MY FAREWELL TO MAPLEWOODIAN.COM, BUT NOT GOODBYE

It is with great sadness and pride that I must announce I will no longer being running Maplewoodian.com. Sadness in that it has to end after being such a major part of my life, and I hope some of yours. 

But pride in the work that I have been able to do during the past eight and a half years. I believe our effort to dig up important news and facts about how our township is run, how our schools are operated and how our community works have made a difference. 

Fred Smith, Joe Strupp, Anna Sandler

Fortunately, the site is being acquired by TapIntoSOMA, the great hyperlocal site dedicated to providing original news reporting for South Orange and Maplewood news, owned and operated by South Orange resident Fred Smith and Maplewood journalist Anna Sandler. I urge you to support them. I will also be writing a monthly column for them, under the same Maplewoodian name.

And if I see something I want to report on in between columns, don't be surprised if I use TapInto to do it. 

I started Maplewoodian.com in late 2008, partly in response to the lack of coverage of the resignation of then-Mayor Ken Pettis. But more so as a way to get the news and information out that I believed the town needed to know.

Since then I have prided myself on seeking to find out how our tax dollars are spent, policies made and people elected. I've been lucky to have the support of many local residents, as well as my family, who have supported the work, offered tips and scoops, and defended me against some of the opposition that did not want truth to be out.

I had one general journalistic rule: reveal the truth on things I felt should be known. But also have some fun. I think we accomplished both. 

From tragic events like murders and accidental deaths to tax reassessments, school cuts and incoming development, I believe we did a lot to bring news to residents that might not have been found. And when powers that be sought to keep information from the public -- as the school district did last year with legal service invoices related to the CHS baseball bullying scandal -- I sued for access, and won.

I was also proud to have received two state Society of Professional Journalists awards, the latest on Sunday.

But it has also taken a lot of time and effort that I wish to devote to other journalistic projects and outlets. And perhaps to some Maplewood causes and township events. 

As a 17-year resident of our town I remain its biggest fan and still believe this is one of the greatest places to live. But I also urge everyone not to let any leadership or public entities go unchecked. 

From the Township government to the school district to police and local developers, I urge you to keep asking questions, demanding answers and seeking information. I will as well. 

And as longtime readers know, my first message when it comes to those who run our town, schools and taxes remains the same: Remember, they work for you!

MAPLEWOOD'S STAR BEA MILLER IS BACK WITH NEW MUSIC

Maplewood's own Bea Miller has been on a new tear this spring with new EPs and an appearance on national television at the Late Late Show with Jame Corden.

CBS replayed the appearance last Friday. 

See it below:

Miller, the former Maplewood Middle School student who first broke on the national scene back in 2013 on The X Factor, offered new music earlier this year on her EP Chapter One: Blue. Now she is out with Chapter Two: Red. Chapter Three:Yellow will come out this summer. 

More info on them HERE.

She explained the concept in a recent announcement video:

And see her video for the new song I Can't Breathe, below:

FARMER'S MARKET IS ON TODAY

The Farmer's Market is on today in the new great space at 1848-1852 Springfield Ave. near Yale Street, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come by for fresh eats and treats.

ROBBERIES AND ATTEMPTED BURGLARY LEAD POLICE WEEK

From Maplewood Police:

June 13, 2017; Robbery; At approximately 3 AM, two males got into an argument at the 7-11 on Irvington Ave.  One male then attempted to take the others keys before fleeing when the police where called.  Officers checked the area, but where unable to locate the male.  The victim was not injured.

June 13, 2017; Attempted Burglary; Sometime over the previous two weeks the screen to a sun room on Lancaster Ave was cut.  Entry was not made to the home.

June 15, 2017; Robbery; At approximately 1 AM, a food deliveryman was making a delivery on the 200 block of Elmwood Ave.  When returning to his vehicle, he was approached by two males who struck him, displayed a handgun and took his cell phone and money.  The males then fled the scene.  The victim received minor injuries, but refused medical attention.

MAPLEWOODIAN.COM RECEIVES SECOND STATE JOURNALISM AWARD

Editor Joe Strupp

We stopped by the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism Awards Sunday to pick up our second such honor in the Local News category.

After winning last year for coverage of Superintendent John Ramos, we won this year for our reporting on the departure of former Columbia High School baseball coach Joe Fischetti for alleged bullying of some players.

The awards were held at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark.

LAST DAY FOR WATERCOLOR & WATER MEDIA

See details HERE

PODCAST: REAL ESTATE EXPERT MARK SLADE

We caught up with our favorite real estate agent, Keller Williams' Mark Slade, for our regular podcast on the state of real estate in Maplewood.

Mark discussed why Maplewood is still a hot market, but also how the upcoming NJ Transit temporary problems might hurt things and how you can make the most use of your property for sale.

