July 2019 Newsletter
Township Updates
Recycling Task Force - Update
The Mayor's Task Force on Recycling has been working hard to identify possible ways the Township can reduce recycling costs. At the July 23 Council meeting, the task force proposed a question to be put on the ballot in November via a non-binding referendum, to gauge resident interest in using large bins to help potentially reduce costs. The resolution authorizing the question was ultimately tabled, so it will not be on the ballot this year. The entire presentation is available on the Township website, and the livestream of the presentation to Town Council on July 23 can be viewed online. The task force will continue to explore ways to increase awareness of proper recycling methods and decrease costs.
"Length of Service Award Program" (LOSAP) Considered for BH Volunteer Rescue Squad
At the July 23 Town Council meeting, Council members voted unanimously to put a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for the Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad (BHVRS) on the ballot in November 2019. It will be up to the voters, via referendum, to decide whether to fund this program, which has been implemented throughout New Jersey, as a way to help attract new members and retain emergency service volunteers.
Nationally, numbers are down at all types of service organizations and clubs, in part because of changing demographics. Details about Joe’s presentation are available in TAPinto Berkeley Heights and the full presentation to the Town Council can be viewed on the June 25 Town Council Meeting Livestream.
Mountain Ave Closure
Re-construction of the Mountain Ave. bridge, where Mountain intersects Sherbrook Drive, began on June 21. This work, done by Union County, requires that the stretch of Mountain Ave from Plainfield to Hillcrest be CLOSED to all thru traffic for a period of approximately 60 days of the 4-month long project to optimize the safety of the work crews and motoring public alike.
Regular updates for the various phases of construction and their impact on traffic along this stretch of Mountain Avenue are on the County of Union Bureau of Traffic Safety & Maintenance website if and when they become available. More information can also be found at TapInto.
Watchung Reservation Closure
W.R. Tracy Drive from Glenside Ave to the Loop in the Watchung Reservation is closed to through traffic due to construction by the County of Union. Work will consist of replacing the bridge that spans Lake Surprise. Full road closure 24/7 is necessary in the area of work to optimize the safety of the work crews and motoring public alike.
Regular updates for the various phases of construction and their impact on traffic will be posted on the County of Union Road Construction Bureau of Traffic Safety and Maintenance.
Plainfield Ave Closure
Plainfield Ave from Springfield Ave to Valley Rd is under construction as of July 22. It is anticipated that the work will take approximately 8 nights to complete, weather permitting. The work being performed will consist of various road improvements, such as milling, paving, and striping of the road. Full road closure will be necessary in the area of work to optimize the safety of the work crews and motoring public alike. The road will be closed overnight from approximately 7:00 PM until 6:00 AM the following morning. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through at all times. Access to residences, including deliveries and other services, will be allowed as much as possible. Parking will be prohibited on Plainfield Ave within the work zone during milling and paving. Details & updates available from Union County.
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Union County will host a household hazardous waste event on Saturday, August 3 from 9am to 2pm at Union County VoTech School (1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains). Items for drop off include old pesticides & herbicides, pool chemicals, gasoline, oil-based pains and deck stain. Car tires will be accepted. Latex pain (wall pain) is NOT ACCEPTED. Please dry out the cans and discard with regular garbage.
"Happening in the Heights"
Don’t miss the new regular weekly video series, “Happening in the Heights,” to find out what’s going on in town each weekend and in the upcoming weeks. These weekly videos are a team effort between the Communications Committee and our Township Business Administrator, Liza Viana. The two work together to make sure residents can easily find out about important Township updates and all the great community events going on in town each week.
New videos are posted on Thursday nights on the Township Facebook page as well as on the Township YouTube Channel. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel to make sure you don’t miss any episodes. The features are a few minutes long, and highlight fun community events that you won’t want to miss.
Have an event you would like to feature? Please email the Communications Committee (BHCommunications@bhtwp.com) to let us know. Featured events need to be open to the public, and should be supporting local, non-profit organizations.
Municipal Complex
Please check here for regular weekly updates and photos.
Recycling Schedule
REMINDER: The Township is now divided into two sections for recycling pickup. Snyder Avenue/Horseshoe Road is the dividing line between the East and West sides of Berkeley Heights.
Pickup will occur every other Wednesday for streets East of Snyder Ave (toward Summit) and every other Thursday for streets West of Snyder Avenue (toward Warren). Both sides of Snyder and Horseshoe will be picked up on Wednesdays.
Full 2019 schedule with East & West dates is online.
Specific questions can be sent directly to Giordano at (service@gogreengiordano.com or call 800-216-2250) for the most up-to-date information. Read a summary of Recycling "Do's and Don'ts".
August 2019 Recycling Dates:
- EAST: August 7, 21
- WEST: August 8, 22
Township Council Meeting Schedule
Township Council meetings take place at Town Hall (29 Park Avenue) at 7 pm.
