Primary Election June 7: Polling Locations, Voting Information
For District 5 & 6 (Hazelwood School Gymnasium), VOTERS MUST enter Door 7 (back of school) to vote…
The NJ Primary Election date is June 7, 2022. The following Polling Locations will be utilized
| District No. | Location |
|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3 | Middlesex High School Gymnasium |
| 4 & 10 | American Legion Post 306 (Legion Place) |
| 5 & 6 | Hazelwood School GymnasiumCLARIFICATION/CORRECTION Voters should enter door 3. (Students will not be in school that day and our previous note about entering through the back of school is not necessary.) |
| 7, 8, 9 | Von E. Mauger School (Gorman Gymnasium) |
NOTE: all registered voters affected by their original district being relocated have been notified by mail via postcard, sent May 6th.
Polling Locations will be open from 6AM – 8PM. Locations will also be noted on the sample ballot that you receive in the mail.
How Can You Vote?
Here are the 3 ways you can vote in the upcoming Primary Election:
Vote-By-Mail Ballot
In-Person Early Voting
At Your Polling Place on Primary Election Day
The last day to register to vote for the 2022 Primary Election is May 17th. Any resident who would like to receive a Mail in Ballot for the Primary Election must apply by the May 31st deadline. For more information about voting in this election (and other voting information), please visit the "Clerk" page on our website here.
In addition to our Borough’s website here, the Middlesex County Vote website here has voter information and links to additional resources surrounding the elections process for residents.
Poll Workers Needed for Primary Election June 7
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Support Your Democracy!
Call Borough Clerk Linda Chismar at 732-356-7400, Ext. 236 or 238.
5:00 am to 8:00 pm
$300 plus $30 for Mandatory Training for 18 years and above
(for 16 & 17 years old, half-day $150 plus $30 for Mandatory Training)
Support Your Democracy!
New (More!) Recycling Center Hours
New hours and days for the Borough Recycling Center, plus links to Recycle Coach and the County events, too.
Now you can visit our Recycling Center TUESDAY–SATURDAY with our expanded hours! We’re located directly behind 1200 Mountain Ave. Do not forget to bring a photo ID for proof of residency and a bulk coupon to dispose bulky items. Our employees are there to asist you in any way.
Recycling Center Hours of Operation (Eff. May 2022)
Monday >> Closed
Tuesday >> 6:00am - 1:45pm
Wednesday >> 6:00am - 1:45pm
Thursday >> 6:00am- 5:45pm
Friday >> 6:00am - 1:45pm
Saturday >> 7:00am - 2:45pm
Sunday >> Closed
Additional Recycling Resources
Visit the County website here for opportunities to recycle, including Paper Shredding events and Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events.
"HOW DO I KNOW IF IT'S RECYCLABLE?"
DOWNLOAD RECYCLE COACH!
Please download the app to stay up to date on recycle pickup news and schedule changes. Some complaints and feedback can be reported on the app as well. Any missed pick up or urgent complaints should be directed to MCUA at their Recycle Hotline, 1-800-488-6242.
Touch-A-Truck on Saturday, June 4th!
Hosted jointly by the Middlesex Department of Public Works and the Middlesex Public Library, Touch-A-Truck is back this year!
HONK HONK – make way for the 2022 Touch-A-Truck interactive event on Saturday afternoon from 12-3pm at Mountainview Park!
Hosted jointly by the Middlesex Department of Public Works and the Middlesex Public Library, Touch-A-Truck is back this year. Explore and learn about all the big trucks and equipment used by our Department of Public Works, as well as all the ways to get your brain working with hands on experiences – activities, treats, giveaways, and more surprises to be announced.
Volunteers Needed
Assist in giveaways and STEM activity stations – email cgeorge@middlesexlibrarynj.org to volunteer. We need volunteers ages 13yrs-18yrs old from 11am-4pm on June 4th. Help your community * Receive service hours * Have fun!
Sponsor It
Our sponsor list is growing, and YOU can be a part of it - email cgeorge@middlesexlibrarynj.org.
Spread the Word & Watch for Updates
Keep your eyes peeled on the official Touch-A-Truck page, http://www.middlesexlibrarynj.org/touch-a-truck/ for all updates.
Arbor Day Foundation names Middlesex a 2021 Tree City USA
A special thank-you goes out to the members of our Shade Tree Commission for their important role in earning this designation!
May 2022 | Middlesex was named a “2021 Tree City USA®” by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. A special thank-you goes out to the members of our Shade Tree Commission for their important role in earning this designation!
Tree City USA is a community improvement and national recognition program for towns and cities, sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Middlesex Borough achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: forming a tree board or department, creating a tree-care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Learn more about the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission here.
