DEMOLITION PERMIT ISSUED FOR POST OFFICE SITE; PARKING LOT TALKS STILL ONGOING

The Township issued the demolition permit for the former Maplewood Village Post Office site, according to a notice on the Township website.

It stated only:

The demolition permit has been issued for 160 Maplewood Avenue. The Construction Official is reviewing the application for the footings and foundation permit.

The permit comes the same week as the site itself underwent other changes, including the relocation of mailboxes. But also some problems as the flimsy plastic tarps covering the former window spaces were ripped open, causing an eyesore and potential safety hazard.

The Township is also continuing to negotiate with the six retail building owners on Maplewood Avenue who control the rear parking lot behind the shops from Village Coffee to Arturo's. The space is needed for a sewer extension for the proposed post office site building that will include a three-story, 20-apartment, five-shop complex.

Mayor Vic Deluca told us today that he is still in talks with three of the property owners, but declined to reveal specifics as negotiations continue.

Stay tuned!

SPECIAL REPORT: PARCC TEST 2016

As the second year of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing looms in just a few weeks, many students and parents are concerned over the impact the test is having on student education, time, graduation and even stress. 

We looked into the process being used, the concerns of parents, the specific plans for test-taking, opting out, and what the future of the test may be. And will they really take away a student's cell phone and keep it? 

See our report HERE.

LIBRARY IDEAS FESTIVAL: FILM EDITOR TIM SQUYRES

IDEAS FESTIVAL 2016 celebrates the talent and creativity of our community.

The events continue with FILM EDITOR TIM SQUYRES 
7:00 pm at Main Library
Free and open to the public

Tim Squyres has edited 23 feature films, including 13 for director Ang Lee. Four have received Oscar nominations for Best Picture: Life of Pi, GosfordPark, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Sense and Sensibility.

His other films include Unbroken, Rachel Getting Married, Syriana, The Ice Storm, and The Wedding Banquet. His work has received two Oscar nominations for editing. He has also edited a wide variety of television and music video projects, and his documentary work includes collaborations with Bill Moyers, Michael Moore, Alex Gibney and George Butler. Squyres and his family have lived in Maplewood for nearly thirty years.

Squyres will talk about the role of a film editor, how movies are shot, and how an editor can create different styles. He'll show 'before' and 'after' clips, and take questions from the audience.

CHS CODE RED DRILL TODAY

From Columbia High School today:

This afternoon, CHS is conducting a state-mandated Code Red drill. CHS, as always, appreciates the professionalism and support of Maplewood and South Orange Police. During a Code Red drill, CHS staff works with the police, school security, and other staff to go into complete lockdown and clear rooms for safety in small teams. While this does take time, it also allows the school staff to fully practice lockdown procedures and identify any areas of improvement in school safety procedures. Please discuss this drill with your student and follow up with the CHS administrative team should you have any questions.

MAPLEWOODIAN OLYMPIC FENCER GETS NEW YORKER ATTENTION

Photo: New Yorker

We told you last month about Maplewoodian fencer and Columbia High School graduate Ibtihaj Muhammad making the 2016 U.S. Olympic team.

Now her fame and ability have caught the attention of The New Yorker, which published a great piece on her this month. It not only notes her success but also her groundbreaking placement on the team as a Muslim and the first Olympian to wear a hijab, or Muslim head dress.

It states, in part:

Her achievements have not eased the challenges. “I’ve flown to domestic competitions,” Muhammad said, “and T.S.A. agents at airports have spoken to me in demeaning ways, as if I’m foreign, because I wear hijab: ‘Do—you—speak—English?’

“How do people like this exist?” she asked, more in disbelief than in anger. “I’m productive, educated, and representing my country at the Olympics, but they question where I belong.” She continued, “People regularly avoid eye contact. Imagine walking into a room and someone avoids looking at you. As a religious and ethnic minority, I never know what the hangup is. It happens all the time. It’s the norm.”

See the entire story HERE.

MORE POST OFFICE PROJECT CHANGES

The former Maplewod Village Post Office project continues to hit the village with little changes here and there.

