Residents,

It appeared we were nearing the end of this pandemic as restrictions continued to loosen, however, the increase in infection rates in several States, combined with the failure of outdoor dining establishments throughout the State to adhere to reopening protocols, has led to the Governor rescinding portions of Executive Order 157 which authorized indoor dining to resume July 2, 2020.  Indoor dining is now postponed indefinitely per Executive Order 158 which was signed by the Governor yesterday.

Executive Order 157, signed into effect on June 26, 2020, established the criteria to resume all indoor retail, some indoor recreational businesses, indoor dining, as well as casinos, amusement parks, water parks, arcades and other attractions.  The Order is 20 pages in length and voluminous regarding the required protocols for the opening of such establishments.  The Order in its entirety can be viewed at the link below:

https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-157.pdf

Executive Order 158, signed into effect on June 29, 2020, rescinds paragraph 5 of Executive Order 157 and prohibits indoor dining.  Furthermore, the Order authorizes casinos and indoor retail and recreation establishments to continue with reopening plans as of July 2, 2020, however, masks are required and no consumption of food, beverage or smoking is permitted.  Smoking is also prohibited in all outdoor dining settings until such time that indoor dining is authorized to resume.  There are limited exceptions to these protocols and residents should read Executive Order 158 in its entirety before deciding to visit any such establishments. 

https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-158.pdf

Due to increased infection rates the following States comprise the voluntary quarantine list, meaning if you travel from one of these States to NJ you are advised to quarantine for 14 days:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Nevada
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah

Public schools will resume in-person instruction, in some capacity, beginning in September.  The State released a 104 page document detailing the protocols for re-opening, which to be honest, I have not read yet.  Details of the same will be released in the coming weeks in consultation with the Board of Education.

Playgrounds have been authorized to open on July 2, 2020.  All Borough playgrounds will have caution tape removed and be open for recreational use beginning at 7:00am July 2, 2020.

Lastly, as I have stated in several posts, we as a community will beat this pandemic when we work together.  Indoor dining being postponed indefinitely was the result of increased infections in several States but mainly due to NJ residents and businesses failing to follow required protocols.  Lets continue to work together and lead the way in Florham Park.  Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Stay safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police/Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 30, 2020

Residents,

As expected, the Governor issued guidance yesterday regarding additional loosening of restrictions.  The information released is detailed below.

The following indoor recreational activities are authorized to resume operations on July 2, 2020 at 25% capacity;

• Museums
• Libraries
• Aquariums
• Arcades
• Bowling Alleys
• Indoor Batting Cages
• Indoor Shooting Ranges
• Gyms can operate for one on one training sessions by appointment only.

Movie theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues and nightclubs are still prohibited from operating.

A question was asked yesterday regarding ball field openings.  All Borough parks and fields have been opened for passive recreation.  Organized sports must adhere to the guidance provided in the link below regarding when certain activities can begin.

https://files.constantcontact.com/968adeca001/6709ad73-9263-40c8-aa13-7bd0bc5d004d.pdf?fbclid=IwAR31U9BNyRDNoqbpmvaHBUd1vG_AqRPVkKSBdGWESWB1-us976YbSCBy2FI

The Governor enacted a quarantine advisory for people travelling to NJ from nine states with increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections.  Residents of New Jersey travelling to those nine states will also be required to quarantine for 14 days upon returning to New Jersey.  The nine states are as follows:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• Florida
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington

The Governor has stated people travelling from these states or residents travelling to and back from these states should self-quarantine for 14 days and are encouraging those to act with personal responsibility.  In other words, it is the responsibility of the traveler to make the decision to self-quarantine.  

Stay safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 25, 2020

Residents,

Much has happened since my last writing as the State continues to loosen restrictions on a daily basis.  As I write this post there will undoubtedly be changes taking place later today which will not be detailed here, however, we will continue to update everyone as quickly as possible.

On June 18, 2020, the Governor signed Executive Order 155 granting Institutes of Higher Education (IHE’s) the ability to begin in person instruction for curricula such as labs, technical, clinical or other hands on instruction that cannot be performed in situations other than in-person.  This authorization becomes effective July 1, 2020 and requires the IHE to submit a Restart Plan to the State, which adheres to significant safety protocols.  Also authorized under the same restrictions and protocols are private trade schools, career schools and post-secondary schools that prepare people for education or the workplace.

