Ewing Insights

Dear Ewing Community, As we move into the second half of January, I want to keep you informed about some important updates and events happening in our community this week: Christmas Tree Collection Ends Friday A reminder that Friday, Jan. 17, is the last day Public Works crews will collect Christmas trees curbside. Please ensure your tree is free of all decorations and placed at the curb for pickup. Avian Flu Precautions for Hunters Hunters, please take note: avian flu has been confirmed in some animals. To protect yourself, follow safety guidelines when handling and dressing birds, especially waterfowl and gamebirds. Stay informed by visiting the NJDEP website for more details. Mercer Opioid Settlement Committee Meeting If you’d like to listen in on the Mercer Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee meeting on Jan. 16, the last day to register is Wednesday, Jan. 15.  Email Mercer County at the address within the story. This public listening session is about distribution of opioid settlement funds. MLK Day Office Closures and Service Opportunities Township offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, there are meaningful ways to honor Dr. King’s legacy right here in Ewing: Letter Writing Campaign: Join us at our local libraries to write uplifting letters for Meals on Wheels clients. Community Fundraiser Yard Sale: Head to the Mercer Office Park Gym at 1440 Parkside Avenue for a yard sale benefiting Mercer Street Friends, an incredible organization based in Ewing. These events are great opportunities to come together as a community and make a difference. Thank you for your continued commitment to Ewing.  Warm regards, Mayor Bert H. Steinmann

EWING SPOTLIGHT

Did You Know Ewing Has Its Own Song?

Ewing Township has a unique musical legacy with its very own song, "I’m Proud to Be Living in Ewing." This anthem was created in 1984 for the township’s Sesquicentennial Celebration by Chet Lucido and Stanley Vitale Jr. It was first performed publicly at the Sesquicentennial Birthday Party, led by Edgar Schier, Vocal Director of the Ewing High Chorus, in the presence of mayors from neighboring communities. (Click the image to listen on YouTube)

Originally composed with two stanzas, the song was later expanded with a third stanza at the request of Wanda Howell, a beloved vocal teacher at Fisher Middle School. Ms. Howell performed the song at many township events, helping to embed it in Ewing’s cultural fabric. The lyrics celebrate Ewing’s schools, first responders, civic organizations, and the spirit of community that defines the township. The refrain, “Proud to be living in Ewing,” reflects the pride and connection residents feel for their hometown. As we look forward to the United States’ Semiquincentennial in 2026, this song serves as a reminder of how local traditions contribute to our shared national identity. The Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years of American independence, will be celebrated nationwide with events coordinated by America250.org and our Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society, which could really use your help! Ewing’s rich history and traditions, including its township song, offer a local lens through which to honor this milestone. Stay tuned for more about how Ewing will join in the national celebration!

Celebrate Black History Month in Ewing!
Ewing Township is proud to support Black History Month this February 2025. If your organization is hosting an event, we’d love to help spread the word in our newsletter! Share your flyers, photos, and write-ups with us at contactus@ewingnj.org. Let’s celebrate together and highlight the rich history and contributions of Black Americans in our community.

NEWS

Working together to clean up excess road salt

Ewing takes the requirements of our stormwater management ordinance very seriously. During winter ice and snow events, applying road salt helps to lower the melting point of ice, allowing sidewalks, parking lots, and roadways to stay free of ice buildup. But there is a downside. Salts are also soluble. They can be toxic to aquatic life, and they are environmentally persistent: applying and storing them can cause them to mix with stormwater, leading to water quality problems. Ewing’s Public Works Department asks for your help identifying road salt spills where and when they occur, so that we can respond quickly to remove the excess and keep our community safe. For those who reached out to us over the weekend, thank you! De-icing materials are spread at the beginning of a snow/ice storm to prevent the bonding of snow or ice to the road surface. Operating the trucks that dispense road salt can be a visually difficult task. Visibility is reduced by the weather event itself and the need to work through the night depending upon the timing. Staff make every effort to avoid dumping excess road salt on our roadways, however, control of the equipment can be demanding and difficult in adverse weather conditions, causing occasional spillage. NJ State law requires the cleaning up of excess salt within 72 hours of the storm event. “The permittee shall remove, within 72 hours after the end of the storm event, conditions permitting, piles of excess salt and deicing materials that have been deposited during spreading operations for reuse or proper disposal.”1 1. NJDEP| Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater Permitting and Water Quality Management | Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program How You Can Help? As a member of the public, you can report road salt spills: online, by clicking the button below by calling Ewing’s Department of Public Works at 609-882-3382.