Listen below:

18 OPEN HOUSES TODAY

Head out and find your next home or just see what the market is offering.

Full list HERE.

NJ PRIDE DRAG SHOW TONIGHT AT BURGDORFF

THE WOODLAND REVENUE ON THE RISE, BUT PAYOFF WILL BE A WHILE

Four years after the Township raised some eyebrows with its $1 million purchase of the former Women's Club (now The Woodland), annual revenue for the building is on a steady increase.

But with more than $500,000 in additional funds invested in improvements and upgrades to the building, and total revenues since its opening at just above $200,000, it will be a while before the purchase is completely paid off.

Still, township officials consider the project a success already with annual income rising each year since the 2013 purchase and its popularity greater than ever.

"Its popularity has been very organic as word has spread," said Andrew Fishman, Maplewood cultural affairs director. "More and more Maplewood residents come there for events and that leads to more people booking it."

The financial data backs up Fishman's assertion.

Township records indicate annual revenue that began at $20,963 in 2014, grew to $62,284.37 in 2015 and $86,883.75 last year.

And in the first three months of 2017, the facility has brought in $31,491.50. At that rate, it is on pace to bring in more than $100,000 by the end of the year. 

"I believe that the revenue has exceeded anyone's expectations," said Fishman, who added that the success has occurred with no real advertising. "All of the business it has attracted is by word of mouth."

The former Women's Club was purchased by the township in 2013, but was not marketed for events until mid-2014 when it was re-named "The Woodland." Along with its use for events, it has also added dozens of parking spaces to Maplewood Village parking after the township opened the lot to public parking. 

But in addition to the $1 million purchase price, the Township has also invested $543,655.12 in improvements that included re-paving the lot, environmental clean-up, upgrading interior doors and kitchen areas, and the main room stage, electrical equipment and fixtures.

The Township Committee earlier this year approved some rate increases for out-of-town residents, but local users pay the same fees that have been in place since it opened.

Fishman is hoping to bring more annual and regular events to the space, noting the YMCA summer camp will be there this year and the SOMA Film Festival will move there in 2018. 

"I would definitely like to see The Woodland used for more professional photographic and video shooting," he said. "I would like to see it on the radar of professional location scouts."

For more information on the facility and rental options, click HERE.

SPRINGFIELD AVENUE PARTNERSHIP CLEAN-UP DAY CANCELLED

From the Springfield Avenue Partnership:

Good morning -

 

FYI - We are canceling this morning's clean up on Springfield Avenue. Stay tuned for a new date!!

 

Have a great weekend.

RETESTED SETH BOYDEN FOUNTAIN FOUND TO BE SAFE, BUT WHY?

The Seth Boyden School drinking fountain that had been found to have lead levels nearly 30 times the acceptable limit during recent testing was tested again and found to be well within safe levels.

But the school district still has no information on why.

Superintendent John Ramos issued an update Friday that indicated the fountain, initially found to have a lead level of 444ppb (parts per billion), during tests in May was tested again last week and found to be at less than 1ppb. 

State health officials consider a level of 15ppb or lower to be safe.

Ramos issued the findings in a note to parents Friday, but with no explanation for why the levels might have been so different on the different tests.

See that note below:

Dear SOMSD Community,

SOMSD has received the results of retesting the water fountain at Seth Boyden that had a finding of 444 parts per billion in the sample taken in May.  Lew Corp, our testing company, took 2 samples from this water fountain last week, and followed the same State-mandated testing protocols.  Both of the new samples had results of less than 1 part per billion of lead.  The report is posted on the District’s website.

The other 8 water sources which had results above the action level of 15 parts per billion were retested this week, as were the 3 sources from SOMS whose original samples were lost and not included in the original report.  We expect the results of these tests next week.

This summer, we are planning to replace all of the water fountains and/or faucets which had elevated lead levels in the initial testing, and we are installing filtration systems on all of our drinking fountains which provide drinking water or are used for food preparation, as a preventative measure.  Although the replacement of the drinking fountains and/or faucets and the installation of filtration systems are not required by the State, we will undertake these measures to provide additional safety to our drinking water. 

Notes from SOMSD’s June 17th Community Question and Answer Session on Lead in Drinking Water are attached.

We will keep the community informed of the status of our lead testing and remediation, as we continue to work to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr.
Superintendent

The school district revealed on June 12 that nine drinking water sources at five schools had lead levels above the 15ppb acceptable level, with the Seth Boyden fountain the highest. They held a forum on the issue last Saturday.

But then, as today, there was no explanation for why such levels were found.

Now as the district contends that the most toxic fountain is well within the safe levels, such information is raising more questions that it is answering.

SPRINGFIELD AVENUE GAZEBO MUSIC TONIGHT

                         From Maplewood Cultural Affairs:

Celebrate the rhythms of Brazil and New Orleans

RAIN OR SHINE !