On June 19, 2020, the New Jersey State Department of Health issued Executive Directive 20-017 detailing the procedures and protocols under which people may visit Long Term Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and Dementia Care Facilities.  The procedures/protocols are voluminous and can be found at the link below.  Any residents with loved ones in such a facility should read the document in its entirety.

https://files.constantcontact.com/968adeca001/d34a79ad-01bf-4d36-bb74-8d3b6adb1802.pdf

The Governor announced yesterday that the following activities are authorized to begin July 2, 2020;

• Indoor dining is authorized to resume at limited (25%) capacity.
• Casinos may resume activities, as well as in-person horse race betting, at 25% capacity.
• Amusement Park Rides, Water Parks and Theme Parks may resume operations at 50% capacity.
• Playgrounds may open.

All of the activities detailed above will have restrictions and safety protocols, yet to be released, that must be adhered to.

Executive Order 156 was issued on June 22, 2020, which authorized indoor activities to operate at 25% capacity or 100 persons whichever is less.  The Order also increased the maximum allowable outdoor gathering numbers to 250, with the exception of outdoor religious ceremonies and/or protests/marches, which have unlimited capacity.  The Order defined outdoor spaces as those without a fixed roof, other than those with a temporary or seasonal awning.  The details of the Order can be viewed at the link below;

https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-156.pdf

I have heard rumblings that information detailing the reopening of arcades and possibly gyms may be forthcoming today or later this week.  There is a possibility that information may be released by the time this writing is posted.  If so, we will update all residents as soon as we have all the details.

Lastly, remember to complete the Census so Florham Park can receive all it is entitled to.

Be safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 24, 2020

Residents,

Happy Father’s Day to all for which it applies, I hope everyone was able to enjoy the day.

As I’m sure you are all aware, we are in the middle of Phase Two of the State’s reopening/restart plan.  While the number of COVID reported deaths and infections continue to increase, they do so at a significantly decreased rate allowing for the continued reopening and return to normal.

Tomorrow, June 22, 2020, personal care services are authorized to open and resume restricted activities.  Barbershops, Hair/Nail Salons, Massage Parlors, etc. will all have strict protocols they must adhere to. Residents seeking to utilize those services should call ahead.

Organized Recreational Sports are authorized to resume non-contact activities tomorrow.  The NJ State Department of Health released a document detailing High/Medium and Low risk sporting activities, as well as dates for resumption of games and practices.  The document also includes social distancing protocols as well as sanitization/sharing protocols for equipment.  The State has advised it is the responsibility of the Team/Club Organizer or Manager to ensure the proper protocols are being adhered to.  Please see the link below for the Department of Health document:

https://files.constantcontact.com/968adeca001/6709ad73-9263-40c8-aa13-7bd0bc5d004d.pdf 

The State OEM Coordinator, who is the Colonel of the State Police, issued Administrative Order 2020-16 on Friday, June 18, 2020.  The Order authorizes the indoor portions of malls to open on June 29, 2020.  There are significant restrictions to include no indoor dining at food courts as well as social distancing guidelines, face covering requirements and sanitization protocols.  Please consider and review these protocols before deciding to travel to these locations.

We have received several questions regarding the Municipal Pool opening.  I have spoken with the Department of Recreation regarding the same and was advised they are working towards meeting all of the State’s mandated protocols for pool openings.  Once they have ensured proper compliance and if they believe they can maintain the protocols the Recreation Department will advise all residents of the pool’s anticipated opening.

Lastly, I want to thank all residents for their support and cooperation during this continued pandemic.  We realize the restrictions put in place by the State have been difficult for many of our residents.  We could not have reached this point in our return to normalcy without everyone working together as a community.  In my 23 years of service to the Borough I have experienced many adversities within our community but never anything to this prolonged magnitude.  I’ve always been amazed at the resiliency of our residents and community as whole during trying times, but never so much as I have been these past four months.  I’m blessed and proud to be a member of this community and able to serve all of you.

Stay safe and well!!

Joseph J. Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 21, 2020

Residents,

Morris County OEM held a conference call with NJ American Water and Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (SMCMUA) this morning.  Repairs to a 36 inch main pipe were made overnight, however they are still in the process of repairing a Wing Well. They have not provided a firm restoration time but anticipate it will be back on line late today or tomorrow.  While the Wing Well is out of service, the water restrictions for those impacted areas will remain in effect.  The water company is reporting there should not be any brown water concerns, if there are please contact your water service provider. The SMCMUA Wing Well site, which is their largest well, (4.6 MGD), continues to be under repair with no firm restoration time. They anticipate that it will be back on line late today or sometime tomorrow.  The majority of the Borough in not affected by this issue.  The impacted areas are Passaic Avenue and Park Avenue.

