Mayor's Message - March 13, 2020

e-mail Mayor Runfeldt

As Mayor of Lincoln Park, the health, welfare and safety of our residents, emergency responders, business owners, and visitors are my highest priority.

With this in mind, I want to advise all of our residents about the uniqueness and rapidly changing landscape from the Coronavirus and the disease called COVID-19 which has dominated the news and headlines.

The Borough of Lincoln Park has been preparing for the appearance of this virus for weeks. Every decision that is made is based on the science provided by experts and from learning from the experiences of other cities and countries. When more testing is done, more cases will be identified. The majority of people infected with the Coronavirus will have mild to moderate symptoms. Some people will not display any symptoms. There will be a small percentage that is at higher risk for hospitalization.

I have already been in contact with several organizations in Lincoln Park regarding public events that I felt posed significant exposure potential and those public events have been postponed.

I place the highest value on our residents; therefore, out of an abundance of caution, I have enacted the following measures effective Friday, March 13, 2020 for the next 14 days:

All municipal community events will be postponed.
All recreation and sports programs, including practices, will be postponed.
All senior programs, trips and meetings will be cancelled.

Borough Hall will be open to assist residents; however, it would be helpful if you are able to conduct your business via e-mail or telephone and limit the number of trips to Borough Hall, please check our website for a directory of e-mail addresses and phone contacts. For your convenience, there are drop-boxes located inside the vestibule of the main entrance and outside the Community Meeting Room entrance. We do recommend that you call or e-mail the department to check that your paperwork or payment was received.

In addition, we have been in constant contact with Jim Grube, the Superintendent of the Lincoln Park schools and they will address the policies for their respective schools. They have just advised that they will be closed through March 30, 2020.

As of now the Lincoln Park Library is open for limited services. You may pick up a book that you ordered or return books. All library events have been cancelled and there will be no computers available for public use. Please understand these procedures are to ensure a safe environment for the patrons and staff. To order a book or for more information please contact the Library at 973-694-8283 or e-mail the library at librarylincolnpark@gmail.com.

Although these were tough decisions, I believe that, based upon consultation with our professionals, limiting potential exposure is in the best interest of the community and I would encourage all community groups and organizations to temporarily postpone gatherings or functions as well. All of these actions and further actions are constantly being monitored by myself, Borough Department Heads and other professionals and are subject to change at any time.

The Borough will be sending out updates and additional information, so please monitor our website, Facebook, Twitter and Channel 77 for additional information and sign-up for our NOTIFY ME module through our website.

Thank you for your understanding and your patience.

Stay safe and healthy!

Mayor David Runfeldt

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Morris County Office of Health Management

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