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From Mayor Derek Armstead

Linden Residents,

As each day passes more people are tested and the numbers of those infected increases. We have lost so many Linden residents to COVID-19. Our hearts go out to those families as they mourn the loss of those they love. Please keep them in your prayers. I have a few timely requests for every Linden resident. Please… 

  • keep everyone that has suffered from this virus in your prayers.
  • follow the CDC Guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety. 
  • stay home unless you are going out for essential items.
  • practice social distancing at all times.
  • stay home if you are sick.

We are all in this together, and we will continue working together to beat this.

Remember, to effectively communicate the latest COVID-19 information to our residents transparently and as quickly as possible, our live Google Document remains open to the public to view. With questions concerning COVID-19 please call the Linden Board of Health Office or call the Coronavirus Emergency Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Please call my office with questions, concerns, for assistance, or even just to say hi.

Yours truly,

Mayor Derek Armstead

Outdoor graduations are allowed, but in what form?

Breaking News

Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state will allow outdoor graduation ceremonies, beginning July 6, provided they comply with all social distancing regulations. Governor Murphy announced the news in a tweet this morning. He was expected to provide more information at his daily briefing at 11am. In his tweet, he said graduations could happen as long as schools ensure “the health and safety of all in attendance.” (ROI-NJ)

Certain Businesses Permitted to Open

Governor Murphy signed several Executive Orders and Administrative Orders, allowing some outdoor businesses to restart effective May 22, 2020 and enabling additional clarification on previous Executive Orders.

The following businesses are allowed to open.

  • Batting cages and golf ranges
  • Shooting and archery ranges
  • Horseback riding
  • Private tennis clubs
  • Community gardens

In-person sales at the following businesses also allowed to resume.

  • Automobile and motorcycle dealerships
  • Bicycle shops

Primary Election Information

Here’s what we know so far about the July 7th Primary

  • The July 7th primary will be a primarily vote-by-mail election.
  • ALL registered Democratic and Republican voters will receive a postage-paid vote-by-mail ballot.
  • ALL unaffiliated and inactive voters will receive a postage-paid vote-by-mail ballot application.
  • There will be a limited number of in-person polling places in each county that will be open to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote.
  • The deadline by which votes must be received by a county Board of Elections to be counted as valid will be extended from 48 hours after polls close to seven days after polls close.

Kean University Testing Site on Morris Avenue in Union

New Hours, New Online Appointment Scheduling

Open to Union County Residents, M-F, 9am – 4pm. Up to 72 hours for test results. Testing is now available to all Union County residents who wish to be tested, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. It is also available to all first responders and frontline health workers who are asymptomatic and that work in Union County, regardless of their residence. Testing is also available to first responders and frontline health workers who live and work outside the County, but in New Jersey, must have symptoms and a prescription from a doctor. You can now make an appointment online here. You must have proof of NJ Residency IDs when visiting testing site.

For information about all testing sites, please click here.

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Increasing Capacity Limit on Outdoor Gatherings

Order Also Allows Public and Private Recreational Campgrounds to Reopen

TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 148, increasing the limit on outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25 people and allowing recreational campgrounds to reopen with social distancing measures in place. The limit on indoor gatherings remains at 10 people. The Order takes effect immediately.

“Our steady progress on the road back has been made possible through the hard work and personal responsibility of New Jerseyans to safeguard public health,” said Governor Murphy. “I’m proud that we can confidently take this step today and provide further optimism for the unofficial start of summer.”

Outdoor Gatherings: The Governor’s Executive Order allows outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people so long as the following rules are complied with:

  • The gathering must take place entirely outdoors except for restroom use;
  • Limit capacity to no more than 25 people at all times;
  • Require attendees to be six feet apart at all times, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
  • Prohibit contact between attendees, and no organized or contact sports;
  • If the event is an organized gathering, the organizer should demarcate six feet of spacing in the area of the gathering to demonstrate appropriate spacing for social distancing;
  • Limit provided seating to single individuals, spaced six feet apart, and sanitized after each use;
  • Prohibit sharing of any physical items provided and require sanitization before and after each use; and
  • Require contactless pay options wherever feasible. 

Nothing in the Order shall prevent professional athletes from fulfilling their job duties, consistent with paragraph 10 of Executive Order No. 107 (2020).