At this time, they do not have a concern with water pressure or water availability for fire operations. 

When SMCMUA sent out their initial notification via Rave Alert yesterday, the system contacted some phone lines outside the SMCMUA service area. SMCMUA is dealing direct with RAVE and they are addressing the issue. In the event that SMCMUA sends out another notification prior to this issue being resolved, residents who received the first notification will get it again. 

Be safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 20, 2020

As an update to our previous message regarding water issues, residents who are supplied water by the Florham Park Water Utility should not experience any problems with their water supply.  These customers are defined as those who reside between Mann Avenue (East Hanover border) to the north and Sherbrooke Drive (Madison border) to the south, and between Vreeland Road (Livingston border) to the east and Cali Drive to the west.

The residents who are urged to conserve their water usage are those who are supplied water by Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (SMCMUA) and New Jersey American Water (NJAW).  These are the residents who live off of Passaic Avenue (Sun Valley, Riverbend complexes) and Park Avenue (Ward Place, the Colleges).

For more information on if a Boil Advisory Warning is issued with your respective water supplier or if you have any questions:

•  Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority at https://smcmua.org/alerts.htm or call 973-326-6880
•  New Jersey American Water at http://www.onsolve360.com/alert?id=9-35721 or call 800-272-1325

As a reminder, regardless of who our water supplier is, we should all do our part in conserving water in general by eliminating unnecessary usage.

Have a great weekend!

Residents,

The State has moved to loosen restrictions in several areas and I would like to provide some information for all of you to help navigate all of the Orders.

Executive Order 154 was signed June 13, 2020 authorizing the following personal care services to begin operations on June 22, 2020:

• Barber Shops and Hair Salons
• Nail Salons
• Hair Braiding
• Massage/Tattoo Parlors
• Medical/Day Spas
• Elective/Cosmetic Medical Procedures
• Cosmetology Shops

All must adhere to protocols established under the Division of Consumer Affairs Administrative Order 2020-09, as well as the Department of Health Executive Directive 20-015, both of which establish social distancing, sanitization protocols, payment protocols, and employee screenings for those businesses to operate.

The State OEM Coordinator, who is the Colonel of the State Police, issued Administrative Order 2020-15, on June 13, 2020, which went into effect at 6:00am today. The Order authorizes the following:

• Indoor Businesses such as Restaurants, Bars, Cafeterias, Social Clubs, and Indoor Recreation/Entertainment Businesses may allow entry for the purpose of future event planning only. No food or drink tasting may occur during these types of visits. These visits are restricted by indoor gathering numbers and sanitization protocols.
• Libraries – Municipal, County and College/University Libraries may open their outdoor spaces and arrange for curbside pick-up. The Brick and Mortar portions are closed to the public and pre-arranged drop-off/pick-up must be accomplished via phone/email/fax. The Florham Park Municipal Library is working towards this phased-in reopening and anticipates being able to accomplish this by June 23, 2020.
• Schools – In-school pick-up of supplies and personal belongings has been authorized, as well as summer school programs. Look for guidance from our Board of Education/Superintendent for summer school programs, if any, which may be offered.
• Real Estate open houses have been authorized and must adhere to social distancing and sanitization protocols. Furthermore, open houses must meet indoor gathering limitations.
• Businesses – the following businesses already deemed essential with limited offerings have now been authorized to operate as all other Essential Retail Businesses;
• Bike/Motorcycle Shops
• Car/Boat Dealerships
• Federal Firearms Shops
• Farming/Livestock
• Nurseries
• Mobile Phone Dealers
• Car Washes have been authorized to resume services.
• Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Estate Sales and similar Private Sales have been authorized to operate with outdoor/indoor gathering limitation adherence, as well as sanitization protocols.
• Special Events such as Firework displays have been authorized with outdoor gathering limitations. While some will question why Florham Park is not offering their annual 4th of July Fireworks this year, the answer is simply that the Borough draws numbers in the thousands to our annual display, which will be in violation of existing Executive Orders.
• Private Tutoring within shared space is still prohibited.

