New Providence Installing New Sidewalks
By TAP INTO New Providence Staff
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Borough Council recently awarded a contract to have missing links of sidewalks installed in New Providence. The new sidewalks will be installed along South Street, from the Murray Hill Inn to High Street, as well as from Candlewood Drive to the new Lantern Hill project, where sidewalks will be connected as part of their overall project. In addition, a new sidewalk was installed on Floral Avenue near the Spring-Floral Apartments.
Additional work is anticipated around town where cracked sidewalks will be replaced along with those that have been raised by root growth.
New Providence Celebrates Independence Day 2015
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Thousands of New Providence residents came out to enjoy Independence Day festivities and fireworks on Friday, July 3 in the Borough. Investors Bank donated $8,000 to this year’s festivities to enable Borough residents to once again enjoy a dazzling fireworks display.
Mayor Al Morgan said, “I would like to thank everyone who helped make the New Providence Independence Day Event this year such a great success! We had a tremendous turnout and it was truly heartwarming watching all the children and families gather in joyful celebration: kids creating chalk pictures up and down South Street, Club Souren rocking the crowds with music and games from the center of activities aboard our newly acquired army truck, and the excitement of meeting up with friends and family on a beautiful summer’s night. It was small town America at it’s finest!”
Morgan continued, “Thank you to Investors Bank for sponsoring the best fireworks show ever and for continuing to be an outstanding community partner. Special thanks to the New Providence Business and Professional Association for helping to put this whole event together for our community, to our DPW for all their good work setting up and taking down, to our communities for their help, patience, and understanding with the closing off of roads and parking situations, and to our Police, Fire, and EMS Departments for keeping everyone safe. God Bless New Providence, and God Bless the United States of America!”
Heather Hoffman, owner of Hair Salon Body & Soul Salon, Medispa & Wellness Center on South Street said, “We are a brand new business in town so this was our first time here and we all enjoyed it so much! What a really great turnout! Thanks for having it and we are really looking forward to being a part of the many more community events to come! We love New Providence!”
Editor’s Note: Have photos that you’d like to share celebrating at the Independence Day festivities in New Providence? Email them to mshapiro@tapinto.net to be included in this story.
New Shared Dispatch Center Holds Open House in New Providence
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – An open house was held on Thursday for the opening of the shared emergency dispatch center in the New Providence Municipal Center on Elkwood Avenue.
The shared dispatch center will handle all 911 emergency dispatch services for police, fire and EMS in New Providence and Summit. In addition, on a fee basis the center will also process emergency calls for the Millburn Fire Department.
“Many people ask elected officials about shared services. This new shared dispatch center is a perfect example how three communities: New Providence, Summit, and Millburn, work together for the betterment of their respective communities by pooling resources, and sharing the benefits equally,” said New Providence Mayor Al Morgan. “New Providence is proud to house this state-of-the-art facility and is looking forward to working jointly with our partner communities.
“With the new technologies involved and vast resources implemented, all residents in these three communities can be assured that their emergency needs will be handled in an efficient, timely, and proper manner,” Morgan said. “I would like to commend the elected officials, public safety officials and administrative personnel for a job well done.”
Investors Bank Donates $8,000 to Fund New Providence Independence Day Celebration 2015
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Fireworks will once again be a feature of this year’s Independence Day Celebration in New Providence thanks to a donation of $8,000 by Investors Bank.
The Independence Day Celebration will occur on Friday, July 3 at 7 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sante Fe Centers, Accent Printing Solutions, Martial Arts for Life and Elefante Music also will be contributing sponsors.
This is not the first time that Investors Bank has financially supported the event, which is a mainstay in the borough. While traditionally, fireworks on the Fourth of July had been funded by the borough through tax dollars, when the recession hit, many town governments, including New Providence, eliminated funding for the event rather than financially burden taxpayers. Since then, with the assistance of the borough, the New Providence Business & Professional Association (NPBPA) took over planning and organizing the event and Investors Bank came on board as the primary sponsor and funder for the past several years.
Independence Day Committee Chairperson and member of the NPBPA Ted Kapuscinski said, “We want to thank Investors Bank for their continued support. Without that support, the event could not take place. The New Providence Business & Professional Association is grateful as is all of the residents of New Providence.”
Club Souren, sponsored by Souren Communications, will be the DJ for the event. The New Providence DPW will be loaning a military truck for the event podium.
Free chalk, donated by Kapuscinski Luongo Architects and Martial Arts for Life, will be provided for children to create art along South Street. Additional programs will be announced, as well.
Daniel White, retail market manager for the New Providence branch of Investors Bank, said, “We are proud and happy to be able to support the New Providence fireworks in 2015. At Investors Bank, community service and giving back is a huge part of our culture. The commitment of Investors Bank to our community has never been stronger.”
Michelle Brugger, president of the NPBPA and owner of Martial Arts for Life in New Providence, said, “The New Providence business community does so much for New Providence but it takes community-minded businesses like Investors Bank to help us make the borough’s events such a huge success.”
We thank all of the sponsors for this great event.
Union County Awards $70,000 Infrastructure Grant to New Providence
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders last week announced an infrastructure award of $70,000 to the borough of New Providence for the funding of projects to spur economic development growth and a wide variety of improvements.