Calling All Future Emergency Management Leaders!

Register now to hear from Mercer Opioid Settlement Advisory Council

ATTENTION HUNTERS - Suspected Avian Influenza found in New Jersey

Avian influenza is suspected to have caused the deaths of multiple wild birds, predominantly snow geese, across the state this week. Preliminary in-state testing has reported presumptive positive results for H5 avian influenza from 7 snow geese, 2 Canada geese, and 2 hawks recovered from Warren, Middlesex, Morris, and Sussex Counties. Additional animals from multiple sites in southern New Jersey are currently being tested. Bordering states Delaware and Pennsylvania have also reported similar events and preliminary positive cases of H5 avian influenza. While results are not yet confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is expected to be the cause of death for these animals. 

While HPAI can infect humans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared that the ongoing HPAI outbreak is primarily an animal health issue that poses low risk to the health of the general public. Waterfowl and gamebird hunters should take precautions while handling and dressing birds. Thoroughly cook all game to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming or feeding to pets. Falconers should avoid hunting waterfowl and other waterbirds until the apparent cessation of the active outbreak.

• Additional recommendations for hunters can be found here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf
• If you encounter sick or dead wild birds report the finding to the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).
• Additional guidance and resources on Avian influenza can be found at nj.gov/H5N1 and cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html.

Ewing residents offered free Radon Test Kits

January is Radon Action Month, and Mayor Bert Steinmann, the Ewing Township Health Department, and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection are providing free radon test kits to residents. Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer, and testing is recommended, especially for homes with high potential. Kits are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Homeowners can reserve a kit by calling 609-883-2900 Ext. 7619. Testing is critical for safety, and mitigation options are available if radon is detected. Learn more about radon exposure prevention at cdc.gov/radon/

Ewing Arts Commission to host special art installation ‘Serendipity: the occurrence of events by chance” 

Three young women, all born within a 5-mile radius, five years apart, live, play, learn, grow up, eventually move away.

Sixty years later, two of the three end up living in the same neighborhood, the third, close by, are all drawn together by their love of art – together they will serve as Ewing Arts Commission’s featured artist all winter at Ewing Town Hall. They are Linda Robinson, Ellen Wylie Smith and Janet Skwara McLaughlin. 

For the months of January, February, and March, the three will be exhibiting their artwork at the Ewing Township Municipal Building through the Ewing Arts Commission’s (EAC’s) Featured Artist Program. Most works will be available for purchase, and the artists will dedicate 10% of all sale proceeds to EASEL, Ewing’s animal shelter.

Ewing Municipal Building is at 2 Jake Garzio Drive, Ewing, NJ 08628. Art may be viewed when the building is open: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 12-1 for lunch). Please check the Ewing Arts Commission’s website and social media pages for more information about artists’ receptions for January, February, and March, as well as information about EAC’s Featured Artist Program.

PUBLIC WORKS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Post-Holiday Christmas Tree Pickup Notice

Curbside Christmas tree pickup is underway and will end at close of business on January 17, 2025. Please double check to make sure that all ornaments, lights and tinsel have been removed as the Township practices tree recycling. Residents may also drop off their trees at the Convenience Center.  All trees collected by Township staff are chipped and shredded.  Artificial trees are not part of this collection program. If you want to dispose of an artificial tree, you should place out for your regular trash collection.

Reminder: Brush collection suspended from Nov.-Feb.

Seasonal curbside brush pickup has ended until March 1. Brush can be dropped off at the Brush Drop-Off Convenience Center at the end of Dover Avenue until Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (Access from Prospect Street to Dover Avenue end of street). The drop-off site is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Brush Drop-Off closes from Jan. 18-March 1. 

The Ewing Bulk Item drop-off site on Scotch Road is closed for the winter. The site will re-open Saturday, March 29, 2025

FAMILY FUN

SAVE THE DATE

COMMUNITY SERVICES & SUPPORT

Family Resource Network webinars Jan. 14 & 16

MLK Jr. Day of Service: Card and Letter Writing Drive

The Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday is a national day of service celebrating the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. From January 13th through February 1st, all branches of MCLS, including Ewing and Hollowbrook, are offering opportunities for community members to write letters or make handmade cards to be delivered to homebound participants of the Mercer County Meals on Wheels program. MCLS invites community members of all ages to take a moment to create a letter or greeting card, to make someone's day a little more special.  Find card templates that you can print from home and drop off to your local MCLS branch here.

Resources & Services for Veterans

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has partnered with Unite Us to connect individuals and families to a wide variety of services and resources.

