ALLENTOWN – Mayor Thomas Fritts sought to reassure Allentown residents that the borough’s elected officials, employees and first responders are taking all of the steps that are necessary to protect the community during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Fritts made his comments during the March 24 meeting of the Borough Council, which was live-streamed on Facebook as municipal officials and residents followed Gov. Phil Murphy’s directive to avoid public gatherings during the health crisis.
Fritts was joined in the Borough Hall meeting room by municipal clerk Laurie Roth.
Council President Robert Strovinsky, Councilwoman Angela Anthony, Councilwoman Martha Johnson, Councilman John A. Elder III, Councilman Michael Drennan and Councilman Dan Payson participated in the meeting by telephone.
Fritts said that as of March 24, there had been no reported cases of coronavirus in the borough.
Several days prior to the council meeting, Monmouth County officials reported there were two cases in the borough; however, Fritts said while those two individuals live in the 08501 ZIP code that serves Allentown, they are not residents of the community.
Speaking directly to residents, Fritts said, “As a resident and as a parent, I understand your concerns and the fears for your family, neighbors and community at large. This includes our senior community with the highest risk of developing coronavirus and our local businesses that are suffering financially.
“Please be assured your borough elected officials, staff, first responders and emergency management personnel are doing everything possible to keep you safe. … Our utilities operators have emergency personnel on standby if they are needed. Our Senior Committee and volunteers started outreach to our seniors. They made over 300 phone calls and will continue to work with those residents in need.
“The health and safety of Allentown’s community is our top priority. Our municipal clerk, Laurie Roth, is putting out information to our residents regarding coronavirus, resources for support and changes to borough operations daily. Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Gomba is sending out emergency information as it occurs,” the mayor said.
“I want to thank our borough staff. All are considered essential personnel and are reporting to work daily. The doors of Borough Hall may be closed to the public, but our police, municipal clerk, front office, public works, finance and utilities staff are doing everything to ensure it is business as usual.
“I also want to thank our emergency medical services and fire department. They are on the front line and very vulnerable during this time.
“I want to express how amazing our community is. Compassion, unity, strength, selflessness, love and more come to mind. I have received call after call from residents, business owners, committee members and commission members who are looking to volunteer and help those in need,”Fritts said.
“We are resilient. We will be stronger than ever when the situation improves, and it will improve. … Please continue to support our local businesses that have adapted to provide services such as delivery and take-out.
“The entire governing body understands our community as a whole has suffered financially and will feel the impact for quite a while. … We truly understand the local impact that each and every one of you are experiencing,” Fritts told residents.
As the coronavirus outbreak took hold in Monmouth County, the operators of one Allentown business, the Moth Coffeehouse in the Old Mill, posted a message on Facebook announcing they were closing until the current situation subsides.
The operators of the business wrote, “We are very sad to have to do this; however, we must keep the safety of our staff, our customers and our community as our top priority. We love you all and we cannot wait to reopen. Better than ever!”