Read the official press release from the Arbor Day Foundation (pdf)
Read more about the Tree City USA program on the Arbor Day Foundation’s website here.
Arbor Day Planting Photo Gallery
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Tree City USA is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. More information about Tree City USA can be found here (link opens in new window).
Reminder: 2nd Quarter 2022 Property Taxes Due May 1st
The grace period date is May 10 at 4:00 pm.
Reminder: 2nd Quarter 2022 property taxes are due May 1, 2022. The grace period date is May 10 at 4:00 pm. Payments received after May 10th, 4:00 pm will accrue interest back to May 1st.
For payment options and additional information, visit the Finance page here.
Calling All Community Organizations: Memorial Day Parade
All Middlesex community organizations are welcome to participate in the parade!
Save the Date!
The Middlesex Borough Recreation Department and American Legion Post 306 invite you to this year’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30!
10:00 am Ceramony at Victor Crowell Park
10:45 am Parade Kickoff Rain or Shine
Music and refreshments will be served at the Legion immediately after the parade.
All Middlesex community organizations are welcome to participate in the parade!
If you are interested, please contact the Middlesex Recreation department at 732-356-7400 x258 or recreation@middlesexboro-nj.gov.
Download and share the flyer
Notice of Sale: Bond Anticipation Notes 2022A
Bids are being solicited through a fair and open process…
Bids are being solicited through a fair and open process in accordance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.5 for the purchase of $4,420,000 Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2022A (the “Notes”) of the Borough of Middlesex, in the County of Middlesex, New Jersey (the “Borough” or the “Issuer”). All bids will be received by the Borough’s municipal advisor, Phoenix Advisors, LLC (the “Municipal Advisor”), on behalf of the Borough on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 11:15 a.m., prevailing local time (“Sale Date”).
Full details are available in the Notice document available at the link below.
Summer Playground is Right Around the Corner!
Summer Playground is for children who want to have fun and for parents who want some structure to the summer!
Summer Playground is for children who want to have fun and for parents who want some structure to the summer! Our Mountain View Park site will have a staff to camper ratio of 1:8.
Children will bring home a schedule of activities including:
Arts and Crafts
Sporting Events
Games
Science Experiments and other educational activities
Free Play
and themed days!
Registration
Registration MUST be done online or by mail. Program is open to Middlesex Borough residents ONLY. No refunds will be issued after June 17, 2022. You will receive a confirmation letter with camp rules and regulations after the deadline has passed.
WHO: Children currently in grades K-5
WHEN: June 27th–August 5th
Monday - Friday • 9 AM–12 NoonENTIRE SUMMER FEE: $225 per child
OR WEEKLY FEE: $50 per week per childMiddlesex Recreation Department
1200 Mountain Ave., Middlesex, NJ 08846
(732) 356-7400 Ext. 277
recreation@middlesexboro-nj.gov
All late applicants shall be charged an additional $20 late fee in addition to the registration fee. Late applicants shall be considered if space is available, but shall not be considered more than two weeks after the deadline. Any eligible reimbursement shall be subject to a 10% fee.
Cultural and Heritage Committee: Middlesex Tidbits
What’s in a name? Middlesex Borough was not always Middlesex Borough!
What’s in a name?
For the Borough of Middlesex – a lot.
Before the incorporation of the Borough as we know it today, it was referred to as Lincoln. Some would preface this with “east” but it was never referred to that in any legal documents. The peaceful, quite, resident farmers living on the north side of the “tracks” wanted to succeed from the ever increasing industrial Piscataway. Having a Lincoln Stature in the area wishing to succeed, just seemed logical to refer to this section as Lincoln.
After the Borough’s incorporation in 1913, the name Middlesex (meaning the middle sector or area) just seemed like the best choice to the governing body.
And so from a small group of residents living in Lincoln prior to 1913 to the current 13,662, (as of 2019), came the wonderful Borough we call Middlesex.
Quarterly Newsletter - Spring 2022 Edition
Check out the PDF version of our newsletter, or browse this edition’s departments and topics here.
Welcome to springtime, Middlesex Borough!
Our well-rounded Quarterly Newsletter is ready to help you catch up on local activities, upcoming events, and opportunities to participate in Borough life this spring.
Read the entire publication by using the button below (PDF) — or review the Departments of your choice by scrolling through this edition’s current topics.
Departments and Topics
'Homes of the Month' Now Accepting Your Nominations
Nominate your neighbor’s beautiful house! The Beautification Committee announces a change of procedure for 2022. Read more about how and where to send your email.
Beautification Committee Announces A Change of Procedure for 2022
The Middlesex Borough Beautification Committee is changing its procedure for the ‘Homes of the Month’ program for 2022. Instead of the committee selecting residences for the ‘Homes of the Month,’ we are asking the citizens of Middlesex to nominate homes. Each month, starting in April, you can nominate your home or nominate a neighbor’s home.