The latest is the drive-by mailboxes in the Ricalton Square parking lot that were relocated to two locations near the train station. It's unclear why they were not put together in the new space.

Meanwhile, the Maplewood Village Alliance has started its efforts to mitigate the expected impact of demolition and construction with a big banner on the park side of the tunnel under the train tracks declaring it is open.

Stay tuned for more.

LIBRARY BABY LIT TODAY

11:00 am – 11:30 am

Hilton Branch * Ages Birth – 2 1/2 

Drop In 

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

POST OFFICE SITE EYESORE HAZARD IS BACK

When the developers of the former Maplewood Village Post Office site began initial demolition of the building in January with the removal of windows, the open space left behind drew complaints as a

hazard and eyesore.

The Township said it would keep the property in check and make sure there were no code violations. But they never required JMF Properties, which is constructing the new building, to board up the window spaces above the first floor.

Well, the flimsy sheets placed over the upper windows do not appear to be doing the job as we found today. Hopefully this will be corrected soon.

IS MAPLEWOOD A METS OR YANKEES TOWN? LET THEM KNOW

The Star-Ledger's website, NJ.com, is trying to determine which baseball team is the favorite of each town.

If you want Maplewood to be designated as a home for your team, take the survey HERE.

As of Tuesday morning, the votes had us rooting more for the Mets.

Make sure your voice is heard. Results next week.

DON'T BLAME THE SCHOOLS FOR SECOND SOMS WATER MAIN BREAK

Monday's closure of South Orange Middle School due to a water main break -- for the second time in less than three months -- was due to a water company issue, not a school district problem, according to Business Administrator Cheryl Schneider.

When we asked about the trouble she said via email:

Both issues at SOMS have been with the water company having to do repairs, not the district.  We asked them to shut off the water so that we could address some necessary repairs within the building which were being done while the building was closed.  They had trouble with the shut off valve when it came time to turn the water back on.  Without water in the school building we could not open school.  Unfortunately the water company could not schedule their repair until (Monday) morning and so we were on their schedule. They are estimating that they can do their repairs and have the water back on this afternoon.

Let's hope it doesn't happen again.

LIBRARY ART & MUSIC RECEPTION TONIGHT: BISA BUTLER

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Main Library – The library will be open after hours for this month’s Art & Music Reception, featuring quilt artist and CHS art teacher Bisa Butler. Music, wine and refreshments will be provided.

SOUTH ORANGE FIELDS CLOSED TODAY

From the Baird Twitter:

The Baird ‏@SOrangeRec

South Orange fields are closed. All outdoor activities are cancelled.

EXTRA HIT WITH SHOPLIFTING TWICE; ALSO THEFTS FROM VEHICLES LEAD POLICE WEEK

From Maplewood Police today:  
March 22, 2016; Shoplifting; At approximately 1:30 PM, officers responded to the Extra Supermarket on Irvington Ave on the reported shoplifter.  Upon their arrival, Torre Garrett, age 38 of Newark was arrested for attempting to shoplift several items. 

March 25, 2016; Shoplifting; At approximately 6 PM, officers responded to the Extra Supermarket on Irvington Ave on the reported disturbance.  Upon their arrival, they found a female and a security guard arguing.  The female, Keshonda Ballamy, age 42 of East Orange had attempted to shoplift several items including bag of shrimp.  She was taken into custody and charged.

March 21, 2016; Theft from Vehicle; During the overnight hours an unsecured vehicle parked in a driveway on Hudson Ave was entered and change was stolen from it.
 
March 22, 2016; Theft from Vehicle; During the overnight hours an unsecured vehicle parked in a driveway of the 20 block of Boyden Ave was entered and change was stolen from it.

March 24, 2016; Theft from Vehicle; During the overnight hours an unsecured vehicle parked on William St was entered and a wallet removed.

March 27, 2016; Theft from Vehicle; During the overnight hours an unsecured vehicle parked in a rear driveway on the 300 block of Boyden Ave was entered and cash was stolen from it.

PODCAST: REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST MARK SLADE

Springtime means home selling and buying time so we caught up with our favorite real estate agent, Mark Slade of Keller Williams.

