Mayor’s Community Update: August 5, 2022

Published August 5, 2022

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:

Pioneer Drive New Traffic Pattern Starts Monday Aug 8th: Please be advised that the new traffic pattern on Pioneer Drive and Balcom Road will change effective August 8, 2022. The Police Department will locate message boards in the area to alert drivers of the changes and will have additional personnel on site when school is back in session.

Please see this Traffic Pattern Change Packet: https://www.newprov.org/download/Police%20Department/high_schoolmiddle_school_traffic_plan_documents/Traffic-Pattern-Change-Packet-for-Parents.Students.pdf for an aerial map of the changes and a guide to dropping off and picking up students. Please note that Pioneer Drive and Balcom Road will be closed to all traffic beginning at 7 AM on Monday, August 8 for installation of new signage, markings, and striping. The roads will reopen on Monday afternoon once the installation is complete. Please share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors.

NEW PROVIDENCE COMMUNITY POOL – 60th ANNIVERSARY: This year is the 60th anniversary of the New Providence Community Pool. The library is hosted one of the co-founders of the pool, local author Bert Abbazia who shared his experiences on the founding of this Special Place, and talked about his book, “The Creation of the New Providence Community Pool” this past Wednesday. Bert has shared his time and talents over his many years in the New Providence area. He has been a part of the growth of our town, continues to be active with our New Providence Senior Citizens Club, and is a Life Member of our NP Historical Society. We thank Bert for his many years of good service to our community and congratulate and thank all our past and present pool board members for 60th great years of swimming in New Providence.

National Night Out Concert and Fireworks was this past Tuesday. It was a truly great night in our borough. National Night Out was sponsored by the New Providence PBA Local 132 and the New Providence Business Community. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. First responders including police, firefighters, and EMS displayed their equipment and interacted with the community. Thank you to our generous sponsors: Acme Market, Downtown Improvement District, Dr Bob Robinson, Elefante Music & School for Performing Arts, NJ Sharing Network, NP Fuel, NP Lions Club, Peapack Private Wealth Management, Prestige Diner, Terrana Orthodontics, Your Kids Urgent Care, and Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream.

‘Chat with the Mayor’ is today Friday, August 5th 6:30 – 8pm in the Lincoln Room in Borough Hall.

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

NJ American Water – Voluntary Conservation Notice: Practicing odd/even watering now will help manage a finite supply of water, still being able to maintain lawns and gardens, while saving some money on water bills. The guidelines are provided below:

Odd/even guidelines are:

Outdoor water use on odd-numbered days of the month if your street address is an odd number (i.e., 23 Oak St., 7 Maple Ave.)
Outdoor water use on even-numbered days of the month if your street address is an even number (i.e., 6 Oak St., 354 Maple Ave.)
Water early or late in the day to minimize evaporation
Exceptions are:
Watering of new sod or seed if daily watering is required (Note: it is recommended that any planting of new sod or seed that has not already taken place be delayed until the fall)
Use of private wells for irrigation
Commercial uses of outdoor water, such as for nurseries, farm stands, power washing, plumbing, athletic fields, and car washes
Watering of athletic fields

Additional tips and information on wise water use are available on New Jersey American Water’s website at www.newjerseyamwater.com under Water Information.

Lanternflies: Residents can help fight back against the spotted lanternfly by destroying the destructive pest. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that can weaken trees, damage ornamental plants and destroy fruit trees, hops, grape vines and other crops. They also excrete a whitish “honeydew” that can grow moldy and foul in outdoor spaces including patios and yard furniture. They do not bite or sting, and they do not seem toxic to humans or pets. For more information, including photos of the spotted lanternfly and its eggs at various stages, please visit the New Jersey Division of Agriculture at nj.gov/agriculture. Additional information is available from Rutgers University at njaes.rutgers.edu/spotted-lanternfly. Sightings of the insect can also be reported to Rutgers University through the online reporting tool. Union County is one of three counties in New Jersey participating in a U.S. Department of Agriculture research project to assess various methods of mitigating the spotted lanternfly invasion. For more information from the USDA visit aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/slf.

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LET’S GO GREEN NP:

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.

Free Scrap Metal Recycling for Union County Residents 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 Saturday, August 20th from 9:00am to 12:00pm 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:

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

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

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FIRETRUCK FRIDAY

For the next few weeks, the Department will be showcasing our apparatus as part of #firetruckfriday. To kick things off they are starting with our newest piece, Engine 2. This apparatus is primarily the “first due” engine in our department, meaning it will be the first engine to respond for most fire suppression operations. It is uniquely equipped with specialty tools for high-rise and brush fires.

Engine 2 is a 2016 Pierce Velocity mid-mount pumper equipped with the following:

-Detroit DD13 engine with 470HP motor

-Allison EVS4500PR Automatic Transmission

-2000 GPM Waterhouse Single Stage Pump

-Harrison MSV 6kw Generator

-750 Gallon Poly Water Tank

-(6) Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

-Over 3500’ of various diameters of hose

-(2) High-rise firefighting packs

-Various brush fire equipment including portable water tanks and tools

They look forward to sharing more about our apparatus and equipment!

