From Plainfield City Hall
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
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June 1, 2020
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As of Monday, June 1, 2020, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Plainfield now stands at
Two Thousand, One Hundred and Forty-Five (2145)
within the ages of twenty-four (24) days old to ninety-six (96) years old. There are an additional
Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Two (2962)
individuals quarantined as a result of exposure to the virus. There are two new deaths to report today, two Hispanic males of ages fifty (50) and fifty-six (56). This brings the total amount of fatalities to one hundred and two (102).
The racial distribution of positive COVID-19 deaths is as follows:
Black or African American 38
Hispanic or Latino 35
White 20
Unknown 9
Total 101 residents, including 56 males and 46 females
The graphs below detail the racial and gender distribution of COVID-19 deaths, as well as the number of positive cases and deaths:
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As the state begins to move through the phases of reopening, and as the numbers of infected individuals and deaths get lower each day, I want all Plainfield residents to remember that this crisis is not over. Almost three months ago on March 16, the first Plainfield resident was infected with the virus. Less than two weeks after, we lost our first neighbor to the virus. We’ve sheltered in place, watching as the numbers grew each day, mourning when we lost loved ones, and impatiently waiting for the numbers to drop.
The numbers are finally decreasing; Fewer of our community members are getting infected, and less are passing away. While this is certainly a time to be hopeful that we’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, it is not a time to regress. We must still adhere to the safety protocols as advised by our health officials, and we must remember that it is because of these protocols that we’ve seen a decline in the numbers. We have done our part to keep our Plainfield family safe, but our numbers are still comparatively high so we must remain vigilant even as the state cautiously moves to reopen.
My Administration and the City Council have announced a NO tax increase for residents in 2020. The City made reductions in over one hundred (100) budget lines that impact each division. This has resulted in a reduction of $2,262,000, representing 2.6% of the total budget. The purpose of these major budget cuts is to provide relief to Plainfield residents during these very difficult times.
This newsletter shares many upcoming, virtual events for Plainfield residents including live broadcasts, events for your children, and online workshops. We will continue to apprise you of events taking place locally and elsewhere. We may not be able to attend meetings and events in person, but thanks to technology – we can participate virtually.
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Creating One Plainfield, One Future
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Querido Plainfield,
1 de junio, 2020
A partir del lunes 1 de junio de 2020, el número de casos positivos de COVID-19 en Plainfield ahora es de
dos mil ciento cuarenta y cinco (2145)
en las edades de veinticuatro (24) días a noventa y seis (96) años de edad. Hay otros
dos mil novecientos sesenta y dos (2962)
individuos en cuarentena como resultado de la exposición al virus. Hay dos nuevas muertes que reportar hoy, dos hombres hispanos de cincuenta (50) y cincuenta y seis (56). Esto lleva la cantidad total de muertes a ciento dos (102).
La distribución racial de las muertes positivas por COVID-19 es la siguiente:
Negro o afroamericano 38
Hispano o Latino 34
Blanco 20
9 desconocido
Total 101 residentes, incluidas 55 hombres y 46 mujeres.
A medida que el estado comienza a moverse a través de las fases de reapertura, y a medida que el número de personas infectadas y muertes disminuye cada día, quiero que todos los residentes de Plainfield recuerden que esta crisis no ha terminado. Hace casi tres meses, el 16 de marzo, el primer residente de Plainfield se infectó con el virus. Menos de dos semanas después, perdimos a nuestro primer vecino del virus. Nos hemos refugiado en el lugar, observando cómo crecen los números cada día, llorando cuando perdimos seres queridos y esperando con impaciencia que bajen los números.
Los números finalmente están disminuyendo; Menos miembros de nuestra comunidad se están infectando, y menos están muriendo. Si bien este es ciertamente un momento para tener la esperanza de que veamos una luz al final del túnel, no es un momento para retroceder. Aún debemos cumplir con los protocolos de seguridad según lo aconsejado por nuestros funcionarios de salud, y debemos recordar que es debido a estos protocolos que hemos visto una disminución en los números. Hemos hecho nuestra parte para mantener segura a nuestra familia Plainfield, pero nuestros números siguen siendo relativamente altos, por lo que debemos permanecer atentos incluso cuando el estado se mueve con cautela para reabrir.
