Mayor’s Community Update: July 22, 2022

Published July 22, 2022

It was a hot one this week! Please drink plenty of water and keep cool! During these hot days the borough has these cooling stations available to you: https://www.newprov.org/2022/07/cooling-stations-available/

Here is a Catch Up of this Past Week in New Providence and Some of the Many Exciting Things Going On and Upcoming in our Community:

988 is now the official national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis call or text 988 anytime anywhere 24/7 for help and support, or just to talk. You’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

New Traffic Pattern Coming For Pioneer Drive by the High School. Please Review: https://www.newprov.org/2022/07/new-traffic-pattern-coming-for-pioneer-drive-area/

Thank you to our New Providence Police Department for hosting the 2022 Police Youth Academy. It is such an incredible program for rising 6th and 7th graders. Congratulations to the graduates! Thank you to all who supported and participated including our Recreation Department, New Providence Volunteer Fire Department, The Union County Police, The Union County Police Bomb Squad, The Union County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, Norfolk Southern Rail Road Police Officer Tom Jedic, and the Union County SWAT team. Thank you also to the academy staff: Sgt. Wilson, Corporal Hoppe, Det. Carlino, Det. Guerriero and Officer Jeffrey Bruder.

This past Thursday the New Providence Police Department had an emotional clap out for our wonderful Police Chief Theresa Gazaway. We are so tremendously grateful for all she has done for our community and wish her well in all her future endeavors! She is still our friend and neighbor here in our community and we look forward to seeing her around town!

This past Thursday was also our 2nd Concert-in-the-Park. The music and entertainment was excellent and having our community, friends, families, and neighbors out together, even with the heat, was just the best! It’s truly what summer in New Providence is all about! Thank you to Prestige Diner for very generously donating free hot dogs that the New Providence Lions grilled and served, Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream for very generously donating free ice cream for all to enjoy, Tropical Smoothie Cafe for giving out delicious free sample smoothies, ACME Markets for all the free water bottles, Dr Robinson for giving out free reusablewater bottles, Dr Terrana for having a fun game with prizes, and Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union for giving out free gifts. Thank you also to Simon the Magician who again was entertaining all the kids. It was a really fun night! The next concert date is Thursday July 28th 7pm – Kootz. These free concerts, sponsored by the New Providence Business Community, are made possible because of generous donations from our local businesses: Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union, the Downtown Improvement District, Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Fuel, NP Lions Club, Prestige Diner, Robert T. Robinson Orthodontics, Terrana Orthodontics, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.

EMS 2022 Fund Drive – Our EMS is 100% volunteer membership. They truly appreciate your support! Donations are tax deductible. Without YOU, they wouldn’t be able to help our community! If you would like to contribute please visit www.NewProvidenceEMS.org

Utility Upgrades are continuing around the Borough, expect some delays and detours. Please be patient while this important work continues.

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LET’S GO GREEN NP:

It’s not too late! Join Plastic-Free in July – Go to www.plasticfreejuly.org and click on ‘Take the Challenge’ to help reduce plastic waste.

Be Sure You’re Signed Up for Our Recycle Coach: www.newprov.org/recycle-coach

Free! Shred and Recycle Your Personal Documents in August: Union County’s free shredding program visits Kean University, August 13 9am-1pm rain or shine. Union County residents can bring their personal documents and sensitive papers to the next free paper shredding event on Saturday, August 13 in the Kean Hall parking lot at Kean University, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union Township.Participants are reminded pre-shredded, damp, or wet paper will not be accepted. Bindings, large plastic or metal clips, and other paraphernalia should be removed. These events are drive-up only and contact-free. Drivers must remain in their cars while staff unloads their papers, which are shredded on site in a mobile shredding truck. Union County’s free shedding events are intended for personal, sensitive documents only. Residents can recycle magazines, junk mail and other waste paper with their municipal recycling program. Additional free shredding events are scheduled for September and October, after which the program will go on winter hiatus. The last event of the season will take place on October 29. For the complete 2022 paper shredding schedule, and for information on all recycling programs hosted by Union County, visit ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at ucnj.org/green-connection.

