Press Releases

Bloomfield Fire Department participates in ‘Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters’ remembrance

This past week, the Bloomfield Fire Department participated in ‘Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters’ Remembrance. The Bloomfield Fire Department headquarters were lit up every evening from dusk until dawn, as part of the national tribute, which lasts from September 27-October 4.

Bloomfield health department instructs residents to download new state COVID-19 app

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey, the state has released a new app that will alert residents if they may have been exposed to someone with the virus. The Bloomfield Health Department is advising residents to download the app to ensure that residents are alerted as quickly as possible.

Mayor Venezia, town council, and Bloomfield’s beautification committee announce town-wide cleanup for Saturday, October 24

The township is continuing to take a proactive approach to keep Bloomfield beautiful, environmentally friendly and sustainable. Mayor Venezia and the Town Council in partnership with the Bloomfield Beautification Committee have announced a town-wide cleanup on Saturday, October 24.

Essex County food distribution planned Oct. 8 in Montclair

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., and the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders will present an Emergency Food Distribution Event on Thursday, October 8th at the Charles H. Bullock School in Montclair to help families negatively impacted by the Coronavirus. The 1,000 boxes of food that will be distributed are meant to benefit families who have been forced out of work and are not able to afford food. Residents will receive one box of non-perishable food items.

Essex County’s COVID-19 testing sites for Oct. 2-9

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the upcoming schedule of Coronavirus testing sites sponsored by Essex County. The tests are are being offered to Essex County residents free of charge. To make an appointment, please visit www.EssexCovid.org or call 973-877-8456. Upcoming testing locations are as follows: *Friday, October 2nd, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue entrance, Newark (Walk up appointments are available at this location.) *Tuesday, October 6th, 4 to 6 p.m., North Caldwell Recreation, 141 Gould Avenue, North Caldwell *Wednesday, October 7th, 4 to 6 p.m., Calvary Evangelical Free Church, 450 Fells Road, Essex Fells *Thursday, October 8th, 4 to 6 p.m., Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex, Archery Field, Cherry Lane, West Orange *Friday, October 9th, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue entrance, Newark (Walk up appointments are available at this location.) *Additional dates will be announced. "Unfortunately, Essex County leads the state in the number of deaths caused by the Coronavirus. Our fight against this deadly disease is far from over and we must remain vigilant and aggressive to combat it. Testing is a critical tool that will tell us exactly how widespread the virus is and who has been infected. Whether you are exhibiting symptoms of the Coronavirus or not, we encourage residents to make an appointment and get tested," DiVincenzo said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for Essex residents to have access to testing. The Weequahic site has been hugely successful and offering other satellite testing sites will make getting tested more convenient," he added. "The primary focus of our county leadership during the Coronavirus pandemic has been keeping our residents healthy and safe. Establishing COVID-19 Satellite Testing Sites, and bringing testing access to different areas of Essex County, is an important step in protecting the health of our residents and our communities. Widespread testing is crucial to stopping the spread of the virus, and our Satellite Testing sites will be of significant help in this regard. I thank our County Administration, and our health professionals, for their hard work in implementing this latest COVID-19 testing initiative," Freeholder President Brendan Gill said. "Our COVID-19 testing site in Weequahic Park has successfully provided Essex County residents with local access to testing. Through the hard work of our County leadership, and our health professionals, our Satellite Testing Sites will now provide us with the ability to bring COVID-19 testing to multiple municipalities throughout the county. It is clear that expanding our testing capabilities is the proper course of action, and I thank and congratulate our leadership for their tireless work in putting this together. Lastly, I implore all of our residents to take advantage of the Satellite Testing Sites and get themselves tested," Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson said. Essex County residents with or without symptoms are encouraged to get tested. Residents age 8 years and older are welcome to get tested. Residents are encouraged to get retested if they have taken the swab or saliva tests 14 days ago or more and have received negative test results. Testing is provided free of charge; health insurance is not required. To make an appointment, residents should visit www.EssexCOVID.org or call 973-877-8456. They will be required to complete a short questionnaire. When finished, they will be provided with an appointment time and a confirmation number. Residents should bring the confirmation number with them. They are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Residents taking the COVID-19 saliva test should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum 30 minutes prior to arrival.

