to win. Is it pizza? Is it chicken wings? Burgers? Or takeout from all the great selections of regional world cuisines available in East Windsor? Whatever it is, it's going to be the #EastWindsorKidsChoice!

To participate, fill out the form below and upload a picture of where you've shared your East Windsor To Go food order on social media with the hashtags #EWToGOisGreat and #EastWindsorEats. Selections will be made for the best social media posts for East Windsor To Go and the winners will be notified by e-mail on how to receive the Barnes and Noble gift cards. All East Windsor residents can participate! Submissions are accepted through Sunday, June 7.

To participate, Click here to upload your East Windsor To Go! picture submission.

Remember "EAST WINDSOR TO GO". The "East Windsor To Go" program list on the Township website shows all of the food establishments that are open for food delivery or contactless pickup at their locations. The list also identifies those that sell gift cards for purchase either online or as part of a pickup order. They make great gifts and help better ensure these businesses will continue to thrive in our community and still be here for us in the future.

To find your favorite East Windsor restaurant for a great meal (pickup or delivery), please click here.

Mercer County has reported, as of June 4, 2020, there have been 39 new cases for a total of 7,072 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 7 additional deaths for a total, sadly, of 492 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 462 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 162,530 cases, and 90 additional deaths for a total of 11,970 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).

It is important that everyone continue 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.

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).

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 150 (CLICK HERE) on June 3, permitting Outdoor Restaurant Dining starting on Monday, June 15, with an accompanying New Jersey Department of Health Executive Directive (CLICK HERE) laying out required health and safety standards, including a limit of eight customers per table and at least six feet of distance between parties. For as long as indoor dining is not permitted, smoking is prohibited in any outdoor areas designated for consumption of food and/or beverages.

The Order further notes that municipalities are permitted to use their existing authority to allow food or beverage establishments to expand their footprint to outdoor areas, both within their property and among municipally-governed areas, including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, or parks.

A special ruling (CLICK HERE) by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will temporarily permit establishments with liquor licenses to expand their licensed premises into outdoor areas that are either contiguous or non-contiguous to their permanently licensed premises. Establishments may apply through the POSSE ABC Online Licensing system, and if approved will be issued a temporary permit effective on June 15 through November 14, 2020. ABC will not take action on any application until it receives an endorsement or approval by the appropriate governing body officials, and it is the responsibility of the licensee to comply with local ordinances and site plan requirements.

Nonessential Retail Businesses can also reopen to the public, provided that they adopt policies that include the requirements applied to essential retail businesses in Executive Order 122. This includes limiting the number of customers in the store to 50% capacity, requiring employees and customers to wear face masks, and the regular sanitizing of areas used by employees.

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.