SCHOOL NO SMOKING POLICY EXPANDING TO INCLUDE E CIGARETTES, MORE AREAS

It looks like the Board of Education is quietly updating its No Smoking policy tonight to include vapor cigarettes and E cigarettes.

These smokeless smokes have come under scrutiny in recent months, including in California where the debate has turned up the discussion.

The proposal, below, also expands the locations banning smoking related to school events and institutes a potential penalty for violators that could require them to take a  smoking informational health course. 

See the proposed new policy below that is up for a review at tonight's school board meeting at 7:30 p.m. It essentially says that whereever smoking is not allowed on school grounds or at school events, the restriction will expand to include the E smokes.

The entire agenda is HERE.

NEW MAPLEWOOD VILLAGE POST OFFICE HAS A NEW NUMBER

From the Township today:

Post Office Moves and Has New Temporary Phone Numbers

By now most people are aware that the post office at 160 Maplewood Avenue moved to 195 Maplewood Avenue but, you may not be aware that they have a new temporary telephone number.

The new temporary telephone number for the post office at 195 Maplewood Avenue is 732-0680 or 0683. When they will have a permanent telephone number is not known at this time.

BURGLARY, THEFT AND RECOVERED CAR MARK POLICE WEEK

From Maplewood Police today:

February 17, 2015; Burglary; A resident of Boyden Ave returned home and found a door open. It was reported that a gaming system and cash were missing from the home.

 February 20, 2015; Theft; Sometime over the previous two days a package was stolen from the porch of a Van Ness Court residence.

 February 22, 2015; Recovered Stolen Vehicle; At approximately 2:00 AM, a 2005 Toyota Camry reported stolen out of Irvington was recovered parked on Elmwood Ave.

MONTROSE SCHOOL NEW ROOF WILL COST $134,000 MORE THAN PLANNED

It looks like the new roof at Montrose School is going to cost $134,000 more than originally expected.

This change order, up for approval at tonight's Board of Education meeting, indicates the reasons, apparently much of it for water damage:
                                                                                                      

RESOLUTION          3256F

FOR ACTION

SUBJECT:   APPROVE CHANGE ORDER TO MONTROSE SCHOOL ALTERATION

                         BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the following change orders to Montrose School Alteration:

Contractor                                                                               

GPC, Inc.                                              

4                                       $26,435.01                           
5                                       $9,621.08                            

6                                       $98,200.00                            

Total                                $134,256.09

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Change order #4 includes Upgraded proposed 600 amp service to 800 amp service per PSE&G requirements.

Change order #5 includes installation of a steel stud and enclosures for plumbing, as well as other adjustments based on site conditions. 

Change order #6 includes repair of significant water damaged plaster per field verified areas and contract unit pricing revealed during demolition.

SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER PARCC TEST OPT-OUT PROPOSAL TONIGHT

The Board of Education plans to vote tonight on a controversial proposal that would allow parents to have their children opt out of the PARCC tests, which have drawn fire for taking up weeks of school time and adding to the already over-hyped use of standardized tests.

The board debated the issue earlier this month, with some opposed to it and others saying parents should have the right to decide.

See the proposal below:

 

Full board agenda HERE.

JOB HELP, STORYTIME AND BLACK HISTORY AT THE LIBRARY TODAY

Northern NJ Professionals in Transition

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Main Library – Network with other professionals who are currently unemployed or looking for new career opportunities. Meetings alternate between guest speakers and career workshops. Programs are free and open to the public.
For more info about Professionals in Transition, go to: http://216.246.77.209/~shining/NNJ_PIT/
2015 dates: January 12, January 26, February 9, February 23, March 9, March 23, April 13, April 27, May 4, May 18, June 1, June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August, 10, August 24, September 14, September 28, October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, November 30, December 14

Hilton Preschool Storytime

11:00 am – 11:30 am

Hilton Branch Library * Ages 2 1/2 – 5* Valid Maplewood Library card required
No registration required * All children must be accompanied by an adult

Hilton Black History Month Family Art Lesson

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Hilton Branch Library * Parents or caregivers and children ages 5+ * Registration required
Children and their parents or caregivers are invited to enjoy a Black History Month art lesson exploring a different African-American Master Artists such as Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence. Participants will create a piece of artwork inspired by one the Master artists.
To register, call 973-762-1688

Movie Monday

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Main Library – Chilax, watch a movie and have a snack.

Lego Club

7:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Main Library * All ages * Drop in
Tinker and build at LEGO club! Supported by ALA’s Junior Maker Grant, we have lots of LEGOs for everyone to build something and display their creations around the library!

FREE SENIOR TAX PREP TODAY

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
 Hilton Branch
Sponsored by AARP Foundation Tax Aide and IRS.  
 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Call Gail at 973-669-4660 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. for appointment.  Leave clear message for call back.
Documents to bring to your appointment:

• Government issued photo identification
• Social Security cards for yourself and all dependents
• Last year’s (2013) Federal and State tax return
• W-2 from each employer
• All 1099 forms, Social Security benefits, Interest, Dividends, Pension, Sale of assets (with basis for gains or losses), Railroad Retirement benefits
• Unemployment compensation statement (you must download and bring)
• Proof of any that apply: a. Mortgage interest; b. property tax; c. medical/dental expenses, medical insurance costs, 1095A ACA; d. receipts for contributions to charity; e. records of tax refunds, Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID or SS#); f. Receipts; g. canceled checks or 1098 forms related to continuing education; h. Lottery winnings form.

Bring a blank check for routing informationif you want to do a direct deposit of any refund(s).

WAS YOUR MAIL UNDELIVERED LAST WEEK? POST OFFICE DENIES A PROBLEM

If you are among those who did not get mail delivery for a few days last week, with no explanation, well, that lack of information continued as we contacted the U.S. Postal Service and they seemed dumbfounded.

George Flood, a spokesperson for U.S. Postal Service Northeast Area, said he looked into it and talked to the area postmaster who said things were fine.

"He indicated that 100% of the routes are going out, so if there is an individual issue, it would lead me to believe that there may be some safety issues involved access to the mailbox, things like that,” Flood told us. “If there is an individual issue they should reach out to the post office.” 

He said it had nothing to do with the Maplewood Village post office move from 160 Maplewood Ave. to 195 Maplewood Ave., noting that our mail is now delivered out of a Union location. 

Not much of an excuse. He did offer some contacts for future problems, saying people who have delivery problems down the road should call 973-763-5841 or 732-819-3260. 

Thanks a lot!