RING IN THE NEW YEAR AT FIRST NIGHT TONIGHT

Don't forget, First Night is tonight, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Columbia High School, ending with great outdoor fireworks.

Hear our podcast with organizer Michael Goldberg HERE.

More details HERE.

PEDESTRIAN HIT ON PROSPECT WAS JITNEY PASSENGER

The man struck by a car last week on Prospect Street and hospitalized had just gotten off a Township Jitney bus at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and was thrown more than 100 feet to the Jennifer Lane intersection, according to police reports.

We told you last week about the incident on Dec. 23 in which the man was sent to the hospital and an ongoing investigation sparked.

Police reports obtained by Maplewoodian.com indicate the victim, a Prospect Street resident, got on the Jitney bus at the train station and actually missed his normal stop, falling asleep. When the driver alerted him, he exited the bus at Elmwood and Prospect.

At that time, the driver of another vehicle, a Hillcrest Road woman, was traveling northbound on Prospect and told police she did not see the victim immediately because the Jitney was blocking her view. 

The police report said the driver immediately stopped and called 9-1-1. It also said the man was thrown 106 feet, but his shoes were found 40 feet from the incident and his hat 50 feet. 

The victim was initially bleeding from the head and unresponsive, but was taken to University Medical Center in Newark and is recovering.

Maplewoodian.com has chosen not to identify the victim or the driver as the investigation is continuing.

LOCAL LEADER BERNIE CRYSTAL DIES; MEMORIAL TODAY

Bernie and Joan Crystal

From South Mountain Peace Action:

Bernie Crystal, former post commander of the Maplewood Veterans of Foreign Wars, died Tuesday after a long illness.

Bernie, along with his wife Joan, organized the Maplewood Memorial Day Parade for many years, until Bernie's health began to decline a couple of years ago.

Under Bernie and Joan's leadership, participation in Maplewood's Memorial Day Parade by community organizations was made fully inclusive and South Mountain Peace Action has been a long-time welcome participant.

Bernie Crystal, veteran's leader, devoted husband and father, will be sorely missed, but his legacy and memory will live on.

The Crystal family has asked people who wish, to donate to the charity of their choice.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Gathering at Holle's Funeral Home today between 3 pm and 6 pm.
2122 Millburn Ave, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Phone:(973) 762-2200

LIBRARY END OF YEAR HOURS

From Maplewood Library:

HOLIDAY HOURS Thursday, December 31: Main Library open 10-1, Hilton Branch closed
Friday, January 1: Main Library and Hilton Branch closed
Saturday, January 2: Main Library open 10-5, Hilton Branch open 10-1
Sunday, January 3: Hilton Branch open 1-4

ANOTHER TRANSFORMER OUTAGE?

... Scanner indicates transformer blown on Springfield Avenue near 7-Eleven and Tuscan, but unclear how much power is out ... Just a day after a utility-related fire on Prospect Street near Courter ...

PODCAST: FIRST NIGHT PRESIDENT MICHAEL GOLDBERG

We caught up with First Night President Michael Goldberg, who discussed plans for the New Year's Eve event at Columbia High School that will have food, drink, entertainment and other activities, as well as fireworks.

Listen below and get all the info HERE. 

 

FRESH 8.0 EXHIBIT PROMOTES CHS STUDENT WORK

The 8th annual FRESH 8.0 includes work created by our own CHS AP Studio Art/Art 4 students and AP Art students from 5 other high schools.  The exhibit runs through January 10th, 2016. The 1978 Maplewood Arts center is open on Saturdays & Sundays from 2-5pm or by appointment.

UTILITY FIRE SPARKS POWER OUTAGE, CLOSED STREETS

A utility line-related fire at Courter Avenue and Prospect Street sparked a short power outage for most of College Hill and blocked off portions of several streets for at least an hour late Tuesday.

The outage occurred at about 9:45 p.m. and affected most of the area between Prospect and Tuscan streets through to Harvard Avenue.

