"The Warmth of the Holiday Spirit in Plainfield"

Sincerely,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

""La Calidez del Espíritu Navideño en Plainfield""

Querido(a) Jazz,

A medida que el frío invernal se posa sobre la ciudad de Plainfield, pintando nuestras calles en tonos de azules y plateados gélidos, hay una calidez contrastante que llena el aire, una calidez no del clima, sino del corazón. Se acerca la temporada navideña, un momento de alegría, reflexión y, lo más importante, de comunidad. Es durante estos días más fríos cuando la calidez de nuestros corazones se vuelve más evidente, brillando a través de las acciones y la bondad que nos brindamos unos a otros.

En Plainfield, el espíritu navideño es más que un simple concepto abstracto; es una presencia tangible en la forma en que los vecinos se saludan, en las risas que resuenan en nuestros hogares y en los pequeños actos de bondad que a menudo pasan desapercibidos. Esta es una temporada que saca lo mejor de nosotros, un momento en el que el frío exterior se vuelve insignificante ante la calidez de nuestro espíritu colectivo. Como su alcalde, la resiliencia y la generosidad de nuestra comunidad me inspiran continuamente, especialmente durante estos meses festivos.

Sin embargo, las fiestas no son sólo un momento de celebración, sino también un momento de reflexión y compasión. Si bien muchos de nosotros esperamos pasar tiempo con nuestros seres queridos, no olvidemos a aquellos entre nosotros que podrían estar enfrentando desafíos. Las personas mayores que podrían necesitar ayuda en estas condiciones climáticas más duras, las familias que necesitan un poco de ayuda adicional y las personas que podrían pasar las vacaciones solas, todos merecen nuestra atención y cuidado. Animo a cada uno de ustedes a que extiendan una mano de amistad y apoyo, para asegurar que nadie en nuestra querida ciudad se sienta excluido durante estas fiestas.

Además, la fuerza de nuestra ciudad reside en su diversidad. La temporada navideña en Plainfield es un hermoso tapiz de diferentes culturas, tradiciones y creencias. Aprovechemos esta oportunidad para aprender unos de otros, celebrar nuestras diferencias y construir puentes de comprensión y respeto. Al hacerlo, no sólo enriquecemos nuestras propias vidas sino que también fortalecemos los vínculos que hacen que nuestra comunidad sea tan especial.

Imploro a todos los residentes de Plainfield que adopten el verdadero espíritu de las fiestas: un espíritu de dar, compartir y cuidar. Hagamos de esta temporada un reflejo de lo mejor de quiénes somos y de quiénes aspiramos a ser. Juntos podemos crear una experiencia navideña cálida, inclusiva y alegre para todos. Dejemos que el clima frío afuera contraste fuertemente con la calidez que cultivamos en nuestros corazones y en nuestra ciudad.

Que estas fiestas sean un recordatorio del poder de la comunidad y la fuerza duradera de nuestra humanidad compartida. Felices fiestas para usted y sus seres queridos, y que el nuevo año traiga paz, alegría y prosperidad a todos en Plainfield.



#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.

Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

Ciudad de Plainfield

This program provides property tax relief to New Jersey residents who own or rent property in New Jersey as their principal residence and meet certain income limits. The current filing season for the ANCHOR benefit is based on 2020 residency, income, and age.

Homeowners age 65 and older making up to $150,000 annually are now able to receive benefits totaling $1,750. For homeowners ages 65 and older making more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 annually, benefits now total $1,250. Renters age 65 and older making up to $150,000 are now eligible to receive $700.

For homeowners under 65, benefits remain $1,500 for those making up to $150,000 annually, and $1,000 for those making more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 annually. Renters under 65 making up to $150,000 annually remain eligible for a $450 benefit.

Filing Deadline

You have until Friday, December 29, 2023, to file an application.

Payments will continue to be issued on a rolling basis. Most applicants can expect to receive their payment approximately 90 days after filing the application unless we request additional information to process your claim.

Check the status of your benefit.

How to Apply

Taxpayers who received a green or purple filing packet  should follow the instructions in the packet to apply for their benefit. If you meet the qualifications for the benefit based on 2020 residency, income, and age eligibility - but you did not receive a packet from us - you may still apply for the program.

Homeowners. Most homeowners may file online or by phone with an identification number (ID) and PIN. However, if you bought your home in 2020, altered your deed, or had certain life changes such as a divorce or death of a spouse, you must file an application by mail.