In his regular seasonal podcast, Mark talked about the sellers market that is Maplewood, the impact of local developments, dos and don'ts for selling and buying, and why our town remains a popular location for relocating.

Listen below and reach out to him HERE if you are looking to move.

GREEN CHS POOL WATER SPARKS CONCERNS

CHS pool in cleaner days

While the Board of Education continues to decide if they will close the Columbia High School pool, they may also want to improve the maintenance.

Students in swimming classes were faced with swimming in green water for several days last week, causing many to worry about health and safety. No information was provided to parents about the situation.

Asked why this occurred and what was done, District Spokeswoman Suzanne Turner said via email:

As you realize, I'm sure, the chemical levels in the pool are

tested regularly. I did hear a concern of a student reporting a greenish color to the pool. At that same time the Ph levels were a bit high, which usually means that the water levels are down a little. 

Additional water was added, and additional chlorine to address the additional water, and my understanding was that following readings were fine

Let's hope this does not occur again, or at least the information is properly provided to students and parents.

CREATIVE COLORING FOR ADULTS AT LIBRARY TODAY

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Main Library – Adult coloring is taking the world by storm. Coloring relieves stress, takes you away from your cares for a while, trains your brain to focus, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.  It may even help keep dementia at bay!  Each month, the library will provide a variety of designs and a supply of colored pencils. Just drop in: bring your own coffee and we’ll bring the cookies.

DUNKIN' DONUTS DISTURBANCE

... Scanner indicates police responding to Dunkin' Donuts on Springfield Avenue for report of disturbance involving up to six juveniles ... reportedly throwing things and being loud ...

SOUTH ORANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL CLOSED AGAIN FOR WATER MAIN BREAK

For the second time in less than three months a water main break has closed South Orange Middle School.

This notice just went out via email that SOMS is closed tomorrow, Monday, March 28:

Dear South Orange Middle School Families,
 
SOMS will be closed tomorrow, Monday March 28th, due to a water main break. We expect that school will be open on Tuesday, but will advise you if this changes.   

A similar break closed the school on Jan. 8.

While we do not normally report on South Orange, since many Maplewood students attend SOMS, we cover certain elements of news involving the school.

A TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE EASTER

Our Easter tribute to the Township Committee

 

MAPLEWOODIAN OF THE WEEK: NINA KAMBILI

Columbia High School student representative to the school board Nina Kambili let the district have it this week on the new proposed budget, which cuts nine teachers from the high school, as well as what she contends is student censorship.

Hear her comments at least week's school board meeting HERE.

This tough talk earned her our Maplewoodian of the Week award.

Keep up the good work!

NO OPEN HOUSES TODAY

The Easter Bunny has declared no open houses in Maplewood today so enjoy those eggs, chocolate and otherwise, and get ready for next week.

EASTER SERVICES TODAY

Happy Easter. If you want to go worship in Maplewood, here are some of the services for today.




St. Joseph's Chruch, 767 Prospect St.

7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Proepct Presbyeterian Church, 646 Prospect St.

8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Morrow Memorial Church, 600 Ridgewood Rd.

8:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

St. George's Church, 550 Ridgewood Rd.

8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

 



 

MAPLEWOOD LIBRARY IDEAS FESTIVAL: TOP JOURNALISTS IN DISCUSSION TODAY

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Main Library
Ilena Silverman is the Features Editor at the New York Times Magazine. She assigns and edits long stories ranging from profiles of presidential candidates to narratives about kidnappings; she also edits the Diagnosis column. She started her career at Harper’s Magazine and has been an editor at Vogue and GQ.

Rebecca Blumenstein is Deputy Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal, a role she assumed in January 2013, and is one of the highest-ranking women to lead the newspaper. She received a a New York Newswomen’s Award, was part of a team that won the Gerald Loeb Award, and she oversaw the China team that won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting.

Moderator Brooke Lefferts was recently named the U.S. entertainment video editor for The Associated Press. She is a former senior producer for Fox News and an editor and writer for outlets including Today.com and FoxNews.com.

