Fighting COVID-19 Resources for Plainfield Residents

Greetings!  Since our last update on Tuesday, May 11, there are nine (9) new COVID-19 cases to report. An additional seven (7) persons have been quarantined. Sadly, there is one (1) fatality to report today. As of today, six thousand, one hundred and seventy-seven (6,177) residents have recovered and twelve thousand, seven hundred and forty-two (12,742) residents are out of quarantine.

The vaccine offers a promise of returning to normalcy however, until we are all vaccinated, it is important that we get tested if we experience any COVID-19 symptoms. We should continue to wear face masks, limit indoor gatherings, and practice social distancing while in public. New cases have slowed, but we need to stay the course. Let us each do our part to protect our family, friends and community. At City Hall we’re open for business and maintaining essential services while taking steps to safeguard the health of our employees. We encourage you to try and complete your business online as much as possible. If you can’t find what you want online, please give us a call before coming to City Hall, chances are we can get the information to you and save you the trip. While this crisis lasts, we will be sharing this resource edition of our newsletter every Wednesday. Please stay tuned and share this information with your loved ones and friends.

Stay safe and may God continue to bless you. Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

Queridos amigos y vecinos, Desde nuestra última actualización el martes, 11 de mayo, hay nueve (9) nuevos casos de COVID-19 que informar. Otras siete (7) personas han sido puestas en cuarentena. Hoy hay uno (1) fallecimiento se reportar. A día de hoy, seis mil ciento sesenta y siete (6,177) residentes se han recuperado, y doce mil setecientos cuarenta y dos (12,742) residentes están fuera de cuarentena.

La vacuna ofrece la promesa de volver a la normalidad, sin embargo, hasta que todos estemos vacunados, es importante que nos hagamos la prueba si experimentamos algún síntoma de COVID-19. Debemos seguir usando máscaras faciales, limitar las reuniones en interiores y practicar el distanciamiento social en público. Los casos nuevos se han ralentizado, pero debemos mantener el rumbo. Hagamos cada uno su parte para proteger a nuestra familia, amigos y comunidad.   En el ayuntamiento estamos abiertos y mantenemos los servicios esenciales mientras tomamos medidas para salvaguardar la salud de nuestros empleados. Le recomendamos que intente completar su negocio en línea tanto como sea posible. Si no puede encontrar lo que busca en línea, por favor llámenos antes de venir al Ayuntamiento, lo más probable es que podamos entregarle la información y ahorrarle el viaje. Mientras dure esta crisis, compartiremos esta edición de recursos de nuestro boletín todos los miércoles. Estén atentos y compartan esta información con sus seres queridos y amigos.  Manténgase a salvo y que Dios continúe bendiciéndole. Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.

Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

City Council Adopts Zero Tax Increase Budget For 2nd Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   City Council Votes Yes to Zero Tax Increase Budget   For the second year in a row, the City of Plainfield has adopted a budget with a ZERO tax increase for city residents.   On Monday, May 10, the City Council voted almost unanimously to adopt the budget presented by the administration. The only NO vote against the reduction in property taxes for city residents was cast by Councilman for the Second Ward, Sean McKenna, who is also running for Mayor. The budget was adopted by a vote of six to one, making it the second consecutive year that municipal taxes have been reduced.   Throughout the budget hearings, each Director emphasized their directive to dig even deeper than they did last year and present a bare-bones, no-frills budget. Several City Council members commended the administration for their commitment to doing what’s best for Plainfield residents. For making the necessary cuts to deliver a budget with zero impact on taxpayers' wallets. This sentiment was echoed by the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC).   The adopted budget is $86,802,591.51. The municipal tax rate decreased from $4.916 to $4.909 per $100 of assessed value. $8.0 million was added to the fund balance, and the Tax Collection rate increased to a record 97.54%. There were zero audit findings, and the city invested approximately $4 million in infrastructure-based capital improvement initiatives. All this happened while Moody’s Rating Remained A1 for Bonds and MIG1for Bond Anticipation Notes, with a positive outlook.   Looking ahead, the administration will focus on Economic Development, funding programs to play a lead role in community health and wellness, reducing overtime costs, selling City-owned properties, property tax stabilization, as just a few of the initiatives to continue on the road to financial health.   “It is no small task to deliver a zero tax increase for two years in a row.” Said, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp. “We stretched our resources to their limits and found ways to deliver services at a minimal cost. My administration understood how important it was for our residents already greatly challenged by the economic effects of the pandemic. My commitment to the Plainfield community has never wavered, and it is reflected in this fiscally sound budget. As we recover from the effects of the coronavirus, we will continue to put the needs of our residents first. We are a resilient city used to weathering adversity, and working together, we will get back on track and be even stronger than we were before.”   ###