Charter Boats and Recreational Businesses: The Order rescinds the 10-person capacity limit on charter boats and recreational businesses opened under Executive Order No. 147, including archery ranges, batting cages, golf driving ranges, horseback riding, tennis clubs, and shooting ranges, and imposes a new 25-person capacity limitation with a requirement that individuals can remain six feet apart at all times.

Parks, Beaches, Boardwalks, and Lakeshores: The Order allows gatherings of no more than 25 people at State Parks and Forests, county and municipal parks, public and private beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores, but continues to prohibit special events such as festivals, concerts, fireworks, and movies.

Recreational Campgrounds: The Order permits private and public recreational campgrounds to reopen to the public. The following shall remain closed at recreational campgrounds: picnic areas; playgrounds; pavilions; and other buildings amenities, or facilities, except restrooms and showers. Recreational campgrounds that are open to the public must comply with the same restrictions required for recreational businesses.  The Department of Environmental Protection is required to prepare a phased-in reopening plan for all campgrounds located on State Parks and Forests within fifteen days.

The Order also recommends, but does not order, that people wear a face covering while at outdoor gatherings and recreational campgrounds when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Special Message from Linden Fire Department Chief William Hasko Jr

It seems like yesterday, but six months have passed since I took the Oath of Office as the Chief of the Linden Fire Department. At that time, I had no idea that in just four months we would be facing a COVID-19 Pandemic. What I do know is that that I could not be more proud to be the Chief of The Linden Fire Department. The members of this Department never faltered on their promise “to faithfully, impartially and justly perform all the duties of office of firefighter.” They came together and served the public’s needs honorably and professionally. As Chief of the Department, I thank them. In addition, I want everyone to know that The Linden Fire Department is, has and always will be here for you. Lastly, I want to recognized and thank Captain Bryan Kostrey and Firefighter Daryl Roberts for taking the initiative to create this inspiring video.

– Fire Chief William Hasko Jr

Memorial Day Weekend W/COVID-19

The Governor is expected to sign an Executive Order today opening beaches and lakefronts Memorial Day Weekend with a number of restrictions.

  • The number of people on beaches and lake fronts must be limited.
  • Beaches cannot be made “private” by opening only to residents.
  • 6-foot minimum social distancing must be exercised
  • No organized games or special events that draw a crowd
  • Face coverings recommended
  • No amusement parks, playgrounds or visitor centers can be opened
  • State Park bathrooms will be opened going forward

Guidance from the Governor’s office regarding public pools is expected by Monday at the latest.

Got a call from New Jersey American Water? Read this to explain.

New Jersey American Water is reaching out to Linden residents about work that they will be doing over the next month. Below is a transcription of the message. With questions, please contact New Jersey American Water through their website, or by phone at 1(800) 272-1325.

“This is an important message from New Jersey American Water. New Jersey American Water will begin routine flushing of the water distribution system in your area Wednesday, May 13 through Saturday, June 13 from 8am to 5pm. to ensure that you continue to receive high-quality water service. Flushing also allows us to monitor and maintain fire hydrants. This work is essential for safe, reliable water service and its in coordination and compliance with all federal, state and local agencies and directives. When crews are working in your area, you may notice reduced pressure or discolored water. If your water is discolored, run the cold water only at the lowest level of the house for about 3 to 5 minutes so that it clears before using. Repeat this flushing step once or twice within an hour as necessary until the water clears. For your safety and the safety of our employees, please do not approach them while they work. If you have a question, please call us at 1-800-272-1325. For more information log on to our website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, and select Alert Notifications. Thank you.”

Linden Emergency Response System

As we continue to follow the CDC COVID-19 guidelines and sheltering in place, Linden Department of Parks and Recreation wanted to inform Linden elderly, handicapped, disabled and residents who live alone that we offer the Linden Emergency Response System (LERS), which is a an around the clock monitoring system for any medical emergency. It acts as an electronic guardian for instant communication in emergency situations.

For a nominal monthly monitoring fee, this program provides the recipient and the family peace of mind knowing that help is on the way within minutes with just the press of a button. Any Linden resident interested in the program can call the John T. Gregorio Center at (908) 474-8627, Monday through Friday between 9am and 4pm. For more information, click here.