Free Scrap Metal Recycling for Union County Residents August 4 and August 20 9am-12pm: Union County residents with old metal gutters, fencing, or appliances to dispose of can bring these items and more to free scrap metal recycling drop-off sites in August. The scrap metal recycling program is sponsored by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and takes place twice each month from April to November. Acceptable items for recycling include air conditioners, aluminum scrap, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers.Scrap metal drop-off will be accepted Thursday, August 4 and Saturday, August 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at two free drop-off centers:

Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard
Rahway: Rahway River Park (follow Park Drive, Rahway off St. Georges Avenue to service yard across from swimming pool)

Scrap metal from residents in any Union County municipality may be brought to either of these sites. The next scrap metal events will take place on Thursday, September 1 and Saturday, September 17. Please note that Union County’s scrap metal recycling events are drive-up only, and contact-free. Participants must remain in their vehicles at all times. Materials should be placed in trunk, cargo area or truck bed and be easily accessible for staff to remove. For more information, upcoming dates and directions to all Union County recycling programs and locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning website at ucnj.org/recycle or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889. To receive schedule alerts, and to stay up to date with Union County and local recycling programs, download the free Recycle Coach mobile app.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities are available at The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

Annual Freecycle-Fest Event hosted by our Sustainability Committee will be held on September 17, 2022 (rain date Sept 18, 2022) at the New Providence Community Pool parking lot from 9am – 2pm. This is an opportunity to bring unwanted items to a central location in New Providence for “recycling” with other families. In the past this Freecycle Event has been held simultaneously with the Green Fair. However, the two events will be held on separate dates this year. Thank you to the Sustainability Committee for their good work on this for our community.

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NEW PROVIDENCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY:

Summer reading is in full swing at the library! All ages 0-100 can participate. To get started, download the ReadSquared app, visit newprovidencelibrary.readsquared.com or see one of the teen volunteers stationed in the children’s room.

Summer reading is for adults, too! Log up to 6 books to earn prizes from the treasure chest & enter a raffle for a gift card to Coppola’s or a gift card to Old Glory. Log your reads at https://newprovidencelibrary.readsquared.com, on the ReadSquared app, or simply fill out a slip at the front desk (adults only, please).

July is Disability Pride Month! The library has a variety of fiction and nonfiction in their display celebrating the experiences of the disabled community. Prefer ebooks? Check out the Hoopla Digital app’s list on Disability & Accessibility Awareness: https://www.hoopladigital.com/collection/13491

The movie “Belfast” is coming August 9th! Thanks to a film license made possible by the Friends of the New Providence Memorial Library, the library is excited to be showing monthly movies! “Belfast” is based on Kenneth Branagh’s childhood in Northern Ireland in the 60s.

Plus, in August, children’s movies are every Wednesday afternoon and will include: Moana, Little Mermaid, Free Willy, and Dolphin Tale 1 and 2.

Please see all the wonderful events planned on the Library Events Calendar: https://www.newprovidencelibrary.org/events/library-calendar/month.calendar/2022/08/15/13

Come to the library for Snakes & Scales! NEW addition to the Children’s Calendar — it’s not too late to sign up! Email to register: NPMLChildrens@gmail.com

Your library card gets you free access to Comics Plus — thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and more for adults, teens and children age 5 & up. Every title is always available, on your computer, tablet or phone. To get started, go to http://newprovidencelibrary.org and click on the Resources tab.

Have you made the switch to the Libby app? It offers the best reading experience for all ages and has the same great content you love in the OverDrive app! Get in-app support with any questions you may have. https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/switchtolibby

The Art of the Mask is on display for through the end of July at the New Providence Memorial Library. It’s worth the visit to see! Stop by our library see all the wonderful things they offer.

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NEW PROVIDENCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

COME CHECK OUT THE NEWLY PAINTED SALT BOX HOUSE!