Unite Us is a coordinated care referral network of health and social service providers. Unite Us can connect our New Jersey military and veteran community to resources to obtain benefits, food assistance, housing, education, transportation, behavioral health services, peer support and more.

Struggling with bills? There may be help. 

RECREATION PROGRAMS

Softball registration is open!

Click flyer or button to go to site.

Little League registration is open!

Click flyer to go to site.

Ewing Chess Club

The Ewing Chess Club (ECC) is a fun and lively club for beginner through master level chess players. The club  meets on Wednesday evenings at St. Luke’s Church on Prospect St. beginning Oct. 9. Play is from 6 to 10 p.m.  Kids play from 6 to 7 p.m. and adults start at 7:30 pm. Visitors and new members are always welcome and chess lessons are available. Chess sets, boards, clocks and refreshments are provided. All ages and skill levels are welcome. For more info contact Bong Ortiz at 609-665-3740 or email at ewingchessclub@gmail.com.

Book your space at Hollowbrook

Need a space for your holiday gathering? Call Hollowbrook at 883-1199 for room rentals. For other program info, visit ewingnj.org/departments/community-affairs or call 609-883-1776. 

Volleyball

 Adult Co-Ed Pick-up Volleyball starting Oct. 2 at Antheil School from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Get all the details and register today!

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Revitalize and Grow, and Business Builder Rebate Grant Program 

The Revitalize & Grow Grant program provides grants to eligible Mercer County-based businesses for signage and façade improvements that will set them up for success going forward, improve traffic for businesses and support increased tourism.  For the latest Program Policies & Procedures, click HERE and to pre-register, please click HERE for that application.  

The Business Builder Rebate Grant program provide rebates to eligible Mercer County-based businesses for items that will help them to start up and refresh on business basic that will set them up for success going forward – such as accountant fees, office supplies, software and some website development.  For the latest Program Policies & Procedures, click HERE and to pre-register, please click HERE for that application.  

Love a Ewing business? Tell us!

"My favorite Ewing business" is a readership favorite, with so many entries we can barely keep up! Know that we will get to all of them, so keep them coming!  Click on the button to share which local businesses you love and why. Thank you to all the businesses that continue to make Ewing a great place to live, work, and shop.

#EWINGSTRONG

2025: The Year to Make a Difference!

Volunteer Opportunities Strong communities are created with the assistance of committed volunteers. In Ewing, many opportunities are available for talented and dedicated residents to contribute to their community.  Residents can volunteer for an appointment to a Community Board, Committee or Commission; assist with a number of our emergency services; clean up a park or trail; teach a computer class, or call a senior bingo game. The possibilities are limitless.   Volunteering is also a great way make new friends in town, as well as to receive those intangible rewards that come from giving back to your community.  If you have a talent or skill and would like to serve, please fill out our volunteer application.  Appointments to the Township’s Boards, Committees, and Commissions are limited by statute and may not always have open positions, but there may other way to use your talents. Please file a volunteer application with Township Administration to be considered for openings.  You can also contact Township Administration at (609) 883-2900 x7605 if you have any questions.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

• Jan. 13, Recreation Commission, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 14, Town Council, 6:30 p.m.
• Jan. 16, Senior General, noon; Zoning Board, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 20, Closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
• Jan. 21, Drug and Alcohol Alliance, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; Environmental Commission, 7 p.m. via Zoom
• Jan. 22, Green Team, 7 p.m.; Site Review, 7 p.m.; Historic Preservation, 7:30 p.m.

*Meeting subject to change. Check website/calendar

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

New Year's Resolution? Get involved and make a difference in Ewing!

We are looking for dedicated residents to apply for open seats on various township boards and commissions. Whether you’re passionate about planning, environmental issues, or community development, your voice and expertise can help shape the future of our community. This is a great opportunity to give back and work alongside others who are committed to making Ewing a great place to live. Learn more here.

Dear Neighbor,

We hope you're enjoying the Ewing Insights newsletter and finding it helpful! It’s designed to keep you in the loop on all things Ewing, but we want to hear from you! Let us know what you think, share your feedback, and send us your ideas for future content—whether it’s local stories, events, or businesses to highlight. Your input will help us keep Ewing connected. Forward this newsletter to a friend!

Your 2025 Ewing Township elected leaders, far right, Mayor Bert H. Steinmann, fourth from left, Council President Jennifer Keyes-Maloney; and from left, Vice President David Schroth, Councilwoman Kathy Wollert, Councilman Kevin Baxter and Councilwoman Sarah Steward.