Mountain Lake Beach

 Due to the presence of HAB (Harmful Alga Bloom)

Mountain Lake Beach is now closed for the season

West Nile Virus Activity is on the Rise in Warren County

 West Nile virus Activity is On the Rise in Warren County

Four more samples of mosquitoes collected last week tested positive for West Nile virus in Warren County.   All four samples consisted of Culex mosquitoes. This type of mosquito is the primary vector of West Nile virus and prefers to get its bloodmeals from birds. However, they do bite people as well, so residents are highly encouraged to wear mosquito repellent. The mosquitoes were collected from Hope and Liberty Townships on August 15^th in traps specifically designed to catch Culex mosquitoes. 

 

So far this year, Warren County Mosquito Control Commission has submitted 314 mosquito samples to the state laboratory for mosquito-borne virus testing and eleven (11) mosquito samples this year have tested positive for West Nile virus.  The WNV positive mosquitoes have been collected from Belvidere, Blairstown, Franklin, Harmony, Hope (3), Liberty, Lopatcong (2) , and Washington Townships. Statewide, the number of West Nile positive mosquitoes is now above the 5-year average.  There have been three presumptive human cases of West Nile positive in New Jersey this year reported one each from Bergen, Camden, and Middlesex Counties.  Mid to late August is peak time for humans and other mammals to acquire this virus.  Subsequent trapping for adult mosquitoes is taking place to survey for mosquito species more likely to bite people.  Treatments to reduce adult mosquito populations in areas of the West Nile virus activity are scheduled for Saturday August 26, 2023, between 8:00 pm and 11:59 pm.

 

There are high populations of container-breeding mosquitoes in the area that could potentially transmit the virus.  YOU CAN HELP!  Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines: 

• Don't produce mosquitoes on your property. Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes can't begin their life without water. Encourage your neighbors to do the same!
• Defend yourself against mosquitoes using repellents containing the active ingredients:  DEET, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically Dawn and Dusk.
• Report neglected swimming pools by calling 908-453-3585 or visiting www.warrencountymosquito.org  Anonymous calls accepted. Just one neglected pool

      can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.  

 

WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION

West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks. About 1 in 5 people with West Nile virus develop a fever and mild symptoms. Less than one percent of individuals (about 1 in 150 people) infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. West Nile virus infection can be fatal.    

 

Horses can also contract West Nile virus and get seriously ill from the disease.  There is a vaccine for horses but they need to be vaccinated every year.  Contact your veterinarian for vaccination information. 

 

·         Information on WNV, repellents etc. from the Centers for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/prevent-mosquito-bites.html

·         Notice of spraying to be done for adult mosquitoes in the county can be found on the website, scroll down to treatment schedule:  http://www.warrencountymosquito.com

·         More information about West Nile virus and other vector borne diseases (mosquito & tick) present in New Jersey can be found at: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/vectorborne.shtml

Tax Collector Office Closed 26 August

Please be advised the Tax Collector Office

will be closed

Saturday 26 August

and will reopen

Wednesday 30 August

Rural Disaster Assistance for Warren County Residents and Businesses

 

SBA Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Warren   Center Located at County Library Branch Offers Rural Disaster Assistance to New Jersey Businesses and Residents Affected by the Severe Storms and Flooding   Post Date:08/22/2023 3:23 PM   Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses and residents in Warren County, New Jersey, affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred July 14-15, 2023, announced Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at a Disaster Loan Outreach Center located in the Warren County Library’s Richard D. Gardner Branch to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete the application. Located at 2 Shotwell Drive, Belvidere (off Route 519 in White Township), the center will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Subsequent hours will be Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center will be closed on Sunday, and will close permanently on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary. The SBA outreach center will be located in the second floor meeting room of the Gardner Branch and is fully accessible using the building’s elevator. Warren County is offering the location and assisting with setting up the center, which will be operated by federal officials. Further information about reporting damage and obtaining aid is available on a webpage established on Warren County’s Public Safety website. According to the SBA, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize future disaster damage. Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses, 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations and 2.5.% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. SBA disaster loan borrowers have up to one year from the date of the note to begin making payments. In addition, interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial loan disbursement and accrues only on the amount disbursed. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 18086. Disaster loan information and application forms can be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. While the SBA Loan Outreach Center is open until September 6 at the Library so that individuals who need assistance applying can sit down with an SBA representative and apply, residents do not need to go to the center to apply and can use the link to SBA’s secure website instead. The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 17, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 20, 2024. SBA acted under the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act to declare a disaster in response to a request received from Gov. Philip D. Murphy.

Tax Collector Office Closed 23 August

Please be advised the Tax Collector office 

will be closed this evening, 

Wednesday 23 August

Mountain Lake Beach - Update August 21

 The Mountain Lake Beach continues to be closed as there is confirmed harmful algal bloom in the area.  Below is a link to the NJDEP webpage that shows the testing dates and locations throughout New Jersey.

https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/49190166531d4e5a811c9a91e4a41677

Tax Bills and 3rd Quarter Tax Due Date

 The tax bills are being mailed the week of August 21 and the due date has been extended to Tuesday, September 19.

Environmental Commission Meeting 17 August

 

Warren County Mosquito Commission

 

An aerial pesticide application for mosquito control is planned.  A granular substance (resembling kitty litter) will be applied to standing water, by aircraft, for the control of immature mosquitoes by the Warren County Mosquito Commission.

 

Locations:                Mountain Lake Woods

 

Date:                          August 17, 2023 

Alternate Date:        August 18 &/or 19, 2023

Time:                         Dawn -dusk

Aerial Contractor:   Wings Aerial Applicator, LLC

Aircraft:                     AirTractor AT502, Reg# N45313

 

Information/Questions please call the Warren County Mosquito Commission:

                                    908.453.3585  (Monday-Friday 8-4)

Mountain Lake Beach Closure

 Please be advised the Mountain Lake Beach is closed until further notice due to suspected of  Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in the beach area.  Further testing is being conducted at this time.

Mountain Lake Beach Closure

 Due to forecasted weather conditions,

Mountain Lake Beach is closed today, 7 August 2023