STATE TO PROVIDE PROSPECT STREET PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ASSISTANCE

Prospect Street pedestrian safety concerns, which date back more than a year, will get some additional help through a state-funded safety program, according to Mayor Vic Deluca.

He said last month that the Township had been approved to receive what is described as "planning assistance" from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The Township applied for the assistance last month. See that resolution HERE.

"We've been notified by the state that we are going to be receiving planning assistance from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Prospect Street to study pedestrian safety and traffic flow and a bicycle path there," the mayor said at last month's TC meeting. "To develop some measures to advance pedestrian safety."

The help follows concerns about Prospect Street and other safety issues dating back to 2015 when a child was struck and other less-severe incidents.

The Township held a pedestrian safety summit last fall in an effort to address many of the issues.

PROSPECT STREET MUSIC TONIGHT

P.O.P.S. (Performances on Prospect Street)

St. Joseph Church invites you to our new music series Performances on Prospect Street. Our opening concert will feature our new music director, Dr. Joseph Legaspi on Friday, September 26 at 7 pm at St. Joseph Church.

A wine and cheese reception will follow in the parish Hall. There is no charge for this concert but a goodwill offering will be taken.

LIQUOR STORE PLAN FOR FORMER BANK SITE DRAWS HARSH OPPOSITION

The Township Committee decision two weeks ago to grant a liquor license for new tenants of the former Santander Bank at Prospect Street and Springfield Avenue is drawing harsh opposition with one group seeking to file a formal appeal of the license.

The TC voted, 5-0, on Aug. 4 to grant the license transfer to Atul Gupta, who acquired the license from the former Boyden Pantry at Boyden Avenue and Jacoby Street about eight months ago. He hopes to open a new store there by November 1 to be named Maplewood Wine Barrel. He also operates a store in Boonton.

The store would be the third such liquor seller on Springfield Avenue, which includes the mini mart shop near Parkwood Diner and the liquor store next to 7-11. Two other such shops, next to Scoops and Soups and across from Dunkin' Donuts, have shutdown in the past two years.

Several residents, however, are objecting to the license approval, claiming it will hurt the area. A copy of an appeal being prepared includes statements from letters residents have sent to Mayor Vic De Luca opposing the plan.

Among them: 
 
Dear Mayor DeLuca and Friends, At least you did not approve a marijuana dispensary as our neighbor, but in our opinion, approving a liquor store on the corner of Springfield and Prospect is not that much better.

Mr. Mayor & Members of the Town Committee:  I’m writing to express our serious disappointment and objection to the town’s decision to approve a liquor store on the corner of Springfield and Prospect. I know there are other neighbors of mine that have already written to you explaining why we believe this will be a terrible addition to our neighborhood, so I would instead like to focus on the process by which this was approved. I would consider my family to be very civically aware and active in Maplewood. We vote, serve on the PTA, follow town happenings, etc. That a liquor store on the corner was being considered was never publicized in any real way and we were never given an opportunity to even present our views on this matter. 

Vic, Thank you for your follow up. I have been corresponding with all my neighbors and no one is happy about this liquor store. There are many new families with young kids in the area and everyone is working hard to renovate their houses and yards to improve the area. This liquor store completely defeats the purpose of all this hard work.   

Dear Mayor DeLuca, I want to echo what my neighbors and friends ... have expressed today. I've given this much thought and ultimately I am at a loss to understand how the Township Committee determined it would be in this community's best interests to open a supersized alcohol distribution center abutting a residential neighborhood populated with young children. If the totality of the Committee's response is that you followed protocol and this store will be different because it sells "craft" beer and wines, frankly that is not acceptable or fair to the members of this community. Following protocol does not excuse what appears to be a unilateral exercise of poor judgment. 

Dear Mayor DeLuca, It has come to my attention, as well as to my neighbors, that the Township approved a liquor store to be located at Springfield Avenue and Prospect Street. It is very disheartening to learn about this without having any idea it was even a possibility. We agree that Springfield Avenue needs new businesses, however, a large liquor store on that corner is not the type of business needed in our neighborhood ... I am very concerned, as are all of my neighbors, about this type of business being located right here. Additionally, children frequent that corner, as they walk to and from schools. There is also St. Joseph's Church nearby and I believe there is some type of ordinance about how far a liquor store can be located from the church.

The Township Clerk's office has had many inquiries about the license from residents. 

Mayor De Luca declined to comment, stating via email, "Since this is an appeal to the State of NJ of an action of the Maplewood Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (Township Committee), I cannot comment."

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.

PROSPECT TRAFFIC CONCERNS PROMPT TEMPORARY SPEED BUMPS

New temporary speed bumps on Prospect Street

Mayor Vic Deluca on Monday updated residents about the traffic issues along Prospect Street in the Hilton area that drew concerns after two incidents involving pedestrians in recent weeks.

