May 1: Weekly Message from Mayor John L. Madden

On April 28, 2020 Governor Murphy offered municipalities the option to suspend the collection of second quarter property tax payments until June 1, 2020. Unfortunately, the Governor did not simultaneously extend the Borough’s statutory county and school payment obligations. Because our statutory payment obligations to other jurisdictions is more than twice the amount of the Borough’s Cash on Hand, we are unable to offer our taxpayers this optional, later payment date. We urge residents to maintain their normal tax payment commitments or you will be subject to interest payments. Your cooperation is much appreciated.

Many constituents have been asking for the number of residents who have recovered from the Corona Virus. After inquiring about this to the Governor’s office, which is handling all CoVid data, I was told that the statistical derivation is very broad and that collecting this data is very difficult. People who tested positive and recovered while quarantining at home are not necessarily being reported and therefore the numbers of reported recoveries is not reliable.

The good news is that there are fewer hospitalizations, less ventilators needed and it appears that the “curve” is flattening.

Please be careful as the nice weather settles in. We must continue our vigilance and use caution. Thank you.