How COVID-19 is impacting Dunellen

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Currently there are no incidences of the coronavirus COVID-19 reported in Dunellen. However, several precautionary and preventative measures have been put into place.

This is a list of activities that have been impacted. It will be updated as the situation evolves.

Government

Municipal buildings and services will remain open during normal business operations until further notice. However, personnel will work only within their respective departments. Council meetings will also remain on schedule. The borough is looking into cleaning services to deep clean the buildings during this time.

According to a Facebook message from Mayor Jason Cilento, “there have been reports in a neighboring township of people posing as CDC workers and saying that they are doing a Coronavirus Study. THEY ARE NOT CDC WORKERS. Although there have been no reports in Dunellen, be aware that if someone comes to your door identifying themselves as a CDC worker, you should not let them in and should call the police immediately with a description of the individuals.”

More detailed information regarding how the town is addressing the situation and more general COVID-19 references be found on the special COVID-19 page of the borough website.

Courts

As part of the effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Municipal Courts around the state will be closed March 16-27. The court offices will remain open and certain matters will continue to be handled.

Education / Childcare

The Dunellen public schools will be closed Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20.  A decision will be made at that time whether to continue with the closure. Distance learning will be conducted during this time.  Every student will go through their regular schedule for an early dismissal school day.  Teachers will be teaching either via computer or through pre-made learning packets. All after-school events in Dunellen are cancelled until further notice, including all sports (practices and games). During the closure all administrators, secretaries, counselors and nurses will be available during school hours.

Footprints Christian Pre-School will be closed Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. 

Library

The Dunellen Public Library will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, March 14 and continuing through Sunday, March 22. During this time, members are encouraged to take advantage of the downloadable e-books, e-audiobooks, movies and music that are available through Hoopla, eLibrary NJ (choose Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium as your home library), and RB Digital which can be accessed with your library card.

While the building is closed, items that have already been checked out will be automatically renewed and fines will be waived. Please do not return library materials to the book drop during the time that the library is closed.

Upcoming library events have been rescheduled. Check the DPL website and Facebook page for up-to-date information.

The Little Free Public Libraries around town have been re-stocked. They are stocked primarily with children’s books but will be checked throughout the week to add a variety of titles for different audiences.

Police

As noted on its Facebook page, the Dunellen Police Department is taking extra measures to keep our officers healthy while our community pulls through this.” Although they are responding to calls as normal, patrol members may keep a little extra distance while communicating or take any other precautions during the course of their duties.

Recreation Department

All Senior programs and Recreation programs are suspended at this time. The Senior Center is closed and there will be one more week of Senior Busing till further notice.

All Recreation spring sports are on hold at this time (spring sports are not cancelled) with the intent to resume in April if possible. Any questions email: amiller@dunellenborough.com

Nonprofits

  • Girl Scout cookie booth sales have been suspended for 2 weeks starting 3/16.
  • Boy Scouts Troop 29 have postponed their Spaghetti Dinner which was to be held on March 28. It will now happen in October.
  • The Friends of the Dunellen Public Library’s March meeting is cancelled.
  • FISH – Dunellen Area has cancelled its Fishes and Loaves on Friday, March 20. The Clothing Room will be closed from Tuesday, March 17-Friday, April 3 and will reopen Monday, April 6. It is not accepting clothing donations during the closure.
  • The Columbian Club of Dunellen is open.

Religious Organizations

  • First Presbyterian Church of Dunellen (FPCD) has cancelled ALL activities, worship services, meetings and office hours effective Saturday, March 14 to Tuesday, March 31. Sermons, prayer and scripture readings will be on Facebook Live on all Sundays during this cancellation at the set service times of 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm
  • St. Francis Episcopalian Church has suspended public worship services until further notice by direction of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. Services will be livestreamed at 10 am on Sundays using Facebook Live.

Local Businesses

Currently, most businesses are open with regular hours, having heightened their hygiene protocols. Check their social media posts and websites for up-to-date info.

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