Police blocked off portions of Prospect between Crescent and Oakview as well as parts of Courter. Power was restored just after 10 p.m.

GOOD SAMARITAN-LED ARREST LEADS POLICE WEEK - AND MORE PACKAGE THEFTS

From Maplewood Police today:
  
December 26, 2015; Robbery; At approximately 7:45 PM, two females walking on Springfield Ave near Chancellor Ave were robbed.  A male, later identified as Gregory Hines, age 55 of Holmdel, NJ, came up behind the females, grabbed one of them and threatened her with a screw driver and a hammer.  Hines and the female struggled over her purse.  A good Samaritan that was driving by stopped and assisted the females and was able to detain Hines.  Hines was taken into custody and charged with robbery, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.  He was transported to Essex County Jail.

December 21, 2015; Package Thefts; Between 12/21 and 12/22, several packages were taken from homes on Forest Rd, Essex Rd and Plymouth Pl.  Some of the items were recovered in Maplecrest Park and were able to be returned to their owners.

December 23, 2015; Package Thefts; Packages were taken from two homes on Midland Blvd and were found in the rear yard of a home on Elberta Rd. The packages were able to be returned to their owners.

(We originally reported the incident below last week )

December 23, 2015; Motor Vehicle Collision; At approximately 5:38 PM, the Maplewood Police Department received a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the area of Prospect Street and Elmwood Avenue.  Officers arrived on scene and confirmed that the collision had occurred.  The pedestrian was subsequently transported to University Hospital for treatment. The pedestrian’s condition was later reported as stable with non life threatening injuries. The accident is still under investigation and there are no further details at this time.

SETH BOYDEN EARNS $10,000 STATE GRANT

From the school district:  


Seth Boyden has become one of 11 schools and/or districts in the state to be awarded a $10,000 grant through Sustainable Jersey’s first round of school grants for the year. The grants were funded by the New Jersey Education Association and checks were presented at a brunch and ceremony on Thursday in Trenton.

The money will fund Story Trails and new planting in the school’s Habitat Garden, a mostly wild area in the school’s back yard devoted to plants and trees native to New Jersey. The story trails will be designed to lead students on walks of discovery through the garden, helping them learn to identify species in the garden, as well as to discover the animals and insects that call the patch home. Planner hope members of the community will use the garden as well.

Thanks to the grant, work on the Habitat Garden will begin in spring at the same time the school plans to begin construction of its outdoor classroom. The garden will be adjacent to the classroom, and the trails will lead into it from an art circle that will be part of the classroom design.

“I am looking forward to another exciting project!,’’ Matthias Ebinger, co-chair of the Outdoor Learning Center and the man who spearheaded the grant proposal, told the PTA leadership on hearing the news.

He was equally grateful to both Sustainable Jersey and NJEA for making it happen. Last spring, the school got a $2,000 grant through Sustainable Jersey that was used to create a green team at the school and to make better signage in the garden.

“We are grateful not only because the money helps make New Jersey greener,’’ said Tia Swanson, the co-chair of the OLC, who picked up the check in Trenton,  “But because it also makes our school look more like the place where we all want to send our children.”

The work is part of a comprehensive plan to turn Seth Boyden’s large backyard into an Outdoor Learning Center. Teaching gardens and a small orchard have long been in use and an outdoor kitchen was added earlier this fall; a drip irrigation system, funded by the Maplewood Green Team, will be installed in early spring; after the classroom and the Habitat Garden are finished, the PTA and the school will turn its attention to turning the back yard into an arboretum, hopefully recreating what the land might have looked like at the time of the country’s founding.

“It’s all awesome and amazing,’’ said PTA Co-President Amelia Nickles Riekenberg.

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEMANDS ON THE RISE, MORE STAFF NEEDED

Demands for special education services are rising significantly in the school district, according to a report issued last week by Ella Rideau, the special education director, who recommended more staff be hired that could run up to $400,000.

