June 16, 2020, is the last day for residents to register to vote for the July 7, 2020, Primary Election in the State of New Jersey.

ALL DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN REGISTERED VOTERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT for the July 7, 2020 Primary Election. If an Unaffiliated or Inactive Status Voter would like to participate in the Primary, they should complete and return the Vote-by-Mail Application that will be sent to them.

Should you choose not to vote on a Mail-In Ballot and show up to one of the limited number of Polling Places on Election Day, only Provisional Paper Ballots will be available to cast your vote. The ADA compliant Voting Machine is only for voters who have a disability.

Please see attached notice for more information:

Effective Saturday, May 30th Dumont Parks will be open for passive exercise and recreation only.  Borough tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts and playgrounds will remain closed.  As we begin to slowly and safely reopen borough properties please remember to follow all current Executive Orders and CDC guidelines. 

Due to the continuing COVID-19 public health crisis, summer camp registration will remain postponed until at least June 5th. We understand neighboring communities have already cancelled their summer programs but we expect to receive further guidance from state and county health officials before a final determination.

In the meantime, we will continue to plan for our summer recreation programs with the hope we may be operational in a limited capacity this July. Please continue to follow us for updates as we remain committed to do all we can for the benefit and safety of all Dumont families.

SUEZ will be performing hydrant testing across the Borough of Dumont for the next three weeks. This is a standard maintenance procedure. If you have any questions or comments please contact SUEZ at 201-487-0011

Governor Murphy recently signed Executive Order No. 130, which allows municipalities to extend the grace period for property tax payments due on May 1^st to June 1^st. The Dumont Governing Body strongly support any action that provides much-needed relief to taxpayers struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including this measure. After a careful financial analysis, The Mayor and Council supported a resolution to extend the second quarter property tax grace period to June 1^st 2020 to provide a modest measure of tax relief to residents that have been affected by this horrific public health crisis. Please be advised any payment made after June 1st accrues retroactive interest back to May 1st as per statutory guidelines.

The Mayor and Council are proud to announce that S&P Global Ratings recently assigned its 'AA' long-term rating to the Borough of Dumont citing the following:

• Strong Budgetary Performance
• Strong Institutional Framework
• Overall net debt is low at 2.5% of market value, which is a positive credit factor
• Budgetary flexibility has remained strong over the past three fiscal years

On April 7, 2020, the Borough Council approved two resolutions which will continue our fiscally responsible long-term Debt Management Plan. The actions taken by the Governing Body provides the Borough with the opportunity to solicit bids from financial institutions in the bond market in connection with the issuance of 15.5 million dollars in long-term bonds.

• The Borough currently has financed previously authorized capital ordinances with the issuance of Bond Anticipation Notes. The Notes have a maturity of one year, and are subject to market conditions upon renewal. The Notes total $15.5M and pertain to seven different ordinances. The current net debt is $39,279,622.
• The resolution does not authorize any additional monies that can be spent in the ordinances named. The plan discussed with the public in 2019 was to explore the possibility of converting these Notes into long-term bonds. The major advantages of issuing serial bonds would be to take advantage of the low interest municipal bond rates as well as locking in the rate for 25 years.
• Despite the overall increased volatility of the financial markets during the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term municipal AAA MMD Interest Rate Index remains significantly below its 10-year average.
• If the Borough rejects the bid or decides that the market conditions are not favorable for the sale of long-term bonds, the existing Notes will be renewed when they mature in May, 2020.

In accordance with Executive Order No. 122, construction on the Dumont Municipal Complex will continue as an essential construction project. Field reports can be found under the downloads section on our borough website or by clicking here.

During this COVID-19 pandemic residents are reporting people coming to their homes and calling them seeking donations for COVID-19 Organizations. These individuals are not affiliated with any Dumont Emergency Services Organization (Police, Fire or Ambulance) and do not represent any COVID-19 organizations. These individuals are looking to defraud you out of your money. Do not provide them with your bank account numbers, credit card numbers, debit card number or make any payment to them (cash or check). Hang up on callers that claim to represent COVID-19 organizations or Emergency Services Organizations within the Borough of Dumont. Call the Dumont Police Department if these individuals appear at your front door. We will respond to your address and charge them accordingly.

The Bergen County Department of Health reports Dumont has 77 presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 cases with 1 confirmed death. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the departed. May they rest in eternal peace.

We must take this seriously. To lose one life, especially someone from our community is one too many. Please adhere to all social distancing guidelines and stay home; it will save lives.

