Township of Monroe News

New Jersey once again leads the nation in the spread of the virus as statewide hospitalizations surpassed 2,000 for the first time in nearly a month.  Cases are once again rising in the state despite 3.6 million vaccine doses administered to residents — including nearly 1.3 million people who have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday night. Governor Murphy cautioned residents to continue to take the virus seriously.  “As I have said, repeatedly, the presence of vaccines does not mean the pandemic is over,” the governor said at a recent press briefing.  NJ Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli added, “These sustained increases of hospitalizations and COVID activity demonstrate that we are definitely in another wave of this virus.”    

OEM CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR MORE VACCINE DOSES IN MONROE

According to the Middlesex County Office of Health Services, 47 percent of adults in Monroe Township have had their first vaccine and 26 percent have been fully vaccinated as of March 24, 2021.  Monroe Township ranked third in the county for number of residents vaccinated. Mayor Dalina and Township Council will keep fighting to make sure all residents have access to the vaccine and to make sure the homebound are served by the state program.  The Vaccine Angels program continues to be a tremendous tool for getting appointments for residents who need assistance.  If you or someone you know qualifies for the vaccine and has limited access to technology or family support, call the Mayor’s Office at 732-521-4400, Ext. 114, for assistance finding an appointment.

NOW HIRING FOR SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS AND SUPERVISORS: 

Mayor Dalina and Township Council are moving forward with the planning process for reengaging the Monroe Recreation department’s summer camp this year.  More details will be released as they become available.  While the size and scope of this year’s summer camp remain to be determined according to health and safety guidelines related to the pandemic, the Recreation Department will be accepting employment applications for counselors and supervisors throughout the month of April.  (NOTE:  Applications are not being accepted for Counselors-In-Training at this time.)  Applications can be downloaded at www.monroerec.com/index.php/about-us/forms and emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or dropped at the Community Center by April 30, 2021.

MONROE TOWNSHIP VACCINE ANGELS:  The Monroe Township Vaccine Angels program initiated by Mayor Dalina and Township Council has helped hundreds of seniors and other township residents access COVID-19 vaccine appointments. If you or someone you know qualifies for the vaccine and needs assistance finding an appointment, call Eileen in the Mayor’s Office at 732-521-4400, ext 114.

Pictured above:  Nurses, Middlesex County Office of Health Services employees and local volunteers working at the County-run Monroe Township Senior Center vaccination site

Mayor Stephen Dalina and the Township Council are extending appreciation to Monroe volunteers, county medical staff, and the Monroe Township OEM who are helping provide COVID vaccinations for three days this week to more than 1,500 people in Monroe Township.

Among the vaccinators are many Monroe Township residents with years of valuable experience, including Dr. Ngoc Quynh Tran-Hoppe who is the Medical Director at the Middlesex County Board of Health.

Individuals were scheduled this week to receive shots on Tuesday, Wednesday and this Friday, with sign-ups through the State Registration Website. 

Despite the progress, Mayor Dalina expressed frustration that the state did not set-up more vaccination centers in senior clubhouses, local pharmacies and other convenient locations in Monroe.

The Mayor and Council have also started a Vaccine Angels program to help seniors and other residents access vaccines.  The program has matched hundreds of volunteers who have successfully secured hundreds of vaccination appointments for seniors and other residents who need assistance.  For information, call Eileen in the Mayor’s Office at 732-521-4400, ext 114.

It has been a long, challenging winter, no doubt - and the weather didn’t make it any easier to contend with a global pandemic.  But we tackled the snow as it fell and did our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. 

Today’s weather, however, makes me hopeful for the spring.  While we are not yet where we want to be in terms of vaccine availability, I remain optimistic that we will get there.  Your Township Council and I continue to work hard to get enough vaccines to Monroe so that every resident who wants to be vaccinated can get an appointment.  This includes our most vulnerable residents. 

I am inspired to see that our vaccine scheduling assistance program has been such a success and that our residents are helping one another.  To date, this program has matched more than 350 volunteers with residents without access to technology or family support which has resulted in hundreds of vaccination appointments scheduled.  This is Monroe at work!  If you would like to volunteer to help, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact Eileen Biennas at 732-521-4400, Ext. 114.     

In other exciting news, I am pleased to announce that the Monroe Township Library will open for grab-and-go service on Wednesday, March 17.  Masks will be required and temperatures will be taken but you’ll be able to enter the library to browse and borrow.  As a safety precaution, there will be no seating and programs will remain virtual.  Hours will be Monday – Thursday:  9:30am – 8pm; Friday: 9:30am – 5pm; Saturday: 10am – 5pm and Sunday: closed.  Curbside service via the drive-thru will remain available for those who wish to use it.