LACEY – Township Mayor Peter A. Curatolo reported on a number of township activities during a recent Committee meeting most notably a letter he posted to the township’s website, that he hopes gains more public awareness.
“Nothing is more important to me than taking care of our residents. As a Township, we continue to move through difficult times but we are turning the corner. I know you have experienced issues and bureaucracy in attempting to receive a COVID-19 vaccination,” Mayor Curatolo said.
The mayor stated in his letter, “it is my sincere hope that these simple directives will assist you as more vaccine becomes available in the coming weeks – Which it will.”
He informed residents of the State of New Jersey Information Hub, located at covid19.nj.gov.
He said that the site would assist Lacey residents in locating a helpline number to speak with a person who could guide them 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 855-568-0545.
Also included is a complete list of vaccination locations in the State of New Jersey broken down by county, with phone numbers for each site. You can read frequently asked questions, learn eligibility requirements, and get assistance in scheduling a vaccination.
Mayor Curatolo said he spoke with “our chief of police, Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy and our C.E.R.T. Team Liaison to Ocean County. In the near future when additional appointments for vaccinations become available, a C.E.R.T. Team volunteer will be available to assist those who have challenges with technology, internet access issues, filling out forms and the answering of basic, non-medical questions.” C.E.R.T. stands for Community Emergency Response Team.
The mayor also advised residents to visit ochd.org for local information and updates as well.
“Many, many people have been reaching out to me regarding this vaccine. I firmly believe that technology should never be a barrier to care, rather it should be a facilitator to it. People who are trying to get an appointment for the vaccine should go to the website and read it,” the mayor said during the committee meeting.
“When more appointments become available, we are going to help people through C.E.R.T. team members, acquire an appointment, navigate the internet if they are technology challenged or if they don’t have access,” the mayor said.
He added, “we’re going to help them. We have an obligation to help those people get care. We need this vaccine for herd immunity. We need it to help us get rid of this plague that we are in.”
Mayor Curatolo said, “we will have volunteers at the ready so please visit the website and click on the letter.”
Time Capsule
In other news the mayor noted that Lacey Township officially turns 150 years old on March 23. “I want to thank the DPW (Department of Public Works). I reached out to them and they have been active along with Committeeman (Tim) McDonald and some of my other colleagues on the 150 Committee,” the mayor said.
“We are going to have on the 23rd at 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Recreation building, a drop off by people who want to leave a standard envelope only, no large packages, something they want to go into our time capsule,” Mayor Curatolo said. He added that a small pedestal will be built by the DPW which will be based for the next half century in the Township Hall.
School Funding Down
The mayor mentioned a conference call he was on with Governor Phil Murphy recently regarding the state’s aid for schools in the amount of $624 million. “I guess he meant the Abbott districts and the major cities in our state because our district here in Lacey is losing money.”
“To me it should not be used as Peter to pay Paul. That is part of the problem that this state is in with our property tax debacle. It should be provided evenly among the urban suburban districts. I respectfully disagree with our governor there,” he said.
The mayor also said he met with members of the 9th Legislative District recently. “Senator Christopher J. Connors (who also serves as the township’s attorney) Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove answered some of the critical questions that our residents have had.”
Scams Going Around
Curatolo also warned residents that phone scams had been reported within the township. “JCP&L are not going to ask for your information and if you need a COVID vaccination from the Ocean County Board of Health or anywhere they are going to ask only the most basic information to help you fill out a form. They are not going to ask you for your bank account.”
“JCP&L will not call you and say we are going to turn off your power when it is 30 degrees outside unless you cut us a check or give us a wire or your credit card number unless you give us several hundred dollars. Don’t fall for that. If you think the situation smells of something call the police department,” Mayor Curatolo said.