Mi Administración y el Concejo de la Ciudad han anunciado un aumento de impuestos NO para los residentes en 2020. La Ciudad hizo reducciones en más de cien (100) líneas presupuestarias que afectan cada división. Esto ha resultado en una reducción de $ 2,262,000, que representa el 2.6% del presupuesto total. El propósito de estos importantes recortes presupuestarios es proporcionar alivio a los residentes de Plainfield durante estos tiempos muy difíciles.
Este boletín comparte muchos eventos virtuales futuros para residentes de Plainfield, incluyendo transmisiones en vivo, eventos para sus hijos y talleres en línea. Continuaremos informando sobre los eventos que tienen lugar localmente y en otros lugares. Es posible que no podamos asistir a reuniones y eventos en persona, pero gracias a la tecnología, podemos participar virtualmente.
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Creando Un Plainfield y Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp Live Chat and Q&A
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Join us
next week
for a virtual council meeting through the Zoom platform. Click here to enter:
https://zoom.us/j/99101955881.
Únase a nosotros
la semana que viene
para una reunion virtual del Concejo Municipal. Para entrar a la reunion, haga clic aqui:
https://zoom.us/j/99101955881.
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For more information on the Coronavirus and resources available to you as a Plainfield resident,
click here
to view our COVID-19 resource newsletter which goes out every Wednesday.
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For one establishment in Plainfield, business as usual has an added component. Providing a meal to those in need. Anil Kumar is the owner of Park Ave Wine and Spirits located on Park Avenue opposite the Gerald B. Green Plaza.
Every Saturday along with his wife Harleen Manko-Kumar, his parents-in-law Devendra and Amarjit Manko, and his brother in law Gulshan Manko, they give hot meals to needy Plainfield residents.
“I’ve made money and I’ve lost money” says Anil “money is not everything, it’s important to help others when you can do so. We’ve been in Plainfield for over 20 years and we care about this community. This COVID-19 pandemic has created a need in many families and we’re happy to do a small part to help.”
With smiles, and familiar welcoming waves people stop by to pick up a box filled with steaming hot rice, delicious stew, a salad and some water.
#weareplainfield
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Plainfield COVID-19 Testing
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City Hall COVID-19 Modified Hours Schedule
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Skip the Trip to City Hall
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Attend These Events as You Practice Social Distancing
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Attend a Virtual Church Service
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During these difficult times, it is very important for us to remain spiritually connected and guided in order to keep a positive outlook. Here are some churches and Plainfield offering live services during the quarantine.
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Join us online for our weekly Prayer Night every Wednesday. If you have a prayer request or praise report, text us at 908-325-5163. We're committed to praying with
you for 30 days.
Watch on PCTV at 6:00AM and 4:00PM!
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New Covenant Church
Watch on PCTV at 8:00AM and 10:00PM!
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Worship Service is streamed live on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. Bible Study continues each week with access to the website’s live stream on Tuesday and Wednesday, and one can engage in the studies on the Book of Psalms and Acts.
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Cathedral International is offering live-stream church services twice a day on Sundays for Plainfield residents.
Click here
to reach their website!
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Visit the Mount Olive Baptist Church
website here
for live streaming services.
The church will stream communion for Holy Thursday on Facebook and YouTube at 6 p.m. Service will be held via Facebook and YouTube on Easter Sunday at 10 a.m.
Watch on PCTV at 6:30AM and 5:30PM!
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Click here
for the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church online sermons.
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Join Father Wildgoose who offers Sunday Morning Devotion at 9:30 a.m. on Facebook.
Click here
to visit the Facebook page.
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Many online resources are offered throughout the week, including prayer and bible studies via conference call.
Click here
for Facebook updates and
click here
for online streaming services.
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The celebration of Mass at home will be live streamed at 9:15 a.m. in English, and at 6 p.m. in Polish on weekdays, and on Saturday evening and Sunday at the regular times: Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in English, and at 11 a.m. in Polish. Access the live stream on the church's website at
www.bestchurch.net
; on the left side, click on “Live Mass”.
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for the attendee information.
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Plainfield Board of Education
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Listen to a Live Show from Plainfield's Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center
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All of the Dragonfly's past live shows are on their Facebook page for you to enjoy at your leisure! Click here to watch your favorite shows:
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Understanding Programs & Eligibility for NJEDA's $50M in New Funding | Free Live Webinar
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Join us for a FREE LIVE WEBINAR to learn about available funding through New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), which recently received $50 Million in new funding for small businesses in the Garden State.