Deluca said new temporary speed bumps have been placed along a portion of Prospect, adding that studies will be done to see their effectiveness. He also said that police have been meeting with parents from Tuscan School and St. Joseph's Church.

See his report below:


 

ROAD CLOSURE ALERT: SPRINGFIELD/PROSPECT/ELMWOOD

From Maplewood Police today: 

Construction on Elmwood Avenue. Road Closures and detours: Elmwood Avenue closed between Summit Avenue and Prospect Street. 

Construction at Prospect Ave/Springfield Avenue. East and West bound lanes are open on Springfield Avenue. North and South bound lanes on Prospect Street at Springfield Avenue are detoured. Be prepared for delays.

 

 

PROSPECT STREET CROSSWALK ENFORCEMENT TODAY

From Maplewood Police:

On Friday 12/18/15 the Maplewood Police Department will be conducting motor vehicle violations and crosswalk enforcement details. The details will be conducted in the areas of Prospect Street/Springfield Avenue and Valley Street. The details will take place at various times during the day.

SPRINGFIELD AVENUE MAYFEST IS TODAY

 We will be there. Stop by the Maplewoodian.com booth

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Join us on from 11 am to 5 pm for our annual street fair, MayFest on Springfield Avenue

Presented by Le Petit Academy, 1529 Springfield Avenue and Beginnings Christian Preschool, 1605 Springfield Avenue

MayFest will feature over 150 vendors, activities, food, live music by local bands and a DJ and of course performances by our local dance and exercise studios.
We have a great line up of local bands performing at MayFest:
11am – Israeli Disco
12pm – Allied Chem
1 pm – Mood Ring
2 pm – Die Cast Cars
3 pm Johnny Woods and the Western Pines
4 pm Dwight West and Friends
Special thanks to our entertainment sponsors Tile Design Inspirations and The Fringe Salon for sponsoring the entertainment booth at the corner of Springfield Avenue and Prospect Street.
Local businesses will perform at the corner of Springfield Ave and Yale Street as follows:
12:00 pm LaChaney’s Dance and Music Academy
12:30 pm Blue Life Karate
1:30 pm Inspirational Dance
2:30 pm LaChaney’s Dance and Music Academy
3:00 pm Autumn Jones (CHS 2016 Graduate)

MayFest Street Fair is located on Springfield Avenue between Indiana and Rutgers Streets. Free parking will be available on local side streets and in the municipal lots at Yale Street and Springfield Avenue and Tuscan Road and Springfield Avenue.

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.

BURGLARIES, ASSAULT AND WEAPONS MARK POLICE WEEK

This just in from Maplewood Police:

Maplewood Police Department

Press Release

December 13, 2011

December 6, 2011: Burglary. On 12/6/11, a Laurel Avenue resident (nearest Springfield Ave.) reported that a burglary had occurred to her residence during the daytime hours. Unknown suspect(s) reportedly gained entry through a rear first floor unlocked window and removed several hundred dollars worth of jewelry and a 46” RCA flat screen TV.

December 9, 2011: Assault. On 12/9/11, officers responded to the Burger King restaurant at 1833 Springfield Avenue on a report of a fight in progress. The caller had reported that five (5) males had jumped a customer in the restaurant. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a male who reported that he had become engaged in a verbal altercation with another male diner who was accompanied by four other males. He reported that the group of five 20-23 year olds circled him in the store, and then began to punch and kick him before leaving in a vehicle east on Springfield Ave. The complainant reported that he was not injured and that nothing was taken from him.

December 12, 2011: Burglary. On 12/12/11, a Prospect Street resident reported that at approximately 12:10 pm, while in a second floor bedroom, she heard a slam-type noise at her rear door. Her two dogs began barking and ran towards the rear door. As the victim followed, she observed her two dogs chasing after two individuals that were running down the driveway towards Prospect Street. The victim described the two suspects as black males, with one suspect between 18-30 years old, wearing a black sweatshirt, black knit cap, and gloves. The victim could not further describe the second suspect.

December 12, 2011: Attempted Burglary. On 12/12/11, officers responded to an alarm call at a Broadview Ave. residence and located a freshly broken window to a rear door. It appears the alarm and subsequent police response successfully deterred a burglary.

December 12, 2011: Weapons Offenses (Arrest). On 12/12/11, officers responded to a Newark Way business on a report of a dispute. Upon arrival, officers learned that Erroll Thompson, 28, of 64B Newark Way, Maplewood, NJ, had allegedly damaged a door to the business by utilizing a silver aluminum baseball bat to smash the door. Thompson had apparently accused a worked of stealing headlights from his vehicle. After further investigation, Thompson was arrested and charged with a variety of offenses including possession of a weapon (baseball bat). 

FALLEN TREE DAMAGES TWO CARS

Police and firefighters responded to a tree falling on two cars in a small parking lot off Prospect Street near Springfield Avenue Friday at about 3 p.m.

