September 2019 Newsletter
Township Updates
Union County Confirms Case of EEE; Be Sure to Take Preventative Measures Against Mosquitoes
Berkeley Heights township and public health officials encourage residents to take strong precautions against mosquitoes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New Jersey Department of Health confirmed a human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Union County. The mosquito-borne virus was recently detected in a mosquito trap within Berkeley Heights Township. The trap is currently testing negative, but please remain vigilant with your precautions. Wear bug spray, cover up, and be especially vigilant at dawn and at dusk when mosquitos are most active.
Working closely with Union County, Berkeley Heights township officials have deployed protective measures by aggressively spraying parks, fields, exterior of schools and wooded areas, particularly near the Warren Township border. Upon request from the township, the State will conduct aerial spraying next week. The Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control will continue to monitor the mosquito test pods and spray accordingly. The Township posts updates to the website.
Mountain Ave Bridge Slated to Re-Open - October 21, weather permitting
The Mountain Ave bridge repair is scheduled to be done, and Mountain Ave is planned to re-open on October 21, weather permitting. Please follow the township website for the up-to-date status.
Snyder & Locust Ave Intersection - Study
The Township engineer and Police Department Traffic division will evaluate what traffic calming measures can be taken at the intersection of Snyder and Locust Avenues, until the traffic light is installed by the developer of the project coming at 100 Locust Avenue. That study is expected to be complete in 2 weeks.
DPW Basin Repair - Ongoing
The DPW is working to identify and replace drainage basins in town. The cones you may see around town are marking basin already identified, and a priority list of repairs is ongoing. To date, 38 basins have been repaired already this year with additional work ongoing.
Road Repair and Paving Update:
- Sawmill and Cornell milling and paving – Scheduled to start this week or next. Duration: 4 weeks.
- Briarwood East/West, Ridgewood Place – Bid to be awarded at October 15 Township Council meeting; work to hopefully begin end of October. Duration: 5 weeks.
- Rutgers and Hamilton Avenues - 2019 capital budget funding that was set aside but not needed for the Safe Streets to Transit grant will be transferred so the township can pave Rutgers & Hamilton Avenues. To begin by the end of the year, weather permitting.
- Cedar Green Lane, Pine Grove, Oakland and Scott Ave. - Pocket drainage and minor repaving projects also to begin this year.
Municipal Complex Update
Steel is going up rapidly at the new municipal complex; roof work will begin soon after next week! Construction management firm Mast is going through EPIC’s new schedule and results of that review will be made available once complete. Please check here for regular weekly updates and photos.
Fall Leaf Collection Begins Oct. 21
As the leaves fall, we know many residents are anxious to find out when exactly their bagged leaves will be picked up. Good news - our schedule is now out! Please check here for the township section-by-section schedule, and adhere to the pickup guidelines. This is for LEAF pickup ONLY; no branches, vines, grass, metal or any other material will be accepted.
To find which Section your street is on, please go to: http://www.berkeleyheights.gov/sections
Thank you for your cooperation with our fall leaf pickup program!
Coffee & Conversation with the Mayor & Town Council ("Listening Sessions")
Berkeley Heights Mayor Angie Devanney and Councilmen Manuel Cuoto and Stephen Yellin will participate in the second of 2019’s “listening sessions” on Saturday, September 28 at 2 p.m. at Lower Columbia Park Pavilion.
This event, hosted by The Berkeley Heights Communications Committee (BHCC), creates new opportunities for residents to discuss ideas, ask questions, raise issues and provide feedback to their government representatives in an informal setting. All residents are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Electronic & Styrofoam Recycling Oct 5
Electronics and #6 Styrofoam Recycling takes place once again on Saturday, September 7, 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! 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
- Monitor
- Laptops
- Tablets
- E-readers
- Printers
- Copy Machines
- Fax Machines
- TIVOs/DVRs
2020 Census
The 2020 Census is underway. Please participate! The census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year and how many seats in Congress each state gets.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for our Recycling Task Force, Environmental Commission, Grants Committee, Commuter Task Force and Senior Citizen Advisory Board. Please visit the Township website to learn more and to submit your application.
Senior Citizen Advisory Board Created
At the September 24 Township Council meeting, a Senior Citizen Advisory Board was created to advise the Mayor, Township Council and the Recreation Director on all matters relating to policies and programs which will serve all senior citizens in Berkeley Heights. More details about the new Advisory Board are available on the Township website. Interested residents are encouraged to apply to be a volunteer on the Board using the online volunteer application at the bottom of the Senior Advisory Board website page or by paper application available at Town Hall.
"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.
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".
October 2019 Recycling Dates:
- EAST: October 2, 16, 30
- WEST: October 3, 17, 31
Township Council Meeting Schedule
Township Council meetings take place at Town Hall (29 Park Avenue) at 7 pm.