Special Town Hall Meeting for Marijuana Legislation & Survey

Last evening the City of Plainfield hosted a special town hall meeting that included updates in the areas of: Parks & Recreation Health & Social Services - COVID-19 Vaccine Update Public Safety The main topic of discussion centered around upcoming marijuana legislation and its potential impact on the city. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Business Administrator Abby Levenson, Economic Development Director Valerie Jackson and Corporation Counsel David Minchello provided updates, engaged with residents and answered questions. We welcome your input by completing a survey which ends on May 31, 2021 either by using the below link or QR code. MARIJUANA SURVEY

SAVE THE DATE - Virtual Job Fair for Plainfield Public Schools on May 19, 2021

The Plainfield Public Schools is hosting a Virtual Job Fair on Wednesday, May 19th for middle and high school positions. Th event will take place from 2:00pm - 6:00pm. CLICK HERE for a list of available positions.

FDA Authorizes Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Ages 12 - 15

New COVID-19 Restriction Updates Effective on May 19th

Get Tested and Vaccinated for COVID-19

Haz Clic Aqui Para Ver en Espanol

Eligibility is expanding to include all individuals age 12+ with parental consent. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently approved for this age group. To register for the vaccine through the state, please click here. All Union County residents can follow this link, https://ucnjvaccine.org/, to schedule a vaccination appointment. ID showing proof of age required. You can also pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine with the State of NJ at https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine. As additional information becomes available, we will keep you updated. Hackensack Meridian Health is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible New Jersey residents, students and workers. Anyone 16 & older who lives, works or studies in New Jersey is eligible. Appointments are available at 11 sites throughout New Jersey. Use the below link to register: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19 In addition, free COVID-19 testing at Kean University is operating on Mondays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Please visit UCNJ.org for more information. The test will also provide results for Influenza A and B (flu). Insurance is not required.

La elegibilidad se amplió para incluir a todas las personas mayores de 12 años con el consentimiento de los  padres. La vacuna Pfizer es la única actualmente aprobada para este grupo de edad. Para inscribirse en la vacuna a través del estado, haga clic aqui.También se pueden preinscribir para la vacuna COVID-19 con el Estado de NJ en https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.  Se requiere identificación que muestre prueba de edad.  También se pueden preinscribir para la vacuna COVID-19 con el Estado de NJ en https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine. A medida que haya información adicional disponible, lo mantendremos actualizado. Hackensack Meridian Health ofrece la vacuna COVID-19 a todos los residentes, estudiantes y trabajadores elegibles de Nueva Jersey. Cualquier persona mayor de 16 años que viva, trabaje o estudie en Nueva Jersey es elegible. Las citas están disponibles en 11 sitios en todo Nueva Jersey. Utilice el siguiente enlace para registrarse: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19 Las pruebas gratuitas de COVID-19 en la Universidad de Kean ahora están operando en un horario extendido para adaptarse a los residentes del condado de Union. Los exámenes son los lunes de 8:00AM a 12:00PM y jueves de 8:30AM a 12:00PM. Visite UCNJ.org para obtener más información. La prueba también proporcionará resultados para la influenza A y B (gripe). No se requiere seguro.