Submit A Nomination Via Email
To submit a nomination, you need to indicate if it is your home or a neighbor’s home you are nominating and send a picture of the home, as an attachment, along with the name, address and phone number of the home being nominated, before the 15th of the month to beautificationmc@gmail.com
…with a subject line: ‘Month’-Homes of the Month.
Example: June-Homes of the Month
Example: September-Homes of the Month
Include a Photo
Take a photo of the front yard or side yard which is totally visible from the street, no backyard-photos, please.
Include the Nominee’s Phone Number
The phone number is needed so we may contact the nominee and confirm their participation.
Then the Beautification Committee Will Evaluate
Each month a committee member will select five homes from the nominations to be featured. The pictures of the homes will then be featured on the Middlesex Borough website and on the Middlesex Facebook page.
Starting in April look for the ‘Home of the Month’ sign on the lawns of your neighbors! For further information, please contact Georgios at beautificationmc@gmail.com.
VOTING: Special School Election Capital Improvement Plan
In-person voting will be held ONLY @ Middlesex High School Gymnasium. If you have requested a mail in ballot and are returning the mail in ballot, all voters can…
Middlesex Borough Board of Education Special School Election RE: Capital Improvement Plan
In-person Voting will be held ONLY @ Middlesex High School Gymnasium
Please be aware that all registered voters in Middlesex Borough will be voting for this election ONLY at the Middlesex High School Gymnasium. The Voting Center will be open from 2pm-8pm on March 8, 2022.
Mail-in Ballots
If you have requested a mail in ballot and are returning the mail in ballot, all voters can:
return their mail in ballot via USPS (in the postage paid envelope which was provided) by 8pm Tuesday,
drop off at the Board of Elections at 11 Kennedy Blvd. in East Brunswick before 8pm Tuesday,
OR return the ballot to the secure election drop box behind the Municipal Building at 1200 Mountain Avenue by 8pm Tuesday.
Voters with any questions, please call the Borough Clerk at 732-356-7400, ext. 238.
Linda Chismar,
Borough Clerk
Bunny Hop Drive Thru: Saturday, April 9
Hop on through Mountain View Park to see the Easter Bunny and to receive some Easter fun…
Hop on through Mountain View Park to see the Easter Bunny and to receive some Easter fun!
This event will take place Saturday April 9 @ Mountain View Park from 3-5PM. Rain Date is Sunday April 10. In case of inclement weather, please call our hotline 732 356 7400 x600 (updated @ 1PM).
Community Pool: Registration, Pool Apparel, Open House, Summer Employment
Registration begins for Borough residents; Open House scheduled for May 21; Order Apparel at our online store; Summer positions available…
Registration Begins for Borough Residents
It may feel like winter, but summer is on the way at the Middlesex Community Pool! Registration for Middlesex residents starts March 1st. Learn more and download your application on the Pool web page here.
Open House Scheduled for May 21
If you’ve ever thought about joining the pool, you can now visit us prior to the season to view our facility and discover all that we have to offer! The Middlesex Community Pool will hold an Open House on May 21st from 9am-12 Noon; Rain date May 22nd, from 9am-12 Noon.
Once you see our pool, we know you’ll want to be a member! We are also one of the most affordable pools in the area! PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SWIMMING EVENT.
Summer Positions Available
If you are looking for a summer job, The Middlesex Community Pool is a great place to work! We have positions such as Front Desk employee, Snack Bar employee, and Certified Lifeguards available. Please mail completed applications together with a resume to: Mr. James W. Grimm, Pool Manager, 324 Ellis Parkway, Piscataway, N.J. 08854. Select here to download the Middlesex Pool Employment Application (pdf). For further information, call (732) 752-3366.
Community Pool Apparel
You can now order Middlesex Community Pool Apparel and Accessories!
Tees, hoodies, shorts, hats, and more >
Link opens in new window
PPA, Inc: Tax Re-Appraisals of Residences Has Begun
Professional Property Appraisers, Inc. has started conducting tax re-appraisals of the residences in town.
Professional Property Appraisers, Inc. has started conducting tax re-appraisals of the residences in town.
The police department has been provided with a list of the names, driver’s license numbers, vehicle make, model, color, registration numbers and ID badges of the employees who are conducting the tax re-appraisals.
All Professional Property Appraisers, Inc. employees will be wearing light blue polo style shirts (with company name), light blue jackets (with company name) and have ID badges with the company name, their names, and their photograph.
This re-appraisal process, which started on Thursday, February 17, 2022, will take approximately 3 to 4 months to complete.
For more information
Please see the map below, showing the approximate area in Middlesex Borough in which they are currently working.
