HALLOWEEN IS ON, BUT BE CAREFUL

PATCH reports and offers this from Mayor Vic De Luca:

The Township is NOT cancelling trick or treating but we urge parents to use common sense and be careful. Do not walk on streets or sidewalks with yellow caution tape or barricades. Only go to houses with their outside lights on. Bring flashlights. Join up with other parents to walk together so you can better control the anxious trick or treaters. Even though they will object, accompany your middle schoolers. Start early and try to end by 7pm.

For those giving out candy, clear your sidewalks and steps. Keep as many outdoor lights on as possible.

The Maplewood Village Halloween parade is still on and is an alternative to door to door trick or treating.

Let’s have fun but stay smart and safe.

WARM UP AT DE HART

Township alert:

The DeHart Community Center is now open for those who need a place to warm up or charge their electronic devices. The snow storm event has left many without electricity and heat and your Township Committee and Office of Emergency Management offer the community center as a place to warm up and charge their cell phones. The DeHart Community Center is located at 120 Burnett Ave and will be open at 2PM.

PARKS CLOSED, TOO

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERE DAMAGE DONE TO THE TREES THROUGHOUT 
OUR PARKS, ALL OF THE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
THERE ARE STILL SOME SAFETY ISSUES IN THE PARKS & PLAYGROUND AREAS, SO WE ASK
THAT YOU REFRAIN FROM USING THESE AREAS UNTIL WE CAN CONCLUDE ALL OF OUR
SAFETY INSEPCTIONS AND CLEAN-UP.


Thank you,


George Rague, Director
Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs
574 Valley Street
Maplewod, NJ 07040

NO SCHOOL

From the schools supe today, no surprise....


Due to down power lines throughout South Orange and Maplewood, and hazardous conditions persisting from yesterday's storm, all South Orange-Maplewood schools are closed tomorrow, October 31, 2011.  Offices will remain open and twelve month employees will have a regular working day.

DRUG DROP OFF

This just in from Maplewood Police:

Drop off your old, outdated or no longer needed prescription medications tomorrow, Saturday October 29 from 10AM to 2PM at the Maplewood Police Department, 1618 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood. The drop off is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Many of these prescriptions medications find their way into the wrong hands and this is an excellent and safe way to dispose of them. Tell your neighbors and friends about this program.

HARVESTFEST CANCELLED

Looks like they got nervous about the weather:

The Township of Maplewood and Springfield Avenue Partnership regret to announce that HarvestFest 2011 scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2011 has been cancelled due to predicted inclement weather conditions. There will be no rescheduled date.

Walgreen's promotions turn out to be worthless

SWING SET REPLACEMENT

This from the township. Your tax dollars at work?

Memorial Park Swings to be Replaced

Please be advised that the swing set in Memorial Park on the corner of Valley Street and Oakview will be removed and will be replaced over the next three weeks with a brand new swing set including an ADA accessible swing.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you

Maplewood Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs

RAIN CLOSES FIELDS TODAY

From Cougar Soccer Twitter:

cougar_sc Cougar Soccer Club 

Weather & field update Thursday 10/27. All Maplewood & South Orange fields are closed. No practice today.

COUNTY ROAD LEAF PICKUP

This just posted on the township website if your road is a county road, and not township-controlled:

2011 Leaf Collection Schedule for Essex County Roads

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES 2011 LEAF COLLECTION SCHEDULE FOR ESSEX COUNTY ROADS
Leaves May Be Placed in Biodegradable Bags or Swept to the Curb

Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced Essex County’s 2011 Leaf Collection Schedule for County Roads. Residents whose properties are on County Roads may place their leaves in biodegradable bags or sweep the loose leaves into piles at the curb.

To organize leaf collection on County roads, Essex County is divided into four sections. There will be three pickups in each section of the County. DiVincenzo has asked residents on County roads to check the accompanying leaf collection schedule and coordinate their fall cleanup activities with the County. Residents are requested to rake or place leaves at the curb the weekend before the scheduled pick up.

The following schedule lists the four sections, the municipalities included in each section and the collection times when leaves will be picked up in each section.

