Mayor's Report: December 2025

Middlesex Residents,

2025 continues to be a busy time in Middlesex. We have upgraded our zoning and code enforcement to a full-time position. As time progresses we will see the benefits as we have enhanced enforcement to keep our Borough looking at its best. The flood wall we constructed at Heather Lane to stave off erosion and preserve the neighborhood is doing the job. We continue to push the related parties involved with the flood wall project. The sooner that it is completed the better, but we are still years away. We completed the streetscape project in front of the High School and Mountainview Park and are working on grants for another phase of streetscape improvements. These grants are at no cost to the Borough and are a pure benefit to us. We have some new holiday decorations this year.

Our Environmental Commission had a productive year receiving recognition from the state as the “Rookie of the Year” as well as reaching Bronze level status for their environmental work. Victor the Rock Snake was back and had quite a lengthy level of participation. We have used our Hydro Lake several times this year and the condition of the lake continues to improve. We have been able to verify this through testing.

We are in the middle of replacing the bathrooms and upgrading the Mountainview Park Grove area despite the delay caused by the playground equipment fire. Our plan for Victor Crowell Park is in its final stages and in the coming years we will be able to use it to solicit grant funding to make the plan a reality. We are holding another Town Hall meeting as a budget kick-off for 2026 in early December.

Like last year, I expect a lot of input to be given, and we will work on prioritizing what we can and can’t do with budget constraints in mind.

Volunteerism continues to be a challenge and a need. Please consider helping out.

I would like to congratulate our elected leaders and thank all who stepped up to run. I challenge all the elected to earnestly strive to create a borough, county, state and country that serves us all.

This is the time of year we are reminded to be thankful for the blessings we have large and small. I would like to thank our DPW, Fire, OEM, Rescue Squad, office staff and our Police, who continue to be here for our residents 24/7.

I mentioned volunteerism before. I think it is one of the most important issues in our Borough. Debasish Mridha wrote “If you want a bright future, ignite your desire filled action today.” In Middlesex Borough, we all want a bright future, but it needs your help to get there.

My best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season (I celebrate Christmas) to all and wishes for a brighter 2026 with our economy flourishing, inflation in check, and our businesses open.

Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk

Toys For Tots 2025

The Middlesex Borough Police Department will be accepting new toys to benefit Toys for Tots, until December 14, 2025.

Winter Wonderland Festival 2025

Middlesex Recreation Presents:

Winter Wonderland Festival 2025

When: December 7 from 2:30-6:30pm
Where: Mountain View Park
Admission: Free!

Festivities:

• Food Trucks

• Performances by local groups

• Music by Flashover Entertainment

• Kids activities & entertainment

• Mr. & Mrs. Claus

• Tree Lighting & Bonfire Event

• Vendors and more!

Interested in showcasing your professionally made, new or handcrafted items or services? For more information email: recreation@middlesexboro-nj.gov

FRAUD ALERT: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Scam

There have been recent reports within Middlesex County and statewide of residents who received a SMS text message phishing scam (SMiShing) impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This scam was prevalent in the Spring of 2025 and has resurfaced.  The state agency stresses that it only sends text messages to remind residents about scheduled appointments with the commission. They DO NOT send text messages regarding driver’s licenses or vehicle registration status.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) is a motor vehicle commission, and if you receive communications that allege they are the NJ Department of Motor Vehicles or motor vehicle department, DO NOT click any external links and report the communication as spam.  The NJMVC only sends text messages to remind residents about scheduled MVC appointments. It does not send text messages regarding driver’s licenses or vehicle registration status.

These messages claim that the user has an outstanding traffic ticket and payment is due. The URL displayed in the message includes “ezpassnj” and “.gov” to appear legitimate. The message itself does not allow the recipient to click the included link directly, but instead instructs them to reply to the message with “Y” and reopen the message. The message further instructs the recipient to click the provided link or to copy the URL to their web browser. These links redirect to fraudulent websites that seek to extract personally identifiable information, financial details, and/or account credentials – usually through a computer virus.

New Jersey E-ZPass DOES NOT send unsolicited text messages to collect payments. If your account is in collections and being handled by Credit Collection Services, you may receive text messages from Credit Collection Services regarding your account. Their text message will list a phone number, their website (www.ccspayment.com), and reference a file number.
 
Key actions to be reminded of:

• Avoid clicking links, responding to, or acting on unsolicited text messages.

• Visit official websites directly to determine if there is an issue with an account or outstanding bill.

• Avoid submitting sensitive information, including financial or account details, to unverified websites.

To protect yourself and others from these scams, consider the following:

• Block any phone numbers and report the text as junk/spam.

• Forward the message via text message to 7-7-2-6 (SPAM).

Please call your local police department if you believe you were victimized.  You can also report scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) https://www.ic3.gov or to the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) https://www.cyber.nj.gov/report/incident-reporting/report-a-cybersecurity-incident.

For more information, please click on the link below: https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1828/736

Reporting Environmental Concerns

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has a toll-free telephone hotline number you can use to report environmental incidents, abuses, and complaints in New Jersey or impacting it. The 1-877-WARNDEP number can be used in the continental United States.

For Environmental Non-Emergencies: Try NJDEP’s mobile application WARN NJDEP
The app utilizes GPS technology for pinpoint location of environmental incidents and also allows users to submit photos as part of their reports to the DEP. Use the app to report non-emergency environmental incidents only.

Download the app on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Report life-threatening and/or environmental emergencies by calling 9-1-1, local police or the DEP’s hotline: 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).

FRAUD ALERT: Jury Duty Scam

There have been recent reports within Middlesex County of residents who received a phone call from someone impersonating the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office in a Jury Duty Scam. The impersonator advised that the residents were issued a subpoena for court and failed to appear.

The impersonator told the residents that there were active arrest warrants for failure to appear and even provided fraudulent warrant numbers. The residents were told they could pay the fines for the arrest warrants to avoid arrest.

Courts and government agencies will NEVER ask for payment over the phone. Courts NEVER ask potential jurors for personal identifying information like your social security number.

Key indicators of the Jury Duty Scam include but are not limited to:

• Initial contact from someone claiming to be law enforcement.

• A false claim that you’ve missed jury duty or a court appearance.

• Threaten you need to stay on the phone and make an immediate payment.

• Demand you provide payment in cash, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

• Request personal information like your date of birth or social security information to steal your identity.

To protect yourself and others from these scams, consider the following:

• DO NOT provide personal information such as date of birth or social security number.

• DO NOT provide account login information

• DO NOT share account activity – Do not any activity or financial account information.

• Block any phone numbers and report the text as junk/spam.

Please call 9-1-1 or your local police department if you believe you are being victimized. You can also report scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) https://www.ic3.gov.