I. State Issues
a. COVID-19 Update
Yesterday Governor Murphy announced that the statewide total of confirmed positive test results for the coronavirus was 6,876. Unfortunately The Governor also reported that are now 81 fatalities associated with the virus. Both numbers are likely to increase in the upcoming days and weeks.
The League presented a free webinar for its membership, which provided an overview of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order, recently enacted State laws in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, legislation under consideration, Administrative Orders and Attorney General directive and a summary of the Federal CARES act.
The presentation is available both in PowerPoint format as well as a PDF document. Please use this presentation, which includes links to the source materials, as a reference document.
Contact: Michael F. Cerra, Assistant Executive Director, mcerra@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x120.
b. COVID-19 Related Temporary Rule Change to UCC and DCA Guidance to Municipal Construction Offices
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) this week issued a Notice of Rule Waiver/Modification/Suspension Pursuant to Executive Order No.103, which temporarily relaxes certain provisions of Uniform Construction Code (UCC). In this notice the DCA announces temporary rule changes to provisions of the UCC concerning specifically; Minor Work (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A), Inspections (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.18), and Certificate requirements (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.23.) The purpose of the temporary rule changes is to ensure the continuity of construction without a detriment to the public welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In conjunction with this Notice, the DCA also issued a Memo providing guidance to construction offices regarding the implementation of the temporary rule changes. The Memo offers differing operational guidance for construction offices based on whether or not the office is open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about these rule changes please see the League’s recent blog post for a more in depth discussion. Please review this information with your local code enforcement officials.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.
c. NJ Historic Trust Grant Deadline Extended
On Wednesday the New Jersey Historic Trust announced it is extending the 2020 Preserve New Jersey grant deadline from April 23, 2020 to June 4, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
d. Civil Service Exam Suspended
In the wake of COVID-19 Civil Service has suspended all civil service exams and training until further notice.
e. State Division of Fire Safety Offers Operational Guidance on Fire Code Enforcement
The State Division of Fire Safety has issued operational guidance for local enforcing agencies, providing them with information and suggestions and how fire code enforcement operations should proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the suggestions offered by the guidance document include postponing inspections, without violations, for businesses that express concerns with COVID-19 exposure and rescheduling these inspections until a reasonable time after Executive 103 has expired. The guidance also recommends that local enforcing agencies suspend inspections and reinspections of health care facilities during the effective period of Executive Order No.103. The State Division of Fire Safety has already suspended their own inspections and resinspections for these facilities.
Please review the operational guidance document in its entirety with your fire code officials for more information on from the Division on how your local officials should handle fire code enforcement during this time.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.
f. CY 2020/SFY2021 State Aid Remains Flat
The Division of Local Government Services has issued Local Finance Notice 2020-08 noting that no municipality will receive less total State formula aid in CY2020/FY2021 than it received last year. However, the Division does not that the proposed budget serves as a guide for SFY municipalities and that final SFY certifications will be posted once the state budget has been adopted. The CY 2019/SFY20 Aid Certification for each municipality will be available on the Divisions website under Municipal State Aid on March 27. The State will announce the final aid payment schedule in July, prior to the August 1 payment.
The Local Finance Notice also noted that the Division will consider budgets introduced on the first regularly scheduled governing body meeting after April 28 as introduced timely. However, applicants for Transitional Aid must introduce their municipal budgets no later than the Transitional Aid application deadline.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Senior Legislative Analyst, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
g. Information about NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NJDHS) Program
During this public health emergency regarding COVID-19, the NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can serve as a resource to help local public health officials, offices of the mayors, county administrators, and others be accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In particular, the NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can assist with resources to find qualified American Sign Language interpreters and communication access real-time transcription services for news conference about COVID-19.
To assist you, the NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing maintains directories of certified sign language interpreters and professionally trained CART providers. All entities can access NJDHS directories to ensure the provision of auxiliary aids and services.
When using interpreters, please ensure that the interpreters are placed in a position that is easily captured by the news cameras. During this public health crisis, NJDHS want to ensure that all residents, including deaf and hard of hearing individuals have access to critical information that can help us flatten the curve.
For further guidance or consultation, please contact Elizabeth Hill, Director, of the NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing via email at elizabeth.hill@dhs.nj.gov.
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