CHS SCHEDULE CHANGE PROMPTS COMPLAINTS, UPDATE AT BOARD MEETING

The proposal to eliminate the early first period at Columbia High School drew criticism at this week's school board meeting, while Superintendent John Ramos stated that other options are being considered, including a rotating schedule.

See Ramos' update below:




Also, some of the parents who spoke out on the need for the current nine-period schedule -- or at least a similar approach that allows students the same options they currently have.

See those below:

CHS DRAMATIC CLUB WANTS YOUR DONATIONS FOR RUMMAGE SALE

Columbia High School's Parnassian Society, which oversees its dramatic productions, wants your old clothes and other sell-able items.

The group is seeking to raise funds to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland through a rummage sale.

The sale is April 2, but donations are being accepted today, at the CHS Black Box Theater, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and next week, Monday to Thursday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

And they will even help you transport the items to the high school, Call 973-713-6866.

MAPLEWOOD'S SALVAGE STYLE GETS SOME STATEWIDE LOVE

From the April issue of New Jersey Monthly:

TAKE THE TOWNSHIP'S SENIOR SURVEY

From the Township today:

Attention Adults 60+ The Village of South Orange and the Township of Maplewood will be conducting a survey to gain feedback that will inform the development of an Age-Friendly Action Plan.  The survey is part of an assessment of needs for adults over 60 and is funded by the Grotta Fund for Senior Care. Over the coming month, we will be going out into the community to talk to a wide representation of older adults (from diverse neighborhoods, ethnicities, income levels, ages, etc.) with a goal of surveying between 400-750 adults age 60+.  This grassroots effort will help the initiative reach individuals whose voices may not always be heard. An Age-Friendly community is one where policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environments are designed to support and enable older people to live in a secure environment, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in their communities.  The 3-Year Community Action Plan will identify age-friendly features, barriers, and suggestions for improvement, and will serve as a template for collaborative planning to address the needs of our growing senior population. The survey questions will take most people approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending on how much you have to say!  Your answers are completely confidential. The survey will be available online at the Maplewood Township web site in the near future.  Hard copies will be available in Maplewood at: Town Hall, Community Center, and both Libraries.  When completed, the surveys can be returned to Maplewood Town Hall, the Community Center or both Maplewood Libraries.  The survey will close on APRIL 26, 2016. For more information in Maplewood please contact:  Anettte DePalma 973-762-8120 x 3400 or Robert Roe  973-762-8120 x4400 at the Maplewood Town Hall. We appreciate your participation in this very important endeavor

CHS BASEBALL COACH INVESTIGATION DELAYED; WILL NEVER BE MADE PUBLIC

Leroy Seitz

Nearly a month after the school district hired an outside investigator to review its findings of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) against CHS baseball coach Joe Fischetti, no findings have been released.

And they apparently never will be.

District Spokeswoman Suzanne Turner said the investigator, Parsippany-Troy Hills Superintendent Leroy Seitz, will not submit his report to the school board until its next regular meeting on April 18. That will be nearly two months after his hiring was announced on Feb. 22 and he was contracted on Feb. 26.

But even then his report will not be made public, Turner said.

Joe Fischetti

"There will not be a public report on the findings," she said via email. "Since we are legally prohibited from sharing results of HIB investigations with the public due to laws regarding confidentiality of students and staff issues. The Board of Education will receive an update during executive session at its April meeting."

At issue are the claims by several former players against Fischetti of multiple counts of alleged HIB behavior. One of the student's parents, Randy Nathan, had his allegations validated by a district review that also included a letter from Ramos supporting the claims.

In addition, another former player, David DeFranco, filed a lawsuit last month with additional claims against Fischetti and other coaches.

Superintendent John Ramos

The school board voted, 6-3, in February to re-appoint Fischetti for the 2016 baseball season, but with the provision by Ramos that Seitz would be hired to review the findings. He said then that Fischetti could be dismissed if the findings provided enough proof.

Seitz was hired on Feb. 26 under an agreement that pays him up to $5,000 for his work. Ramos said then that his investigation would take two to four weeks.

