The Linden Board of Health reported rising measles cases nationally and provided local enforcement updates during the City Council meeting on June 24.

Councilman Javec, as chairman of the Fire Committee and reporting on the Board of Health, said the U.S. has recorded 1,168 confirmed measles cases in 33 states and warned that the number is rising; 95% of cases, he said, involved people unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. He also summarized surveillance of a COVID-19 variant (referred to in the meeting as NB.1.81/Nimbus) and said it is highly transmissible but has not shown increased hospitalizations nationally. Those health remarks were delivered as informational items in the board report.

Separately, the board and code enforcement reported 208 property complaints since May 1, 140 for high grass. Council actions reduced the number of notification days from 10 to 3 and staff now place yellow notice stickers on doors in addition to mailed letters; summonses have been issued for 97 properties. Officials said this has resulted in faster enforcement and resolution.

Council members also confirmed eligibility details for a senior home improvement grant: homeowners 60 years or older with household income at or below 80% of area median income may receive grants up to $10,000 for eligible home repairs. The council placed the health and code reports on file and advised residents to call the listed contacts for program details.

The board emphasized routine public-health precautions and urged residents to keep vaccination status current and to address property maintenance to avoid enforcement actions.