Monty Leaders to Host Virtual Business Forum on June 9 to Clarify How & When Local Biz May Reopen

Confused about what is opening in the Montgomery area, how, and when? Montgomery Township leaders will host a virtual business forum on Tuesday, June 9 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm on Zoom. The focus of the discussion will be municipal support for local businesses, health and safety protocols for reopening businesses, and the transition to future phases of re-opening.

The Tiger's Tale, at the corner of Routes 206 and 518, will be one of the first local restaurants to open for outdoor dining. Montgomery Township will allow the restaurant to set up two temporary dining areas in front of the Tale. Owner Cory G. Wingerter says he expects to seat 30 to 50 guests with social distancing between tables. He will have planters surrounding the areas, with string lights for lighting.

As the coronavirus outbreak slows, Gov Phil Murphy has announced outdoor dining and retail stores may reopen in two weeks (on June 15). Customers and shoppers can expect temperature checks, paper menus, and servers in masks, according the governor.

Gyms and hair salons will open next, in what Gov Murphy calls ‘Stage 2’ of coronavirus recovery. Few details have been available on what this means to local businesses.

Montgomery Mayor Sadaf Jaffer stated, “This forum will be an opportunity for the Montgomery business community to learn the guidelines and best practices for being open during the COVID-era, and to ask questions of our professional staff.  It’s a sign of our commitment to helping local businesses rebound from this most difficult time."

"Our businesses are vital contributors to the sense of community we have in Montgomery and we are eager for them to succeed,” she added.

Panelists will include: Mayor Sadaf Jaffer, Committeewoman Devra Keenan, Township Administrator Donato Nieman, Police Director James Gill, Health Officer Stephanie Carey, Board of Health President Jeremy Grayson, MD, Planning Director Lori Savron, and Zoning Officer Joseph Palmer.

All Montgomery businesspersons are encouraged to engage in this forum by pre-registering to receive the ZOOM meeting password. Pre-register by June 8 by providing your name, your business name, and your phone number to Lsavron@twp.montgomery.nj.us.

As of Saturday, June 6, Gov Murphy announced the NJ coronavirus death toll increased to 12,106 with 163,893 total cases. The outbreak continues to diminish. There were 60 new deaths and 606 new positive cases. Visit the state tracking website for up-to-date information.

Montgomery Township COVID-19 numbers remain at seven deaths (five at Stonebridge) and 108 total positive cases. Rocky Hill Borough has zero deaths and a total of six positive cases.

Questions or public comment may also be sent to boardcomment@twp.montgomery.nj.us The forum will be broadcast live on Comcast Cable Channel 29 and live-streamed for anyone to watch on the township website on June 9 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

The forum will be available for on-demand viewing as of June 10. Navigate to the meetings video webpage’s specialty tab.

The governor stressed that a resurgence in coronavirus cases could alter the timetable or cause him to re-install shutdowns in the future.