"We are significantly higher this year," Rideau told the school board. "It's across grade levels ... There is nothing that really indicates why this year."

In an overview of the program offered at the Dec. 21 school board meeting, Rideau revealed that the number of special education referrals had jumped from 140 in the first four months of 2014 to 204 during the same period this year.

She added that the overall referrals are on target to exceed 400 by the end of the current school year, up from 333 during 2014-2015. Rideau predicated that would mean more staff is needed during the summer to deal with incoming students.

Overall special education student placement is also up from 914 two years ago to 934 last year to 950 so far this year. Learning disabilities make up 42% of those students, with 20% having other heath issues, 14% communication impaired and 11% related to autism.

Among the recommendations for handling this ongoing increase are expanded support and class options as well as the hiring of eight new full-time special education staffers. Board Member Jeffrey Bennett estimated that could run more than $400,000.

DIGITAL LIBRARY DAY

Create Space – Maplewood Library’s Makerspace is Open!

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Hilton Branch – Every Tuesday and Thursday 5:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday 10-1 pm.  Patrons can use Rhino 3D software to build a model, print an object on our 3D printer or use our new color printer or laminator.  There are also Snap Circuits, Squishy Circuits, littleBits and SparkFun kits for the kids. Raspberry Pi single board computers are also available to learn more about computer science.  More information about the Create Space…

Digital Device Clinics

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Get free one-on-one support for using your e-reader, tablet, smartphone, or other electronic device.  The clinics will take place during the Create Space drop-in hours. Open to adults, teens and children.  Tuesdays, December 1, 8, 15, 22, 29;  6-8 p.m. at Hilton Branch.

TOP TEN MAPLEWOOD STORIES OF 2015

A lot of news was made in Maplewood this year, from developments to deaths. We hope we chronicled it all for you.

With that, our list of the Top Ten Maplewood stories of 2015. See if you agree

10. Dead Body - A sleepy Friday morning in December became lively in the brook area behind the main library as DPW workers discovered the corpse of a 61-year-old Nutley man. No foul play is suspected, but police have yet to reveal the cause of death for the former local resident who was found lying in the Rahway River branch. Or how he got there. The incident shutdown the library for hours and sparked major interest.

9. Pedestrian Dangers - A pair of pedestrian related incidents along Prospect Street in the Hilton section drew angry residents to several Township Committee meetings demanding help and sparked the installation of temporary speed bumps and a raised intersection. And just last week, an adult man was hit in an incident blocks down the street at Prospect and Jennifer Lane, sending him to the hospital. Do not think this is the last you have heard of such dangers.

8. Maplewood Village Best Downtown - Our wonderful downtown was voted the best in New Jersey by those casting ballots at New Jersey Monthly, many aided by a great campaign urging votes from Mayor Vic Deluca and others among the township elite. We beat out Princeton, Summit, Montclair and Morristown in a bracket-type month-long competition.

7. Springfield and Irvington avenues - Springfield Avenue saw many changes with construction starting for 235 apartments at Boyden Avenue, the shutdown and restart of the Daibes development, approval of a new Wawa Market nearby, and the new Wine Barrel opening up along with a slew of other shops - from pet food to a new gallery - cutting ribbons. Over on Irvington Avenue, sometimes unfairly derided as Maple "hood," a big streetscape renovation plan was approved that will help this already vital business corridor. 

6. Lockdowns - Several code reds and yellows hit Columbia High School, sparked by a toy gun, knife-related arrest and online threat. Then there was the Maplewood Middle School student who brought in a loaded gun. No injuries occurred as police moved swiftly and security efforts were tightened with new guards at the middle school. 

5. Tibetan Monks at The Woodland - Spiritual energy and mystical meditation were in the air for a week when the Mandala Project monks took over The Woodland and created their magical sand art in August. The township joined together to feel the positive energy and make these guests feel at home. Did you watch the online video stream?

