Roseland COVID-19 Positive Test Results Increase; Vaccine Volunteers Sought – TAPinto.net
ROSELAND, NJ — Mayor James R. Spango provided the community with a COVID-19 update during the council meeting held on Dec. 15. Spango confirmed for the month of November, 55 Roseland residents had tested positive. As of Tuesday night’s, meeting two residents have passed away from COVID-19 since the beginning of December, the first deaths reported since May.
In addition, 47 residents have tested positive since Dec. 1, and Spango noted that the borough is on pace for 100 positive cases, which would make December the highest month of positive results since the pandemic began.
As Essex County prepares to begin the vaccination process, Roseland residents will be directed to the West Caldwell Technical School’s campus for inoculations, as of now the county will have five sites in total. The general public may begin to receive the inoculations sometime in the spring, according to Spango. Registration will be available on the county website www.EssexCovid.org.
Spango announced that there will be a request for volunteers including those in the medical professions to administer the vaccine in addition to lay people who will be needed to provide clerical assistance to help implement the county’s vaccination initiative. The mayor confirmed that Essex County will be the first county in New Jersey to distribute the vaccination because it has the required refrigeration necessary to keep the vaccine viable.
During public comment, resident Gerald Goldberg, who lives at the Everly complex, requested the governing body’s assistance through the rent control board to lower the 3.5% annual increase the tenants of that complex are subject to due to the financial effects of the pandemic. Residents also had sought a pro-rated reimbursement for facility fees for the gymnasium and pool costs since those facilities were not available, however the charge was never refunded.
Spango confirmed that a letter had been sent from the governing body in April to the owners of the Everly requesting that any rent increase be frozen during the pandemic. A follow up letter was sent out recently again requesting consideration of freezing rent increases, including a request for pro-rated fee for the amenities that have not been available. There has been no response to date from the owners of the Everly. Councilwoman Jean Perrotti commented that the operative word is that “we are asking them, we have no control over this, we have done this multiple times. We are working diligently, and we cannot force this.”
Council President Chris Bardi said that the only control available is to amend the rent control ordinance however it was put into “place a few years ago, to assist with exorbitant rent increases by that same property owner, some of which were in the excess of 10%. It is unfortunate, it would be nice if they read the letter and looked at the few senior residents who are impacted, I’m not sure how many letters we can send.” Perrotti noted the Everly is the only residential complex that the borough can implement controls over since it is more than 20 years old.
Agenda items included the passage of an ordinance that requires that generators be no closer than five feet from the neighboring property line. Accepted with regret were the resignations of two long time recreation committee members, John Flood and Matthew Bonaguide effective Dec. 31. Spango noted that their children have now grown, and it was a time for “passing the torch to parents of younger children to become involved.” Spango thanked both for their service to the community.
Members of the borough council and Spango all thanked Mike Coletti, Pat Nichols, Chris Critchett and Ryan Schwertfeger and other borough employees for the night with Santa that was held this past Saturday and for the recent Menorah lighting ceremony held as Hannukah began Thursday. Spango stated that events were “flawless” and enjoyed by all.
Bardi reported that a second budget meeting had been held that focused on the Department of Public Works (DPW), roadways, water infrastructure and capital projects. Bardi stated that additional meetings will be scheduled in January and February as the 2021 budget is formulated. Councilman “Moose” Trillo confirmed that discussions are still taking place regarding opportunities for shared services that may include the dispatch system. Trillo reported that the butterfly pollinator gardens will be located at the Harrison House, after being approved by the Historical Society and with the assistance of Perrotti council liaison to the school district, hopefully another will be located at Lester Noecker Elementary School.
Councilwoman Eileen Fishman thanked the Cub Scouts for their recent donation of 600 lbs. of food that was collected for the food bank and will also benefit the Roseland Relief Fund. It was confirmed that so far 60 Roseland masks have been purchased with the proceeds benefiting the fund as well. Addressing the COVID vaccination, Fishman cautioned that unless there is a 75-80% of the population vaccinated and a herd immunity can be accounted for there will still be precautions such as face masks and social distancing, noting that the vaccination will not be a “golden ticket of one and done.”
Councilman Roger Freda stated that the DPW is prepared for the snowstorm expected and the borough’s trucks have been fitted for the plowing. Freda asked residents who have fire hydrants by their homes to help the borough and clear the hydrants of snow with a three-foot clean area surrounding them for easy access.
Perrotti confirmed that Officer in Charge Richard Costello confirmed that the police department too is prepared for the pending snowstorm and local and county roads will be patrolled in order to assist travelers. Perrotti beamed as she took the opportunity to share, she and her husband Frank, are looking forward to becoming first time grandparents with the arrival of baby boy due in June.
Councilwoman Michelle Tolli confirmed that the recreation department’s ski trip has been cancelled.