Section I: (Cedar Grove, Millburn and West Orange) Monday, October 31st to Friday, November 4th, Monday, November 28th to Friday, December 2nd and Monday, December 26th to Friday, December 30th.

Section II: (South Orange and Maplewood) Monday, November 7th to Friday, November 11th, Monday, December 5th to Friday, December 9th and Monday, January 2, 2012 to Friday, January 6, 2012.

Section III: (Belleville and East Orange) Monday, November 14th to Friday, November 18th, Monday, December 12th to Friday, December 16th and Monday, January 9, 2012 to Friday, January 13, 2012 (The last pick up will be made only if it is needed).

Section IV: (Irvington, Newark and Orange) Monday, November 21st to Friday, November 25th, Monday, December 19th to Friday, December 23rd and Monday January 16, 2012 to Friday, January 20, 2012 (The last pick up will be made only if it is needed).

Essex County has entered into shared services agreements in which the towns of Bloomfield, Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona and West Caldwell will collect leaves on County roads. If your property is located on a County road in one of these towns, please consult your municipal Public Works Department for more information or to obtain a schedule.

Residents who have questions about the leaf collection schedule may call the Essex County Department of Public Works at be             973-239-3366      ext 2220.

RECREATION ALERT

The Rec. Department sent out this reminder today:

There are some late fall activities offered by the Recreation Depaetment.  Baking for the holidays is geared for children 4 to 6 years old and is held at the Maplewood Community Center on Mondays from 4 to 5 pm beginning on Dec. 5 for three weeks.  The fee is $36.00.  Holiday baking is for children in grades 1 to 4 and is held at the Maplewood Community Center on Tuesdays from 4 - 5:15 PM beginning Dec. 6 for 3 weeks.  The fee vis $42.00.  There is also a mini Talented tos class that has been added.  This is for children 2 to 3 years old accompanied by an adult.  This class is held on Fridays at the Civic House 124 Dunnell Road from 11 to 12 noon for four weeks : 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, & 12/16.  No class 11/25.  The fee is $40.00 for four weeks.  You can register online at http.//register.communitypass.net/Maplewood.  These are under Fall of 2011.  You may also register at the Recreation Department. 574 Valley str eet.  Any questions call 973 763 4202.

GREAT STORY OF SUPPORT

Patch offers a great story from Township parks and shade tree man Todd Lamm, who by the way, created the Maplewood Vietnam Memorial.


This is about his cancer-beating granddaughter.


See it HERE.

WCBS NEWS LOOKS AT MAPLEWOOD GARBAGE PLAN

Now everyone knows:

DRUGS, BURGLARY AND STOLEN AUTO MARK POLICE WEEK

Maplewood Police Department

Press Release

October 25, 2011

Oct. 17, 2011: Narcotics Arrest- Edward Chisolm, 34, of Drover St, Newark, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and several motor vehicle offenses. Chisolm was stopped for a motor vehicle violation by Ptl. John Mazzola while driving on Boyden Ave. at 12:50 am. During the motor vehicle stop the Officer discovered four small bags of marijuana inside the 2001 Mazda 626 registered to Chisolm and he was placed under arrest. Chisolm was charged with Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams and released with a pending Court date.




Oct. 19, 2011: Burglary- A resident of Princeton St reported to Police that sometime between 7:00 am and 5:30 pm an unknown actor broke into his home and removed a number of items. Entry was gained through an unlocked first floor window and the resident reported that an Acer laptop computer, a Fuji digital camera and some other personal items were missing.




Oct. 22, 2011: Warrant Arrest- Ptl. Nicholas Rella conducted a motor vehicle stop with a Nissan Altima on Boyden Ave near Van Ness Tr and determined that the driver, Takiyah Paige, 34, of Maplewood, was driving with suspended license. A further computer check discovered that Ms Paige had an outstanding warrant from Montclair NJ, and she was placed under arrest. Ms Paige was later turned over to Montclair Police for the warrant.




