November 24, 2020
Township Weekend Update
Thanksgiving Edition 

Dear Resident, 

As we near Thanksgiving, I know that this year’s table will look very different for many of us.  For those that are used to gathering with friends and family, it can be a difficult time. Please know you are not alone. I will list resources for assistance below.   

Township Municipal Offices will CLOSED on Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Curbside recycling collection for Zone 3 (normally Thursday) will have a special collection day on Saturday, November 28.  Items must be placed curbside by 7am.  The Recycling Center is open normal hours on Saturday, November 28. The Town Hall lobby drop box and on-line services are always available. The Marlboro Division of Police is open 24/7 and can be reached at 732-536-0100.  Emergencies, dial 9-1-1. 

My deepest gratitude to residents who donated to our Thanksgiving food drive, for the first time held to benefit local families.  Not surprisingly, your response was overwhelming.  We give special thanks to our community partners.  Dave Green, founder of ‘Play-2-Win Foundation’ donated 45 turkeys and Terry and Dale Goldberg, owners of ‘Sam Ian Sales’ for donating thousands of dollars of Thanksgiving food.  In cooperation with the Marlboro K-8, the High School and Marlboro Police, more than fifty (50) Thanksgiving baskets were delivered to Marlboro families. Additional food is being provided to local food banks.  Thank you to Recreation for spearheading this initiative. We will be announcing a Holiday food drive soon.  If your family is in need of a food basket for the winter holidays, please send a confidential email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

EVENTS: 

  • Small Business Saturday – This Saturday, November 28 is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses.  Small businesses are the heart of our community and this year, more than ever, they need our support. Our Shop Marlboro program has been going strong for over a decade. Our Property Tax Reward program, the first of its kind in the nation was launched 2012. Please check our website HERE for a list of Marlboro businesses. For more on the Property Tax Reward Program, click HERE.  This Saturday, please remember to shop our small businesses for your holiday gifts. Don’t forget restaurant gift certificates! When we come out of the other side of this health emergency, we will want our town to continue to have the diverse stores and restaurants that make us the premier destination live and raise a family. 
  • Operation Outreach – We continue to collect cards, letters and drawings to send to the US Military.  Please submit via email, drop-off to Recreation, or mail no later than November 30.  FLYER
  • Holiday House Decorating Contest and Tour – Do you decorate your house for the winter holidays? Share your holiday spirit and enter our contest by registering your house on community pass no later December 9.  We will share participating houses’ addresses with our community so all can drive by and enjoy your inspiration. Judging will take place from December 14 to 17 from 5pm-7pm (lights on, please) and is based on creativity, details and holiday spirit. See FLYER for details. 
  • Santa Letter Box – Send a letter to the North Pole.  Deposit your wish list in our Santa letter Box outside the Recreation Center from November 30 until December 14. To receive a reply, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. See FLYER for more. 
  • Hanukkah Dreidel Challenge –Show off your Dreidel talents! Send a photo or video of your favorite Dreidel, your longest spin or the most creative spinning location. Email your submission to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by December 18.  FLYER
  • Holiday Toy Drive – We are pleased to again partner with Charity Kings for our annual toy drive.  Toy bins are in the recreation center and Town Hall lobby.  Please place new, unwrapped toys in the bins no later than December 14. 
  • Holiday Lighting –We are pleased to announce that our annual holiday Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting will be held on Monday, December 14 at 6:00pm.  The event will be livestreamed on the Township Facebook page and shortly after uploaded to Channel 77.  Please grab a cup of hot cocoa and join us virtually as we celebrate the season.   

COVID-19 UPDATE:

Mental Health and Stress - Please know you are not alone. Help is available. 

  • Call 866-202-4357. Text ‘NJHOPE to 51684.  For the deaf and hearing impaired, videophone 973-870-0677. 
  • Our COVID Resource Guide is on our Township website and linked HERE. The guide includes websites and phone numbers on a myriad of topics for businesses and individuals. 
  • The Monmouth County Financial Recovery Network is a streamlined guide for financial support systems whether newly in need of service or established recipients.

Testing: Testing is available at more than 400 locations throughout the state.

    • Visit the NJ COVID hub for a complete list of testing locations   https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing
    • Monmouth County provides testing locations for residents. The test is free and you do not have to be symptomatic.  The clinics have 200 tests and once those are administered, the clinic will close for the day.  The final test date for the month is Wednesday, November 25 in Neptune from 9am to noon at the Neptune First Aid at 5 Neptune Blvd.  Please complete the Testing Requisition Form ahead of your visit. County testing sites for December will be announced next week.  To receive county updates, register for their newsletter at visitmonmouth.com.​

COVID-19 Testing and Stats - As of this afternoon:

  • New Jersey reported 4,383 new positive cases, 313,863 cumulative total cases, 48 new confirmed deaths and 15,007 total deaths. 
  • Monmouth County reports 277 new positive cases today and 19,115 total cumulative cases.   
  • Marlboro Township has 14 new cases today and 1,080 total cumulative cases. This is an increase of 149 positive tests since our update 8 days ago.  Of the cumulative cases, 830 have been cleared, meaning that we have 250 active cases.
  • Yesterday, Dr. Hibbs, Superintendent, made the decision to move the Marlboro Township K-8 schools to full-remote learning effective today through December 14, at the earliest.  His letter is posted on the school website and HERE.  

Please practice social distancing, wear a mask when not possible and wash your hands frequently. Call or text neighbors, friends and relatives that may be alone this holiday.  Share this email so that those that need assistance know where to find it. It has been a difficult year, but we still have much to be thankful for.  Together, we will get through this. 

On behalf of the Township Council and the Town employees, I wish you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday. 

Yours in community,   
Mayor Jon Hornik