Income-eligible Essex County residents can apply for emergency rental assistance from Oct. 2-23

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that Essex County has set aside $5.5 million to create the Essex County Coronavirus Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program will provide a grant to help income-eligible residents pay their rent during the Coronavirus pandemic who are experiencing homelessness. Applications can be made by visiting: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/essexcountynj/participant There is a limited time to submit applications; the website will be open from October 2nd to October 23rd. "The economic impact of the coronavirus has made it difficult for some households to maintain their housing during the pandemic. Our Emergency Rental Assistance Program will help eligible residents pay up to six months of their rent and help them quickly exit homelessness during these uncertain times and benefits landlords who will receive rental payments so they can pay for property taxes and other expenses," DiVincenzo said. "The leadership of our county has implemented programs and initiatives, in a multitude of areas, to assist Essex County residents throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, we aim to provide financial relief that will assist in keeping families together and in their homes during this unprecedented time," Freeholder President Brendan Gill said. "The possibility of county residents losing their homes due to financial losses brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is a pressing concern. I am proud of the success of our Food Distribution Events and COVID-19 Satellite testing locations, and I am confident our Emergency Rental Assistance Program will be just as impactful in helping residents stay in their homes," Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson said. Residents can apply for up to six (6) months of rental assistance. When they visit https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/essexcountynj/participant, residents will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and will be required to demonstrate why they are unable to pay their rent or provide proof of an impending eviction. Residents also must provide documentation of household income to confirm they meet certain income eligibility guidelines established by the Federal government. The willing participation of the landlord is necessary for the application and the landlord must verify he or she will accept payment from Essex County. Residents and landlords also must affirm that funding assistance has not been received from other sources that would create a duplication of benefits. When an application is approved, the payment will be made directly to the landlord. Essex County is funding the Coronavirus Emergency Rental Assistance Program with grants from the Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant programs. Essex County already has an established program to assist homeowners who are having difficulty meeting their mortgage obligations. If a homeowner needs assistance, they can contact the East Orange Community Development Corporation at 973-266-5315 or the Montclair Salvation Army at 973-744-3312.

Essex County food distribution planned Oct. 1 in Maplewood

Essex County Upcoming COVID Testing Sites

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the upcoming schedule of Coronavirus testing sites sponsored by Essex County. The tests are are being offered to Essex County residents free of charge. To make an appointment, please visit www.EssexCovid.org or call 973-877-8456. Upcoming testing locations are as follows: * Monday, September 14th, 4 to 6 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 217 Prospect Street, South Orange * Tuesday, September 15th, 4 to 6 p.m., American Little League Field, Reinheimer Park, 40 Bloomfield Ave., Nutley * Thursday, September 17th, 4 to 6 p.m., Essex County Airport, 27 Wright Way, Building M, Fairfield * Friday, September 18th, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue entrance, Newark (Walk up appointments are available at this location.) * Additional dates will be announced. "Unfortunately, Essex County leads the state in the number of deaths caused by the Coronavirus. Our fight against this deadly disease is far from over and we must remain vigilant and aggressive to combat it. Testing is a critical tool that will tell us exactly how widespread the virus is and who has been infected. Whether you are exhibiting symptoms of the Coronavirus or not, we encourage residents to make an appointment and get tested," DiVincenzo said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for Essex residents to have access to testing. The Weequahic site has been hugely successful and offering other satellite testing sites will make getting tested more convenient," he added. "The primary focus of our county leadership during the Coronavirus pandemic has been keeping our residents healthy and safe. Establishing COVID-19 Satellite Testing Sites, and bringing testing access to different areas of Essex County, is an important step in protecting the health of our residents and our communities. Widespread testing is crucial to stopping the spread of the virus, and our Satellite Testing sites will be of significant help in this regard. I thank our County Administration, and our health professionals, for their hard work in implementing this latest COVID-19 testing initiative," Freeholder President Brendan Gill said. "Our COVID-19 testing site in Weequahic Park has successfully provided Essex County residents with local access to testing. Through the hard work of our County leadership, and our health professionals, our Satellite Testing Sites will now provide us with the ability to bring COVID-19 testing to multiple municipalities throughout the county. It is clear that expanding our testing capabilities is the proper course of action, and I thank and congratulate our leadership for their tireless work in putting this together. Lastly, I implore all of our residents to take advantage of the Satellite Testing Sites and get themselves tested," Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson said. Essex County residents with or without symptoms are encouraged to get tested. Residents age 13 and older are welcome to get tested. Residents are encouraged to get retested if they have taken the swab or saliva tests 14 days ago or more and have received negative test results. Testing is provided free of charge; health insurance is not required. To make an appointment, residents should visit www.EssexCOVID.org or call 973-877-8456. They will be required to complete a short questionnaire. When finished, they will be provided with an appointment time and a confirmation number. Residents should bring the confirmation number with them. They are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Residents taking the COVID-19 saliva test should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum 30 minutes prior to arrival.