Oct 22, 2011: Stolen Auto- A man from Scotch Plains reported to Police that his 1995 Nissan Pathfinder was stolen from the Extra Supermarket parking lot on Irvington Ave. The SUV was parked in the lot for about 10 minutes at 10:30 am when it was discovered to be missing.

GARBAGE MEETING DRAWS BIG CROWD

I went by the Township Committee garbage meeting tonight. One of the biggest crowds ever showed up to hear about the pay-as-you-throw proposal.


Check out the video of TC Member Fred Profeta, our own green thumb, giving a quick overview of the plan.


My initial reaction: If it saves money, it works. Next move is to go out to bid.

MORE ON GARBAGE PROPOSAL

Tonight's meeting on a new pay-per-throw garbage plan is set for 7 p.m. at town hall.


A four-page description on the township website states the basic model.

Patch described it as this:

• Single contract between the town and a hauler (currently residents contract directly with one of two designated haulers). The town bills each individual user (homeowner, apartment dweller, etc) with an annual fee, similar in structure to the sewer fee paid now. The fee — estimated to be between $175 and $235 — covers collection, administrative costs and a "recycling improvements fund."
• A "pay as you throw" system, whereby customers throw their garbage out in special bags that are purchased in stores or from the hauler. The cost of the bag covers the tipping fee — the actual cost of throwing out trash. The presenters contrasted this with the current system where customers pay for two 32-gallon garbage pails per pickup twice a week no matter how much trash they have. Using this plan, "light users" — or those using about two 13-gallon bags per week — could pay as little as $250 to $310 per year. (The proposal estimates that "heavy users" — those using three 30-gallon bags per week — would pay between $375 and $435 per year.)

BIG GARBAGE MEETING TONIGHT

The Township and Waste Management are proposing a new garbage deal in which WM will have exclusive rights to garbage pick-up.


They claim it will save money with a per-bag charge. But beware, it also apparently includes a requirement to use larger WM bags.


Show up at the meeting tonight at 7 p.m. to find out and grill them good.

Maplewood Town Meeting on Garbage Collection Proposal

Maplewood Township Committee invites you to a Maplewood
Town Meeting for a presentation and community meeting to discuss
a proposal for the Township to enter into a single trash collection
contract and institute a "Pay As You Throw" disposal system. The
purpose of these changes would be to bring savings to each
household on collection costs, and allow households to also save money
by generating less waste and recycling more.
The Township wants to hear your views on these proposed changes.

NEW BURGER PLACE

Looks like another eatery coming to Maplewood Village in place of the short-lived Wok Star. 


Pass the ketchup. Let's hope they have a chance to make it.

ONE OF ABLE BAKER'S MOST POPULAR ITEMS IS NOT FOOD

The Able Baker, the great new eatery on Maplewood Ave. in the Village, has an interesting draw -- a rotary phone. 


Owner Julie said some students came in just to take photos of the historic technology.

FIGHT FIGHT

.....Scanner shows two males fighting on Evelyn Court....

SCHOOL HALLOWEEN RULES

Tuscan School sent this notice home to parents regarding Halloween. No violent themes and any costume can be rejected. Good or bad?

CHS FOOTBALL TONIGHT

Support the Cougars as they travel to Bloomfield High.

Away Event - October 21, 2011 - 7:00PM

Bloomfield High School , 160 Broad Street , Bloomfield , NJ 07003

TC DEBATE TONIGHT

There is still an election on Nov. 8 for Township Committee:


The Hilton Neighborhood Association has just announced its Township Committee Candidates Forum to take place on Thursday, October 20 in DeHart Community Center at 7:30 p.m.   

GARBAGE MEETING

The Township thought enough of us to spend our money to send out these postcards about the special Oct. 24 meeting on single garbage collection.


Hope it was worth it. I doubt the single collection will be. Ask who is making money on it.

SPELL CHECK

I am all for the Farmer's Market, but perhaps this sign maker could check the spelling?

CHICKENS APPROVED

Mary Mann of Patch lays it out eggsactly as she sees it and perhaps ruffles a few feathers:

By a vote of 3-2, the Maplewood Township Committee approved an ordinance on Tuesday allowing for a one-year pilot program for up to 15 households in Maplewood to raise as many as three hens each for egg production.