Upcoming Township Council meetings:
- October 15, 29
- November 4, 18
Upcoming Planning Board meetings:
Committee & Board Updates
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission
Thanks to a grant from Union County, Berkeley Heights is purchasing trees to plant along the right of way in the Township. There is no charge to the homeowner to plant the tree. But the Township urges the homeowner to water the tree once a week if it does not rain. As a general rule, one inch a week is adequate. This is equal to about two five-gallon pails of water. Trees will be planted away from utility lines. If you would like to request a tree, please email: EC@bhtwp.com or call 908-464-2700, extension 2116. Deadline: October 30, 2019
Grants Committee
The Committee is waiting to hear about the two grants for Littell-Lord Farmhouse submitted over the summer. Additionally, members have been working to find grant opportunities to address Parks and Recreation, First Responder, Electric Charging Stations, and wastewater and sewer. The Committee is also creating a database for organizing opportunities and deadlines for future applications.
Berkeley Heights Planning Board
The last three meetings of the Planning Board focused on the Mill Creek development off of Lone Pine Drive. This planned development is part of the Township's Affordable Housing settlement with the State. The Mill Creek proposal includes an easement through the Chemtrade neighboring property for emergency access. Chemtrade objected to the proposed emergency access easement. After significant discussion, the Planning Board took action and the Mill Creek plan was accepted by a majority vote, 5-2.
Community Updates & Events
Senior Club Update (Ages 55+)
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 has a 22-passenger senior bus equipped with a wheelchair lift. Three days a week it picks up seniors who want to run errands along Springfield Avenue or attend Senior Club meetings and other social events run by the Senior Club each month. Here is the link to where you can find the online schedule. For information on senior activities, trips or clubs, please contact Joan Luciano at 908.665.9604 or email grandmaluciano@gmail.com.
Seniors Halloween Party 2019
The Senior Citizens of Berkeley Heights are planning a Halloween Party with a complete luncheon (Prime Rib), DJ and dancing, and a glass of complimentary wine. Cash bar will be available. Costumes are optional with small prizes for best costumes. The cost is $41.00 for club members and $46/00 for non club members.
PLACE: Primavera Regency, Valley Road, Stirling, NJ Beginning at 12:00 noon All Berkeley Heights seniors are welcome, whether members of club or not.
CONTACT: Joan Luciano at 908.665.9604 for reservations. All payments must be received by October 8.
Union County
Union County Offers Free Scrap Metal Recycling on October 3 and 19
Scrap metal drop off will be accepted Thursday, October 3 and Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Scrap metal from any municipality may be brought to either of the following drop-off centers:
- Cranford: Emergency Services/Traffic Enforcement, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
- Rahway: Service Yard in Rahway River Park (near swimming pool), St. Georges Avenue
Learn more here.
Household Hazardous Waste Event in New Providence, October 26
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is offering a simple, easy way for residents to safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other chemical wastes. The free event will be held on Saturday, October 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Nokia corporate campus located at the intersection of 600 Mountain Avenue and Ryder Way in New Providence. Learn more here.
Union County’s Free Mobile Document-Shredding Program
The next two free mobile paper shredding events of 2019 for personal and confidential documents will be held on Saturday, October 5 in Scotch Plains and Thursday, October 17 in Kenilworth. Learn more here.
Guided Walks for Seniors on Union County’s Award Winning Sensory Trail
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation areoffering a new series of programs this fall, Nature Walks for Seniors. This series, open to adults age 55 and older, will run on Wednesday mornings from October 16 through November 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The walks are free and will take place on the Sensory Friendly Trail at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.
Get “Back to Nature” This Fall with New Family Series at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside
Online registration for fall workshops at Trailside Nature and Science Center is now open. Beginning Saturdays this fall, a new program series, Back to Nature, is open to families with children of all ages with a different nature or science theme each week. Trailside’s location in the scenic Watchung Reservation provides the perfect outdoor classroom. Learn more here.
Berkeley Heights Education Foundation
The foundation is hosting a Color Fun Run on Saturday, October 5 from 10am to 12pm at Columbia Park. The main events of the day will be a kiddie color dash for ages one to five and a family 1.5 mile color run for all ages followed by a DJ Dance party. Entry fee includes one color packet and access to all on-site activities (adults $10; children $15).
Register today at https://bhedfoundation.org/events/colorrun2019/
Questions? Contact colorrun@bhedfoundation.org.
Boy Scouts Annual Good Scout Award Dinner
The Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council will be honoring local citizens at the 14th Annual Berkeley Heights Good Scout Award Dinner to be held on the evening of Thursday, October 3, 2019 at The Primavera Regency in Stirling. This year’s honorees are Margaret Illis, Michael Koubek, Sal Passalacqua, Angela Penna, and Elisa & Eric Probst. The event co-chairs are Louisa Grossman and Pam Yoss, past Berkeley Heights Good Scout Award recipients and active volunteers in the Berkeley Heights community.
The event recognizes these six outstanding citizens for their community service, as evidenced by their leadership and interests within the Berkeley Heights community, and for their embodiment of the values of the century old Scout Oath and Law in their personal and professional lives. More information can be found in TAPinto Berkeley Heights and registration is available online.
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 HuaXia Chinese School
Berkeley Heights Huaxia Chinese School (BHHXCS), located at Columbia Middle School, is open to all residents-- both adults and children-- in the neighborhood. BHHXCS currently offers more than 30 courses including language classes such as Preschool, K-9 and AP Chinese classes, Chinese as Second Language (CSL), FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) and newly added FREE adult CSL class for eligible local residents. They also offer enrichment classes such as SAT Prep, Math, Kids Python Programming, 3D Printing Sciences & Technology, as well as many cultural classes such as Chess, Go Game, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, Chinese History and Culture, folk dance, Jazz, Yoga, etc. Please visit http://www.huaxiabh.org for more information, or email info@huaxiabh.org.
Berkeley Heights Public Library
October Events
- Craft to go: Paper Bag Scarecrows (Pick up a craft kit to take home) and Drop-In Craft: Pumpkin Owls
- All month
- Paper Plate Story Times (Ages 3-5)
- Tuesdays, October 1, 15, 22, 29 from 9:30 to 10am
- Mother Goose on the Loose (Ages 0-24 months)
- Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 9:30am to 10am
- Adult Book Group: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
- Friday, October 4 at 10:30 am
- Good Tyme String Band (All ages)
- Tuesday, October 8 from 10:30am to 11am
- Adult Book Group: The Haunting of Hill House
- Tuesday, October 8 at 7:30 pm
- Italian Conversation Group (Informal Italian conversation group led by a fluent Italian speaker for teens and adults - beginners welcome)
- Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Berkeley Heights Board of Education
Members of the public heard from three Board of Education members about various matters related to the lack of a fully agreed upon contract between the Board of Education and the Berkeley Heights Education Association (BHEA). The teachers entered their second year working without a signed contract on July 1 – the only detail remaining is the salary guide, but that has been a sticking point since last fall. Learn more on TapInto.
Berkeley Heights PBA#144
Trunk or Treat- October 26
Berkeley Heights PBA#144 invites the children of Berkeley Heights to join us in the Police Deparment parking lot on Saturday, October 26. Come in customer and go trunk to trunk to collect treats! More details can be found here.
Berkeley Heights PTO
Delicious Heights Fundraiser-October 7, 14, 21 and 28
The Berkeley Heights PTO's and Delicious Heights have teamed up once again to make your Fall Mondays better! Treat yourself and your family by dining in or taking out from Delicious Heights on the Monday nights listed below and support the PTO's in the process. Delicious Heights will donate 5% of all sales from 5 pm to close.
Berkeley Heights PTO's Combined Adult Social Fundraiser April 24th, 2020
Save the Date! The Berkeley Heights PTO's from Mary Kay McMillin, Mountain Park, Thomas P. Hughes, and William Woodruff schools in conjunction with the Berkeley Heights District PTO are excited to announce their 2nd annual combined fundraiser to be held on Friday April 24th, 2020.
Parents from the three elementary schools and the Early Childhood center, as well as alumni parents are all welcome to attend. It will be a great time to socialize with old friends and meet new ones too! The fundraiser will include food, drinks, music and dancing! A basket raffle, 50/50 cash prize and a silent auction will be featured at the event. All funds raised will benefit the participating schools. More details to follow soon! Mark your calendars for another fun and exciting event!
Walk To School Wednesday - October 2
Fall is here and it is the perfect time to take a walk to school. Walking is a great way to exercise and socialize. By walking to school you also help out the environment by lessening pollution from cars while enjoying the beauty of nature. Hope to see you walking on Wednesday, October 2nd!
Governor Livingston HS in Berkeley Heights Holds Fall Clothing Drive- October 19
On Saturday, October 19th, Governor Livingston High School PTO will hold its semi-annual clothing drive. Help support the PTO by donating clothing, sneakers, shoes, scarves, gloves, handbags, backpacks, belts, small toys and games, bedding, towels, curtains, stuffed animals and dolls. All donations MUST be in plastic bags. No loose items.
Girl Scout Someone Special and Me Masquerade Ball
On October 25, 7-9pm at Columbia Middle School, Girl Scout Troop 40822 will host a ball featuring dancing, crafts, food and dessert. The cost is $30 for one adult and one girl, $40 for one adult and two girls. Registration forms and checks can be dropped to: Siobhan Higgins, 201 Lorraine Dr, BH. Checks can be written to: GS Troop 40822
Questions can go to gstroop40822@gmail.com