Full Notification

Ocean Township Office of Emergency Management
 
March 31^st, 2020
 
The Ocean Township Office of Emergency Management continues to work with the Ocean Township Police Department, Waretown First Aid Squad, Waretown Fire Company and the Township of Ocean Committee along with officials from the county, state, health department and school district to address this ever changing situation.
 
There have been zero (0) new reported positive cases of COVID-19 in Ocean Township today. The total remains at four (4) total positive residents in Ocean Township.
 
At this time, the Ocean County Health Department is leading the investigation in the case and is the agency responsible for additional notifications. As testing sites and the availability of tests within the southern part of the state increase we will inevitably see an increase of positive cases within our town, this has been expected and it has been planned for.
 
For a full review of all cases within Ocean County please visit the Ocean County Health Department Website: https://www.ochd.org/covid-19-case-totals/
 
As time progresses, the Office of Emergency Management will provide you with regular briefings on what is taking place in the community. We will keep you updated on information on closings and postponements and the latest information concerning the virus from county and state offices as it applies to the Township of Ocean.
 
Message from Chief of Police Michal J. Rogalski – Ocean Township Police Department
 
The news on children and the new coronavirus has, up to this point, been pretty reassuring. Just this week more evidence emerged from China that children seem to get milder symptoms than adults — although experts warn that the notion that children tend to simply be asymptomatic carriers of the virus who are somehow “immune” to it is likely an overstatement.
 
But what has been made very clear, so far, is that children play an important role in the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. They’re basically little vectors, which is why millions of kiddos are now home with their parents or caregivers, rather than in school.
 
It has also been made very clear that adults over the age of 65 are at a much higher risk of getting really sick from the coronavirus.
 
So what does that mean for families left wondering whether their kids can safely see their grandparents, or for those who have multiple generations living under one roof? Caution is the key! As hard as it is for us not to physically see our grandkids or for our kids to see their grandparents it’s better that we stay apart for a few weeks or not being able to see someone ever again. Here are a few ideas to get us through this difficult time together. 

1. FaceTime. The obvious way we’re staying in touch with grandparents is through FaceTime. Sure, it’s not the same, but it’s better than just a phone call. Kids get the chance to show Grandma and Grandpa the drawings they did, or how they set up the MagnaTiles into a giant castle. And grandparents can read the kids a bedtime story. 
2. Writing letters. Grandparents love mail from grandchildren. Get kids to write letters or draw pictures to let their grandparents know what’s going on in their lives. Hopefully, it’ll brighten their days until we can see them in person. 
3. Watching movies together. If both families have Netflix, you can watch a movie together through Netflix Party, an extension for the Chrome browser. Parents can start the movie on Netflix.com on their computer. Then just click the “Netflix Party” icon and click “Start the Party.” It will automatically create a link that you can send to grandparents. They’ll be able to join the party by clicking the link. Netflix Party creates a text chat for everyone involved and allows anyone to pause the movie. If that’s too hard for Grandma and Grandpa to figure out, just have them hit “play” on a movie the same time you do!

 
Hopefully, these fun ideas will help keep kids and grandparents safely connected during this difficult time of social distancing.
 
State of New Jersey Update:
 
As per Administrative Order 2020-06 issues today: 

1. Individual appointments to view real estate with realtors by individuals shall be considered essential retail business for the purposes of paragraph 6 of Executive Order No. 107. However, open houses will be considered impermissible gatherings in accordance with paragraph 5 of Executive Order No. 107.
2. Car dealership may continue to conduct online sales or remote sales that can be completed by phone, text or email and are consistent with current law. Such sales shall be deemed permissible in accordance with paragraph 6 of Executive Order No. 107. In the event of such a sale, the car may be delivered to the purchaser or the purchaser can pick up the car curbside or in the dealership service lane. Picking up a car from a dealership shall be considered essential retail business for the purposes of paragraph 6 of Executive Order No. 107.
3. Effective Tuesday, March 31^st, 2020 at 0800 hours, Federal Firearms Licensees (FLLs) are added to the list of essential retail businesses in accordance with paragraph 6 of Executive Order No. 107, but must operate under the following provisions:
   1. FLLs may remain open to the public only for the purpose of completing the portions of a sale or transfer that must be conducted in-person under state and/or federal law and for the purpose of product maintenance and repair services;
   2. All in person sales or transfers shall be conducted by appointment and during limited hours so as to minimize congregating of persons; and
   3. FFLs must operate in accordance with paragraphs 6 and 7 of Executive Order No. 107 regarding social distancing and all other applicable provisions of that Order.
4. Golf Courses are considered to be recreational and entertainment businesses that must close to the public and to members associated with private golf clubs, in accordance with paragraph 9 of Executive Order No. 107.

 
Ocean County Update:
 
According to the Ocean County Sherriff Michael Mastronardy: All Ocean County Parks shall be closed until further notice starting at 6pm today (March 31^st, 2020)
 
COVID-19 testing is available for symptomatic residents of Ocean County with physician’s script and appointment. Go to OCHD.org for more information and to make an appointment.
 
