Residents & Employees of the City of Orange

THE CITY OF ORANGE TOWNSHIP
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

29 North Day Street, Orange, New Jersey 07050

P (973) 266-4005                                                                                                                                                 F (973) 676-7458

Dear Residents and Employees of the City of Orange, 

We find ourselves confronted with a new challenge to our health, safety and well-being.  We must all work together in an effort to contain and limit the spread of COVID-19. Together we can undertake measures to keep our loved ones, our friends, our residents, our employees, our co-workers and our community safe. But this unprecedented public health emergency requires unprecedented actions, your help and measures to ensure our collective good health.

Effective immediately, all public buildings in Orange will be closed to the public. This includes City Hall, The Orange Police Station and Municipal Court, the Central Firehouse, the Public Library and the Brook Alley Public Works facility.  All City Parks are closed.

All public meetings of the ABC Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Rent Leveling Board, Library Board of Trustees and Historic Preservation Commission are cancelled until further notice. All senior events and programs are cancelled. All Recreation and Cultural Affairs programs are cancelled. The Office of Older Adults will continue to take seniors to medical appointments, HOWEVER, the medical appointment rides must be scheduled with our office no less than 72 hours in advance by calling (973) 266-4002. The new OPD Officer swearing-in, scheduled for March 16th at 6pm, is cancelled to the public

The March 17th City Council Meeting will be converted to restrict public access to Channel 35 viewing with a call-in number and email address for questions and comments. Members of the public are directed to the front page of the City Website (www.ci.orange.nj.us) for the agenda, and call in information. City Council Standing Committee meetings are cancelled.   In person meetings that have been scheduled or permitted in City Hall, the Police Station, the Municipal Court, the Fire House and the Orange Public Library are cancelled until further notice. 

Police, Fire and EMS services will continue to be provided without change or interruption.  As always, in an emergency dial 911.

If you need a police report or a report from fire prevention, you can call the general number at OPD at (973) 266-4111 then hit zero or OFD at (973) 266-4230 and provide the staff with your name, information and an email address that the report can be sent to. Fees will be waived. 

All departments will be staffed and personnel will be available to answer your emails and phone calls. Below is an up to date phone listing by department and an alternative cell phone number for each department should the land line be busy.

City Hall staff, public works staff, and civilian employees in both police and fire – will be split into two teams and will work alternate days on site. In this way we can maintain the CDC recommended separation between employees in the work space and continue to serve residents by answering phone calls, emails, scheduling conference calls, responding to complaints from residents, and insuring that City business continues on a daily basis.

All fines for all tickets for parking and motor vehicle violations need to be paid as usual, however fine escalations and late payment penalties will be waived from March 13, 2020 until further notice.  Taxes, water and sewer charges need to be paid as usual, but late payment penalties and interest on taxes, water and sewer will be waived from March 13, 2020 until further notice. Building code violations, and property maintenance code violations need to be paid as usual but late payment penalties and interest will be waived from March 13, 2020 until further notice. On line ACH and Credit Card payments are available to residents and residents are encouraged to use these methods of payment.

Similarly, Orange Municipal Court Judges have been requested to exercise their discretion to waive fines, late fees and penalties for any court matter that is rescheduled or missed in response to this public health emergency. 

Our goal is to ensure that no one suffers a penalty during this unprecedented public health emergency.

Individually, we can all do our part by: (1) not shaking hands, bumping fists or bumping elbows – a simple, cordial, knowing “hello” is acceptable and safe; (2) maintaining an appropriate social distancing space of 6 to 8 feet between yourself and others; (3) washing our hands, completely and thoroughly and frequently; (4) washing clothing in hot water and soap — after wearing them in contact with others; (5) not sharing cloths, utensils, drinks, cups or food; (6) covering up when we cough or sneeze; (7) avoid public gatherings; and (8) if business can be conducted by email or phone – do so in order to limit personal contacts. 

These are suggestions but are not meant as an exhaustive list of containment measures.

Working together we can be safe, we can be healthy and we can continue to move Orange forward.

Yours in Service,

Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq.

City of Orange Township