Invited Community Leaders Include:
- Anthony Carabelli,Jr., Director, Mercer County Office of Economic Development
- Lilian Mauro, Regional Director, NJ Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC)
- Christina Fuentes, NJEDA Director of Small Business Services
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Virtual Jersey City Job Fair
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About this Event
Are you looking for a new job or the chance to explore career options for yourself? Then don’t miss this opportunity to meet Virtually with companies hiring in the Jersey City area.
JERSEY CITY AREA VIRTUAL JOB FAIR
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
10:00am 1:00pm
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Virtual Screenplay Writing Workshop
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Leland Gill is a New Jersey-born and California-based screenplay/short story writer with a knack for general science fiction and the surreal. He believes that storytelling is the magic that stitches our reality together and does his best to create works that invoke both wonder and deep introspective in his audience.
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Rutgers University Virtual Beekeeping Courses
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Whether you are just bee-ginning or already have some apiary experience, here are two beekeeping courses to sweeten your days.
Rutgers Home Gardeners School @Home Edition
is offering two one-hour online workshops on beekeeping so you can learn what the buzz is all from the comfort and safety of your own home. You will have the opportunity to ask our expert instructor questions using the course chat feature. Plus, you will leave each workshop with a digital resource packet that will include course notes, fact sheets, and/or helpful checklists that you will be able to refer to throughout your beekeeping future.
Check out our upcoming programs. More great home gardening options are coming soon! Click below to learn more about each course!
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Taking Online Courses (It's Easier Than You Think)
After you've registered and before the start of the course, you will receive an email with a link to a Webex meeting. Simply click that URL and follow the prompts to allow Webex on your computer, tablet, or iPhone. No microphones or webcams are necessary.
New to online learning? No problem! A few days before the course, we will send you a document with helpful how-to tips for using Webex. Day of, you will have the opportunity to join the class fifteen minutes early to get comfortable with the platform and practice using the chat feature. Plus, I will be available the entire time, as the course moderator, to troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I'm happy to help.
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We might be social distancing, but don't forget to stay active at home! This 35 minute Zumba workout is sure to get your blood pumping and brush off those dancing skills!
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It's so important for us ALL to stay moving while we're indoors practicing social distancing! These videos were made for senior citizens by the Division of Parks and Recreation, but all can follow along!
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Hora de Leer! Time to Read!
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Tania from the Division of Parks and Recreation is reading the classic "Are You My Mother" story in Spanish! Eres Mi Mama?
¡Tania de la División de Parques y Recreación está leyendo la clásica historia "Are You My Mother" en español! Eres Mi Mama?
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About this Event
The Kids are home and School is cancelled. Our kids must remain active throughout this crisis. Lets keep the kids busy and entertained. Lets not have them miss a beat.
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Partnership for a Drug Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) Virtual Programs
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PDFNJ has adapted all of its programs to make them virtual. Now more than ever it is critical not to lose focus and continue the work toward prevention of substance use and abuse. All of PDFNJ's school initiatives - from the 3rd Grade Activity Book to the 15 Minute Child Break and Drugs Don't Work in NJ workplace assistance - have been adapted for you to participate in or implement for your home, school, business, or community.
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Garden for Wildlife: Native Plant Selection
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Native plant selection is one of the keys to building a robust backyard habitat, but deciding what to plant can be overwhelming. In this webinar, we will discuss native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that are easy to care for and support a wide variety of wildlife species. This presentation will be given by Lindsay Gafford (Stewardship Department Specialist) and we welcome John Parke (Stewardship Project Director, North), who has used native plants in gardening projects in his own backyard, as well as in habitat restoration projects on public and private lands.
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Take Online Classes for Any Major for FREE!
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Academia Earth
offers free online courses from top universities around the country. Whether you want to freshen your current skills or learn something new completely, there's something in store for everyone!
Click here
to find classes from biology, marketing, engineering, and many more!
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Visit a Virtual Zoo or Aquarium
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A trip to the zoo or aquarium is only one click away. The free live-stream shows offered by various organizations are a great opportunity to take your mind away from stressful thoughts and a teachable moment for children to learn about animals and various ecosystems.
