Message from Mayor Andes regarding COVID-19.

My Fellow Residents:

First, I want to wish you all well and good health. Together we will get through this national health crisis and, as we have seen so many times in the past, become an even stronger community because of it.

Please be assured that your Township officials are meeting regularly and taking the necessary precautions based upon guidance from local, state and federal health officials. However, this crisis has demonstrated to this point a lack of a coordinated and uniform response from the state and federal levels, to which I have been in contact with the NJ Governor’s Office urging for a uniform set of guidelines to be applied state-wide.

In light of that, the Township of Denville has taken some strictly precautionary common sense steps to protect its residents. Specifically, many of these initiatives have been aimed to protect our local senior citizens, who are the most vulnerable segment of our population that can be impacted by the COVID-19 corona virus. These actions have included: closing the Denville Senior Citizen Center, cancelling the senior socials, curtailing the Dial-a-Ride program to essential trips and cancelling the free AARP Tax Preparation program. Additionally, we closed all parks and playgrounds until further notice. Town Hall remains open; however, we are strongly encouraging residents to call or e-mail the appropriate department before coming to Town Hall to determine if a required service can be handled remotely via telephone, e-mail or online platform. The Denville Food Pantry remains open, but we are limiting access to one client at a time. Finally, effective March 17, 2020, we will be closing the Recycling Center until further notice (street side collection of garbage and recycling will continue as normal).

The Board of Education closed local schools on a precautionary basis and the Denville Free Public Library is also closed to the public. Again, all of these measures are precautionary in nature and aimed at attempting to stop the unnecessary spread of the virus. We sincerely appreciate your anticipated cooperation with these directives.

In the event there are positive tests in our community, pursuant to state and federal law, we are prohibited from releasing the identity or any identifying details associated with these individuals. However, local and county health officials are following state and federal infectious disease protocols to ensure these individuals are quarantined and contact is made to individuals with whom they may have had contact.

Finally, we are asking that you refrain from entering the Town Hall. Starting on March 16, 2020, Town Hall will be staffed but closed to the general public. If you need to conduct business with the Town Hall please call first and the staff will guide you on the possible ways to help you without the need to enter the building. If there isn’t a way to assist you remotely, only then will they have permission to assist you in person.

Again, I urge our residents to remain vigilant following CDC and NJ State Department of Health guidelines. I also urge our residents to check upon their elderly neighbors to ensure they have necessary food and personal hygiene supplies. Together, we will get through this ordeal and I am confident it will make us stronger.

May God Bless and Protect you and your loved-ones,

Mayor Thomas W. Andes