Upcoming Township Council meetings:
- August 20
- September 10, 24
Upcoming Planning Board meetings:
Committee & Board Updates
Grants Committee
The Committee held its first meeting on July 15th and elected Meera Rao as the Chair and Tom McClean as the recording secretary. The first task is working on Union County grants for the Littel Lord House. One grant, due July 26th, is a small one from Union County and will be used, if we get it, to move all the artifacts, furniture and documents out of the house to prepare for renovations. The other, a structural grant that will help to fix the floors and windows of the Littel Lord House, is due in August.
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission
How Can Berkeley Heights Manage Flooding? It’s clear: The primary cause of flooding problems is too many impervious surfaces that drain directly onto adjoining properties and into our storm sewers and waterways. We need to intercept stormwater runoff by capturing it at the source and letting it infiltrate into the ground.
The Environmental Commission is promoting the use of “green infrastructure,” a cost- effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to stormwater management, encompassing rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, and permeable pavements. You can find more information on green infrastructure on the Environmental Commission page of the Township website.
Community Updates & Events
Summer Concerts in the Park - Wednesday nights in July & August
The Summer Concerts in the Park Series kicks off in Veterans Memorial Park. The Series is hosted by the BH Special Events Committee and will feature different bands at each event. Don't miss these free, family-friendly nights out in town, sure to be a favorite memory. Grab a few chairs, friends, a picnic and come on out! Read all the details in TAPinto Berkeley Heights.
Concerts are scheduled for the following Wednesday evenings:
- July 24 Parrot Beach -- sounds of Jimmy Buffet sponsored by Peak Medical
- July 31 Idol Kings - Best of Tom Petty, John Cougar Mellencamp and others sponsored by Pearly Whites and eMedical.
- August 7 52nd Street Band - Billy Joel Tribute Band. 2nd Annual First Responders Night in conjunction with BHPD, BHFD, and BHVRS. Sponsored by Anything Floral, eMedical, Excel Physical Therapy, Delicious Heights, Rita's Ice, BH YMCA. Night includes free food and activities including Celebrity Dunk Tank.
- August 14 - Day Trippers - Best of Beatles featuring local talent and GLHS graduates. Sponsored by Primrose School of Berkeley Heights.
"Scoops with the Squad" - Thursday, July 25 from 5:30 - 8pm
Join the Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad at Rita's to meet and learn about the the Rescue Squad. What a fun way to learn and cool off on a hot summer night. Come meet our members, learn more about us and what it takes to join the Squad. Bring the family! For additional information, visit their website or call (908) 464-0013.
Berkeley Heights Community Pool - Berkeley Heights YMCA
Looking for a pool this summer while the Berkeley Heights YMCA is under construction? Check out options on our website.
Senior Club Update (Ages 55+)
Weekly Meetings
Please join the "Seniors" at their weekly meetings - Tuesdays at 10:30am at Mount Carmel (56 River Road). All welcome, working or retired. Everyone 55 and over is invited and encouraged to attend our meetings, 2019 trips and loads of parties.
Berkeley Heights Volunteer Rescue Squad
The Rescue Squad always needs volunteers, both medical and auxiliary! Come to the Rescue Squad's new "Meet &Greet - Open House" every Tuesday from 7-9pm. Come meet our members, learn more about us and what it takes to join the Squad. Free refreshments and ambulance tours too - bring the family! For additional information, visit their website or call (908) 464-0013.
Berkeley Heights Public Library
August Events
- Paper Plate Story Times (Ages 3-5)
- Tuesdays, August 6, 13 from 10:30 am to 11 am
- Mother Goose on the Loose: Books, Music, Rhymes & Play (Ages 0-24 months)
- Thursdays, August 1, 8, 25 from 9:30 to 10 am
- Adult Book Group: Radium Girls by Kate Moore
- Friday, August 2 at 10:30 am
- Tween Sewing Workshop: Stuffed Aliens (Sign-up required) (Ages 8-10)
- Monday, August 5 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
- Telescope Night with John Miller of Pearl Observatory (All Ages)
- Thursday, August 8 at 7:00pm (Rain date: August 13)
Summer Camps
Mabuha Lacrosse camp
The Mabuha Lacrosse camp will be held from July 22 through July 25 at Gov. Livingston Turf Field. Walk-ins are welcome.
Ages: Boys ages 8 - 14, including incoming freshmen)
Time: 8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Equipment: All boys are expected to come to each session with the appropriate equipment or they will not be allowed to participate.
Cost: $285.00
Boy Scouts
Join Scouting!
Berkeley Heights has a long-standing tradition of being a scout friendly town with many chartered Scouting organizations for young men and women. Troop 68 has been in Berkeley Heights since 1934 and has produced more than 110 Eagle Scouts over the years. Troop 68 prides itself in giving back to the community and enabling young members to learn valuable life skills along the way. The Troop has something for everyone; from high adventure camping to STEM. They meet Mondays at 7:30 pm @ Mary Kate McMillan School (651 Mountain Ave). Scouts is open to all young adults age 11-17. Stop by and come check them out! For further information, please contact Scoutmaster Richardson at PeterRichardson.BH68@troopmaster.ema
Comments? Suggestions? Please send them to: BHCommunications@bhtwp.com