Tonight at 7 p.m.

at the

Springfield Avenue Gazebo

with

Scott Kettner's Carnival Caravan

SO THAT'S WHAT THOSE CAT EARS ARE ALL ABOUT

From Channel 7 and NJ.com this week:

SCHOOL VIOLENCE, VANDALISM AND BULLYING ARE DOWN: SO WHY DOESN'T THE DISTRICT WANT TO COMMENT?

A recent statewide report on violence in schools finds that the South Orange Maplewood School District has seen a decrease in the past few years.

The report, issued earlier this year and just recently posted online, finds that the SO-MA district had 141 incidents of violence and vandalism in the 2015-2016 school year, down from 208 in 2014-2015 and 233 a year earlier.

Among those reports, the number of violent acts dropped from 105 in 2013-2014, to 95 in 2014-2015, and further to 82 last year.

Vandalism also decreased, from 67 incidents three years ago to 34 two years ago and just 20 last year.

Weapons were on the decline as well with 12 found on campuses in 2013-2014, 17 in 2014-2015, and only 11 last year.

These decreases also occurred as enrollment jumped by 120, from 6,752 in 2013-2014 to 6,872 in 2015-2016.

We then chose to look at reports of harassment, intimidation and bullying, or HIB, cases, which have been under scrutiny in recent years. The school board even had a lengthy training session on the topic several weeks ago.

Data supplied by the district found that HIB complaints were on the decline as well, with 95 HIB complaints filed in 2013-14, 70 in 2014-2015, and 37 in 2015-2016. As of May 3, 2017, there had been only 29 filed for this past school year.

We sought comment from the district on both issues on several occasions but they do not seem to want to give a reaction or a reason. Maybe they don't know why.

MAYOR DELUCA OFFERS UPDATED MIDTOWN DIRECT HOBOKEN DIVERSION PLANS

Mayor Vic Deluca this week offered another update on contingency plans for the planned Midtown Direct train diversions to Hoboken during July and August, including jitney expansion, earlier rides and even library business meeting spaces.

During Tuesday night's Township Committee meeting, Deluca stated that:

* The Township would seek to begin jitney service earlier, perhaps 4:45 a.m., to allow residents to make the three direct trains that will be running before 7 a.m. "Our plan is to get people as early to the train as possible," he said.

* New York and Hoboken monthly passes for July and August will be $91, about half the usual price, and will allow for free transfers to the PATH and ferries.

* Plans are being discussed to add a jitney for commuters who want to travel to South Orange for the direct buses being planned there by NJ Transit to New York.

* Police will allow commuter street parking to begin earlier, likely 4:45 a.m.

* The Maplewood Library will be making plans for work and meeting space via reservation and may open earlier to allow such use.

See his entire update below:

TOWNSHIP ISSUES A "NOTE FROM HOME" TO EXPLAIN YOUR NJ TRANSIT DELAY TO EMPLOYERS

As part of its ongoing efforts to ease the impact of the upcoming NJ Transit Midtown Direct diversion plans that will send most NYC-bound trains to Hoboken, the Township has drawn up what amounts to a "parental letter" to employers that residents can use to explain their lateness or absences.

But if the dog eats your homework, you're still on your own.

See the note, signed by all five Township Committee members, below:


You can print out your own copy HERE.

WHEN CHS PRINCIPAL AARON WAS A GRADUATE

To help celebrate today's Columbia High School graduation, and the recent tenure of CHS principal Elizabeth Aaron, we reached back to Aaron's high school days to show you what a successful graduate she was in her own right.

An alum of Summit High School (Class of 1988) the former Elizabeth Meola left a great mark at SHS, having been voted Most Likely to Succeed and Done the Most for SHS.

 

Way to go Ms. Aaron, and CHS 2017 grads!

ANOTHER VILLAGE TRAFFIC DISRUPTION TODAY DUE TO POST OFFICE PROJECT

From Maplewood Police:

Northbound traffic on Maplewood Avenue will be closed today between Inwood Place and Durand Road.  Please enter and exit the Ricalton Square parking lot at the north end (Valley National Bank).  There will be two police officers stationed to assist the detour.  This closure is to facilitate connections of the sewer upgrade to the main line.

POLICE REPORT FIGHT OUTSIDE CHS

From Maplewood Police:

Today, 6/21/17, at approximately 11:35 AM, Officers responded to Columbia High School on a reported fight.  Upon officers’ arrival, no one was observed actively fighting, but there was a large group of students outside of the school.  The group of students was waiting to go back into the school because of the modified schedule today and not because they were involved in a fight.  It was learned that a fight had occurred between two juvenile females in front of the school just prior to officer’s arrival. The individuals involved have been identified and at this time the matter is being handled internally by the school.