Essex County COVID-19 testing sites Oct. 1-9

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the upcoming schedule of Coronavirus testing sites sponsored by Essex County. The tests are are being offered to Essex County residents free of charge. To make an appointment, please visit www.EssexCovid.org or call 973-877-8456. Upcoming testing locations are as follows: * Thursday, October 1st, 4 to 6 p.m., Westville Avenue Pool, 293 Westville Avenue, West Caldwell * Friday, October 2nd, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue entrance, Newark (Walk up appointments are available at this location.) * Tuesday, October 6th, 4 to 6 p.m., North Caldwell Recreation, 141 Gould Avenue, North Caldwell, NJ * Friday, October 9th, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Essex County Weequahic Park, Meeker Avenue entrance, Newark (Walk up appointments are available at this location.) * Additional dates will be announced. "Unfortunately, Essex County leads the state in the number of deaths caused by the Coronavirus. Our fight against this deadly disease is far from over and we must remain vigilant and aggressive to combat it. Testing is a critical tool that will tell us exactly how widespread the virus is and who has been infected. Whether you are exhibiting symptoms of the Coronavirus or not, we encourage residents to make an appointment and get tested," DiVincenzo said. "We want to make it as easy as possible for Essex residents to have access to testing. The Weequahic site has been hugely successful and offering other satellite testing sites will make getting tested more convenient," he added. "The primary focus of our county leadership during the Coronavirus pandemic has been keeping our residents healthy and safe. Establishing COVID-19 Satellite Testing Sites, and bringing testing access to different areas of Essex County, is an important step in protecting the health of our residents and our communities. Widespread testing is crucial to stopping the spread of the virus, and our Satellite Testing sites will be of significant help in this regard. I thank our County Administration, and our health professionals, for their hard work in implementing this latest COVID-19 testing initiative," Freeholder President Brendan Gill said. "Our COVID-19 testing site in Weequahic Park has successfully provided Essex County residents with local access to testing. Through the hard work of our County leadership, and our health professionals, our Satellite Testing Sites will now provide us with the ability to bring COVID-19 testing to multiple municipalities throughout the county. It is clear that expanding our testing capabilities is the proper course of action, and I thank and congratulate our leadership for their tireless work in putting this together. Lastly, I implore all of our residents to take advantage of the Satellite Testing Sites and get themselves tested," Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson said. Essex County residents with or without symptoms are encouraged to get tested. Residents age 8 years and older are welcome to get tested. Residents are encouraged to get retested if they have taken the swab or saliva tests 14 days ago or more and have received negative test results. Testing is provided free of charge; health insurance is not required. To make an appointment, residents should visit www.EssexCOVID.org or call 973-877-8456. They will be required to complete a short questionnaire. When finished, they will be provided with an appointment time and a confirmation number. Residents should bring the confirmation number with them. They are asked to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Residents taking the COVID-19 saliva test should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum 30 minutes prior to arrival.