Link to our previous “Middlesex News” story about the Reval from Feb. 7, with the 2019 slideshow presentation and more information about the process
Hiring Announcement: Police Officer
The Middlesex Borough Police Department is currently accepting resumes for the position of Police Officer.
The Middlesex Borough Police Department is currently accepting resumes for the position of Police Officer. Applicants must possess a current Police Training Commission (PTC) certificate or be currently enrolled in the Alternate Route Program in a PTC certified State of NJ Police Academy and possess at least 60 college credits.
To learn more, review all the qualifications, and to apply, visit the Police Department website here.
Resources for Current Health Topics
Periodically the Board of Health provides links to resources to assist residents as they seek information about current health topics. Today’s topics include COVID-19, Cancer Awareness, Heart Health, Water Safety, and more.
Periodically the Board of Health provides links to resources to assist residents as they seek information about current health topics.
COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 Testing
NJDOH COVID-19 Information for communities
January – Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
https://www.nccc-online.org/cervical-health-awareness-month/
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/cervicalcancer/index.htm
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened-cervical-cancer
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/doctor-visits/shots-vaccines/get-your-child-hpv-vaccine
Middlesex County Cancer Education and Early Detection Program
February - National Healthy Heart Month
Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers
Middlesex County News - February 8, 2022: Middlesex County Launches the Community Health Team
Waterfront Safety Education
Emergency Planning: Include Your Pets
As you craft your family’s emergency plan, follow these tips with your pets in mind…
Prepare Your Pets for Disasters
Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. To prepare for the unexpected follow these tips with your pets in mind:
Make a plan.
Build an emergency kit.
Stay informed.
Make a Plan
If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse.
Things to include in your plan:
Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.
Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
Have your pet microchipped. Make sure to keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.
Contact your local emergency management office, animal shelter or animal control office to get additional advice and information if you’re unsure how to care for your pet in case of an emergency.
Stay Informed
Being prepared and staying informed of current conditions. Here are some ways you can stay informed:
Pay attention to wireless emergency alerts for local alerts and warnings sent by state and local public safety officials.
Listen to local officials when told to evacuate or shelter in place.
Download the FEMA app and get weather alerts from the National Weather Service, for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.
Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster.
Build a Kit for Your Pet
Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.
Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:
Food. Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water. Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
Medicine. Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
Grooming items. Pet shampoo, conditioner and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
February: Revaluation Program is Underway
The revaluation for the Borough is scheduled for the tax year 2022. Read more about the process…
Attention Borough residents and homeowners: the long-delayed REVALUATION is finally underway. You should be receiving an official letter from the company doing the home inspections.
Middlesex Borough has not had a revaluation in 38 years; the Borough has been working under court order to get this done. We have previously talked about the reval in this space, see articles here (Mayor’s Message: Tax Assessment Office) and here (Quarterly Newsletter Fall 2020: Tax Assessor).
For More Background, Review This Slideshow from 2019
Select to Read More
Read this revaluation presentation, originally given at the March 12, 2019 Council meeting. This may provide back ground information as to where value shifts could occur.
WHAT IS A REVALUATION?
A revaluation is a program undertaken by a municipality to appraise all real property within the taxing district according to its full and fair value market value.
WHAT IS MEANT BY FULL AND FAIR VALUE?
Full and fair value is the price at which the tax assessor believes a property would sell at a fair and bona fide sale by a private contract on October 1 of the pretax year..
WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR A REVALUATION?
A revaluation program seeks to spread the tax burden equitably within a municipality. Real property must be assessed at the same standard of value to ensure that every property owner is paying his or her fair share of the property tax. 1986 was the last revaluation in Middlesex.
WILL MY PROPERTY BE INSPECTED?
Yes, both the interior and exterior of each property are physically inspected, and building dimensions are noted. In addition, recent sales of properties are studied and adjusted to estimate value. Commercial property typically purchased for investment purposes, is analyzed in terms of its income-producing capability. In short, all information that influences value will be gathered, reviewed and analyzed in order to make a proper assessment of each property’s full and fair value.
Will my assessed value increase ?
Yes, your assessment will represent the full and fair market value of your property in the 2021 tax year.
Will my taxes increase?
Although revaluation will result in an increase of nearly each individual assessment, it does not mean that all property taxes will increase.
Typically after a revaluation one third of the properties experience a tax increase, one third remain the same and one third see a reduction.
Revaluations result in the discovery of previously uncaptured improvements.
New Added Assessments are added to the ratable base.
New rental incomes are capitalized at current market rates.
There is appreciation of the ratable base.
Read through the slideshow above (PDF) for additional details, or contact the Assessor’s office via email at assessor@middlesexboro-nj.gov.
Additional Information
For further information, see this “Understanding Valuations” document from Middlesex County.