If we do not follow these critical instructions, please understand the repercussions of responding to the hospital during this public health crisis. You will be ALONE. Family members are not allowed in the hospital with you while you are being treated for COVID-19. This information is not to create panic or to instill fear but to keep you informed of the reality of the current circumstances. This is the truth.

The Department of Community Affairs has issued guidance regarding the construction industry’s concerns about the interruption of plan review and inspection responsibilities due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The Borough of Dumont has instituted the following new policies and procedures for our Building Department:

• Residents should only call to schedule the following inspections: Rough, framing, installation, finals and CCO inspections. All other non-essential inspections will be on hold until further notice.

• The Building Department is also not accepting any new non-essential construction permit applications until further notice. At this time only CCO applications will be accepted, however we understand that emergency repairs such as water heater, boilers and sewers require immediate attention so we are asking that you contact the building department at 201-387-5034 to document the name and address so that a permit application can be processed at a later date. You may access applications HERE.

• Local Enforcement Agents (LEA) will not enter any occupied building. Rough inspections for new additions shall be performed, provided no entry to the occupied home or building is required or that appropriate social distancing is in effect. 
• CCO inspections will be conducted with agent and no occupants. Permit close out (plumbing, electric, fire, building) necessary for CCO’s are subject to vacant house restrictions.
• The Dumont Building Department will prioritize inspections necessary for the health and welfare of the public. Should in-person inspections not be possible, LEAs will employ creative solutions, such as video conferencing via platforms like FaceTime or Skype, whenever feasible, to conduct inspections.
• All required inspections for new construction and any work on the exterior or outside of any occupied building shall be performed as usual.

• Items listed as Minor Work at N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A require only a final inspection. This includes inspections of replacement items such as a residential heater, air conditioner and/or water heaters. These inspections may be deferred to a later date.

• Destructive inspections may be performed only if there is reason to believe that a life-safety violation exists.
• If an LEA feels uncomfortable for any reason, they may exit the premise.

Dumont Borough Hall has limited access to the public. Please call the Dumont Building Department at 201-387-5034 for clarification on these procedures or to schedule an appoint. These rules are meant preserve the health of inspectors, contractors, and the general public. Thank you for your cooperation during this unprecedented time. Stay safe and healthy.

Please find Governor Murphy's Executive Order #107 and #108; which rescinds all municipal order here: 

https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-107.pdf

Please note this order rescinds restrictions on restaurant's business hours. Businesses are allowed to now operate within their regular business hours for takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup. 

Summary of Executive Order No. 107

This order revokes all prior mitigation executive orders, and incorporates or modifies their provisions as described below.

“Stay at home” order: All residents are to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are leaving for the following reasons:

1) Obtaining goods or services from essential retail businesses;

2) Obtaining takeout or food beverages from restaurants;

3) Seeking medical attention, essential social services, or assistance from law enforcement;

4) Visiting family or close friends, caretakers, or romantic partners;

5) Reporting to or performing their job;

6) Walking, running, or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;

7) Leaving for an educational, religious, or political reason;

8) Leaving because of a reasonable fear for health or safety; or

9) Leaving at the direction of law enforcement or other government agency.

Individuals who have to travel must practice social distancing when possible and should use public transportation only if they have no other feasible choice.

Cancelling gatherings: Gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled, unless otherwise authorized by the Order (i.e. the activities mentioned above). Through a separate Administrative Order, the Colonel of NJSP will make clear that gatherings of fewer than 10 people are presumed to comply with the Order, unless clear evidence indicates otherwise. Colonel Callahan will have the ability to adjust that number and that rule according to circumstances and facts on the ground.

Closing non-essential retail businesses: All non-essential retail businesses, which were previously limited to between 5 am and 8 pm, must now close entirely (online delivery can continue). The list of essential retail businesses that can stay open is limited to the following (Colonel Callahan has authority to amend the list):

1) Grocery and food stores, including retailers like Walmart/Target that sell food;

2) Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries;

3) Medical supply stores;

4) Gas stations;

5) Convenience stores;

6) Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities;

7) Hardware and home improvement stores;

8) Banks and other financial institutions;

9) Laundromats/dry-cleaning services;

10) Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years old;

11) Pet stores;

12) Liquor stores;

13) Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics;

14) Printing and office supply shops;

15) Mail and delivery stores.

