LONGPORT – Mayor Nicholas Russo and Commissioner Jim Leeds did not attend the Oct. 21 Board of Commissioners meeting in person and instead voted on issues remotely through the GoToMeeting app.
Borough Administrator A. Scott Porter explained their absence from the meeting room stating both commissioners were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Both commissioners attended separate half-hour meetings last Thursday with eight borough employees, one of whom later tested positive for COVID-19.
“They are fine. There is no indication they have it. They are attending remotely out of caution and consideration for everyone else,” he said at the start of the meeting.
Russo and Leeds reported Friday, Oct. 23 that their COVID-19 tests came back negative.
“Everything’s OK with me,” Russo said.
Leeds said he is feeling well and his doctor told him it is no longer necessary to quarantine.
“I cancelled a golf outing yesterday and went to the Post Office to drop off mail today, but I don’t have anything else planned for a few days,” he said.
Leeds said out of an abundance of caution, he would avoid family time and would be staying home this weekend.
“This is a difficult time and you never know if you are coming in contact with someone who may have the virus,” he said. “The best we can do is wear our masks and socially distance.”
No further information was available about the municipal employee who tested positive.
