Maplewood Weekly Update · 3-19-2025
Township of Maplewood, New Jersey sent this bulletin at 03/19/2025 04:40 PM EDT
Good afternoon, Maplewood - hope your week is off to a great start! There's lots of exciting news out of the Township this week, so let's get right to it.
On Monday, March 24th, the Township of Maplewood will implement the brainchild of a group of students from Maplewood Middle School’s (MMS) STEAM Tank Team, led by MMS Creative Computing & Design teacher Mary Alice Zavocki.
Last week, the group proposed SOLUTION 3 – a plan to implement one-way traffic at key times of the morning surrounding the school – to Maplewood Township officials from Dept. of Public Works, Maplewood Police Department (MPD), and TC Member Vic De Luca after their traffic-calming project was listed as a finalist in the New Jersey School Board Association’s state-wide contest: STEAM Tank™ Challenge.
Maplewood Township leaders, impressed with the students’ detailed plan to prioritize student safety during a critically active pedestrian window before school each morning, quickly moved to action. MPD will take the lead, supported by Maplewood Dept. of Public Works, on determining the exact times for the one-way traffic solution but it is likely to be 7:45 am - 8:15 am; and would include three streets around Maplewood Middle School (Burnet Street, Maple Terrace and Dunnell Road).
TC Member Dean Dafis invited the community out last night to celebrate as he read the Township Committee's Proclamation on Transgender Day of Visibility with special guest, Rachel Crandall Cocker, who joined by Zoom from Michigan. Rachel is the Executive Director & Founder of Transgender Michigan and the creator of International Transgender Day of Visibility. Read the full proclamation in last night's meeting agenda here.
Please join us for the third virtual community meeting this coming Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:30 pm to discuss the concept of installing bicycle lanes along the entire length of Parker Avenue, from Maplewood Avenue to Irvington Avenue. This third meeting will focus on the stretch of Parker Avenue between Boyden Avenue and Irvington Avenue. You can access the virtual meeting via www.zoom.com or (929) 205-6099. Meeting ID: 832 7918 0298, Passcode: 910975.
In some sections, accommodating the bike lanes would require the elimination of on-street parking on both sides of Parker Avenue. We know this would be an impactful change to residents on Parker Avenue, and we would like the opportunity to present the concept plan to you and to hear your feedback. As in previous meetings, we will present the bike lane concept and then open the meeting up to questions and comments.
We held a meeting on March 3rd to discuss the section of Parker Avenue between Maplewood Avenue and Prospect Street, and a meeting on March 10th to discuss the section of Parker Avenue between Prospect Street and Boyden Avenue.
Maplewood property owners, a new climate-conscious stormwater utility is headed your way this May. No one likes a new bill, but this one has a pretty solid "why". A few fast facts:
Curious for more info? 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 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.
It's important to remember that every person who lives in or visits New Jersey has rights regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. In light of this, the government agency, Office of New Americans, has published an updated guide to immigrant rights & resources for both immigrant individuals and business owners.
In Maplewood Township, no one is allowed to remove a tree with a caliper of 12 inches or more without obtaining a permit from the DPW, regardless of the tree’s condition. All trees removed must be replaced with the equal number of trees or donate $375 per tree removed to a tree fund. Visit us on our tree removal page at DPW online or visit 359 Boyden Ave. for a copy of the permit application. If you have any questions, please contact 973-762-1175 ext 2.
Community Meeting Alert! There will be a community meeting to present and discuss design concepts to reconstruct the grass playing field at DeHart Park on Thursday, April 3rd at 7:30 pm, at the Maplewood Community Center (120 Burnett Avenue). Presentations will be made by representatives from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., the consultant engineers engaged by the Township.
Have you heard the buzz? Maplewood Library is getting close to the finish line of the construction phase of their new Library Building! Once construction is completed, they will be focused on final installations and finishing touches throughout the building. Though the Library isn't ready to announce the official opening date yet, they're excited to say that they are looking forward to seeing everyone in early summer.
Experience the joy of STEM and creative projects at New Jersey Makers Day, an annual statewide celebration of Making & Maker Culture. Makers Day 2025 will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 10 - 1 pm at Hilton Branch Library. The event is free, and there are projects for all ages.
Help us spread the news: Maplewood's finest is hiring & actively recruiting to improve representation of minorities & women as Maplewood Police Officers. Applications can be obtained in person at the station (1618 Springfield Avenue) until March 21.
Start shutting down crimes of opportunity today. Be mindful to never leave your keys in your car; and take a minute to set up a free Home Security Survey with Maplewood Police Dept. 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 an email to blewin@maplewoodnj.gov.
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.
Catch up with last week's full Dept. Of Health March Report or head to their dedicated web page for more details. Free children's vaccine clinics are coming this March! Vaccines For Children (VFC) are available March 19, 3:30-6:30 pm, by appointment. To book yours today, call 973-877-8456.
COMMUNITY SERVICES - RECREATION & SENIOR PROGRAMMING
There is no off-day for our robust Community Services Dept.! 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. Meanwhile, some quick news:
Calling all local teens & adults looking for summer work! Maplewood Township just listed their 2025 summer jobs listings on the Township’s website. Head here for details.
Smile, Township Committee! Our Seniors' St. Paddy's Day celebration kicked off with a ribbon cutting last week on our new senior bus! Our new fully electric, ADA-compliant, Maplewood Senior Bus runs several trips during the week & seniors can “Dial-a-Ride” for door-to-door service within Maplewood. Schedule one day in advance by calling the Maplewood Community Center at (973) 763-5287.
Two notable upcoming dates to save: Maplewood's Spring Egg Hunt is making its triumphant return on April 12th, from 12-2 p.m., at Memorial Park North. And on April 26, our beloved town Softball & Baseball Parade will launch from Columbia High School at 9 a.m., eventually landing at Memorial Park North.
ESSEX COUNTY
Essex County is excited to announce that the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) 2025 is now available for public review and comment. This plan outlines the strategies the County will use to reduce the risks and impacts of natural hazards across the county, such as flooding, wildfires, and extreme temperatures. The County invites all residents, stakeholders, and community members to review the plan and share their feedback. Your input is vital in helping us create a safer, more resilient Essex County.
Share your experiences using the streets in Essex County. Your input will help develop strategies to make the streets safer for all.
About the Project:
Essex County and 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 everyone who travels in 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.
TAKE THE SURVEY! Available in Español, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Português.
SOMA EVENTS
Join the SOMA Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service this Sunday, March 23, at 3 pm at Spiotta Park (the 4PM Service will be held at Congregation Beth El) as they honor the past, remember the victims and stand united against resurgent anti-semitism and hate. This year’s REMEMBER & TELL interfaith service explores the powerful theme of Resistance and Resilience and will feature guest speaker Dr. Jud Newborn, an Emmy Award-winning historian and co-author of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose.
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!