The Borough is working towards an anticipated Municipal Pool opening. There are restrictions, mandated by the State, associated with the same. Please look for advertising and guidance from the Recreation Department on when/if the pool will be opening.

Jersey Central Power & Light will be conducting their annual aerial vegetation management program June 15th through June 20th. If you see low flying helicopters, during this time, do not be alarmed.

The Florham Park Police Department will be forced to cancel this year’s Junior Police Academy due to the restrictions being placed on summer camps by the State. The restrictions are too burdensome for us to conduct the camp as it is intended which places a tremendous emphasis on team work/team building exercises, which social distancing protocols will not allow. We apologize and ensure all those interested in attending our Junior Academy we will be back in 2021.

Lastly, I want to thank all residents, as well as the Florham Park Chapter of BLM, The Wind of the Spirit and BLM Morristown, for a peaceful teach-in this past weekend. Everyone’s cooperation assisted my department tremendously in ensuring a safe environment for all those involved inclusive of my personnel. I appreciate all the assistance and continued support for the Florham Park Police Department and its officers. Thank you!!

Stay Safe and Well.

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 15, 2020

Residents,

Please be advised we are preparing for a Protest/March expected to take place tomorrow.  All residents should expect delays and potential road closures throughout the day; detours will be established if necessary.  Those of you residing on Ridgedale Avenue should park your vehicles along side streets to ensure your ability to access other areas of town.   

We anticipate a large influx of people tomorrow; however, we expect the event to be peaceful and respectful to the community.  We ask that all residents show those protesting what a welcoming and supportive community Florham Park is.

We appreciate everyone’s anticipated cooperation.

Stay safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 12, 2020

Residents,

There’s much to discuss tonight!!

The Governor has spoken about several different issues in the past few days, specifically about loosening of restrictions in many areas.  Some guidance has been given while we await the signing of two Executive Orders announced today for full details on others, however I’ll attempt to recap where we are to date.

Effective immediately the Stay-At-Home order has officially been lifted.

Gathering numbers for all indoor gatherings previously permitted may now gather at a maximum of 50 people or 25% of the establishment’s capacity, whichever is less.  Outdoor gatherings have been increased to 100 people.  The Governor has stated he believes the outdoor number of people allowed to gather will increase to 250 on June 22, 2020 and to 500 for July 3, 2020, just in time for the 4th of July and graduation ceremonies.   There are however exemptions to this Order regarding outdoor gatherings for protected behavior such as protests and the practice religion.  Therefore, protests/marches and outdoor religious services can gather in unlimited numbers.

Indoor activities such as indoor dining, movie theaters, bowling alleys, museums, gyms and indoor entertainment venues are still prohibited.

On June 15, 2020 restaurants and bars may begin outdoor service with several restrictions.

Also on June 15, 2020 the Motor Vehicle Commission will resume functioning with drop off and pick up services offered until their full operations begin on June 29, 2020.  Upon resumption of full operations, different Motor Vehicle Commissions will serve specific functions and will not be full service centers.  Please view the MVC website, at www.NJMVC.gov, for the locations to service your specific needs. 

On June 22, 2020 municipal and private facility swim clubs, as well as condominium and apartment complex pools are authorized to open.  There are specific protocols being issued by the Department of Health in order for these facilities to operate, some of which include;

-          50% capacity

-          Socially Distanced in the water and on the pool deck

-          Temperature checks for employees

-          Sanitization protocols for bathrooms and showers

-          Footwear requirements in bathrooms and showers

The complete details have yet to be released, which will be reviewed by the Mayor/Council, Rec Department, Business Administration and Department of OEM before making decisions on whether the Boro Pool will be able to operate under the DOH protocols.

Barbershops and hair salons may also resume activities on June 22, 2020, however we’re still awaiting guidance on nail salons and massage parlors.

The Governor also authorized all outdoor recreation to resume on June 22, 2020 with the exception of playgrounds, amusement parks, water parks and arcades.

Once the Executive Orders discussed today are released, they will be reviewed and pertinent information will be relayed to all.

The Morris County OEM Covid-19 testing site is now available to all first responders, healthcare workers and Morris County residents returning to work without a prescription or symptoms.  If you desire to be tested, you can find information at the link below:

https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting

Stay safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 9, 2020

Residents,

The Governor signed Executive Order 151 last night extending the Public Health Emergency for an additional 30 days.  The declared public health emergency was set to expire June 6th and this Executive Order was necessary to continue the same.  The Declared State of Emergency is still in effect and will remain so indefinitely until the Governor rescinds the same.  The signing of Executive Order 151 has no impact on any of the other Executive Orders other than to extend the public health emergency.  Restrictions currently in place will remain in place and all authorized loosening of restrictions will not be affected by this extension.