SOUP ARREST

Patch reports:

Woman Arrested in Soup Incident at Quick Chek

Maplewood Police have arrested an Irvington woman who allegedly threw hot soup at a Quick Chek manager and thendrove her car at the manager in the parking lot in September.

&nbps;

Kathy Melvin, 43, was arrested on a warrant and charged with one count of robbery from the incident that occurred just before midnight on Sept. 13 at the Quick Chek at 1545 Springfield Ave.

TC TURNING CHICKEN?

Final vote on the proposed chicken raising ordinance is the top item for tonight's Township Committee meeting at 7 p.m.


Agenda HERE. And could they post the agenda vertically so one does not have to turn one's head?


And remember, you have the right to ask them about anything. Give 'em hell!

FEMA COMING THURSDAY

From the Township emails:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be at Maplewood Town Hall at 7PM on Thursday October 20 for a community outreach program. Anyone interested in learning about the claims process in regards to Hurricane Irene and damage they may have sustained should attend this meeting. This includes small business owners whose businesses may have sustained damage and who want to place a claim.  The meeting will be held in the main meeting room at 574 Valley Street, Maplewood and topics will include registration of a claim, the sequence of delivery and a general Q&A. Representatives from the Small Business Administration will also be present.

FIRST AID SQUAD EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER SALE

This just sent to us via township email:

MAPLEWOOD RESCUE SQUAD EMERGENCY FUND RAISER

FLEA MARKET /RUMMAGE SALE

OCTOBER 22, 2011 -9 AM TO 4 PM 129 BOYDEN AVE. MAPLEWOOD

VENDORS RENT A SPACE FOR $50.00

SEND PAYMENT TO: MAPLEWOOD FIRST AID SQUAD FLEA MARKET, P.O. BOX 572 MAPLEWOOD, NJ 07040

FOR THE RUMMAGE SALE: BRING DONATED ITEMS TO 129 BOYDEN AVE. 10/17 AND 10/18 BETWEEN 11 AM& 3 PM 10/19 BETWEEN 3 PM & 7 PM

NO CLOTHING-NO BEDDING NO ELECTRONICS

CONTACTS: Ernie egd49@juno.com or Ginna 973.519.9069

VENDORS OR DONORS

VISIT THE RESCUE SQUAD

at

http//maplewoodfirstaid.org

CLICK ON THE DONATE BUTTON

BURGLARY ARRESTS

This from Maplewood PD blotter, just posted:

Oct. 7, 2011: Burglary Arrests- A resident on Revere Ave alerted Police to an intruder in her home at 11:52 am.  The resident had just returned home when she confronted an unknown female on the second floor of the house.  The female intruder fled the home as the resident was notifying police; however a second suspect, a 15 year old from Union, was located by responding officers outside the home and was placed in custody by Ptl. Niheema Gary.

Informed of the suspect description Officers began a search of the area for the actor that fled on foot.   Officers from Union Police Department located Crystal Dicks, 21, of Tillinghast St., Newark, walking on Hilton Ave near Berkely St in Vauxhall.  Ms. Dicks was identified as the second suspect and taken into custody.

Maplewood Detectives Dan Lenzo, James Oakes and Ted Gnida investigated the incident and determined that the two females entered the home on Revere Ave by breaking a basement window on the south side of the home. The Detectives were also able to determine, through investigation, that the two suspects were linked to similar incidents that occurred over the past several weeks at different locations in town.  The Detectives identified the two females as suspects in the other burglaries.

In addition to the burglary charges for the Revere Ave incident, Ms Dicks and the 15 year old juvenile were subsequently charged with burglaries to homes on Princeton St on August 30, 2011, Sommer Ave on Sept. 6, 2011, Jacoby St on Sept, 16, 2011, and Burnett St on Sept. 22, 2011.  Ms. Dicks was turned over to the Essex County Jail charged with five counts of Burglary and four counts of Theft. The juvenile was remanded to the Essex County Youth House pending the same charges.