COVID-19 Resources for Plainfield's Seniors

What You Can Do Once You've Been Vaccinated

SOURCE

Union County COVID-19 Resources

Union County Call Center for Seniors

In order to better assist seniors 65 years of age and older, and those who may not have internet access, the Union County Board of County Commissioners announced the opening on Friday, January 29th of a COVID-19 Vaccination Call Center for residents to schedule an appointment. The Union County COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center will also work to answer questions from residents who need more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, and can also help arrange transportation if necessary for residents with a confirmed vaccination appointment. The phone number is 908-613-7VAX (7829), and the hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. -7:00 P.M. and Saturdays from 9:00 A.M.- 1:00 P.M. Within the hotline system, there will be tailored assistance for: Seniors over 65 years of age; Those in the 18-64 age range with qualifying medical conditions who may lack internet access; Residents who need assistance in Spanish; Residents who may need assistance with transportation to and from vaccination sites Those currently eligible to receive the vaccination are individuals ages 65 and older, persons 18-64 with high-risk medical conditions, uniformed police officers, firefighters, health care workers and others identified in Group 1A. Those wishing to make an appointment online for the Union County Vaccination center may also do so at www.ucnj.org SOURCE

Emergency Food Resources

FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program

The FEMA Funeral Reimbursement Program will launch in a week or two. FEMA is reimbursing up to $7,000.00 for COVID-19 funerals. Any family member who paid for a funeral. Please keep funeral documentation. Who is Eligible? To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions: The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance http://FEMA.gov https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance --- El Programa de Reembolso de Funerales de FEMA se lanzará en una semana o dos. FEMA está reembolsando hasta $ 7,000.00 por funerales COVID-19. Cualquier miembro de la familia que pagó por un funeral. Conserve la documentación del funeral. ¿Quien es elegible? Para ser elegible para asistencia funeraria, debe cumplir con estas condiciones: La muerte debe haber ocurrido en los Estados Unidos, incluidos los territorios de los EE. UU. Y el Distrito de Columbia. El certificado de defunción debe indicar que la muerte se atribuyó a COVID-19. El solicitante debe ser ciudadano estadounidense, ciudadano no ciudadano o extranjero calificado que haya incurrido en gastos funerarios después del 20 de enero de 2020. No existe ningún requisito para que la persona fallecida sea ciudadana estadounidense, nacional no ciudadana o extranjera calificada. Asistencia funeraria COVID-19:  http://FEMA.gov https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

Union County Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Outreach Plan to Boost Numbers - Transitions to New Online Registration System

County plans to go door-to-door to reach unvaccinated residents throughout County, will set up mobile popup clinics and partner with community groups

Union County, NJ – In an effort to ensure that as many county residents are vaccinated as possible, the Union County Board of Commissioners today announced a door to door campaign aimed at reaching the unvaccinated that will begin at the end of May throughout the County.  The announcement is part of a comprehensive outreach plan that involves a transition to a new pre-registration system that is now online at www.ucnj.org/vax, mobile vaccination clinics, partnerships with hospitals, churches and community-based organizations, and efforts to vaccinate both the young and elderly population segments and under vaccinated urban communities. Vaccination appointments are currently available to anyone wishing to get one. “We are targeting under-vaccinated communities in an effort to reach herd immunity,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “While many people who wanted a vaccine have already received one, there are still many in certain population segments and urban communities that we will reach out to vaccinate.” Commissioner Sergio Granados, who is Chair of the County’s Public Safety Committee that is overseeing the County’s COVID-19 response, added: “Our plan is to target residents in their own neighborhoods. We will eventually begin a door to door effort to ask, educate and register residents at home, with a ‘pop up’ or mobile clinic the following day or two in their neighborhood. We are taking a community-wide approach and building partnerships that will boost our vaccination numbers.” The outreach plan is as follows: The County is partnering with area hospitals, churches, schools, community organizations and youth groups to build lists and target anyone who doesn’t have a vaccination; The County’s Vaccination Call Center is calling Union County residents in under vaccinated areas to see if they’ve received a vaccination; A new registration system is now in place for the Dunn Center and Plainfield vaccination clinics, as well as mobile walk-up clinics, at www.ucnj.org/vax. Eventually all vaccinations will be transitioned online to the same system. The County also began its vaccination program for homebound residents several weeks ago and has been vaccinating the homeless for the past several months; The County is working with Union County College and Kean University to vaccinate staff and students at the County’s vaccination center at Downs Hall, Kean University in Union; At the end of May, the County is seeking to launch a door to door campaign and within a few days, launch a mobile vaccination clinic in the area to serve residents. Some of the areas that are being targeted include: Elizabeth, Plainfield, Roselle, Linden and Hillside. A little more than 45 percent of all Union County residents have received at least one vaccination, while about 34 percent have been fully vaccinated. Some suburban communities have vaccination rates nearing 80 percent, while a number of urban areas throughout are under 50 percent. SOURCE