The New Providence Historical Society hosts cemetery tours at the New Providence Presbyterian Church. The summer tours have concluded but will return October 15th at 1pm and 2pm for Union County’s Four Centuries Weekend. John Sponauer, New Providence Historical Society member, researcher, and tour guide educates attendees on the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard, shares many interesting and intriguing historical facts, cemetery folklore, and shows the final resting places of some of the New Providence founding families and Revolutionaries. It is a really great tour and I highly recommend it! Tours are limited to 20 persons. The tours are approximately 30-45 minutes. To reserve your spot please send an email to NPcemeterytours@gmail.com. Indicate the date/time you wish to attend along with the size of your party. You will receive a confirmation email. ***You must email to reserve your spot*** Please Note: Footing may be uneven in some areas, so suitable footwear recommended!

Please Support our New Providence Historical Society. They are always looking for people who have an interest in local history, an interest in joining and supporting their mission. For more information and/or to donate please visit https://newprovidencehistorical.com/about/

The Historical Society is looking for Docents for the Salt Box Museum.

The New Providence Historical Society also puts out a newsletter called Turkey Tracks: https://newprovidencehistorical.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/turkeytracks-issue129.pdf

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RECREATION:

Our New Providence Recreation Department Department has many exciting upcoming activities: www.newprov.org/recreation

Recreation Community Events: www.newprov.org/community-events

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COVID Update:

Senior Vaccine Booster Clinic on Wednesday, August 17 at 10am @ DeCorso Center

New Providence Dashboard: https://www.newprov.org/case-statistics/

From the CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Update: Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated can help protect you from severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3CJme0v

Testing is offered at the Union County clinic in the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. Vaccinations will continue to be offered at the Warinanco Sports Center and at the Union County clinic at Plainfield High School, in Plainfield. Home-bound residents can make an appointment to be vaccinated at home by calling the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-613-7829 during regular weekday business hours, or leave a call-back message after hours. In addition, the Union County mobile vaccination and testing clinics will continue to visit various locations throughout the County. For more information about Union County’s testing and vaccination services, including locations and hours of operation, visit www.ucnj.org/covid19.

DCA’s Division of Housing & Community Resources will be accepting pre-applications online for the State Rental Assistance Program waiting list from July 11 to July 25. For information about the SRAP program and eligibility requirements, please visit: bit.ly/3HDA1J6

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UPCOMING:

Thursday, July 28 – Kootz. Concerts in the Park offering music and entertainment for the whole family. The free concerts start at 7 PM and will also feature a magician to entertain the kids. Prestige Diner is generously donating free hot dogs that the NP Lions Club will cook and serve, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream is generously donating free ice cream for all to enjoy. These free concerts, sponsored by the New Providence Business Community, are made possible because of generous donations from our local businesses: Advanced Financial Federal Credit Union, the Downtown Improvement District, Elefante Music & School for the Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Fuel, NP Lions Club, Prestige Diner, Robert T. Robinson Orthodontics, Terrana Orthodontics, Tropical Smoothie Café, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.

National Night Out, Concert and Fireworks – Tuesday, August 2nd: Sponsored by New Providence PBA Local 132 and the New Providence Business Community. This event is at 7 PM at the New Providence High School. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. First responders including police, firefighters, and EMS display their equipment and interact with the community. This is an opportunity for the entire family to meet not only the people who serve and protect them, but also the local businesses and organizations that help our town thrive.

National Night out is made possible by our generous sponsors: Acme Market, Downtown Improvement District, Elefante Music & School for Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Lions Club, Peapack Private Wealth Management, Prestige Diner, Terrana Orthodontics, Your Kids Urgent Care, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.

The Next ‘Chat with the Mayor’ is Friday Aug 5th 6:30pm-8pm in the Lincoln Meeting Room Borough Hall.

The next Brough Council Meeting is Tuesday Aug 16, 2022 7:30pm.

Senior Vaccine Booster Clinic on Wednesday, August 17 at 10am @ DeCorso Center

From the State of New Jersey: From August 27th to September 5th, New Jersey will have a back-to-school sales tax holiday – cutting the cost on: school supplies, school art supplies, school instructional materials, computers, school computer supplies

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MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: New Providence Cares About Your Mental Wellness

July BIPOC Mental Health Month. For more information on BIPOC Mental Health Month or to take a screening go to: mhanational.org

Mental Health Awareness New Jersey (MHANJ) is celebrating the rich culture of the BIPOC community and invite you for BIPOC- Messages of Hope & Celebration on 7/31 in West Orange, NJ. This is a free event sponsored by MHANJ, Pleasant Valley Productions, OSPAC & Creative Arts.

The New Providence Mental Health Advocacy and Education Committee is spearheaded by Council President Nadine Geoffroy and Councilwoman Lisa McKnight. The committee mission statement: “The goal of the committee is to reduce the stigma of mental health within the community by promoting understanding through education, advocacy, raising awareness and connecting people to resources to get them hope and help.” The committee has several objectives and projects including lawn signs promoting mental health awareness. The committee also partnered with the high school and handed out green ribbons to students. The borough poles were decorated with the green ribbons in recognition of Mental Health Awareness during the month of May. For more information please contact Nadine Geoffroy at ngeoffroy@newprov.org.

If you need help please call 866.202.HELP (4357) for free & anonymous emotional support 8am-8pm

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Available 24 hours 800-273-8255

Crisis text line 741741

On July 16th, 988 will become the national dialing code for people experiencing a mental health crisis. By dialing 9-8-8, you can be connected to suicide prevention and health crisis counselors 24/7. To learn more about the 988 system in NJ, please watch this presentation created by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuKhq-VPVjU

Veterans are invited to a bi-monthly, veteran-run peer support & discussion group, Warriors Welcome. This group is no-cost, confidential and a judgment-free zone. They meet every 1st and 3rd Friday: bit.ly/WarriorsWelcomeNJ.

Virtual Muslim Mental Health community group meets Sundays 7pm. Join for a discussion of mental health concerns, wellness goals, and more. Newcomers welcome! bit.ly/MuslimGroupNJ

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QUICK LINKS:

Borough Council Meetings: youtube.com/channel/UCZzCgFvlBgpSfW-JEVRMXsA

Borough Contact Information and Action Line: www.newprov.org/citizen-action-line

New Providence (Mailed) Calendar: https://www.newprov.org/download/Borough%20Newsletters/2022/2022-Annual-Calendar-most-recent.pdf

NPHS Athletics Calendar: https://sites.google.com/npsdnj.org/nphs-athletics/athletic-schedule

NPTV Schedule: www.sites.google.com/npsdnj.org/cook-nptv/nptv-schedule

Public Works: www.newprov.org/department-of-public-works

Recycle Coach: www.newprov.org/recycle-coach

Senior Citizen Bus: Transportation (with pick up at your home) is available for residents 55+ to ShopRite every Tuesday morning at 8am. Please call the Center at (908) 665-0046 by Monday morning to sign up or for more information.

Smart911 Community Alert System: newprov.org/2022/04/register-today-for-smart-911

Turkey Tracks Newsletter of the New Providence Historical Society: http://newprovidencehistorical.files.wordpress.com/…

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MISSED AN UPDATE? Mayor’s Community Updates can be found on the Borough website and at https://www.mayoralmorgan.com/…/community-updates…

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KEEP INFORMED with Borough information:

Website – newprov.org

Facebook – @newprovnj

Twitter – @newprovnj

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FUN FACT: The # hashtag symbol is technically called an octothorpe. The “octo-” prefix refers to the eight points on the popular symbol, but the “thorpe” remains a mystery. One theory is that it came from the Old English word for “village,” based on the idea that the symbol looks like a village surrounded by eight fields! How true it is for us: #newprovidencenj!

Please feel free to contact me anytime about any issue. Your concerns are my concerns. We are here to serve you. We are a team effort here in NP! Thank you to our outstanding Borough Council, our dedicated administration, employees and staff, our selfless volunteers, and to all of you for making our community such an incredible place. Please be sure to support all our wonderful local establishments and SHOP NP! Have a great weekend and week ahead! Please stay cool! We are Pioneer Strong!

– Mayor Al Morgan

Posted in Al's Community Updates