4. School Board Election: A heated and costly campaign for school board pitted nine candidates against each other for three seats on the governing body. With Member Jeffrey Bennett stepping down, fellow incumbents Wayne Eastman and Madhu Pai took on seven other comers. When the dust settled, Pai retained her seat, but Eastman became the first board president in a decade to be ousted. Challengers Chris Sabin and Annemarie Maini won and will join the board next month.

3. New Schools Superintendent: More than a year after former Superintendent Brian Osborne resigned for a better paying job in New York, the school board hired his replacement: Dr. John Ramos, a veteran of several school districts who had been fired in Connecticut, but most recently held a post in Qatar. Ramos has already made his mark with a big Education Summit in November and instituted "kiva" seminars.

2. Township Committee Election -With TC Member Kathy Leventhal stepping down, Jerry Ryan was the lone incumbent on the ballot. His support for the controversial post office development clearly rankled some as he lost to Planning Board veteran Nancy Adams and newcomer Greg Lembrich, who received a big boost from former Mayor Fred Profeta.

1. Maplewood Village Post Office - The former post office development, which will see the government building replaced with a three-story, 20-unit, five store complex, took up most of the news in town with numerous planning board hearings, Township Committee meetings and at least a few lawsuits. Former Mayor Profeta was among those leading the charge against the plan that some said would hurt the Village's image. But developer JMF Properties, which continued to make changes as requested, ended up receiving the TC approvals and the Planning Board blessing. Look for construction to begin in the spring.

SCHOOL DISTRICT GIFTED AND TALENTED OVERVIEW

From South Orange Maplewood School District:

Gifted & Talented Strategies Overview for Families

SOMSD held an informational meeting to provide families with an overview of the new Gifted & Talented Strategies which were adopted by the Board of Education in Fall 2014.  100 parents and guardians came to learn more about what opportunities are available to support students extraordinarily advanced in one or more areas. Gifted and Talented Education Expert Alison Brown and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Susan Grierson shared the District’s current practices and new strategies, and answered families’ questions.

The PowerPoint from the event is available here.

YEAR-END DISCUSSION AT ETHICAL CULTURE TODAY

From Ethical Culture Society:

As is our tradition, we will close out 2015 with a circle discussion on the
highlights and lowlights of the year, what meant most to us, and
what we hope will change — or continue — in the year ahead.
We’ll share our resolutions for ourselves and for the country,
and our hopes and commitments for ECS. 

11 a.m.  516 Prospect St. 

FUNDRAISER FOR A BRAVE MORROW CHILD

From Morrow Pre-School:

Event Description

LOVE FOR LUCAS - A SNOWBALL DANCE!

Come help us support a special child and his family!  Lucas, a dear, sweet boy and student at our preschool, is currently at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia fighting cancer.  He will be there for a few more weeks with treatment continuing on for about a year.  We're hosting this Snowball Dance to raise funds to help his family during this difficult time.  

Join us as we send joy and healing love to Lucas and his family.  We'll have live music by a kids rock band and DJ Des plus fun activities for the kiddos.  Lunch will be served - generously donated by Village Trattoria.  All proceeds will be donated to "Lucas’s Get Better Fund" through GoFundMe.  

The whole community is welcome!  Please spread the word.  

We are looking forward to a great afternoon!  Let's help this special little boy on his road to getting better!   

(If you can't attend, but would like to donate, please click on the "Get Tickets" button.  You will be directed to the ticketing area where there is an option to donate.  Thank you!) 

SATURDAY, JAN. 9 NOON TO 3 P.M.

The Woodland, 60 Woodland Ave. Maplewood.

Get tickets HERE.

NO OPEN HOUSES TODAY

It must be the post-Christmas hangover and gift return because there are know open houses in town today.

So get out and take advantage of the great day and tune in back for next week's list.

ANOTHER NEW SPRINGFIELD AVENUE LIQUOR STORE EYEING SPOT NEXT TO DEALS

A new liquor store may soon appear here

Just a week after the Wine Barrel opened its doors inside the former Santander Bank at Prospect Street and Springfield Avenue, another new liquor store is eyeing the property down the street next to Deals.

