It sure has been an odd couple of weeks, hasn’t it?

A few weeks ago, I was working on putting together several posts before the COVID-19 virus essentially shut everything down. Between getting used to working from home and trying to keep up with things both personal and professional, those posts suddenly didn’t seem all that important. Now that I’ve gotten a better handle on things, I was able to speak to city officials about the response to COVID-19 (It’s not quite redevelopment news but I thought it’d be important to share. We’ll get back to redevelopment posts shortly).

Three more positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed locally today, bringing the total to nine within the city. The first was on March 18, followed by two on March 21, and three cases yesterday. There are 262 positive cases in Union County.

Mayor Ray Giacobbe, Jr. issued an executive order to close City Hall on March 16. It will remain closed until at least April 6, with staff working on staggered shifts. “Two weeks ago, when everything started to escalate, I met with directors and put together a plan, hoping at that time, we wouldn’t have to put that plan in place,” he said. City Hall is closed to the public with the exception of appointments and various departments can be contacted via phone or email.

People who can work from home are working from home but some essential functions need to continue to perform to function as a government, such as processing payroll and payments and opening mail, City Administrator and Redevelopment Director Robert Landolfi said.

A ban on large gatherings and non-essential travel have crippled businesses throughout the country. Local restaurants continue to offer food pick-up and delivery but are not open for dining in. Rahway Taste of Spring, originally scheduled for April 24, has been cancelled but will return in 2021 for its 20th anniversary. Rahway Day, scheduled for May 2, also has been canceled postponed to Oct. 3.

Giacobbe said he met with his team to discuss what could be done in the city for businesses. He’s been talking to county officials to review what can be offered to small businesses, including grant programs and possibility tied to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and they’re keeping an eye on what will be included in the new federal stimulus package.

The Rahway Chamber of Commerce has shared information on its Business Improvement Grants as well as working capital loans available through the Union County Economic Development Commission (UCEDC). Chamber of Commerce member Kate Walsh created Rahway Main Street, a digital main street where you can find information on local businesses about changes in hours, services, etc., and purchase gift cards.

City Council canceled its April 7 pre-meeting conference but no decision has been made yet about the April 13 regular meeting. Landolfi is hopeful that regular meeting will take place, it’s just a matter of figuring out the technology and ensuring it’s in compliance. The state has issued some regulations for having public meetings under these circumstances. “We can comply with those, it’s just a question of how,” he said.

The Redevelopment Agency’s April 1 meeting has been canceled and should there be any applications before the Zoning or Planning boards, Landolfi said, they would have to take a hard look at how to conduct such a meeting. With exhibits and display boards and such, that might be a bigger challenge, he said.

The city continues to do construction code inspections, as needed, Landolfi said, and inspections needed to keep construction activity going.