Full Notification

**PREVIOUS MESSAGE CONTAINED INCORRECT START DATE**
**RESTRICTED ACCESS TO BEGIN MONDAY, MARCH 16TH**

As part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 outbreak it has become necessary for municipal governments to take extraordinary measures to ensure the continuous delivery of essential public services.  Therefore, government operations need flexibility to address staffing capabilities to ensure essential operational needs are met and that continuity is preserved for residents.  Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 103, N.J.S.A. App. A:9-45., and N.J.S.A. App. A:9-40.5., which authorize and empower local Offices of Emergency Management to promulgate rules and to waive, suspend, or modify any existing rule where its enforcement would be detrimental to the public welfare, and specifically authorizes the local OEM to take appropriate steps to address the public health hazard of COVID-19, the Borough of Washington Office of Emergency Management, has issued the following guidelines restricted access to Borough Hall while preserving access to day-to-day governmental operations for residents for the next THIRTY (30) DAYS starting next week, at which point the protocol will be reevaluated and extended if necessary. 

During this period there will be no access to Borough Hall, the Borough Department of Public Works Garage, the Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant or the Borough Library by the general public beginning MONDAY, MARCH 16TH.  Borough business may be conducted online, via telephone, by U.S. Mail, or by utilizing the drop box located in the vestibule of Borough Hall, which will be checked multiple times per day.  Forms, permits, licenses, etc…will be mailed to residents.  THERE WILL BE NO ADDED FEES FOR THIS SERVICE.  Please utilize our website at http://www.washingtonboro-nj.gov/ to find phone numbers and emails for Borough personnel as well as printable forms.  If you do not know who to contact in order to address a certain issue, please call (908) 689-3600 and listen to the prompts in order to select the correct department.  If you do not reach someone PLEASE LEAVE A DETAILED MESSAGE-WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU!  Finally, if you have a hard time getting through, please utilize our Social Media wall for service requests, but please remember that Social Media should NOT BE UTILIZED to report a police, fire or medical emergency!  Council Meetings (but not Land Use Board Meetings) will be held during this period but meetings will be made publicly accessible via Facebook Livestreaming in accordance with guidance issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.  The meetings will be viewable on our Facebook page and during public comment periods comments may be submitted which will be relayed to the Council.  Please keep comments or questions brief and to the point-450 words or less.  The Borough of Washington remains committed to serving the public during this Public Health Emergency by preserving continuity of government.