Click below to visit the....
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Watch the Metropolitan Opera from the Comfort of Your Living Room
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During this extraordinary and difficult time, the Met hopes to brighten the lives of our audience members even while our stage is dark. Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming on the Met website, with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.
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Updates from the Governor's Office
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Governor Murphy announced a website aimed to answer all of your COVID-19 related questions. The site will inform you on all orders directed by the governor, information for small businesses, healthcare organizations, testing information and more.
Click here to visit the website now.
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NJ DCF Announces Safety Guidelines to Reopen Childcare Centers
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Order Also Allows Public and Private Recreational Campgrounds to Reopen
TRENTON – Following Governor Murphy’s signing today of Executive Order No. 149, which will reopen childcare centers in the State of New Jersey beginning June 15, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families today released specific operating guidance for centers in order to preserve the health and safety of children, staff and the families being served.
“This is an important step forward in New Jersey’s reopening strategy, ensuring a safe, stable and seamless childcare infrastructure for New Jersey’s returning workforce, not just those designated as essential,” said NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer, MSW. “And it probably comes as welcome relief for parents who did not know how they were going to juggle summer care or childcare needs with their job responsibilities. But in order to be able to take this step safely, we have to move forward in a planful and methodical way to support centers and camps in reducing the likelihood of spreading the virus.”
The childcare safety guidelines, which were posted on the
NJ DCF website
and will be communicated to all licensed childcare centers in the State of New Jersey, would require centers to abide by certain safety guidelines as a condition of reopening. Among the safe guidelines for childcare centers:
- Centers will be required to screen children and staff each day, prior to entry into the center. Anyone exhibiting symptoms or with a fever over 100.4 will be prohibited from entering the center.
- Class and group sizes will be limited, and groups must be spaced out throughout the center. Staff members will not be able to move between groups.
- Staff will be required to wear cloth masks, and children over the age of 2 will be encouraged, whenever feasible, to wear masks. Masks will not be required when they would inhibit an individual's health. Masks for children under the age of 2 or during nap-time will be prohibited as they may pose a suffocation hazard for young children.
- Childcare centers will be required to engage in enhanced cleaning and sanitation practices.
Licensed childcare centers will be required to file an attestation form with the Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, indicating that they plan to reopen and will follow the prescribed safety guidelines, modeled after best practices and standards released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations. Office of Licensing inspectors will begin to visit licensed childcare centers beginning June 15 in order to support centers in implementing safety guidance.
“New Jersey’s childcare centers are among the best in the nation, held to some of the most stringent standards of care,” said Commissioner Beyer. “We know that this has been a hardship on many of them, as they have had to curtail business operations unless certified as an emergency childcare center. We also recognize that these necessary closures were hard on our working families and their children. Childcare centers aren't just a critical part of our state's economy, but they also provide critical social and emotional supports to so many young families.
“A lot is being asked of them now, but we really couldn't ask for a community of providers better suited to rise up and meet these challenges head on,” added Commissioner Beyer.
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Census 2020 is Coming - You Need to be Counted!
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Ahora más que nunca, todos debemos responder al Censo por Internet, por teléfono, o por correo. ¡Las respuestas se mantienen confidencial, es fácil responder en español, y dirige fondos federales para los próximos diez años!
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Plainfield Action Services
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Community Development/Economic Development
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The Small Business Lease Assistance Program
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The New Jersey Economic Development Authority recently approved the creation of an exciting new program designed to support the growth of retail and services including
Plainfield
.
It is called:
The Small Business Lease Assistance Program
.
This Business Lease Incentive provides:
•Reimbursement of 15% of an annual lease payment, for
two consecutive years
. (Lease agreement must be of at least 5 years)
•Must lease at least 500 sq. ft. of new or additional market-rate, first floor site.
•Property must be within the Urban Enterprise Zone, (UEZ) area and be registered to the UEZ program.
•Must be in Tax Compliance.
