COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Public Service Announcements: INSPECTIONS ARE BEING CONDUCTED – SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS
UPDATE: 04/02/2020 – The Borough’s Construction Office is conducting Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Housing, Rental and Zoning Inspections if the premises are VACANT! Inspection days and times remain as usual.
THE REGULAR BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR 6:30 PM ON APRIL 20TH WILL BE CONDUCTED USING ZOOM MEETINGS SERVICE. THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO “ATTEND” VIA PHIONE OR COMPUTER.
THE MUNICIPAL AND SEWER BUDGETS WILL BE INTRODUCED AND OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS WILL BE CONDUCTED AS NECESSARY. CHECK BACK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION PRIOR TO THE MEETING DATE.
BOROUGH HALL, ALL BOROUGH FACILITIES, ATHLETIC FIELDS, PARKS AND SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL AT LEAST APRIL 20TH . ALL PUBLIC EVENTS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
BULK TRASH COLLECTION FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL IS CANCELLED.
UPDATE: 03/19/2020 – Effective immediately, all athletic fields and parks are closed to the public, even for personal or casual use! Federal and state governmental agencies have announced limits on the number of people who may congregate from 10 up to 50 maximum, therefore all fields and parks are closed to everyone.
In order to limit potential exposures to the virus, the Borough has reduced the number of employees working in Borough offices by 50%. While we’re still operating, answering phones and emails, processing tax and sewer payments (and issuing marriage licenses!) and remain available to assist our residents, it may take us longer to respond. Please be patient! Each of you are important to us and we will answer your questions and address your concerns. If necessary please leave a message and we will get back to you.
Call us at (856) 829-6100.
All essential personnel like Police, Fire, Public Works and Sewer employees remain working however, and these departments are fully staffed.
The Budget Workshop Meeting scheduled for Saturday morning, March 28th at 8:00 has now been cancelled. The state will be announcing new Budget introduction deadlines.
Thank you for your cooperation and please check back here for updates.
UPDATE: 03/16/2020 – Effective immediately, Borough Hall, all Borough facilities and schools are closed through Sunday, April 19, 2020. Council Meetings are cancelled until Monday night, April 20th at 6:30 PM with possible exception of Council Budget Workshop Meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 28th.
- Municipal Court is cancelled until further notice.
- Construction and Housing inspections are suspended until further notice.
- Borough-sponsored public events are cancelled until further notice.
- Superintendent of Schools, Brian J. McBride; letter to Palmyra School District Community dated March 13, 2020
THESE CLOSINGS, CANCELLATIONS AND SUSPENSIONS OF SERVICE ARE ONLY A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE TO HELP PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR RESIDENTS, STUDENTS, CHILDREN, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND STAFF.
All facilities including Borough Hall remain fully staffed however, as all employees are still required to report to work, so all other services will still be provided. Please call us with any concerns or questions at (856) 829-6100.
Trash, recycling and bulk trash collection remain unchanged and will continue as normal.
Thank you for your cooperation and please check back here for updates.
For the latest state-wide updates visit: https://nj.gov/ or https://www.nj.com/
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION RESOURCES:
NJDOH Coronavirus Call Center phone number: 1-800-222-1222. Available 24/7 in multiple languages.
New Jersey Department of Health website; https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Basic Preparedness website; https://www.nj.gov/njoem/plan-prepare/pandemic-influenza.shtml
For the latest state-wide updates visit: https://nj.gov/ or https://www.nj.com/
PLEASE NOTE; THE FOLLOWING CLOSINGS, CANCELLATIONS AND SUSPENSION OF SERVICES ARE ONLY A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE TO HELP PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF OUR RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND STAFF. THE BOROUGH HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED OF ANY POTENTIAL DANGERS TO OUR COMMUNITY OR OTHER CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS THAT HAVE NOT ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN THE NEWS. FOR MAYOR GINA RAGOMO TAIT AND BOROUGH COUNCIL, YOUR SAFETY IS THEIR TOP PRIORITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION.
UPDATE: 03/13/2020 – Unfortunately, effective today all in-home or in-business property inspections including, but not limited to; Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Housing, Rental, Zoning, etc., are suspended until further notice. We have senior citizen inspectors on staff and we simply cannot risk their health or yours by having them enter residents’ homes or businesses.
We apologize for the inconvenience but this is a very difficult time for everyone and conditions are rapidly and continually changing. Please contact Construction Official Tracy Kilmer with questions by calling (856) 829-1096 or via email at tkilmer@boroughofpalmyra.com.
Please note: for properties nearing a scheduled closing date, Ms. Kilmer will make every reasonable effort to accommodate you. Permit applications can also be submitted via email and inspection dates will still be accepted albeit scheduled for several weeks out, but conditions may change in the interim of course and we may not be able to perform them as scheduled.
Please check back here for updates.
UPDATE: 03/12/2020 – The Borough closed Legion Field today to all organized groups and events to help minimize any potential exposures to our students and young athletes, and to protect others that use the fields on a casual basis. Only organized groups are prevented from using the facilities – families and children are free to play and use the fields as they desire.
UPDATE: 03/11/2020 – The Borough today closed the public restrooms at Legion Field, which were scheduled to be opened on weekends only until April 1st, at which time they were due to be opened every day until the fall. They are now closed indefinitely. The facilities will be sanitized while we await further information from appropriate health agencies.
UPDATE: 03/10/2020 – The Courier Post and Burlington County Times reported this afternoon that a husband and wife from Riverton had tested presumptive positive for the virus. The couple have a history of traveling to Italy.
In an abundance of caution the Community Center will be closed, effective immediately, until further notice and while we sanitize the facility.
Please check back here for updates.
NJ Department of Health Update: 03/04/2020
The following information about Coronavirus is provided by Holly Funkhouser, Health Officer, Burlington County Health Department.
While New Jersey does not have a case of COVID-19 as of this time, it’s a good time for residents to start thinking about how a disruption in services could affect their daily lives. I am sure many of you are following the latest developments in the news but would like to focus on Burlington County specific activities and things you should be doing to be prepared when, not if, it makes its way to Burlington County. It should be noted that at this time there are no cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey.
One of the most important things is to keep up to date on information. The two best places for information are the New Jersey Department of Health website, https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. There is also a statewide hotline that is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have; 1-800-222-1222. Burlington County Health Department maintains communication with the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and area hospitals as well as social service agencies to ensure preparedness.
Discuss your emergency preparedness plans:
Some things to consider are your emergency preparedness plans, for example; what if your child goes to a before-school or after-school program, and the school closes down? In the event the virus becomes widespread in the US, you may also want to start thinking about what essential items you will need to plan for such as medications, diapers, wipes, formula, feminine products, toilet paper and tissues, and fever reducing medications just to name a few items. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has a tool kit on basic preparedness, which can be found at: https://www.nj.gov/njoem/plan-prepare/pandemic-influenza.shtml
Masks:
Many people ask about masks and stockpiling masks. The CDC does not recommend masks for the general public; instead supplies should be preserved for healthcare workers and first responders who are caring for sick individuals. Surgical masks are recommended if you are sick or caring for someone that is sick.
Practice good habits:
As with any flu-like illness, one of the best things you can do is to practice good respiratory etiquette. This includes coughing and sneezing into your sleeve, washing your hands after you cough or sneeze, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and critically, staying home when sick.
The NJDOH Novel Coronavirus Call Center is open and is taking calls from the general public only. It is open 24/7 and can accommodate callers in multiple languages. They can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.
Holly Funkhouser
Health Officer
Burlington County Health Department