Small Businesses in New Jersey Can Receive 65% Discount on PPE Products

Department of Children & Families | Children's System of Care Public Awareness

New Jersey's Children's System of Care (CSOC), through the Department of Children and Families, is the state agency serving children and youth with emotional or behavioral challenges, substance use issues, or living and thriving with developmental disabilities. We serve children, youth and their families through wraparound services, peer supports, mobile response and stabilization, and in-home, in-community and out-of-home programs. If your child is in need of assistance, don't wait. Call CSOC today -- (877) 652-7624. Click Here for more information.

Mayor's Wellness Campaign | Vaccination Program

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Governor Murphy Announces $275 Million in Relief for Small Businesses and Individuals Impacted by COVID-19 Public Health Crisis

TRENTON – Building on his commitment to create an economy that works for all New Jerseyans, Governor Phil Murphy announced an additional $235 million in funding for small business relief and $40 million in funding for an excluded residents fund to assist individuals negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The new small business funding, proposed by the Governor’s Office and agreed upon by legislative leadership, will fulfill existing Phase IV small business grant requests made to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), while the new direct cash assistance program will help New Jerseyans in need who have been excluded from previous rounds of COVID relief. Additionally, as part of the small business relief agreement between the Governor’s Office and Legislative leadership, EDA will extend Phase IV and begin accepting applications from businesses that missed the previous small business relief program deadlines. “COVID-19 has created unimaginable challenges for our economy over the past year,” said Governor Murphy. “As we emerge from this pandemic, we need to make targeted investments in both our small businesses and our workforce to lay the foundation for a stronger and fairer future that works for everyone.” Small Business Relief To assist small businesses, the Governor will work with the Legislature to enact an additional $235 million in State funds for various small business relief programs administered by the EDA. This funding will fulfill all eligible pending EDA Phase IV small business grant requests. EDA will begin accepting applications for the extended Phase IV in the near future. In April, Governor Murphy signed five bills allocating $100 million in federal COVID relief funds for small businesses, including microbusinesses, bars and restaurants, arts organizations, and child care facilities.  To date, the EDA has distributed more than $250 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state. The breakdown of the $235 million in proposed small business funding is as follows: Microbusinesses: $120 million Bars and Restaurants: $20 million Child Care Facilities: $10 million New Businesses and Start-Ups: $25 million Sustain and Serve: $10 million Other Small Businesses and non-profits: $50 million Excluded New Jerseyans Fund Governor Murphy will also allocate $40 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funds for New Jerseyans who have previously been ineligible for federal assistance, including ITIN holders and others previously excluded from COVID relief assistance such as federal stimulus checks or unemployment insurance. The Excluded New Jerseyans Fund will provide a one-time cash assistance benefit of up to $2,000 to households with incomes up to $55,000 that can demonstrate they have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19.  The program will begin accepting applications in the coming months. SOURCE

Last But Not Least

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in your city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool. Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode below or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate city department, and the city will work to resolve the issue or complaint. You have the power to be the eyes and ears of our city! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in Plainfield. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with Report It.  Click here to download the app.

As we navigate these uncertain times please know that everyone at City Hall is working to ensure that you are safe, secure and healthy. If you need anything addition please contact us at 908.753.3000.