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PSE&G Response to COVID-19
Information for New Jersey Residents
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The following are ways in which we are adjusting our operations in response to the COVID-19 situation:
- Gas System Upgrades Continue: In an effort to ensure the continued safety and reliability of gas service for our customers, PSE&G is continuing to replace old gas pipes with new piping on many streets – work that is deemed essential by the state of New Jersey. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PSE&G workers and PSE&G contractors follow safety protocols guided by the CDC and NJ State Department of Health, as well as all directives from the Governor’s Office and county/municipal governments. This includes that our workers practice social distancing, wear personal protective equipment where appropriate and wear masks when they are working within six feet of each other. For their safety and ours, we also ask that our customers maintain a safe distance – six feet or the width of a car – from our crews. PSE&G will not need to enter homes or businesses as a result of this work.
- We are continuing to accept and respond to requests for new or upgraded utility service. However, in the interest of safety for our associates, customers, and society as a whole, we will need additional information to determine our ability – or lack thereof – to serve customers:
Is anyone in the residence, location, or establishment self-quarantined or
self-monitoring for Coronavirus within the past 14 days?
Has anyone in the residence, location, or establishment had a possible
exposure to Coronavirus within the past 14 days?
Is anyone in the residence, location, or establishment sick with a
respiratory illness, cough, fever, congestion, or experiencing shortness of
breath?
Responses to these questions will be shared with our Construction
Department, as this may impact our ability to respond to the service
request for the foreseeable future.
- Work on Customer Property: Per a recent BPU mandate, all public utilities – PSE&G included –have been ordered to immediately cease any in-home or business visits unless there is an immediate risk to health and safety. This edict may impact our ability to complete service installations, meter installs and replacements.
- Inspections: Notwithstanding the restrictions above regarding working on customer property, PSE&G may perform some inspections. However, customers should contact their local municipal officials for guidance on permits, inspections, and the ability to receive Cut-In Cards, and Certificates of Occupancy, as this will ultimately determine PSE&G's ability to activate and complete new service requests.
- Questions about new service requests can be addressed by contacting our Construction Inquiry Department.
For requests in the following Counties:
Bergen, Essex, Hudson,
Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, or Union, please
For requests in the following Counties:
Burlington, Camden, Gloucester,
Questions about an existing service request should be directed to the
previously assigned project manager, for whom you should already have
contact information. Please have your Notification (Job) Number available
when contacting.
- PSE&G is temporarily closing its customer service centers. The centers will be closed as of end of business on Tuesday, March 17. Our employees are available to provide the same excellent level of customer service through alternate means. Customers can engage with us via phone, text, chat, web, our mobile app and Amazon Alexa. The customer service phone line is 800-436-7734.
- PSE&G has temporarily suspended various types of non-critical repair work on metering equipment to limit the number of service visits to customers’ homes. PSE&G will continue to respond to all emergency and essential work, such as gas leak calls, medical emergencies, no-heat and no-hot-water calls. All customer service work to be completed will be done according to safety protocols, including social distancing and proper use of personal protective equipment.
- PSE&G has suspended shut-offs of electric and/or gas service to residential customers for non-payment. This will give customers experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the outbreak additional time to pay their bills. For more information, visit pseg.com/help.
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Attention
If you or anyone you know is interested in construction jobs at the Muhlenberg Hospital site, please contact
Plainfieldjobs@cha.partners
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The Census Bureau is Hiring
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The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring field representatives in your area and we’re asking you to help us.
The Census Bureau conducts more than 130 surveys every year. Our ability to conduct continuous surveys — other than the once-a-decade population count — depends on survey takers in the field and our Regional Offices are hiring these workers.
Even though we are gearing up to hire workers for the 2020 Census, we still need field representatives for our other ongoing surveys. This is where you can help!
Encourage members of your community to be a part of our team — benefits include flexible hours, meeting people and working outside of the office environment.
Field Representatives perform a variety of vital functions, such as updating address lists and maps; conducting interviews with residents in assigned areas; explaining the purpose of the census interview; and answering residents' questions. Hours of work for field positions will vary - some require employees to work during the day to see addresses on buildings, while others require interviewing the public usually in the evening and on weekends.
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Community Events and Programs
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LIKE AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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If you haven't already done so please remember to LIKE our official Facebook page so you don't miss out on this great interactive time with Mayor Mapp as well as on daily updates from City Hall.
CLICK THE FOLLOWING ICONS TO CONNECT TO OUR SOCIAL MEDIA
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Or email us at communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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ONE PLAINFIELD. ONE FUTURE.
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