Township of Verona Newsletter
December 2020
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The Township of Verona website remains the primary source for all information.
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We hope this email finds you and your family safe and healthy. This has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone but we are hopeful for some relief in the near future. We have endured some of the worst times this year has presented and we will continue to work together to get through this. We are all family here in Verona and please know that we are here for you. As we close out 2020 and move into a new year, we wish you and your loved ones health and good fortune. #VeronaStrong |
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Verona Holiday House Decorating Contest |
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Verona Chamber of Commerce Member Aloia Law Firm Presents:
Verona Holiday House Decorating Contest!
Winners choose which 3 Verona non-profits will receive the money.
Email submissions to veronanjchamber@gmail.com or tag the Chamber on Facebook or Instagram @veronanjchamber. Happy decorating!
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The Verona Public Library has plenty to offer for any age group! Visit each section below for upcoming program info. |
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Friends of the Verona Public Library
Be a Friend! The Library is grateful for the support of Friends of the Verona Public Library. With their help, we've brought you such great programs as the Italian Conversation Group, Songs with Miss Emily, and of course, the Summer Reading Club. We encourage you to become a member so we can continue bringing you the programs that you enjoy.
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COVID-19 Is Spreading Rapidly Nationwide
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are climbing rapidly across the United States, reaching never-before-seen levels. Take immediate steps to slow the spread. Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated places, and wash your hands often. The more steps you take, the more you are protected against COVID-19.
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Essex County COVID-19 Testing Sites |
Essex County has set a regular weekly testing schedule with expanded hours and sites ~ 500 Tests Available Each Day. All sites offer Nasal Swab Testing.
- Every Monday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon at Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Archery Field, Cherry Lane, West Orange
- Every Tuesday & Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue entrance, Newark
- Every Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Essex County Department of Public Works, 99 West Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove
- Every Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Essex County Public Works, 99 W. Bradford Avenue, Cedar Grove
To make an appointment,
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Essex County Emergency Food Distribution
Thursday, December 17, 2020
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Essex County Holiday Emergency Food Distribution
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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Senior Freeze Deadline Extended to December 31st |
This was a turbulent year. If you forgot to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax reimbursement, don’t worry. The deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2020. Take advantage of the extra time to get the relief you deserve:
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Electric, gas and water utilities have suspended shut-offs during the crisis. If you’re behind on payments, you'll still have to pay eventually so pay what you can now. The Department of Community Affairs offers assistance with utility bills.
To find out if you’re eligible, call 2-1-1 or visit for a full listing of assistance programs http://nj.gov/dca/dcaid.
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Sustainable Essex Alliance Energy Aggregation Program Update |
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Two years ago, five Essex County municipalities - Glen Ridge, Maplewood, Montclair, South Orange and Verona - formed the Sustainable Essex Alliance (SEA) to promote high quality green energy and reduce the cost of electricity for our residents. In March 2019, the SEA awarded a 17-month cooperative energy contract to Direct Energy Services to supply cheaper and greener electricity to thousands of residential customers in the five towns. Leveraging the purchasing power of these communities was a success. The SEA’s energy consultant, Gabel Associates, estimated that in the first 12 months of the program the aggregate savings for the participating residents in the five towns was nearly $1.9 million: Glen Ridge = $192,000; Maplewood = $380,000; Montclair = $684,000; South Orange = $348,000; and Verona = $253,000. In addition, Direct Energy supplied a power product with double the amount of renewable energy content required of PSE&G and it was composed of Class 1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
The current contract with Direct Energy ends in December 2020, so during Summer 2020 SEA began the process of soliciting new bids for Round 2 of the cooperative energy program. SEA also added Glen Rock and Livingston to its membership, bringing the total Round 2 towns to seven and increasing the number of households by about 10,000.
The SEA remains committed to advancing green energy and using its marketing strength to obtain cheaper rates of electricity for the residents in the seven participating municipalities. As such, although it rejected the initial bids received in September, the SEA committed at that time to solicit bids in the near future when and if the market became more favorable.
On November 4, 2020, after observing market improvements and changing the start date for the contract to improve the chances for favorable pricing, the SEA accepted new bids for Round 2 of the program. The new bid prices were indeed significantly improved as compared to the bids received in September. As a result, the SEA is pleased to announce that it awarded a contract for Round 2 of the program to Energy Harbor, the low bidder, for an 18-month contract which will begin in March 2021.
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Municipal Election Candidate Packets |
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Packets Available January 4th |
The next election is the Municipal Election on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.
Verona residents interested in running for Township Council in the May 11, 2020 Municipal Election must be a registered voter in the Township of Verona and have been a resident of the Township for at least 1 year. Three seats will be open for a four-year term.
Candidate packets will be available January 4, 2021. The deadline for submitting a complete candidate packet to be on the ballot is March 5, 2021. More information to follow.
Contact the Municipal Clerk for more information, 973-857-4770
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Don't Forget the #9PMRoutine |
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PLEASE NOTE: Overnight Parking has been extended through December 31st and will be reevaluated at that time.
We kindly ask that if you have the space in your driveway, please park your vehicles there, as overnight street parking is intended for special circumstances, i.e. driveway paving, visitors, etc.
Note: In the event of any snow fall later in the year, vehicles will still have to be removed from the roadway for storm clean up as required.
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Now, more than ever, we need to support our local businesses. Please consider supporting Verona businesses as much as possible this holiday season. |
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Visit Our Online Calendar For Meeting Dates, Events & More |
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