Maplewood Weekly Update · 2-19-2025
Township of Maplewood, New Jersey sent this bulletin at 02/19/2025 04:06 PM EST
Happy Wednesday, Maplewood! Time is of the essence, so let's get right to down to business.
Help us spread the word! We are gradually reshaping our township communication channels to get our 25,000+ residents the information they want – as quickly, accurately & succinctly as we can. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for news alerts, local tips and more, and share this link with neighbors to sign up for our Weekly Township Newsletter. Fun fact: when you see any news item in our weekly newsletter, you will see it filed under the department the piece of news falls under, letting you click straight through to that department's page on our website for more details, forms & department emails.
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.
The Maplewood Police Department (MPD) offers free (free!) Home Security Surveys to Maplewood residents. These surveys are designed to assist residents with security options they can use to further protect their residences. If you would like to have a survey conducted for your residence, send us an email at blewin@maplewoodnj.gov.
Also in MPD news, they are ramping up their communications with a new Facebook page. Follow it (along with their Instagram) for press releases, safety reminders and upcoming events. You can also get emergency NIXLE notifications sent directly to your phone by texting your zip code to 888777 or registering online. These MPD nixle alerts generally include road closures (when MPD has advance notice), power outages, incidents causing a large police response, and major crimes or possible threats to the public.
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.
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 only 9 days left in February, 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.
Also on the horizon: The “Ancestral Call” exhibition is on view at 1978 Maplewood Arts Center. Featuring Artist Danielle Scott & Curated by Nette Forné Thomas, this exhibit will run Saturday, 2/22, and Sunday, 2/23, from 2-4pm.
Be sure to send this flier to any budding young female artist you know! In honor of Women's History Month, 1978 & Division of Arts & Culture are running a call for art from girls aged 10 - 20. And lastly, the 2nd annual Ramadan Moon Lighting at the Gazebo is on tap for Friday, 2/28, from 5-6:30 PM.
To stay up-to-date on this exciting department's incredible lineup of events, subscribe to their weekly Arts & Culture Newsletter.
Join Karen Bloom Gevirtz, author of The Apothecary’s Wife, The Hidden History of Medicine and How It Became a Commodity for a Women’s History Month Author Talk on Tuesday, March 4, at the Hilton Branch at 6:30 pm.
Family Game Night is back! Join us Monday, Feb. 24 at 6 pm at our Hilton Branch (ages 5 and up) to enjoy board games with family and friends.
ESOL classes are running on Thursdays in March, from 10-12, at the Hilton Branch: Check out our full lineup of ESOL Registration/ Beginner & Intermediate classes here.
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.
It's always a good time to talk recycling. As a reminder, your recycling cannot be placed at the curb before 5 pm the night before pick-up (too early); or after 6:30 am the day of pick-up (too late). To get the full skinny on our town recycling program, check out our 2025 Curbside Recycling Page & print our handy 2025 Recycling Calendar for your fridge. You can also get reminded via our Township Instagram and Facebook feeds every Sunday; and our very own Mayor Adams uses a cool recycling reminder app called Recycling Coach. Click the link, type in Maplewood, NJ & get the QR code to download right to your phone.
Dreaming of spring home improvement projects? As you hatch your plans, remember that installing or replacing a fence requires a zoning permit. More information on this, along with all the other structural plans that may need a zoning permit, can be found on our detailed Zoning Division web page.
Some 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.
On that note, please enjoy the world's cutest chicken poster from our Health Dept. outlining how to license your backyard chicken coop to help us monitor for H5N1 Avian Flu. Email vhoughton@maplewoodnj.gov to start the process today.
COMMUNITY SERVICES - RECREATION & SENIOR PROGRAMMING
Spring Pickleball clinics have arrived! Check out the options below and grab your spot today.
Sunshine & summer camps are right around the corner. Flag Camp, Reading & Writing Camp, Ultimate Camp, and Tennis Camps - 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 Newsletter.
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.
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!