“Our goal is to provide an economic boost to our municipalities in an area where state and federal assistance has been lapsing,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The end result will be quality of life improvements that continue to make Union County one of the highest-rated places to live in the nation.”
The Infrastructure program was developed through the County Freeholder’s Fiscal Committee, which Freeholder Christopher Hudak chaired, and included Freeholders Alexander Mirabella, Sergio Granados and Angel Estrada.
The matching grant initiative makes available a total of $1.5 million to Union County’s 21 municipalities assisting them to accomplish tasks undertaken in calendar year 2015. The funding for the grant is provided through the proceeds from the sale of Runnells Specialized Hospital.
“We also want to stimulate some job growth and provide a public benefit in helping towns to build important development projects or address short-term or long-term governmental, social, transportation matters,” Hudak said.
Some examples of work funded throughout the county include the clearing/demolition of certain properties slated for redevelopment; streetscape improvements including curbing and sidewalk repairs/improvements; road resurfacings; municipal building improvements and repairs; funding of various revitalization/development studies, and master plans; downtown/business district improvements; sanitary/sewer/flood mitigation improvements.
New Providence Observes Flag Day with Ceremony
By TAPINTO NEW PROVIDENCE STAFF
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Linda Kale of the New Providence Historical Society and Mayor Al Morgan participated in the borough’s Flag Day ceremonies on Sunday.
The folds of the flag signify as follows:
The first fold is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks, and who have a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in time of war, for His divine guidance. Continue reading
New Providence Gets AAA, AA1 Ratings From Bond Credit Rating Services
By TAPINTO NEW PROVIDENCE STAFF
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The borough was recently awarded two AAA ratings and an upgraded AA1 rating from Fitch Ratings, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s for its upcoming $9.98 million general obligation bonds. The bonds will be sold on June 17.
“We are extremely proud of this accomplishment. There is a lot of hard work that went into this,” said Mayor Al Morgan, who cited the “great work of all of our professionals who have worked very hard to achieve these stellar ratings.”
“The borough’s strong financial management and prudent budgeting practices have led to the maintenance of ample reserve levels, providing the borough with a high degree of financial flexibility,” Fitch stated in its report on New Providence.
In its appraisal, Moody’s said, “The rating …takes into account the borough’s sizeable tax rate, strong socioeconomic wealth levels, and low debt burden.”
New Providence Council to Increase Open Space Tax
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Borough Council members unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance that will increase the Open Space Tax levy from .0025 cents to .0035 cents per $100 of assessed value.
A public hearing and final vote will be taken at the council’s next meeting.
Councilman Jim Madden said the funds which amount to $12,800 will be placed in the Open Space Trust Fund and used for recreational field maintenance.
Enacted in 2004, the special assessment was reduced in June 2009 from one penny to one-quarter penny.
Madden also introduced two resolutions concerning bus transportation for the Summer Teen Camp. The first resolution rejected three bids and the second accepted the bid of Passaic Valley Coach Lines for $17,500.
“We were able to get a successful bid at 10% less than the state contract,” Madden said.
Mayor Al Morgan noted that last week was National Police Week and paid recognition to the borough’s police officers for working in a very dangerous job.
“I would trust every single one of them with my life. They do very much that nobody is even aware of,” the mayor said.
Councilman Armand Galluccio said that this year’s “Every 15 Minutes” event sponsored by the Municipal Alliance and Atlantic Health Care will take place at the high school on June 2.
“The event is so named because somewhere in the Untitled States someone dies in an alcohol-related event every 15 minutes,” Galluccio said.
The day’s activities are videotaped, edited overnight and shown to the student body the next day.
Richard and Michelle Brugger of Martial Arts for Life located in the Village Shopping Center received a proclamation from the Borough Council for their positive impact on many borough youths and adults.
“You teach responsibility, respect and discipline,” Morgan said whose daughter received a black belt at the age of 9.
The establishment has been in business for 10 years and Mrs. Brugger is very active in downtown business and economic development.
New Providence Diversity Committee Sponsors Cinco De Mayo Event
By May 6, 2015 at 9:13 PM
The New Providence Diversity Committee sponsored a free cultural event on Tuesday, May 5 for Cinco de Mayo at the DeCorso Senior Center. It included ethnic foods, decorations, Mexican music and dancing, and a cultural presentation.
Community Service Association Holds Annual Pasta and Meatball Dinner
By TAPINTO NEW PROVIDENCE STAFF
NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The Community Service Association (CSA) held its annual Pasta Dinner fundraiser on Saturday evening. CSA members, members of the New Providence Lions Club, and event sponsors and volunteers helped serve pasta and meatballs to hundreds of attendees.
Gary Kapner of the Lions Club, said, “This was a great job for a great cause. I’d like to especially thank Peggy Brodeur, “Chef” Ken DeRoberts, Doug Marvin, Mayor Al Morgan, Bill Hoefling, and all the Meatball Rollers, for their hard work and support.”
Funds raised will be donated to CSA to help New Providence residents in need. CSA helps residents with utility bills, medical bills, rent, transit, clothing, food and other necessities, and is funded by the United Way, donations from individuals, and the dinner.