Saturday will be one month since the investigator was hired and there is no sign that the report is close to being completed.

And if the public is not made aware of the findings, as Turner indicates, how will the public know if the HIB claims are correct? And if the $5,000 in tax dollars spent to pay for it was worthwhile?

The CHS baseball team, meanwhile, starts its season on April 1. If the board chooses to remove Fischetti, that will leave the players in a bit of a bind. 

OPEN AND CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY

A reminder that Maplewood libraries and the South Orange Maplewood School District are both closed today for Good Friday. 

But Town Hall is open.

NJ Transit, meanwhile, is operating on a holiday schedule. 

Have a blessed day.

PODCAST: 'WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT' AUTHOR WHO VISITS WORDS TONIGHT

Kim Barker, author of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, the basis for the new Tina Fey film of the same name, will be at Words Bookstore tonight at 7:30 p.m. to sign copies and read from her memoir of life covering war in the Middle East.

We caught up with Barker, now a New York Times reporter, to ask about the book, movie and her experience in a war zone that led to the black humor-based work.

Listen below and check her out at Words tonight.

SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT REP RIPS BUDGET, STUDENT CENSORSHIP

CHS School Board Rep Nina Kambili

The Columbia High School school board student representatives have had a strong history of speaking out for their classmates' rights. 

The previous student rep, Maggie Kritzberg, spent two years on the board and offered many important observations about what the board policies meant to the CHS population. 

And just a few months ago, alternative representative Philip Saulean let the board have it on the recent Education Summit.

But most recently, student representative Nina Kambili spoke out strongly on two issues: the proposed budget and student censorship.

At Monday night's meeting, where the board introduced a $125 million spending plan that cuts 15 staff position, including nine CHS teachers, Kambili criticized the move saying she was "dissatisfied" and said it was funding a "bloated administrative structure" instead of teachers.

Listen to her comments below:


At the same meeting, she later brought up the issue of student censorship, revealing that it has become "extremely limiting."

Hear that below:


You tell 'em Nina!

HOLY THURSDAY AT PROSPECT CHURCH

Maundy Thursday Communion & Tenebrae Service 

7:30 p.m.

In the first half of the service we will remember the last supper and celebrate communion.  Then, we will turn our eyes toward the cross.  As each of the seven last words of Jesus is spoken, we will gradually darken the church and remove all of the colors and decorations from the church.  The service ends in the darkness with the sound of hammering nails.

MAILBOX RELOCATION LATEST IN POST OFFICE PROJECT CHANGES

From the Township:

Post Office Collection Boxes

The U.S. Postal Service will be relocating the mail collection boxes now in front of the former post office. One of the boxes will be placed in front of the new post office. Other boxes will be placed near the train station entrance in the Ricalton parking lot. Mail collection times will be listed on each box.

SPECIAL TC MEETING CANCELLED

From the Township:

Special Township Committee Meeting 3/23 - Cancelled

The Special Township Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 23rd is cancelled.

The Township Committee will meet again on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the Maplewood Municipal Building.

SPECIAL TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT; BUT IF YOU BLINK, YOU MIGHT MISS IT

Yes, there is a special Township Committee meeting tonight.

See the short agenda below.

As you can see, it is to appoint a probationary firefighter.

We asked Township Clerk Liz Fritzen why it could not wait until the next regular meeting on April 5. She said the newcomer had to be appointed so he could be sworn-in on march 29 and make the next class on April 4.

It is also another chance to speak up and ask the TC a question, give your opinion or just a pat on the back.

Remember, as always, they work for you!

AGENDA

TOWNSHIP OF MAPLEWOOD

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

      1. SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG

      2. STATEMENT

3.     ROLL CALL

4.  MB/GL       RESOLUTION NUMBER 84-16        

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A PROBATIONARY

FIREFIGHTER/EMT TO THE MAPLEWOOD FIRE DEPARTMENT

                           (Christopher Kannaley)

5.     PUBLIC COMMENT – ANY SUBJECT MATTER                

6.     ADJOURNMENT – To meet again Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at the Maplewood Municipal Building, 574 Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