Nearby residents say they have received notice that a liquor license applicant is seeking to take over the space at 1715 Springfield Ave., which is now the home of a furniture store.

Kasper's Liquor is just across the street

The spot is across from Kasper's Liquors, next to 7-Eleven.

Mayor Vic Deluca confirmed it is a new applicant and that Kasper's is not moving. He said the request will be heard by the Township Committee on Jan. 19.

CREATE SPACE TODAY AT HILTON LIBRARY

From Maplewood Library:

Create Space Recurring Events

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Hilton Branch – Every Tuesday and Thursday 5:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday 10-1 pm.  

Patrons can use Rhino 3D software to build a model, print an object on our 3D printer or use our new color printer or laminator.  

There are also Snap Circuits, Squishy Circuits, littleBits and SparkFun kits for the kids. Raspberry Pi single board computers are also available to learn more about computer science.  

More information about the Create Space…

1978 ART STUDENT EXHIBIT THIS WEEKEND

From Maplewood Arts Center 1978:

FRESH 8.0 

1978 Maplewood Arts Center presents: The 8th Annual Advanced Placement Art Students Exhibit, “FRESH 8.0” Join the 1978 family as we celebrate the talent and energy of our next generation of art stars. Advanced Placement Studio Art students demonstrate the skills and ideas developed, refined, and applied throughout high school to produce visual compositions worthy of college credit. We are inspired by the savvy and skill of students from Columbia HS, Arts HS, West Essex Regional HS, Governor Livingston HS, Elizabeth HS Upper Academy. 
FRESH 80, Curated by Onnie Strother, Education Committee. 

Gallery Hours:are Saturday and Sunday 2-5pm. And by appointment. 

Gallery 1978 is located at 1978 Springfield Ave, at the corner of Broadview in Maplewood.

YES RUBY, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS...AND HE LIVES IN MAPLEWOOD

Many know the famed New York Sun editorial from 1897 that answers a little girl's question: Is there a Santa Claus?

We offer our view from Maplewood for one little girl we know who might wonder some day.

Yes Ruby, there is a Santa Claus.

If you live in Maplewood, you see the signs of Santa Claus and holiday warmth everyday. Not just at Christmas, but year round. You see it in the kindness most in our town have for the poor, the sick, the troubled and those who are different.

Our little 24,000-population community is among the most welcoming to people of all races, classes and colors. Gay rights, equality, sharing, caring and unifying for causes abound.

Is that Santa Claus? Perhaps.

See how the Township offers support for residents with health care guidance, toy and food collections, free shows in the park, PTA's that raise and spend money on great events, and giving from the Rent Party fundraisers to Oysterfest and beyond.

Walk around town these past holiday weeks or at Halloween, July 4th (fireworks and concert), Thanksgiving, Memorial Day (duck races) and any block party weekend and the vitality of community gives Santa's message every day.

That message is not just for those who celebrate Christmas, but for all religions, or those with no religion. The feeling of giving, kindness, acceptance and joy.

Ruby, you see it in your school, your playgroups, your family, all of whom give an understanding and support that many towns lack.

Even when our community is at odds over things like a new post office development, school issues or which new stores should open, it's usually done with a real commitment to make the Maplewood they know better. No whiff of scandal or greed usually enters into any of it.

Being in New Jersey, a hotbed of political corruption at many levels, and near Newark and Irvington -- which have each had their share of jailed politicians -- Maplewood is the ultimate exception.

Mayor Vic Deluca has been a great mayor for many years, and will again in 2016. Even those who disagree with him know he is committed to our township. He knows his facts, politics and government details better than anyone at town hall.

And down the line through the township officials to the police on the street and DPW workers who plow our roads, little or no disruption has been found.

