Mini Mid-December 2019 Newsletter
Township Updates
2020 Recycling Schedule
Please see the new recycling schedule for 2020 on the Town website and also available on the "Recycle Coach" app. As in 2019, 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.
December 2019 Recycling Dates:
- EAST: December 26
- WEST: December 27
Specific questions can be sent directly to Giordano at (service@gogreengiordano.com or call 800-216-2250) for the most up-to-date information. Recycling "Do's and Don'ts".
Berkeley Heights Master Plan
The Township is in the process of preparing a new comprehensive Master Plan in order to crystallize resident visions for the community and establish a framework for future development and growth. Resident input is critical, and will guide the Township's efforts in identifying goals and priorities, areas of opportunity and improvement, recommendations and strategies, and many other elements that will shape the Master Plan. The survey will take no longer than 5 minutes to complete, and all responses will be anonymous. Please take a few moments to complete!
Fall Leaf Collection
Leaf pickup continues and will end December 31. Leaves MUST BE BAGGED in order to be picked up. Only residents who live on County roads can leave them loose in the street. Residents who live on township roads and rake their leaves into the road will receive a notification for cleanup from the township.
Please visit the Town website for more information and pickup dates.
To find which section your street is on, please go to: http://www.berkeleyheights.gov/sections
Electronic & Styrofoam Recycling January 3, 2020
Electronics and #6 Styrofoam (only #6 styrofoam) Recycling takes place once again on Saturday, January 3, 9 am-12 noon, at the DPW Garage on Berkeley Avenue (first street on the right off of Park Ave behind Town Hall & the Police Station). Reminder that it’s the first Saturday of every month! This program has now been expanded to allow for collection of “white goods” (appliances) and scrap metal. ONLY the following items are acceptable; all other items will be sent back home with you. Please bring your driver’s license to prove residency.
ONLY ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:
- TVs
- Computers
- Monitors
- Laptops
- Tablets
- E-readers
- Printers
- Copy Machines
- Fax Machines
- TIVOs/DVRs
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Washers/dryers
- Other Scrap Metal
It's Time to License Your Pet
The Township of Berkeley Heights requires that all cats and dogs over the age of 7 months be licensed annually. If your dog or cat is currently licensed with the Township, a renewal letter will be mailed to you in late December. Be sure to complete and return the application along with proof of Rabies vaccination and license fee as soon as possible. Renewals received AFTER February 28th will incur a late fee. If your cat or dog is not currently licensed and is more than 7 months old you can find the Dog/Cat License Application on the Township website. Please note that whether you are renewing a pet license or applying for a new one, the Rabies Vaccination Certificate MUST be valid through October 31st.
Municipal Complex
The Township provides weekly, detailed updates about the progress on the new Municipal Complex complete with details and photos. Want to see what's happening as the building goes up? Follow along on the Town website.
Green Your Holiday Lights
The Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission wants to help you green your holiday lights. They have a few helpful tips for everyone to help be smart about holiday lights:
- Switch to LED lights
- Put your lights on a timer
- Reduce the number of hours they are lit, perhaps 8 hours a day, from dusk to around midnight
- Reduce the number of lights: use an extension cord in places where you want to connect strings but don’t really need lights
- Be thoughtful about candles: try to stay away from petroleum-based paraffin ones and instead opt for candles made from soy, beeswax or natural vegetable-based wax
- Reuse whenever possible: promptly take the lights down, pack the candles up and store everything properly so you don’t need to buy new things next year
Community Updates & Events
Winter Walk December 7
Berkeley Heights Winter Walk's festivities, entertainment and attractions kicked off the holiday season last week. To learn more, please visit TapInto
Menorah Lighting Ceremony December 29
Join us for the Menorah lighting at Peppertown Park on Sunday, December 29 from 6pm to 8pm.
GL Highlander Booster Club - Fantastic Friday/Super Saturday - January 3/4, 2020
Save the date for the annual Booster Club Fantastic Friday/Super Saturday event! Always a great time for kids and their parents to cheer on our athletes and support their teams! The full schedule is available on the Town website. General admission is $5 and includes the Friday night events and Saturday fencing and all sub-varsity level games. Boys' and Girl's Varsity Basketball Games are $5 each game which includes general admission. There will also be a 5-/25-15-10 raffle. Tickets will be sold at 3 for $20 by the Highlander Booster Club personnel at the event. Winners will be announced at the Boys' Varsity Basketball game during half-time.
Highlander Boys Basketball
Come out and support your Highlander Boys Basketball teams at the home opener this Saturday , December 21st. FR play at 10am, JV at 11:30am & Varsity tip-off at 1pm - while you are there place your orders for your SS’20 tee’s and pick up a little Stocking Stuffer for your Highlander Fans! For more information, please contact Guiliana Melo at 908-419-9909 or loquacious05@verizon.net.
Berkeley Heights PBA Local 144
Save the Date! On January 25 at 7pm, you're invited to the best casino night of the year! Open bar, food, free play, tricky tray- to support your Berkeley Heights Police Benevolent Associate Sick/Welfare Fund. The event will take place at Basking Ridge Country Club (185 Madisonville Road, Basking Ridge). Tickets available at the door.
Berkeley Heights Huaxia Chinese School
To celebrate the upcoming traditional Chinese New Year, the Berkeley Heights Huaxia Chinese School is hosting "Joyful, Year of the Rat" Chinese New Year Festival 2020 on Sunday, January 26 from 1pm to 5pm at Watchung Hills Regional High School. All residents in the neighborhood are welcome to come!
The festival will feature a large variety of events, including displays of Chinese New Year traditions and cultural artifacts, fun games, a talent show and other performances, family portraits, a bake sale, and authentic Chinese food stalls. Ticket and registration information will soon be posted on Facebook.
Berkeley Heights Public Schools
Berkeley Heights Public School District is known for its academic excellence and dedication to student success. The time has come when educational investments and building upgrades are needed to maintain our first-rate standing as a top-tier school district. We are requesting the community’s input regarding the scope of the referendum and the projects that will be included. Please read about this strategic initiative and then indicate a priority level for the projects, ranging from 5, highest priority, to 1, lowest priority. Thanks in advance for your participation.
Take the Survey
Berkeley Heights Public Library
The Berkeley Heights Public Library Foundation is looking for volunteers! We're planning several events over the next few months to raise money for the new library and we'd love your help. Our next meeting will take place on Monday, January 27th at 7pm in Town Hall. Please visit our website at www.bhlibraryfoundation.org for more information on how to get involved or to make a donation. Thank you!
Late December/ January Events
- Illustrator Alli Gildea will read her new book and share art secrets (Ages 3-12)
Friday, December 27 from 10:30am to 11:15am - Turtle Time Yoga (Ages 2-6)
Monday, December 30 from 10:30am to 11:15am - New Year's Party (Ages 2-6)
Tuesday, December 31 from 10:30am to 11:30am - Adult Book Group: A Dog Called Jack by Ivy Pembroke
Friday, January 3 at 10:30 am - Tech Help by Teens (All Ages)
Sunday, January 5 from 2:30pm to 4pm - Paper Plate Story Times (Ages 2-5)
Tuesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10:30 to 11am - Mother Goose Play Time (Ages 0-3)
Thursdays, January 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9:30am to 10am - Adult Book Group: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30 pm - Good Tyme String Band (All ages)
Tuesday, January 15 from 10:30am to 11am - Italian Conversation Group (Informal Italian conversation group led by a fluent Italian speaker for teens and adults - beginners welcome)
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm (No class 12/25 or 1/1)