Renters. Renters may file using the online option. They do not need an ID and PIN

Scam Alert

Scammers often send you texts or emails to steal your identity. We will never initiate a text exchange to request personally identifiable information regarding your ANCHOR benefit. Contact us directly before providing personal information in response to communications you receive claiming to be related to the ANCHOR program. Visit our Scams page for more information.

December 21, 2023

To view a video from Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados about this initiative, please click here.

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of County Commissioners proudly announces the launch of SkillUp Program, as part of Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados’ “Pathway to Opportunities” initiatives under his 2023 Chairman’s theme, “Building a Stronger Union County.”

“As we wrap up 2023 and step into the New Year, I am happy to announce this new initiative designed to empower residents with the tools to enhance their career skills and obtain nationally-recognized credentials and certifications,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Union County believes in being the most up-to-date and qualified, ensuring our community thrives in the ever-evolving job market and the SkillUp Program is not just about helping residents; it is about empowering employees and employers countywide.”

Developed by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the SkillUp Program is a catalyst for change, offering free, online, self-paced training portals. It offers an extensive curriculum, featuring over 6,000 courses across 10 career pathways and 200 occupations. For those who prefer a more interactive approach, a game-based learning app is also available.

The program provides opportunities for individuals to receive training in various certifications, learn new skill sets, or simply refine existing abilities. The comprehensive nature of SkillUp, caters to individuals seeking new career paths, those aiming to advance in their current roles, and business owners aspiring to build a more skilled workforce.

To enroll in the SkillUp Program, residents can visit www.ucnj.org/skillup/ or contact the American Job Center at 908-558-8000 for assistance.

December 21, 2023

TRENTON, NJ – To address New Jersey’s increasing flood risks under climate change, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, Department of Community Affairs Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, and Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Cari Fais today unveiled new and enhanced tools and technologies designed to provide prospective homebuyers and renters with critical information needed to make better informed decision on where they choose to live and how best to protect their property from flood damage.

The measures, which include the publication of new and enhanced property disclosure forms notifying prospective buyers and tenants of a property’s known flood history and potential flood risks, as well as the launch of a user-friendly internet look-up tool searchable by mailing address that identifies properties in flood hazard areas, implement provisions of flood risk disclosure legislation signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in June 2023. Pursuant to the law, sellers and landlords will be required to use the new forms, which are now available on the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Community Affairs websites, beginning on March 20, 2024.

This landmark law makes New Jersey one of seven states in the country to receive an “A” grade on the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Flood Risk Disclosure Law Scorecard and was passed in response to the growing flood risks New Jersey is seeing as a result of climate change. The need for flood risk disclosure in New Jersey was expressly stated in the 2020 Climate Change Resilience Strategy (Action 1.3.3).

“As we continue to live with the impacts of climate change in our communities, it’s essential that we inform prospective homebuyers and renters of the risks in areas where they are looking to settle down,” said Governor Murphy. “These new protections will enable prospective home buyers and renters to stay a step ahead when it comes to finding the safest residence possible for themselves and their families.”

“Today we’re moving forward with groundbreaking protections for New Jersey homebuyers and renters,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The flood disclosure requirements we’re implementing under the new law are some of the strongest in the nation and will help New Jerseyans protect themselves, their families, and their property from the consequences of hidden flood risks.”

“New Jersey is more vulnerable to storms, storm surge, and flooding by virtue of our geography and the changing climate. In the face of these challenges, it’s important for New Jerseyans to know and understand what the flood risk is where they live so they can make sound decisions about how to best protect their loved ones and possessions,” said Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “DCA is proud to partner with other state agencies on providing New Jersey residents with the information and tools they need in this changing reality.”

“The facts are clear – precipitation and flooding are getting worse as a result of climate change,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “Too often, buyers and renters are unaware of the risks they face and make important decisions on where to live without any knowledge of a property’s flooding history or potential. These new flood disclosure requirements and DEP’s Flood Risk Notification Tool will provide the information they need to protect their financial investments and the safety of their families, at the same time enhancing New Jersey’s climate resilience.”

Prior to the adoption of New Jersey’s flood risk disclosure law, sellers and landlords were under no obligation to disclose a property’s flood history to potential buyers and tenants or inform them if the property was located in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Hazard Zone Area. Now, they must make those disclosures prior to the signing of sales contracts, leases, and lease renewals.