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NEW PROVIDENCE HISTORICAL SOCIETY:

Did you know that in the early 1900’s New Providence had a semi professional baseball team called the Crescents? The navy & white Crescents were organized by the New Providence Athletic Association. Stop by the New Providence Memorial Library during the month of August to see our Historical Society display on NP Baseball ⚾️! Take a glimpse into New Providence baseball history with old photos, uniforms, trophies and accessories. Compare a current New Providence High School uniform, polyester and sleeveless, to a 1929 heavy wool Crescents uniform. Or learn about the team coach and league commissioner Mr A. G. Balcom and his “boater” hats.

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:

Checkout all of the Fall offerings for Youth and Adults: https://www.newprov.org/recreation/

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

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Monkey Pox:

Two vaccines can be used for preventing monkeypox infection. CDC recommends vaccination for people who might have been exposed to monkeypox. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3AftSRE.

COVID Update:

Union County’s free COVID-19 vaccination program is expanding to offer the Novavax vaccine, approved for ages 18 and older. The Union County vaccination program also continues to offer the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines approved for various age groups including infants age 6 months and up.

The Novavax vaccine has been approved for ages 18 years and older. The Union County vaccination program will provide it in a two-dose series, given 21 days apart, as advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Novavax, along with other COVID-19 vaccines, will be provided at two Union County clinics:

Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive at Warinanco Park in Roselle:

On Thursdays, the Warinanco clinic provides all vaccines and booster formulations for all age groups. The hours of operation are 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

On Tuesdays, the Warinanco clinic is open only for ages 6 months to five years to receive the Pfizer (6 months to 4 years) or Moderna (6 months to 5 years) formulations. The hours of operation on Tuesdays are 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue in Plainfield:

On Saturdays, the Plainfield High School clinic provides all vaccines and booster formulations. The hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Saturday is the only day of operation for this clinic).

To make an appointment for a vaccination at either the Warinanco or Plainfield clinics, create an account or log into an existing account through Union County’s vaccination portal, ucnj.org/covid19. If additional assistance is needed call 908-613-7829.

Walk-ups for booster shots for all eligible age groups are welcome at both the Warinanco Sports Center and Plainfield High School sites, but appointments are encouraged.

Home-bound residents may be eligible for a home vaccination visit. To make an appointment, call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-613-7829 during regular weekday business hours, or leave a call-back message after hours. For details about Union County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics and other resources visit ucnj.org/covid19.

BA.5: This new mutation of the COVID-19 virus appears to be spreading quickly and has become the dominant strain in our area. UNION COUNTY HAS MOVED INTO THE HIGH COMMUNITY LEVEL. The CDC recommends:

Wear a mask indoors in public
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Get tested if you have symptoms
Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html#anchor_47145)

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. If you are immunocompromised, learn more about how to protect yourself (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/community-levels.html#anchor_47145).This new BA.5 sub-variant also appears to be able to reinfect people very quickly and evade some protections offered by vaccines and boosters. Vaccine makers are developing a booster shot to deal specifically with BA.5 and other sub-variants of omicron. For more information, please visit https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=New+Jersey&data-type=CommunityLevels&list_select_county=34039

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

For information about Union County’s testing and vaccination services, including locations and hours of operation please visit www.ucnj.org/covid19.

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UPCOMING:

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

Come Cheer On the New Providence Reds this Sunday 10:30am for the Championship! Let’s GO NP!

Pioneer Drive New Traffic Pattern Starts Monday Aug 8th: Traffic Pattern Change Packet: https://www.newprov.org/download/Police%20Department/high_schoolmiddle_school_traffic_plan_documents/Traffic-Pattern-Change-Packet-for-Parents.Students.pdf. Please note that Pioneer Drive and Balcom Road will be closed to all traffic beginning at 7 AM on Monday, August 8 for installation of new signage, markings, and striping. The roads will reopen on Monday afternoon once the installation is complete.

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

Senior Vaccine Booster Clinic on Wednesday, August 17th at 10am at the DeCorso Center 15 E 4th St.

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

The New Providence Mental Health Advocacy and Education Committee is spearheaded by Council President Nadine Geoffroy and Councilwoman Lisa McKnight. For more information please contact Nadine Geoffroy at ngeoffroy@newprov.org.

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. 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: (from our NPML) Did you know that the 4th of July is not actually the anniversary of the official signing of the Declaration of Independence? It is August 2nd! August 2, 1776, is one of the most important but least celebrated days in American history when 56 members of the Second Continental Congress started signing the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia… Many members of the Continental Congress started to sign an engrossed version of the Declaration on August 2, 1776, in Philadelphia. John Hancock’s famous signature was in the middle, because of his status as President of the Congress. The other delegates signed by state delegation, starting in the upper right column, and then proceeding in five columns, arranged from the northernmost state (New Hampshire) to the southernmost (Georgia). Learn more: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-the-declaration-of-independence-is-officially-signed#

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! We are Pioneer Strong!

– Mayor Al Morgan

Posted in Al's Community Updates