Oct. 7, 2011: Malicious Damage to Home- Officers responded on a house alarm call on Lexington Ave at 2:40 in the afternoon and discovered that a rear sliding glass door had been shattered by someone.  While the officers were on scene investigating the homeowner returned and reported to Police that he was only away from the home for approximately 5- to 10 minutes when the damage occurred.  Officers were able to determine that entry was not gained to the house and no items were reported missing.

Oct. 10, 2011: Trespassing- Two subjects were observed walking around a vacant home on Woodhill Dr at approximately 2:40 in the afternoon.  Officers were responding to an alarm activation at the home when a neighbor reported that she saw one black male near the front door and a second exit from the rear yard. Realizing that they were being watched the pair got into an older model black four door sedan and fled prior to police arrival.  One subject is described as a black male; 23 years of age, 6’ tall, slim build, wearing a black t-shirt, gray hooded sweatshirt and jeans.  The second black male is described as 23 years of age, 5’8” tall wearing a blue sweatshirt and black jeans. 

TC HALLOWEEN FUN

NAVLEN BACKS DE LUCA/LARRIER

After unsuccessfully challenging incumbent TC Member Vic De Luca and Candidate India Larrier in the June primary, Lee Navlen has come out in support of the Democratic nominees.


In a Patch post, he writes, in part:

I’ve come to believe that real leadership is about stepping up to the plate and getting it done under the most difficult of circumstances. It’s one reason why I will forever be grateful to Mayor Giuliani for his tireless effort following the 9-11 attacks. The same can be said for our Governor Chris Christie who took some extraordinary steps leading up to Hurricane Irene. Locally, I’m proud to say, I can include Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca in that conversation.

With thousands of us without power and water following the hurricane, the Mayor rode the utility companies, pushing for answers that all of us needed. Once he knew where they stood, we all knew where they stood. The Mayor demonstrated real leadership and that is why I will be voting for him on November 8.

My other vote will go DeLuca’s running mate, India Larrier. For those of you still unfamiliar with Larrier, I suggest you attend a town meeting. Chances are you’ll find her there doing her due diligence, taking notes and preparing for the job at hand. It’s something she has been doing constantly since she threw her hat into the ring last April. I respect that type of commitment and so should you. She deserves our vote.

De Luca and Larrier face GOP nominees Bart Albini and Joel Zeigler for two township committee seats on Nov. 8. 

TC HITS THE RECYCLING CENTER

Came across the Township Committee at the Recycling Center Saturday morning. Never be afraid to tell them what you think.

MAPLEWOOD IN MOTION IS OFF AND RUNNING

Scanner has cops manning the course, go root them on...the runners, that is.


Kids Run at 10 a.m.

MAPLEWOOD IN MOTION THIS SUNDAY

This just in from the organizers of the annual great race this Sunday:

Thank you to the 200+ runners who have registered for the 11th Annual Maplewood in Motion 5K!

If you have not yet registered, follow this link to register now!

https://secure.marathonguide.com/register/maplewoodinmotion/

The first 300 registered runners will each receive a $10 gift certificate to Sneaker Factory!

The weather forecast looks great for Sunday's race!  The race will start at 9:00 am in Maplewood Village.  A shorter fun run for children will take place at approximately 10:00 am.

After the race, head over to St. James's Gate Publick House for brunch and enjoy a complimentary pint of beer or Bloody Mary!

Beneficiaries are the newly-formed Maplewood Middle School cross-country team and the historic Durand Hedden House.

Many thanks to all our sponsors who help make
Maplewood in Motion possible!

Foot Locker Co- Cougar Soccer Club – Kevin Muench DMD --St James Gate Pub – AnythingIT.com - Brinton Brosius Construction – East Side Fitness Gym –Axa Advisors NY, NY – Family Chiropractic Center of Maplewood - Sneaker Factory

Maplewood Stationers – Bagel Chateau – Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. - CARQUEST Auto Parts - Jacob A. Holle Funerial Home – Kings Supermarket - Starbucks Coffee Millburn/Short Hills