April 28, 2020 - There will be a presentation of the 2020-2021 local school district budget during tonight’s Washington Township Board of Education meeting. This budget is separate from the municipal budget and voted on by the Board of Education not the Township Committee.I have not been provided log-in information to the zoom meeting referenced on the agenda. However, a link to a Youtube livestream of the 7:30 p.m. meeting was added to the district’s homepage along with budget information last night. It appears the board will be taking comments only by email sent to comment@wtschools.org and not on zoom. Based upon the information posted on the district’s web page, the total tax levy (including debt service) in the school budget is $37,370,786.00. This includes a 2% increase in taxes funding operating costs which are partially offset by a decrease in taxes funding debt service, resulting in a net increase of 1.8 percent.

There are no additional confirmed COVID-19 positive cases to report today.

A list of resources available to help with financial assistance during the public health emergency is available on the municipal website’s COVID-19 Portal.

Our recreation department has added several online programs that will run for the next few weeks. Information on the programs and registration is available in the Recreation Announcements.

The  State  Office of Emergency Management issued an administrative order on April 27 identifying pet grooming, pet daycare, and pet boarding businesses and stores that principally sell items necessary for religious observation or worship as essential retail businesses, provided that they adopt in-person operation policies that include, at a minimum, the enhanced social distancing practices. More information is available on the COVID-19 portal.

As a reminder, if you’re sick, call your healthcare provider. Call your doctor’s office or hospital FIRST before driving there. If you call 9-1-1 for a true emergency, please cover your face to protect yourself and our first responders. Follow CDC guidelines and stay home as much as possible:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid handshakes. 

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hand).

• Get a flu shot to prevent the flu if you have not done so this season. 

• Wear a cloth mask at grocery stores and where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Stay safe,

Mayor Matthew T. Murello