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time as a result of various Executive Orders issued by the Governor of the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, based on those Executive Orders, numerous employees were prevented or prohibited from attending to their duties at the municipal building or other municipal facilities; and

WHEREAS, having experienced this disruption, the Township wishes to upgrade its telephone system, along with associated hardware, in order to provide greater remote access for public employees; and

WHEREAS, the Township wishes to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all of its residents, as well as its employees and visitors, to the Township’s municipal facilities and wishes to ensure appropriate social distancing can be accomplished while the public’s work continues; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this pandemic, many Township employees currently require accommodations to work from home, and it is necessary and appropriate to provide a phone system which can provide more efficient access on a remote basis; and

WHEREAS, Extel Communications Inc., has been awarded a State contract, and the Township is authorized to enter into a purchase agreement with Extel to purchase such equipment without the necessity of public bidding; and

WHEREAS, the Township wishes to seek reimbursement for the cost and expense of this upgraded phone system to accommodate remote communications in a safe and responsible manner through the Federal CARES Act, which is distributed by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders; and

WHEREAS, the County of Ocean has advised Jackson Township and other municipalities of the availability of funds for certain COVID-19 related expenses; and

WHEREAS, the Township of Jackson respectfully submits that the expense of its’ new phone system, and associated hardware, is directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and appreciates the efforts of the County of Ocean to reach out and advise of the availability of such funding; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this 22nd day of September, 2020, by the Township Council of the Township of Jackson, County of Ocean and State of New Jersey, as follows:

1. The Township hereby authorizes the awarding of a contract to Extel Communications, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $99,500.00 for an upgrade to the Township’s phone system, and associated hardware and equipment, in order to provide better remote access to Township facilities for both the public and employees, and to ensure continuation of municipal operations during the COVID-19 health emergency and any future emergencies which may arise.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Township of Jackson respectfully requests reimbursement from the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders with respect to the CARES Act funding for this cost and expense, as it is directly related to the COVID-19 health emergency;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the following:

Terence Wall, Township Administrator; Sharon Pinkava, CFO; Veronica Dingle, Purchasing Agent; Christian David, Information Technology; Janice Kisty, RMC, Township Clerk/Registrar; Gregory P. McGuckin, Esquire, Township Attorney.

JANICE KISTY, R.M.C. TOWNSHIP CLERK