You see, Ruby, and Alexis, Liza, Julia, Emma, Emily, Danielle, Cloey, Katey, Ariel, and any other girls out there who might wonder about Santa Claus, you live in a very special town. I think most of us know how unique Maplewood is, not just at Christmas, but all through the year.

Your parents, like us, might complain about taxes, loud neighbors, and the occasional government mistake. But few of us would be able to find a better place to live and find the openness, hospitality, and non-judgement that 07040 offers.

And if that is a form of Santa, I believe in him. And if you do not celebrate Christmas, there is a similar spirit of community for those who are Jewish, Muslim, or even atheist. It is the basic fairness and kinship of our town.

We saw it just recently when Morrow Church opened its doors to a Syrian refugee family, or earlier this year with the Tibetan Monks took over the Woodland for a real spiritual awakening.

You see it in times of trouble such as post Hurricane Sandy when Highland Place and other downtown powered buildings welcomed residents at no charge who plugged in and went online for a week while power was out.
 
So if anyone tells you there is no Santa Claus, Ruby, you can tell them there is. And he lives right here in Maplewood. Maybe not in person, but in a spirit that is much stronger.

CHS COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM ENDED EARLY

Columbia High School principal Elizabeth Aaron's year-end message to parents included this information:

We know that some of our students were enrolled in an online computer science program that will not continue in the second semester due to arrangements with our outside vendor. Our need to discontinue the course is a logistical and contractual one. It was a difficult decision but one that had to be made.  We are committed to computer science, going forward, as part of learning at CHS, and will work to make it so.  If you have questions about what this change means for your student, please be in touch directly with Dr. Giordano, our Director of Counseling and Guidance and grade-level administrator for our seniors.

We will update with more information on the specifics.

MORE ON PEDESTRIAN STRUCK ON PROSPECT STREET

We first told you about the pedestrian struck at Prospect Street and Jennifer Lane last night.

Now police are reporting the incident took place at about 5:45 p.m. and involved a man who was hospitalized soon after.

No further information available yet, but we will keep you posted.

MAPLEWOOD'S POLAR EXPRESS CONNECTION

If you're among the many fans of Polar Express enjoying the classic movie again as Santa's visit draws near, you may have seen the Maplewood connection.

If not, check it out below, especially if your name is Steven.

Watch closely and Merry Christmas.

LIBRARY HOLIDAY HOURS ANNOUNCED

From Maplewood Library:

Holiday Hours 

MAIN LIBRARY 
December 24 and 31 Open 10-1 
December 25 January 1 Closed 

HILTON BRANCH 
December 24, 25, 31, January 1: Closed

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK

...Scanner indicates police responding to a pedestrian struck at Jennifer Lane and Prospect Street ... unconscious but breathing ... best to avoid that area ... 

MORROW'S PREGNANT VIRGINS SUPPORT GROUP, AND OTHER LIVELY MESSAGES

If you regularly pass by Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church, or attend its services, you may have noticed its weekly sermon messages are a bit more lively than most.

Like most churches, its front yard sign boasts the message of the week and a hint at what Sunday's sermon will bring. 

And one recent Sunday was no exception.

The sign out front boasted, "Pregnant Virgins Support Group Meets Here," a message that likely made more than a few do a double take.

Pastor Brad Motta, who joined the church just last summer, said the title was aimed at focusing attention on the Virgin Mary and her struggles that were overcome before the birth of Christ.

You can see the sermon HERE. It relates to what the Virgin Mary went through for months prior to Christ's birth.

"She finds a support group in Elizabeth (her cousin). She stayed there for three months and that is what church is meant to be, a place where you are loved and supported," Motta told us. "We would have a pregnant virgins support group, no questions asked. The church is a place where you go when you are not doing great to get support."

Other eye-grabbing messages have included, "Starbucks, Google Views, and Dying Churches," "Politically Correct or Tyranny With Manners," and "Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, and the Pope's Visit."

And perhaps the most attention-getting was the July 12 sermon, stating: "Black Churches, Gay Bars & the Beheading of John the Baptist."