No injuries occurred, but the incident blocked part of Prospect Street for at least an hour during the busy after-school time.

LARGE TREE FALL KNOCKS DOWN POWER LINE, SPARKS FIRE AND ROAD CLOSURE

A large tree was uprooted and fell across Prospect Street near Sommer Avenue, ripping down a power line that caught fire and trapping two cars briefly, according to witnesses. The power lines were on fire and the incident forced the closure of Prospect between Bowdoin Street and Harvard Avenue as PSE&G crews worked on the situation.

One witness reported hearing what sounded like a truck rumbling down the street and said lights flickered in her home when the tree fell at around 9:46 a.m. Power was out for much of the area for about 45 minutes, including a stretch of Springfield Avenue in which traffic signals were out for that time.

We will report more details and post video soon. 

TOWN JITNEY WILL TAKE YOU TO #25 BUS IN IRVINGTON

This from the township website:

Township Jitney’s will take Riders to Springfield Ave. Bus Stop

Mayor Victor De Luca announced that effective at 6:30AM Wednesday, November 7th. Maplewood Jitneys will take Maplewood riders to Springfield Avenue just over the Township’s border with Irvington so they can catch the number 25 bus to Newark Penn Station

From Newark Penn commuters can access New York Penn by train or take the number 108 bus to Port Authority Bus Terminal in mid-town Manhattan.
The 25 bus fare is $2.35 which must be exact change (dollar bills and coins). Those with a November train pass can use that for the bus fare and the fare into NYC.
Route 1 will pick up passengers at the Maplewood Train Station on Dunnell Road from 6:30AM until 8:30AM. This Jitney will go directly to Springfield Avenue and 43rd Street.
Route 2 will pickup passengers at any corner on the north side of Elmwood Ave. to Prospect St. turning right on Prospect St. picking up passengers on the east side of Prospect Street turning right on Parker Ave. the jitney will travel east towards Warren Rd. and proceed on Springfield Ave. Route will run from 6:30AM to 8:30AM.
Evening riders can pick up a jitney and have a reverse ride from the morning commute from 5:30PM to 8:30PM. The jitney will be on Chancellor Ave along side the old Maplewood Diner.
This service is only available to Maplewood residents and you must show your jitney pass or another form of identification and pay the $1.00 fare. Service is subject to change. - END

RESIDENTS AGAIN DEMAND BETTER TRAFFIC SAFETY CONTROLS FROM TC

Traffic and pedestrian safety was front and center at the Township Committee meeting for the second time in a row Wednesday night as residents of the Hilton area demanded improvements and better patrols following recent incidents in which a child was struck and a woman pedestrian was allegedly beaten by a driver after an altercation.

Several residents spoke out at the meeting during more than an hour of comments and discussions that included demands for more patrols and speed humps in the area of Prospect Street and Hilton Avenue where a seven-year-old child was hit just a few weeks ago.

Among those who urged improvements was Elle Barnett, a local resident who said she was attacked by a motorist whose vehicle almost hit her when she complained about the incident. She has reported the incident to police that she was beaten by the woman, who has apparently claimed she was the victim.




Other residents told tales of near-misses on Prospect as well as other streets including Springfield Avenue and Valley Street.

Mayor Vic De Luca offered concern and support, noting there have been changes to the raised intersection on Prospect at Hilton and other beefed up police efforts in the area. He also said a traffic study is underway.

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.

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.

VIDEO: TREE DOWN ON PROSPECT, POWERLINE FIRE, BLOCKED ROAD

We first reported this morning on the tree that fell on Prospect Street near Sommer Avenue, knocking down a power line, sparking a fire and forcing some portions of the street to be closed.

Here is video of the scene and one witness's account:

PROSPECT NURSERY SCHOOL REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY

8 a.m. Prospect Co-Op Nursery School in Maplewood will be accepting new student registration forms between January 6th and January 17th. 

 Registration forms may be downloaded from the school website (www.prospectpreschool.org), or picked up at the school, located at 646 Prospect Street, in Maplewood, NJ 07040. 

For more information, or to schedule a tour, please contact Director Betsy Geiger, at 973-763-8955.

PROSPECT PRE-SCHOOL/ SOMA ADULT SCHOOL NOW REGISTERING

Prospect Co-Op Nursery School in Maplewood will be accepting new student registration forms between January 6th and January 17th. Registration forms may be downloaded from the school website (www.prospectpreschool.org), or picked up at the school, located at 646 Prospect Street, in Maplewood, NJ 07040. For more information, or to schedule a tour, please contact Director Betsy Geiger, at 973-763-8955.

Register now for spring classes at The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School. In addition to the many favorites for adults we have expanded our offering for children and families. Check your mailbox for our latest catalog, call to request one at (973) 378-7620 or browse at www.somadultschool.org.

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.