“Consumers deserve to make informed decisions when renting or purchasing a home,” said Acting Director Fais. “The measures announced today provide consumers with the information they need to fully assess the potential risks and costs associated with a flood-prone property so they can prepare appropriately.”

In accordance with the requirements of the flood disclosure law, the Division of Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, today released an updated version of New Jersey’s Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure Statement, a required form in which sellers of residential properties report any defects or problems with the residence to potential buyers.

Under a new heading entitled “Flood Risk,” the updated disclosure form requires sellers to answer questions focusing on a property’s flood history and potential flood risk. Questions include whether a property is located within the FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area (“100-year floodplain”) or Moderate Risk Flood Hazard Area (“500-year floodplain”), whether the property has experienced flood damage or pooled water due to heavy rainfall or other natural flood event, and if the property is subject to any requirement under federal law to obtain and maintain flood insurance. The updated Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure Statement can be found on the Division of Consumer Affairs website at https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Documents/Sellers-Property-Condition-Disclosure-Statement.pdf .

Also in accordance with the flood disclosure law, the Department of Community Affairs today posted on its website a model notice to be used by landlords to inform their tenants of the flood risk of rental properties. The model notice, which will also be published in the New Jersey Register, contains questions about the flood risk of the property and space for landlords to answer yes, no, or unknown, based upon the landlord’s actual knowledge. The model notice also contains basic information about flood insurance available to renters through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and about the effects of climate change on flood risks in New Jersey.

Landlords must notify tenants in writing of the flood risk prior to lease signing or lease renewal effective 90 days after the Department of Community Affairs publishes the model notice. Exemptions from the notice requirements include dwelling units in premises containing not more than two such units; owner-occupied premises of not more than three dwelling units; and hotels, motels, or other guest houses serving transient or seasonal guests. The Rental Flood Risk Notice can be found on the Department of Community Affairs website at https://nj.gov/dca/codes/offices/landlord_tenant_information.shtml and https://nj.gov/dca/dhcr/index.shtml.

To assist individuals with meeting the FEMA Flood Hazard Area disclosure requirements, the Department of Environmental Protection developed the Flood Risk Notification Tool. This online tool enables users to search properties by mailing address to identify whether the property overlaps with the FEMA Special or Moderate Flood Hazard Areas.

Users can also view additional flood risk information that is not required for disclosure but that provides a fuller picture of a property’s flood risk, including information on sea-level rise projections of 3 feet (likely by 2070) and 5 feet (likely by 2100).

The tool offers users the ability to view a property’s flood risk using the map legend and sidebar or request a detailed flood report to be emailed to them. The report includes the property’s FEMA flood zone information to satisfy the new disclosure requirements as well as a description of what FEMA flood zones mean and how they are determined.

The Flood Risk Notification Tool, links to both disclosure forms, and information on how climate and flood risks are changing in New Jersey can be found at https://flooddisclosure.nj.gov/

DECEMBER 20, 2023

The Affordable Care Act is more popular than ever, and Affordable Care Act coverage is more affordable than ever. More Americans have signed up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces than ever before. With nearly a month left in open enrollment, more than 19 million people have signed up for coverage, breaking all previous records. Enrollment has grown by more than 7 million people since I took office. 

Thanks to policies I signed into law, millions of Americans are saving hundreds or thousands of dollars on health insurance premiums. Right now, four out five Americans who sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act can find health care coverage for $10 a month or less.

Extreme Republicans want to stop these efforts in their tracks. While I’ve called for making lower premiums permanent, they’ve repeatedly pushed to repeal my Affordable Care Act improvements. That would raise costs for millions of people, especially older Americans and small business owners who rely on the marketplace for their coverage. And that’s just a stepping stone toward Republicans’ larger plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, just as my predecessor repeatedly tried and failed to do. At every turn, extreme Republicans continue to side with special interests to keep prescription drug prices high and to deny millions of people health coverage.

I won’t let that happen on my watch. My Administration will continue fighting to expand health coverage and lower prescription drug costs for all – because every family deserves the dignity and peace of mind that comes with health insurance. And I’ll continue to encourage all Americans to visit HealthCare.gov before January 16th, 2024 to sign up for health coverage for this coming year.

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Questions or Concerns? Reach us at:

Call: 908.753.3015

Email: communications@plainfieldnj.gov 

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Volume 12 - Issue 3