That can be seen HERE and was a response to the hatred seen in anti-gay views and the shooting in the South Carolina church just a month earlier. He spoke about how the predominantly black church had become vulnerable when it opened it up to others who were not black -- including the shooter.

"They gave up some safety to open the church," he said. 

Motta said his church has been positive about the eye-grabbing signs and sermons: "Morrow is a place where they like to think. What I tend to hear is it helped them reflect on the story."

TUSCAN SCHOOL SAFETY MEETING

From School District officials:

On Thursday 11/12/15, Tuscan Administration (Malikah Majeed & Kevin Mason), Tuscan Parents (Caitlin Bohlman, Carrie Gordon, Elizabeth Baker & Chad Hunt), Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca and Maplewood Police (Chief Robert Cimino, Captain Dawn Williams & Lieutenant Albert Sally) came together to discuss pedestrian safety and how it relates to the safety of our children.  Subjects that were discussed were cars speeding, texting while driving, pedestrian safety while in crosswalks, sidewalks not properly maintained (i.e. landscape jutting into sidewalks, to small berms, not shoveled etc.) and especially the overall safety immediately surrounding Tuscan during drop off and pick up.  Tuscan PTA President Caitlin Bohlman was highly impressed by the collaborative spirit that was evident in the meeting.  Having police presence at school during drop off and pick up was discussed and Tuscan should expect to soon have a Police Liaison that will continually work with the Tuscan Safety Committee on these important issues.

Since the drop off zone is a constant concern and the present location cannot be expanded, the option to move the drop off zone was discussed.  Locations included Tuscan Road, Prospect Street and Osbourne Terrace.  After the Police have done the proper surveying to test out each proposed location before permanently moving the drop off zone.  Other actions that are being taken into consideration are looking into seeing what crosswalks need to be re-striped and how more signage can be add to denote our School Zone.  Mayor Vic DeLuca and Police Chief Robert Cimino are also planning to lead a walk around the Tuscan area to determine and assess obstacles that can be addressed to give safer routes for our children. 
 

The police also recommended safe routes to school presentations for students, which will be looked into to educate students about pedestrian safety. 

Additionally, a follow up Safety Committee meeting will be scheduled in a month to discuss how these issues will be addressed further. In the meantime, if members of the Tuscan School community observes unsafe conditions due to ice, snow, leaves and/or landscaping please use the following website to report these conditions ( http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/requesttracker.aspx).

Making changes to improve student safety will need help from all of us.  Remember we must all ROAR- Respect Others and Act Responsible.

MAPLEWOOD POLICE RECEIVE FUNDING FOR 45 BODYCAMS

Maplewood Police will receive a $22,300 state grant to purchase 45 body-worn cameras for officers under a new grant announced Monday.

The State Attorney General's Office announced the funding in a press release that stated, in part:

Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman today announced $2.5 million in awards for 176 police departments across New Jersey to buy body-worn cameras for their officers. The awards – made with criminal forfeiture funds – will support purchases of more than 5,000 body cameras and will put New Jersey in the forefront in the U.S in embracing this technology to promote transparency, mutual accountability, and trust between police and the community. 

Acting Attorney General Hoffman announced the availability of the $2.5 million on July 28 and invited police agencies to apply for the funds through the county prosecutors. Today, he announced the specific awards by agency. Most of the agencies received funding for all of the body cameras they requested. A full list of the awards by agency is posted with this press release at www.njpublicsafety.com.

Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino issued the following statement on the new gadgets:

"I'm very pleased to learn that the Maplewood Police Department was successful in
the grant process and that our department is receiving funding for Body Worn Cameras
through the New Jersey Body Worn Camera Assistance Program. The implementation of
our Body Worn Camera Program is expected to increase officer's safety and to further
validate the professionalism that officers exhibit as they serve and protect the
community, so we look forward to moving ahead with the program."

See which Essex County departments received funding and how much below: