October 2019 Newsletter
Township Updates
Veterans Day
For the past few years the Veterans Memorial Park Committee has celebrated Veterans Day. This year, the ceremony will be held on Monday, November 11 at 8:30 am; the VFW post holds its ceremony at 11:00. This year, we are honoring the late Anthony Steitz, a student at Union High School who regularly participated and who was killed in an auto accident last year. A piper from GL will perform; local clergy will open with prayer; flag salute; Tom Lombardi, the VFW Post Commander, will offer brief remarks; closing prayer and posting of colors with the UHS Jr ROTC as the color guard.
Fall Leaf Collection
As the leaves fall, we know many residents are anxious to find out when exactly their bagged leaves will be picked up. 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
Electronic & Styrofoam Recycling Nov 2
Electronics and #6 Styrofoam Recycling takes place once again on Saturday, November 2, 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
- Monitor
- Laptops
- Tablets
- E-readers
- Printers
- Copy Machines
- Fax Machines
- TIVOs/DVRs
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Washers/dryers
- Other Scrap Metal
Service Charge Discounts to Customers in Need
Through New Jersey American Water's H2O Help to Others Program™, assistance is made available to qualified low-income water customers through grants and/or through a discount on service charge. Grants, up to $500, are available to qualifying customers once every three years. New Jersey American Water also offers qualified customers the opportunity to receive a 100 percent discount on their monthly fixed service charge for water. In addition to water service, these service charge discounts may also apply to wastewater customers. Similarly, there is an additional low income discount offered to customers who receive Social Security benefits or Medicare coverage.Customers who qualify for the discount are also eligible to receive an additional discount off of the monthly DSIC charge, based on their meter size. To learn more and/or complete applications, visit www.njshares.org.
'Senior Freeze' Tax Applications Due Oct. 31; Taxes Due Nov. 1
October 31, 2019 is the due date for 2018 'Senior Freeze' tax applications! The Senior Freeze Program reimburses eligible senior citizens and disabled persons for property tax or mobile home park site fee increases on their principal residence. To qualify, you must meet all the eligibility requirements for each year from the base year through the application year (the current application year is 2018). Learn more here. Meanwhile, fourth quarter 2019 taxes are due THIS Friday, November 1. The grace period is until Tuesday, November 12, but the tax collector's office is closed Monday, November 1 for Veterans Day.
LOSAP Vote Tuesday, November 5
LOSAP is a Length of Service Award Program that offers financial rewards, based upon longevity of service to the community, mainly to emergency services volunteers in communities across the country. LOSAP can provide significant cost savings to municipalities that would otherwise have to pay salaries and benefits for full-time emergency responders. The pension-like program is also intended to assist emergency service organizations in the recruitment and retention of members. For the volunteers of the BHVRS, this LOSAP program would help cover out-of-pocket expenses such as fuel, auto expenses, and seasonal clothing. Question #2 on the ballot for the election Tuesday, November 5, asks voters to vote on the LOSAP question. Don’t forget to vote! More information is available on the the Township website and the BH Volunteer Rescue Squad website.
Redevelopment Updates- What's Going On Around Town
Berkeley Heights has a number of approved and planned redevelopment and development projects underway. All projects include state-mandated affordable housing to keep the Township in compliance with state-mandated affordable housing requirements. The town website now has a section dedicated to these planned and proposed developments along with the current status of each project. The goal is to help residents understand how the Township has responded to the state-mandated requirements. Please note that the information, including the status of any project, is regularly changing. This status is a point-in-time view only, and will continue to be updated.
Municipal Complex Update
On Tuesday, October 29 at the Town Council meeting, there was discussion about placing solar canopies in the commuter parking lot that will save approximately $25,000 in year one and about $1.5 million in utility costs over the life of the project. The canopies will also help to protect cars against snow, rain and sun.
For the week ending October 25, 2019 at the Berkeley Heights Municipal Complex project site, please read here to learn about the progress happening.
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, Historic Preservation Committee, Commuter Task Force and Senior Citizen Advisory Board. Please visit the Township website to learn more and to submit your application.
"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".
November 2019 Recycling Dates:
- EAST: November 13, 27
- WEST: November 14, 29
Township Council Meeting Schedule
Township Council meetings take place at Town Hall (29 Park Avenue) at 7 pm.
Upcoming Township Council meetings:
- November 4, 18
- December 3,17
Upcoming Planning Board meetings:
Committee & Board Updates
Berkeley Heights Communication Committee
@BerkeleyHeightsGov is now on Instagram! In order to connect with residents in more ways, we’ve now launched the Berkeley Heights Instagram account. The Berkeley Heights Communications Committee will post the latest on town news, services, events and more! Follow us @berkeleyheightsgov!
Grants Committee
The Grants Committee has identified a great grant opportunity for seniors due in December and is working with seniors to look for a project they are wishing for. Additionally, the Township received an $84,000 grant from Union County in October for historic preservation, to go toward shoring up the Littell-Lord Museum’s foundation. There are also still a few openings on this committee for interested BH citizens to fill.
Berkeley Heights Planning Board
On October 2, the Board reviewed the Mondelli Property plan which is being developed by Elite Properties. The Affordable Housing portion of that project will be absorbed by another Elite Property (formally known as Berkeley Florist). Also, there was an informal concept review for a minor subdivision on Mountain Avenue.
At the October 16th meeting, an application for a 104,784 square foot 2-story warehouse and office space on Industrial Road was heard. The application was deemed a good application for a business that operates on Snyder Ave. and is looking to expand with this new building. It passed with just a single 'no' vote. At the next meeting on November 5, there will be an application with changes from 2018 with regard to a subdivision on Longview Ave.
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.
Berkeley Heights YMCA
Get Ready to LOL - YMCA Comedy Night & Fundraiser
The Summit Area YMCA's Annual 'Laugh Out Loud' Charity Auction and Comedy Night Fundraiser is coming up on Friday, November 15. Join them for a night of laughter as they raise funds to support the community and the impactful local YMCA programs. The event is on Friday, November 15 at 7:30 pm. Tickets and details on the YMCA website.
Celebrate Diwali
Come celebrate the festival of light - Indian Diwali Festival. Saturday, November 16 from 2;30 - 4:30pm at the Berkeley Heights YMCA (550 Springfield Ave). Details on YMCA website.
Women's Club of Berkeley Heights
The next monthly meeting will be at noon on November 19th at the Y on Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights . We will be hearing from Elizabeth Girouard, a certified holistic health coach. She will present a program about the benefits of chocolate in our diet, titled “For the Love of Chocolate.” All are welcome. For more info call 9085080440.
In December, we will have a Holiday Luncheon December 10th at Dimaio Cucina, Berkeley Heights for some socialization with friends.
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 Library Foundation
The Berkeley Heights Public Library Foundation will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 19th at 7pm in Town Hall. We are looking for community members who are interested in helping to raise money in support of the new library. There are many opportunities to get involved and we welcome your input! If you are unable to attend the meeting but would like to be included in our plans moving forward, please contact us at foundation@bhplnj.org.
Berkeley Heights Public Library
November Events
- Morning Book Group: The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
- Friday, November 1 at 10:30 am
- Tech Help (All ages)
- Sunday, November 3 at 2:30pm
- Read to Daisy Dog (Ages 3 and up)
- Monday, November 4 at 4pm
- Paper Plate Story Times (Ages 3-5)
- Tuesdays, November 5, 19, 26 from 9:30 to 10am
- Mother Goose on the Loose (Ages 0-24 months)
- Thursdays, November 7, 14, 21 from 9:30am to 10am
- Sewing with Ellen Brown (Tweens and Teens)
- Thursday, November 7 at 10:30am
- Kid Spidey Magic Show (Ages 3-8)
- Friday, November 8 at 2pm
- Good Tyme String Band (All ages)
- Tuesday, November 12 from 10:30am to 11am
- Evening Book Group: The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
- Tuesday, November 12 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 (no class on Wednesdays 11/27/19 & 12/25/19).
December Events
- Morning Book Group: Beartown by Fredrik Backman
- Friday, December 6 at 10:30 am
- Evening Book Group: The Library Book by Susan Orlean
- Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 pm
Berkeley Heights Girl Scout Troop 40538
Come and Support BH Girl Scout Troop 40538 for a Pasta Dinner Fundraiser on Friday, November 15th from 5-8pm at the Governor Livingston School Cafeteria. The cost for adults in $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Kids 10 years and under are $5. Food features pasta, meatballs, bread, salad, cookie, coffee, and soft drinks. Please make checks payable to Troop #40538 and drop off/send to 88 Maple Ave c/o GS Troop 40538 or text 201-230-5252 for PayPal/Venmo. Proceeds will benefit Plainfield Humane Society (and a fun overnight trip for our girls!)
Berkeley Heights PTO
Join our Box Tops School Competition for Berkeley Heights Elementary Schools
Box Tops for Education has gone digital! Help raise money for our schools by downloading the new Box Tops mobile app and selecting the Berkeley Heights elementary school that is closest to your heart (or home). It's simple, just scan your receipt when you purchase a Box Tops product and submit it! Each product purchased earns 10 cents for our schools plus extra bonus opportunities. Starting now through May 31st, 2020, we will be holding a friendly competition among the three elementary schools to see who can raise the most scanned earnings using the new Box Tops mobile app. The students at the school that earns the most money from the Box Tops app will win a fun prize! “Like” our page on Facebook www.facebook.com/BoxTops4BH for helpful hints to make earning money for our schools easier! We also have posted a tutorial of how to use the new Box Tops app in a YouTube video.
Woodruff School PTO Autumn Market
On Tuesday, November 5th from 6-9 pm, please join us for a fun night of holiday shopping at William Woodruff School (55 Briarwood Dr W) featuring over 30 tables of your favorite local vendors. Mingle with friends, shop from local businesses, sample delicious food and support Woodruff School. Admission is free and all are welcome! For more information, contact Jennifer Battista at jenbattnyc@gmail.com.
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!