How Basking Ridge Is Addressing Coronavirus Concerns

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township Mayor Jim Baldassare released a video on Tuesday explaining how the township is addressing the new coronavirus.

In response to the threat of the virus spreading and to reduce the risk and promote social distancing, Baldassare shared the following actions the township is taking:

• We have revised the website to include a new landing page for Covid-19 updates from all departments. On it we communicate to residents that you do not have to come into our Municipal offices to conduct business. We list by Department and ways to email or call or use portals. We strongly recommend that residents refrain from coming to Municipal Buildings and utilize contactless ways of communication provided on the Webpage.
• We have put signage on our buildings outlining the same.
• We identified critical personnel and they have the ability to access computers and town landlines from home. This will allow the continuous access to our staff regardless of where they are.
• We will be installing drop boxes for dropping off payments. One will be for tax payments and one for the Municipal court.
• We will be reaching out this week to modify non urgent inspections to reschedule or to do only exterior inspections thereby eliminating the need for us to come into your home.
• Our buildings are currently open. But given the fluidity of the situation we may close the buildings to the public this week. We have noted that very few people are walk ins and thank residents for their cooperation in utilizing alternate methods of communication. We intend to continue to staff our buildings and provide essential functions while encouraging social distancing.
• In the upcoming days /weeks we may split workers shifts, departments, and crews to try to ensure if exposed or quarantined we still have the ability to perform critical functions. This may include working from home.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

"We are in this together for the long haul and will need to utilize staff with the probability of exposure well beyond the next couple of weeks. So continuity of operations is critical and these needs have been identified in order to ensure we can continue to provide service to our residents," Baldassare said.

Watch Balassare's entire video update here.

Bernards Township has closed for the next two weeks and implemented a distance learning plan. (See Related: Bernards Twp. Schools To Close For 2 Weeks, Start Alternate Plan)

"These are clearly challenging times. Our ability to weather any storm is dependent upon our
ability to remain calm, informed and to continue actively practicing the steps that have been laid out for us to minimize the spread of this new virus," Baldassare said. "If we stay vigilant, practice the necessary safeguards and remain calm, we will all see this through to it’s completion. This too shall pass. Everyone stay safe and God bless you all. Thank you."

Murphy announced that the state had 162 new positive tests on Wednesday afternoon, raising the total number of cases to 427. There are also five deaths reported. (See Related: NJ Coronavirus: Cases Soar By 162, Death Toll Rises To 5)

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. (Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.