Message from the Township of Ocean Committee:

The Township Committee wants to remind everyone and encourage everyone to adhere to precautions related to handwashing, hygiene and social distancing.
Water/Sewer Payments:

When placing a payment in the drop box, please make sure the envelope and check state - OTUD (Ocean Township Utility Department). This is to ensure that payment is applied to the correct account.

Payments can be made through a bank - “Bill Pay”, Drop Box (in front of Town Hall), U.S. Mail or on-line. Payments for Utility/Taxes: https://wipp.edmundsassoc.com/Wipp/?wippid=1521
Calendar Photos for 2021

You do not have to wait for the Fall to submit a picture for the 2021 Township of Ocean Calendar. Please submit photos via e-mail to [email protected].

Please include your name and the location of the photo. Photos will not be returned.

By sending the photos you are granting the Township of Ocean right of possession of the image(s)/photo(s) and give the Township of Ocean permission to make unlimited printed or developed photographs, for Township use.

2020 Census
Get Out the Count Video Challenge

The Census Bureau’s innovation team—the Census Open Innovation Labs—has launched a first-of-its-kind Video Prize Challenge for content creators to help get the word out about the 2020 Census. Three prizes will be awarded: a $30,000 grand prize, a $10,000 runner-up prize, and a $10,000 student prize.

Submissions are open until April 11th at 2:59am EST, and winners will be announced in May. Students stuck at home or in their dorms are encouraged to participate, too!!

Challenge post on challenge.gov:
https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/2020-census-get-out-the-count-video-challenge/ · Info on Accelerate site: https://accelerate.census.gov/video-challenge/
PLEASE NOTE: DON’T TRASH YOUR TOILET

The Township’s Department of Public Works/Utility are working to unclog pumps that are clogged by items that should NOT be flushed.
DO NOT FLUSH: Cloth Wipes, Baby Wipes, Napkins, Paper Towels, Swiffer pads, Diapers and other debris that should not be flushed but must be discarded in the trash.

Please do not flush anything except toilet paper in the toilet.
Please help maintain a freely flowing sewer system by only flushing toilet paper!

Message from the Ocean Township Police Department:

Firearms Identification Card and Pistol Permit Applications
 
Recently, the Ocean Township Police Department has experienced a significant increase in the number of firearm identification card and pistol permit applications. We are working diligently to process these requests in a timely manner. We will continue to accept new applications and process them with the understanding that delays will be experienced due to the COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.
 
We have received guidance from the New Jersey State Police Firearms Unit and have been informed that due to the volume of applications and the response, there may be delays with the 212A and mental health checks. IdentoGo facilities have been temporarily closed at this time which will cause a major delay for first time applicants. This is a mandatory criminal history check which cannot be completed until these facilities reopen to the public. We anticipate other checks included in the process which are completed by our personnel to also be delayed due to the high volume of applications at this time.
 
Once all required application background checks are completed, applicants will be contacted by Det. Leanne Petracca who will advise applicants of the process to obtaining your firearms identification cards and pistol permits.  Pick up of ID cards and permits may be slightly different then previously experienced based upon guidance from the State Police Firearms Unit at this time. Once again, these changes are for public safety to limit possible exposure to Covid-19.  
 
Be further advised that at this time as per the Governor’s executive order, firearms stores have been closed, NICS is not operational, and the state currently has no plan to extend handgun purchase permits past 180 days. All applications will only be accepted through the online FARS system.

In an effort to limit interaction in the police lobby, please direct all firearms application related questions to:
 
Detective Leanne Petracca at (609) 693-4007 option #3 or at [email protected] 
 
Detective Sergeant Andrew Risden at (609) 693-4007 option #3 or at [email protected]
 
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Community News:
On behalf of Ocean Township PBA Local #371
 
Residents of Ocean Township we are very pleased to announce that we will be holding our second FREE PIZZA event for families in need this Friday April 3rd in the back parking lot of the Police Department.  The event will again be taking place between the hours of 5pm and 7pm or until supplies run out.  Sgt. Dennis Jarin’s Toy Run Foundation was generous enough to purchase 2 liter bottles of soda again which will be handed out with each pizza.  We are limiting it to one pizza and one bottle of soda per family to be sure we have enough for everyone. 
 
In keeping with the current social distancing guidelines we ask that anyone coming to this event remain in their vehicle and you will be handed your pizza by one of our officers.   Please be reminded the free pizza is for families in need from Ocean Township only!!
 
**Please enter the parking lot from Route 532 (Wells Mills Road) and exit onto Railroad Avenue)** 
 
I would also like to mention that we have had an overwhelming amount of requests from residents wishing to make personal donations toward this event and future events that will help feed our community.  We ask that anyone wishing to make a donation to please come to the event and hand the donation to one our officers from your vehicle.  Anyone who wishes to make a donation and does not want to leave their home (which we recommend) please mail your donation to our PBA (address listed below).  
 
Thank you for all of your continued support and we hope to run as many of these events as possible.   
 
Please mail donations to:
 
Ocean Township PBA Local #371
PO Box 1018
Waretown, NJ 08758
Attn: Michael Cicero 
 
 
Prepared by:
Michal J. Rogalski
Chief of Police – Ocean Township Police Department
Ocean Township Office of Emergency Management
Email: [email protected]
Office: 609-693-4007 ext 310
Fax: 609-693-8392