The following is the 12th update from the Borough of Red Bank concerning the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Borough of Red Bank Mayor & Council, Administration, Office of Emergency Management, Police Department and Fire Department continue to monitor the developing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As of April 29, 2020, the Borough has been advised that there are 5,980 positive cases of COVID-19 in Monmouth County and 139 in Red Bank.  We would like to remind everyone of the importance of following the State, County and Municipal directives and orders concerning social distancing to slow further spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey.  Follow the steps and guidelines from the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html to prepare and protect yourself and your family. The official State and County reporting by the New Jersey Department of Health is available on the New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard at https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml

• The Borough of Red Bank Municipal Building will remain closed to the public through May 15, 2020.  All municipal employees continue to report to work and are serving the public by telephone, e-mail, regular mail or fax. Visit the Borough website at www.redbanknj.org for contact information for various municipal offices and employees as well as online services.
• The Borough of Red Bank Mayor & Council will be holding a special meeting on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 3 p.m.  The meeting will be held electronically with participation/log-in information available at www.redbanknj.org.  The sole purpose of the special meeting will be to consider the extension of the grace period for 2nd quarter 2020 property tax payments.  The property tax payment deadlines are set by New Jersey State Statute and may only be changed when authorized by the State.  Under existing law, towns may only allow for a grace period of up to 10 days after the property tax deadline without interest or penalty.  There is currently no mechanism in the law to allow municipalities to extend the grace period as a result of a public health-related emergency.  On Tuesday, April 28, 2020, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 130, which allows municipalities to extend the grace period for property tax payments due on May 1st to June 1st. Such an extension would provide much-needed relief to homeowners struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This will enable homeowners to pay their taxes a month after they are due without incurring any interest costs or penalties.
• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 6:30 p.m.  Because of the restrictions on public gatherings that impact the ability of the Borough of Red Bank to meet in the traditional manner of gathering at the municipal building, the Mayor & Council will conduct this meeting using electronic means that will allow for the public to participate.  Participation information is published on the Borough website (www.redbanknj.org).  The Agenda has been published at https://www.redbanknj.org/AgendaCenter
• The Borough of Red Bank will host a public electronic presentation on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 4:30-5:30 p.m. concerning the upcoming White Street Parking Lot improvement project. Business Administrator Ziad Shehady, Borough Engineer Laura Neumann, and Public Utilities Director Cliff Keen will review the new project design and integration into the White Street construction project, as well as seek input from residents, businesses, property owners, community groups/committees.  Additional information will be published on the Borough website prior to the meeting.
• New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy has issued several additional Executive Orders concerning the pandemic. To view these orders, visit https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/approved/eo_archive.html
• The Borough of Red Bank continues to support the State efforts to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and will also follow suit with respect to the recovery and reopening efforts.  Today, Governor Murphy announced he would sign an Executive Order allowing for parks to reopen across the State effective sunrise, Saturday, May 2nd.  As a result, Borough of Red Bank parks will follow suit and reopen on Saturday, May 2nd with the following conditions: parking is capped at 50 percent of capacity where applicable; playgrounds, pavilions, and restrooms will remain closed; picnics, organized/group activities, and team sports are prohibited; and a face covering is required when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
• Please be advised that the Borough will have surveyors working on a Water Utility project throughout the Borough’s right-of-way beginning on April 27, 2020 and continuing through the month of May. Survey personnel from Mott MacDonald will have a safety vest and vehicle with Mott MacDonald logo. Should you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Borough’s Department of Public Utilities at 732-530-2770
• Public Works crews will canvass the borough continuously throughout May. Residents are asked to help crews by containerizing their brush and that yard waste that is not containerized shall not be placed closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet. 
• Monmouth County ACTS has published a Community Resource Guide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide assistance for seniors in a wide range of information and contacts for food delivery, pharmacies, caregiver support, financial assistance and so much more.  The COVID-10 Community Resource Guide is available on www.MonmouthACTS.org/covid19
• NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information and referral service, is offering help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. New Jerseyans can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support. NJ Mental Health Cares will be answered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week by live trained specialists.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the respiratory illness caused by a new virus that first emerged in December 2019.  The NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) is leading the state’s response to COVID-19 and is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For up-to-date information and recommendations, please visit the NJDOH coronavirus webpage (https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml) and the CDC coronavirus webpage (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html).

Update #1: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=209
Update #2: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=210
Update #3: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=211 
Update #4: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=212
Update #5: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=213
Update #6: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=214
Update #7: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=215
Update #8: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=216
Update #9: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=217
Update #10: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=219
Update #11: https://www.redbanknj.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=221