Maplewood Weekly Update · 2-12-2025
Township of Maplewood, New Jersey sent this bulletin at 02/12/2025 07:37 PM EST
Good evening, Maplewood friends & neighbors. The wheels of government move slowly, but we are gradually reshaping our township communication channels to get our residents the information they want – as quickly, accurately & succinctly as we can. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for news alerts, local tips and much more & share this link with neighbors to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
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.
The Maplewood Police Department is also ramping up communications with has a new Facebook page. Follow it (along with their Instagram) for recent press releases, local events, traffic and general police information. You can also get emergency NIXLE notifications sent directly to your phone by texting your zip code to 888777 or registering online.
A huge congrats to Deputy Chief Niheema Malloy for her award from Peace Islands Institute last week. The 13th annual public safety appreciation dinner honored Dep. Chief Malloy’s unwavering dedication and sacrifice to public safety. Picture here alongside Malloy are Chief Albert Sally, Mayor Nancy Adams, Township Administrator Pat Wherry & TC members Malia Herman, Vic De Luca, and Dean Dafis.
Our third & final budget hearing is slated for Feb. 25, at Town Hall at 6:00 PM. The public is invited to attend in person or via Zoom. Visit the Township Calendar for information on this and other coming public meetings.
Got ideas on road safety? Essex County & the City of East Orange are creating a Safe Streets for All Action Plan to make roads safer, lower the number of traffic deaths, and improve mobility and quality of life for our community. The plan will recommend policies and identify key projects throughout the County and in East Orange to help make our streets safer for all road users. Share your experiences using the streets in Essex County to help them develop strategies to make the streets safer for all via their online survey or join one of two virtual meetings to share your concern.
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. With nearly two weeks down, there is still so much to see and do - visit https://www.maplewoodartsandculture.org/mbhm for all the dates and details and follow their Instagram for reminders.
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.
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. Head to our volunteer form to apply.
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.
Maplewood Library will also 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.
The deadline is fast approaching. 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.
Maplewood Township recently joined more than 2,000 communities across the country to implement a new Stormwater Utility. With storms increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, excess stormwater runs off roads, roofs and parking lots into stormwater management systems and waterways. If an adequate stormwater management system is not in place, runoff in large volume and force may cause flooding and damage to homes, businesses and property. Stormwater also carries with it oil, pesticides, chemicals and bacteria that may contaminate waters, potentially making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, and recreational purposes.
The Township Committee's recently established Stormwater Utility will assess properties based on a fair and equitable approximation of the proportionate contribution of stormwater runoff. Initial estimations concluded that 61% of property owners will pay roughly $70 per year; and 21% of property owners will pay roughly $35 per year. The dedicated funding gathered from these utilities will help finance the improvement of stormwater infrastructure, help better control flooding and protect the environment. Visit our dedicated Stormwater Utility landing page to read the full ordinance; review the newly-released Credit & Adjustment Policy Manual; and view links to the Township Committee meetings that helped shape the utility.
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Still trying to remember what exactly constitutes "commingled"? Get your trash sorted with our 2025 Curbside Recycling Page & print our handy 2025 Recycling Calendar for your fridge.
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. For more urgent icing hazards, reach out directly to the Dept. of Public Works at 973-762-1175.
It's that time of year, alright. Check out our February BOH presentation for useful info on 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 & more.
Also in the February report: helpful info on H5N1 Avian Flu. 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.
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
The groundhog may beg to differ, but Rec knows sunshine & summer camps are right around the corner. Flag Camp, Reading & Writing Camp, Ultimate Camp, Diving Camp - the options are endless, but the spots are limited, so read up on them now & register today.
Snow is still blanketing those fields, but kids spring softball signup is in full swing 'til March 15 & Mapso Basketball is coming back to DeHart this spring.
To stay up-to-date on this exciting department's many (many) fun offerings for seniors, kids and adults alike, subscribe to their weekly Community Services e-blast.
Stay connected. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, check out our latest job openings, and 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!