I have been in constant communication with the organizers for the protest/march scheduled for June 9, 2020.  I received notification from the organizers that they are postponing their event until a later date.  I have not received any indication as to why the event was cancelled but we’ll work with the organizers to assist them in the future to provide them with a safe and welcoming environment to hold their event if they so desire.

The Borough has been receiving several questions regarding garage sales and whether or not they’re permitted under current Executive Orders.  The answer we have been receiving from the State is that Garage Sales are not permitted at this time due to multiple people touching the same objects and potentially spreading the virus in that fashion.

Please remember to be respectful on the Borough fields this weekend as they will be open for passive recreation.  No organized sporting activity or contact sports are permitted.

Everyone have great weekend and stay safe!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 5, 2020

Residents,

I have some very important issues to discuss with you this afternoon.

First, the Governor signed Executive Order 150 last night, which authorizes and sets forth the standards for opening of outdoor dining, beginning at 6:00am on June 15, 2020.  Seating is limited to eight (8) persons per table and tables must be spaced six (6) feet apart in all directions.   There are several other standards/restrictions and I encourage you to read the order in its entirety as well as the Department of Health protocols for allowing outdoor dining.

The order also allows for picnic areas and pavilions to open in all parks, as such the picnic and pavilion areas within Florham Park’s Emmett Complex and Volunteer Park will be open to the public.  Social distancing requirements remain in effect.

Non-Essential Retail Stores may resume operations on June 15, 2020 at 50% capacity.  Face coverings are required and the stores must engage in proper sanitizing protocols.

I have been in discussions with the Mayor and Council, as well as the Director of Recreation, regarding our parks and fields.  We will be opening all of our parks and fields at 8:00am Saturday morning for passive recreation.  The State still requires parking lots to remain at 50% capacity, so some lots will be unavailable.  The fields may not be utilized for organized sporting activities and group contact sports are prohibited.  I have sought clarification from the State and have been advised basketball courts can be utilized but not for organized games or pick-up games.  Social distancing is still required.  The courts at Volunteer Park will be open to the public beginning Saturday morning.  The new courts behind Borough Hall are not authorized for use as they near completion of the construction project.

Organized sporting activities may resume June 22, 2020, following the guidelines put in place, which have not been distributed at this time.

Summer camp is cancelled even though the State has authorized camps to open after July 6, 2020.  The restrictions imposed upon camps would have been too cumbersome to effectively operate  and the Borough’s insurance carrier has advised against opening camps this year.  Their recommendation substantiated the Borough’s proactive measures to suspend camps this year.

Lastly, I want to address the most pressing issue of the day.  There is a planned protest/march, by the local Black Lives Matter chapter, to take place June 9, 2020.  The protest/march is to begin at the Madison fields, behind the High School, at 2:00pm and proceed down Ridgedale Avenue to the Borough Hall.  We are currently communicating with organizers to work out details of the event and will continue to update residents as they unfold.

I want all residents to know that I have questioned both the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General on how we can allow protests/marches to congregate in excess of 25 people but restrict all other residents and businesses.  I was told protests and marches are protected 1st Amendment Rights which cannot be denied by Executive Orders.  I then questioned how we could restrict the 1st Amendment Right to Religious Freedom by Executive Order and not the right to protest.  I have yet to receive a response, and frankly, I don’t anticipate one.  I completely understand the frustration of all residents, the information received from our Governor and State officials is becoming hypocritical and contradictory in its application.  The enforcement of the Executive Orders is placing me, my department and our officers in very unsettling, unfair positions.  Please know that I have been advocating at the County and State level for all of our residents and business owners and will continue to do so.  Until we receive guidance, please bear with us as we navigate this with all of you and continue to support our officers.

We will welcome the protestors and provide them with a safe environment to conduct their peaceful and lawful activities.  We do not anticipate this protest/march to be anything but peaceful and lawful as the event in Madison was yesterday.  However, we will coordinate with our local, County, State and Federal partners to be prepared for all alternatives.

Please continue to work with us and of course, remain safe and well!!

Joseph Orlando
Chief of Police / Deputy OEM Coordinator
June 4, 2020