COVID-19
Coronavirus Messages from Mayor Brennan
April 7, 2020 - The pandemic of coronavirus is causing disruption to the lives of people throughout the world and Merchantville is no different. I want to assure the residents of Merchantville that throughout this pandemic, the Borough is committed to and has put into place certain contingencies to ensure the continued provision of essential services to the community including police, fire and other first responders, along with public works and other essential services. We are working with our partners at the County, State and Federal levels on contingency planning to obtain resources and to implement effective planning. Residents should rest assured that those services will continue, and residents can expect the same exceptional service and response from those essential services during this unprecedented time. Residents are also reminded that our community is built upon our relationships and now is a time to show courage and calm, avoid panic and care for ourselves and our neighbors by taking measured actions such as social distancing.
Coronavirus Message from Mayor Brennan - March 13, 2020
Closure of Borough Facilities to the Public - March 15, 2020
Additional Closures and Actions - March 19, 2020
Letter to the Business Community - March 21, 2020
Small Business Resources - March 21, 2020
Help Our Business Community - March 21, 2020
A Message to the Community - March 30, 2020
Mayor's Covid-19 Message - April 6, 2020
Borough Park Closures and Additional Actions - April 7, 2020
In addition to lesson plans and activities in theses stay-at-home times Merchantville School has focused on connecting to students and MES through "read out louds" on Facebook. Parents and kids can tune in throughout the week to listen as teachers and administrators share stories. Merchantville CSA, Scott Strong, read Duck for President and Harold and the Purple Crayon, Krista Travaglini shared Peanut Butter and Cupcake and Spanish Teacher, Ms. Bonilla, read Say Hola to Spanish.…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
On April 2nd, Camden County's Department of Health announced 48 additional positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in our town to four (4). Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. reminded the public that “We all must remain vigilant, policing ourselves to stay at home, to avoid unnecessary trips, and to exercise social distancing to the greatest possible extent. We have seen this strategy work in other parts of the world…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
While social distancing is the most important way to fight the spread of coronavirus and save lives, wearing a mask is an act of social altruism - a behavior that is designed to increase another person's welfare, and particularly those actions that do not seem to provide a direct reward to the person who performs them. While guidance on whether to wear a face mask has been evolving, wearing a mask can help limit the…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
Starting this Thursday April 2nd, The Blue Monkey Tavern will open for curbside pick-up of take out orders between 12:00 and 7:00 p.m. weekly from Thursday through Sunday. An updated menu can be found on our website We will be adding takeout drinks - yes, bottles/cans/packs of alcohol - and "make your own" cocktail packages soon, making us a one stop shop for all of your dining needs. Decide what you want from our menu…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority has announced that it will begin accepting applications this Friday, April 3, for its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. The grant program is part of the state’s efforts to help businesses and workers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Small- and mid-sized businesses wishing to apply for a grant can apply online beginning at 9 a.m. by following a link that will be posted on the state’s COVID-19 …
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
Mayor Ted Brennan delivered a message to the Merchantville community on Sunday, March 29th, thanking them for continuing to adhere to Governor Murphy's executive "stay at home" order, social distancing and traveling from home only for essential needs. He also provided an update on the current number of positive cases in the Borough, the need for blood donations and some volunteer opportunities to assist seniors through the County. In closing he stressed the importance of …
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
Food trucks from Marys Mobile Diner, Red's Rolling Restaurant and Not Your Mama's Tacos have been helping to keep the EMTs and hospital staff at Cooper Hospital nourished with comfort food as they care for patients during the pandemic. They have received generous donations from local residents to meet their goal of free 1000 meals. A donation of a $15 gift provides a meal or snack for Cooper Hospital staff members. Please keep supporting the…
Published in
COVID-19
The Camden County Department of Health is announcing 33 additional positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) identified in Camden County. including two (2) in Merchantville. Trace investigations are being facilitated with the patients and remain ongoing. “This is the largest single day increase in cases we have seen in Camden County to date, and it underscores the reality that we are only at the beginning of this crisis and we need everyone to keep social…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
Trevor Noah from The Daily Show interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci on Thursday, March 26th. Dr. Fauci shares his insight on what makes COVID-19 so insidious, busts myths about the virus, and breaks down why adhering to public health guidelines is so important. Dr. Fauci is an immunologist who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 and is currently leading member of the administration's coronavirus response team/task…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
We know you have questions about coronavirus (COVID-19), how your government is responding to the needs of the community, and what is being done to mitigate the spread of the disease in Camden County. On Thursday, March 26th, at 3:00 p.m. Freeholder Lou Cappelli, Congressman Donald Norcross and Health & Human Services Director Anne E. Walters hosted a virtual town hall on Facebook Live. Residents were invited and encouraged to join in and have their…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
Last week, Matt Skoufalos of NJ Pen spoke with a handful of mayors about the early effects of novel coronavirus on their communities and the time that will lapse before those dollars trickle down to the individual families, self-employed workers, and small businesses that need them the most. Mayor Ted Brennan said he’s hopeful that some community block development grants (CBDGs) will again be available to help small businesses in his community recover from COVID-19-related…
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
the Senate passed a massive stimulus package last night and the House is expected to follow suit). A key feature of the stimulus is individual checks. Checks are supposed to be produced asap, but that could take up to two months. If you use direct deposit, it will be faster. Checks will be $1,200 per adult/$2,400 for married couples filing jointly and an additional $500 per child - income limit $75,000 with a phaseout for…
Published in
COVID-19
Governor Phil Murphy announced an administrative order permitting additional businesses to operate normal business hours in accordance with Executive Order 107. Effective immediately, the following retail businesses are considered essential and permitted to operate: Mobile phone retail, repair shops; Bicycle shops, only for service and repair; Livestock feed stores; Nurseries, garden centers; and, Farming equipment stores. Local small business nurseries to support include: Haines Farm and Garden; A & J Landscape Supply and Garden Center …
Published in
COVID-19
Tagged under
The stimulus deal was the product of a marathon set of negotiations among Senate Republicans, Democrats and the White House that had stalled as Democrats insisted on stronger worker protections and oversight of a $500 billion fund to bail out distressed businesses. The aim of the legislation is to deliver critical financial support to businesses forced to shut their doors and relief to American families and hospitals reeling from the rapid spread of the disease…