Mandatory telework/work-from-home: All businesses or non-profits in the State must accommodate their workforce, wherever practicable, for telework or work-from-home arrangements. If a business or non-profit has employees that must be on site, it shall reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure critical operations can continue. Examples of employees who need to be present at their work site include: law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and other first responders, cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, information technology maintenance workers, janitorial and custodial staff, and certain administrative staff.

Recreational and entertainment businesses: All are closed. This is unchanged from what is currently in place but the order reiterates these prohibitions.

Restaurants and other dining establishments: All can remain open, but must continue to be delivery and/or takeout only. This is also unchanged.

Pre-K, K-12, and higher education: All continue to be closed to students. This is unchanged as well.

Blanket exceptions: Nothing in the order shall be construed to affect the operations of (1) health care or medical service providers; (2) access to essential services for low-income residents, including but not limited to food banks; (3) the media; (4) law enforcement; and (5) the operations of the federal government or the movement of federal officials when operating in their official capacity.

Timing: The order will go into effect at 9PM tonight to accommodate the end of the sabbath. It will stay in effect until the Governor revokes or modifies it.

Executive Order No. 108

This Order clearly invalidates all county and municipal restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19 that conflict in any way with the provisions of Executive Order No. 107, which now encompasses all the emergency restrictions on individuals and businesses that have been put in place. It also says that no county or municipality may adopt or enforce any such restriction going forward. Examples of such restrictions, now impermissible, include the following:

• Any additions to or deletions from the list of retail businesses deemed essential;
• Any limit on any business’s scope of service or hours of operation;
• Any density or social distancing requirements; or
• Any general restrictions on freedom of movement, including curfews.

This section of the website provides easy access to two different content areas: 1) POSTS and notices about the current COVID-19 Coronavirus public health emergency, and 2) DOWNLOADS relating to Coronavirus.

1. Coronavirus Posts/Notices:

>> CLICK HERE FOR CORONAVIRUS POSTS/NOTICES

2. Coronavirus Downloads:

The Dumont Police Department, Dumont Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Dumont Volunteer Fire Department continues to be ready, willing and able to assist all individuals who may call upon us for assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For emergency calls please call 9-1-1 for all non-emergency calls please call 201-387-5000. In an attempt to minimize personal contact between Officer and the general public and thus minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 the following modified operating procedures have been implemented.

Individuals who come to Police headquarters: 

• Individuals will initially communicate with a Dumont Police Department employee via a phone which is mounted on the outside of our headquarters. 
• Based on your needs an Officer/Dispatcher will either come outside to speak with you or they will allow you into our facility. 

Individuals who need an Officer at their physical location: 

• An assessment will be made related to whether your call for assistance requires an Officer on scene or if this communication can be done via a phone call. 
• If an Emergency Responder is needed at your location pre-arrival questions will be asked to confirm that your location is safe for us to respond to. 
• If a location is deemed to be unsafe the responding Officer will either take precautionary measures or the officer may conduct their investigation from outside your residence/business. 
• In order to protect you and all of our Emergency Services Personnel we ask that you inform the Dumont Police Department call taker if you or anyone in your household/business is experiencing any flu-like symptoms.  

You will be screened for flu-like symptoms.  If you are experiencing fever, cough or mild respiratory illness and you have NO shortness of breath or breathing difficulty, it is recommended you stay home. The Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be dispatched for difficulty breathing.

• If you are symptomatic and concerned, it is important to call ahead to your primary care provider, emergency department, or urgent care center first, in advance of your arrival, so that staff can guide you and respond appropriately.
• Do not go to any health care provider without calling first. Calling first helps to prevent the possible spread of illness by limiting exposure to others.

To stay healthy and limit the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 please remember to:

• Wash your hands
• Avoid touching your face, and practicing social distancing. 
• This can help ease the burden on our first responders and try to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with patients.
• Call 9-1-1 for medical emergencies. 

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding related to these modified operating procedures.  Please remember we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we will continue to provide the same excellent services to each and every one of you as we work through this crisis together. 

It is our endeavor to ensure the safety, health, and social well-being of our community; and this includes keeping you informed with credibly sourced information and options. Only get your information from official sources (i.e., CDC, State, County, and Local Governments); consider information from email threads and Facebook as ‘hearsay’ until you can verify from official sources.

The New Jersey Department of Health also has information about COVID-19 that is specific to our communities and state. A COVID-19 call center is open 24/7 and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 (if in NJ but using a non-NJ cell phone). Additional information can be found at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml