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Union Vicinage Landlord/Tenant Virtual Informational Conference

Union Vicinage Special Civil Part judges and staff will explain current landlord/tenant court processes. State, county and community providers will discuss a variety of available services, with a focus on resources for landlords and tenants.

When & Where (click on link to register for Zoom Meeting)

This conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to request an ADA accommodation or interpreter, contact David Beverly at 908-787-1650, ext. 21028 or click to send an email here.

Click here to view and/or download the flyer for this event.

Winfield COVID-19 Walkup Testing @ the Winfield Firehouse on Thursday, August 13th

The Union County Freeholder Board is pleased to announce that the Union County COVID-19 Mobile Test Unit is now visiting various community locations to provide free tests for Union County residents. Any resident can make an appointment for a test, whether or not they have symptoms. No doctor visit or car is needed; all tests are conducted on a walk-up basis with masks and social distance required.

Winfield: Fire Station, 12 Gulfstream Avenue, Thursday, August 13.

Back-Rent Forgiveness for NJ Tenants

Governor Murphy on Friday introduced a new emergency aid program Friday that will allow owners of small rental apartment buildings to tap into a pool of $25 million in grant money to make up for rent that tenants affected by the crisis couldn’t pay from April to July. The landlords who receive the federal funds will then be required to cancel the back rent and late fees those tenants weren’t able to pay in that time. The state’s Small Landlord Emergency Grant program is open to landlords of residential properties with three to 10 units — buildings that are found across the state but are largely inhabited by low- and moderate-income residents in urban areas.

For this program we are standing up $25 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established through the Federal CARES Act. This program, which is authorized by the New Jersey Mortgage and Housing Finance Agency, will provide emergency grant funding to the owners of small rental apartment buildings between three and ten units to help cover their COVID-19 related rent losses from April through July. Landlords who receive assistance through this program must then pass along the benefits to their tenants by forgiving outstanding back rent and late fees accumulated during this same period.said Governor Murphy in his press briefing on Friday.

For more information about the program, please click here.

Recap of the Aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias

The City of Linden was hit harder during this storm than it was during Hurricane Sandy. I want to thank our residents for their patience during this difficult time. There were 575,000 PSEG customers statewide that were without power, which is a quarter of their customer base. Here in Linden over 13,800 PSEG customers lost power. There are still 1,490 customers without power. Global estimated restoration time for all customers is Aug 10th @3pm, possibly sooner. Customers will be restored intermittently between now and then. PSEG and our DPW will be working to rid the hazards on Stiles St at Elm St and Stiles St at Elmwood Terrace.

We have been prioritizing the trees that are down, and those that are on houses and blocking roads are naturally at the top of the list. We are presently 90% through the list. Our State-contracted Independent Contractor is assisting us with clearing the trees. We will then be chipping the large limbs and branches that are in our roadways. On the grass collection days, we will be picking up the branches and limbs along with the grass clippings that residents bring to the curb.

Residents who need to charge their electronics may go either to the Promenade on Wood Avenue (next to Motion Credit Union), or to the JTG Center. The JTG Center will also be used as a cooling station and hours of operation are from 11am to 6pm. Remember that face masks are required along with social distancing.

If your power is out, please make sure to report it to PSEG by phone at 1-800-836-7734, through their website, or by texting the word “OUT” to 47734. PSEG also has opened a Comfort Station at Warinaco Park in Roselle. They are offering free water and ice to Union County residents.

Thank you to the Police Officers, Firefighters, Public Works Department, Dispatchers, OEM Volunteers, Utility Workers and all those who did so much to make sure we weathered the storm!

Thank you,

Mayor Derek Armstead

Governor Murphy reverses indoor gathering rules in NJ after a spike in the spread of coronavirus

Governor Murphy Announces Decreased Indoor Gathering Capacity Limit

Governor Phil Murphy announced the decrease of indoor gathering capacity limit in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey. Indoor gatherings are now limited to 25 percent of a room’s capacity, but regardless of the room’s capacity, the maximum limit shall be 25 persons, down from 100 persons. For purposes of determining this limit, any private residence or residential unit shall be treated as a single room. However, today’s change will not be applicable to the following events: weddings, funerals, memorial services, religious services or celebrations, and political activities. These events may continue under the previous rules that limited these events to 25 percent of a room’s capacity, but with a limit of 100 persons.

“In order to protect public health, we are re-tightening the restriction on indoor gatherings due to uptick of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “We cannot stress enough that large and crowded indoor gatherings, where social distancing isn’t being practiced and face masks aren’t being worn, are not safe. Until there is a significant decrease of COVID-19 cases, these restrictions will continue to be in place.” 

The Order took effect at 6am on Tuesday, August 4.

Click here for a copy of Executive Order #173.

Power Outages in Linden – Update from PSE&G

There are 20,000 PSE&G customers in the City of Linden, and over 1/2 are currently without power. PSE&G is working as quickly as possible to restore power to outage areas, however, there may be customers without power until mid-Thursday morning. PSE&G’s Regional Public Affairs Manager is giving updates directly to the Mayor as they come in, and they will be posted to the City’s Latest News feed.

Financial Workshop – Save The Date

Please see the attachment to learn about free online webinar classes via Zoom.

  • Learn the key features of bonds, stocks and mutual funds on Wednesday, August 5th @ 7pm.
  • Find out what you should be doing now to prepare for retirement on Wednesday, August 12th @ 7pm.
  • Discover how to protect yourself against unexpected life events on Wednesday, August 19th @ 7pm.
  • Learn why everyone needs some type of estate plan on Wednesday, August 26th @ 7pm.

Please email or call Dawn at 732-540-8747 by July 31, 2020 to RSVP.

Social Security is here to help!

On behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA), I want to let you know that during the current coronavirus pandemic, SSA continues to provide help to you and others in your community.

While their offices are not providing service to walk-in visitors due to COVID-19, SSA remains committed to providing ongoing benefits and vital services.  SSA asked me to let you know that they remain ready and able to help you by phone with most Social Security matters. You can speak with a representative by calling your local Social Security office or their National 800 Number.  They provide local office phone numbers conveniently online with their Social Security Office Locator.

SSA also wants you to know they have many secure and convenient online services to:

  • Apply for Retirement, Disability, and Medicare benefits,
  • Check the status of an application or appeal,
  • Request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas),
  • Print a benefit verification letter, and
  • Much more.

Most business with SSA can be done online, but they know that many people still rely on phone or in-person help.  That’s why they want you to know you can still count on them by phone. And, if you have a critical situation they cannot help you with by phone or online, they may be able to schedule an appointment for you.

If you need help from SSA, please don’t wait until they can see you in person.  Reach out now and get the help you need.

Lastly, SSA also understands that getting medical and other documentation can be difficult due to the pandemic.  So, they are continuing to extend certain deadlines wherever possible.

Sincerely,

Mayor Derek Armstead

Food Distribution Event – July 23, 9am

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders & the Community FoodBank of New Jersey are providing this drive through only food distribution event to all Union County residents on July 23, 2020 at 9am.

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine

Click here to view and/or download the event flyer. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Marketing Strategy in Times of Economic Change

As a small business owner, it sometimes can be challenging to create a spending budget for marketing, given other business-related expenses, even in a healthy economy. Still, you will be challenged even more during tough economic times. The economy has a direct impact on the way a business promotes its products and services to customers. Understanding the link between the economy and marketing can help you to develop a cost-effective strategy for your business to respond to changes in the economic climate.

This free, live webinar / workshop, offered by the Union County Economic Development Corporation, will review the basic principles of marketing strategy and the application of the “4Ps of marketing”, SWOT analysis, target marketing, as well as assist in making effective local advertising choices, including social media, as part of a complete digital marketing plan to help a small business navigate in a changing economy.