Maplewood Weekly Update · 2-5-2025
Township of Maplewood, New Jersey sent this bulletin at 02/05/2025 07:04 PM EST
Happy Wednesday, Maplewood friends & neighbors. Read on for a brief statement from the Township on the president's immigration focus & other news around town.
The Township shares our residents' concern of the new presidential administration's focus on dramatically increasing the enforcement of immigration laws, including deportation. At this critical time, the Township reaffirms its commitment to the fair and equal treatment of all residents, regardless of their immigration status, as we did when we adopted Resolution 3-17, on January 3, 2017, expressing Maplewood's commitment to equal, respectful and dignified treatment of all people.
Included in the 2017 resolution are the decrees that the Police Dept. shall adhere to the directives and guidelines of the New Jersey Attorney General with respect to the manner in which local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities.
The resolution also states that the Township shall not expend Township funds or resources to enforce federal immigration laws unless required by federal or state statute, regulation, court decision or directives and guidelines of the New Jersey Attorney General.
Also, we affirm that Township employees and officials shall monitor any efforts by the Federal Government to withhold or withdraw federal funding as a result of the Township’s policies to protect and defend the rights and liberties of all its residents and shall take action to protect such funding.
We understand that there are questions about the new administration's enforcement, and how we would comply with that, so we will continue to look for direction from the Federal Government and from the State Attorney General with the goal of continuing to ensure equal treatment for everybody.
On behalf of the Township Committee, Mayor Adams issued a proclamation on Black History Month. This February, the Township will honor African Americans and Labor, the 2025 theme set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The proclamation, which can be read in full here, encourages the community to learn more about the impact of African American labor, its history, and its ongoing role in shaping our nation and the world.
If you haven't seen Division of Arts & Culture's exciting lineup of Black History Month events throughout February, you're in for a treat. There's so much to see and do - visit https://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org/mbhm for all the dates and details and follow their Instagram for reminders.
Given the tragic impact of the recent California fires, TC Member Vic DeLuca spoke with Deputy Fire Chief Chris Ariemma of South Essex Fire Dept. about our local fire preparedness plan. “If we were to have a fire in the Reservation,” Dep. Chief Ariemma explained, “the South Essex Fire Department’s primary responsibilities would be water supply and protection of the houses and structures that border the Reservation. The primary agency to extinguish a fire in the reservation is the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The protocol is for SEFD to respond first and then contact the Forest Fire Service, located throughout the state of NJ. SEFD will extinguish what it can until the Forest Fire Service arrives."
Connect with neighbors, pick up new work skills & make a big local impact. Volunteering for a valued spot on one of our local boards helps you shape our town’s services & programs from the ground up. We currently have openings devoted to our Rec Advisory, Senior Advisory, Arts Council, Rent Control and Open Space committees. Head to our volunteer form to apply.
Congratulations to our newest board & committee members - Maxwell Kravitz (Arts Council), Jesse Fryatt (Rec), Kareen Stephens (Pool), Sam Daley (Pool), Esme Krais (Youth), Roxanne Fygetakes (Youth), Victor Gallo (Environmental) & Rujun Shen (Environmental) - who were appointed at last night's Township meeting.
Maplewood Library will host Digital Device Clinics on Thursdays, from 11-1, at Adult Services, located at 129 Boyden Ave. Drop by for free one-on-one support for using your phone or electronic device.
On Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at our Hilton Branch, local author Kim Coleman Foote will read Coleman Hill as part of our Black History Month programming. The author will join for the discussion!
Also at the Hilton Branch, our Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt is going on until Feb. 15. Kids of all ages can drop in to find all 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac and win a sticker.
Snow is back in the forecast this week, so remember the law is to clear your sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours from the end of the snowfall or formation of ice. Use sand or salt on ice that cannot be removed.
Owners of multi-family properties need to register their properties by April 1. Visit the Department of Community Development, Property Maintenance Division, at 574 Valley Street, 2nd floor, to complete the form and pay your annual registration fee. Contact the Property Maintenance Division at 973-762-8120 x3700 with questions.
There’s been a change to request construction inspections. All Uniform Construction Code (UCC) inspection requests associated with permits issued by the Construction Division must be submitted via online form or written request by using this Inspection Request Form.
Snow and salt combined take their toll on our streets. You can report potholes - as well as other concerns like rodents, litter, or streetlight outages - by filling out our Report A Concern form at www.maplewoodnj.gov. If you see any more urgent icing hazards in our streets, reach out directly to the Dept. of Public Works at 973-762-1175.
Cardboard & plastic & fibers, oh my. Get it all sorted with our 2025 Curbside Recycling Schedule.
Check out our February BOH presentation for lots of useful info on Aviation Influenza. If you encounter sick or dead wild birds, report the finding to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection at 877-927-6337. Sick or dead domestic birds should be reported to NJ Department of Agriculture at 609-671-6400.
This month's report also covers free COVID tests, free COVID vaccinations for the homebound, free flu vaccination clinics (including high dose flu vaccine for seniors), how to access free children’s vaccinations through Essex County and more.
With temperatures dropping lower overnight, residents experiencing a heating emergency should contact our police non-emergency line: 973-762-1234. During a Code Blue, those who do not have shelter or are unhoused can access the CSPNJ Warmline: 848-234-7006.
COMMUNITY SERVICES - RECREATION & SENIOR PROGRAMMING
Snow is on the ground, but kids spring softball signup is in full swing 'til March 15 & Mapso Basketball is back at DeHart this spring.
Sunshine & summer camps are right around the corner. Here's a description of our local town camps & a quick guide to where spots are left. Find something you like? Grab your spot here:
Interested in joining our team? Check out our latest job openings:
Assistant Pool Foreperson
Building Attendant
Deputy Tax Collector
School Crossing Guards
Stay connected. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook & sign up for email and SMS message updates.
For more information on Town happenings and events, check out our Township Calendar.
You'll find a running list of our township's many resolutions & ordinances, as well as agendas, minutes, upcoming meetings and more, on our town website.
Have a great day, Maplewood — and see you next week!