Mayor's Report: June 2024
Middlesex Residents, Our budget process is now complete, and the 2024 Municipal Budget has been approved by the Council . . .
Middlesex Residents,
Our budget process is now complete, and the 2024 Municipal Budget has been approved by the Council. It required a detailed review and was a time-consuming, arduous process but I feel we have put together an appropriate plan to achieve the balance between wants and needs and what the Borough can afford.
We were challenged with cost items that were out of our control, including Middlesex County and Piscataway Sewer Increases totaling $215,000. Insurance increases (liability, health & workers compensation) totaling $165,000 as well as critical cost increases for gas, utilities, and our consumable supplies. When coupled with the aforementioned increases, we started the budget process in a hole approaching $600,000. Our state aid was disappointingly flat.
Our line-by-line review of the budget enabled us to successfully invest and fund the return to a fully-staffed Police Department. This upcoming school year, Middlesex will reinstate for the first time in several years, a School Resource Officer. We will also add a driver to the senior program. The Environmental Commission has been reestablished. Early this fall we anticipate replacing the bathrooms at Mountain View Park and upgrading the Grove area with most of this cost covered by grants. Middlesex will add $108,000 to the surplus with the current balance now of $1.6 million dollars. Most important, there are no cuts or reductions to any of our current services.
The average increase for the Municipal portion of the tax bill is just under $200 for the year or approximately $4 a week. We would have preferred less but any cuts at this point would result in a loss of services or put us in a poor position financially. It’s simply not a smart way to go.
Kudos to all involved for coming up with a good plan. They are not easy conversations when you are holding the red pen and getting down to our real needs.
At this point I have no idea where Middlesex County is going to come in with their tax increase.
As for the school system, which makes up the lion’s share of local taxes and received a healthy 2.5 million dollar increase in state aid, it still had a 4% increase in their tax levy. Many people have been critical of this, myself included. After a closer review and a look at the facts, I feel we need to give the new administration a bit of time to work their plan. As a district, our results need to improve in relation to our peers. This is why we have a new administration, and they need some time and resources to work their plan. Positive results will be the proof in the pudding.
That’s all for now. We have a lot to do, time is at a premium as we continue to work to do what is right for Middlesex Borough.
Please come to the Council meetings. It’s the best way to keep current on things.
Enjoy the summer.
Jack Mikolajczyk
Celebrating Community Day 2024 with Middlesex Borough: A Day of Fun and Connection
On Saturday, June 8th, Middlesex Borough hosted an incredible Community Day at Mountain View Park, and it was a day to remember! A special thank you to the Senior/Recreation Dept. employees for all their hard work on this event.
On Saturday, June 8th, Middlesex Borough hosted an incredible Community Day at Mountain View Park, and it was a day to remember! From 2 PM to 7 PM, the park buzzed with excitement as local bands and entertainers filled the air with music and joy, creating a festive atmosphere that brought our community together.
A special thank you to the Senior/Recreation Dept. employees for all their hard work on this event.
Event Highlights
- Local Bands and Entertainment: Throughout the day, we enjoyed performances from talented local bands and entertainers, providing a vibrant backdrop for our celebrations.
- Local Vendors: A diverse array of local vendors showcased their goods, offering everything from delicious food and beverages to unique retail items and services.
- Fun Activities & Games for Kids: The event was packed with fun activities and games for kids, ensuring that our youngest attendees had a blast.
- Community Groups: Various community groups were present, sharing information and engaging with residents, highlighting the strong communal spirit of Middlesex Borough.
- Food Vendors: Delicious food was available from a variety of vendors, ensuring there was something tasty for everyone.
- Beer and Beverages: Provided by the Middlesex Elks, beer and other beverages were available for purchase, adding to the festive vibe.
- Rain or Shine: The event went on rain or shine, demonstrating our community's resilience and enthusiasm.
- FREE and Open to the Public: The best part? The event was free and open to everyone. Attendees brought their own lawn chairs, blankets, and even their four-legged friends to enjoy the day in comfort.
Vendor Opportunities
Community Day was not only a great event for attendees but also an excellent opportunity for organizations to reach hundreds of residents. The park was filled with a variety of food, alcohol, live music, and lots of engaged community members. It was a perfect setting for organizations to get involved, showcase their offerings, and connect with the community.
Food & Beverage Booths
Community Affairs Booths
Retail/Services Booths
If you have any questions or want to be a part of next year’s event, please reach out to us at recreation@middlesexboro-nj.gov.
Thank You for a Wonderful Community Day!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to support and enjoy Community Day. Your participation and enthusiasm made the event truly special. We look forward to seeing you at our next community gathering. Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to connect with your neighbors and celebrate the spirit of Middlesex Borough!
Happy 101st Birthday to Grace Jakowlew
Local resident Grace Jakowlew recently celebrates her 101st Birthday.
Pictured above: Grace Jakowlew with her son Jeff Jakowlew
Local resident Grace Jakowlew celebrated her 101st birthday recently, and Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk presented her with a congratulations on behalf of the Governing Body of Middlesex Borough.
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Jakolew! Pictured below: Grace Jakowlew
Middlesex Borough Police Department Youth Academy
Middlesex Borough Police Department will hold its 20th Police Youth Academy this summer.
Chief Matthew P. Geist announced the Middlesex Borough Police Department will hold its 20th Police Youth Academy this summer. The Academy will take place from July 22nd through July 26th, 2024 beginning at 8:30am and concluding at 1:00pm. Eligible recruits must be entering grades 7 or 8 in September 2024 and be in good standing. Recruits will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with Middlesex Borough residents receiving preference. Applications will be accepted until July 1st, 2024. Applications can be accessed via www.middlesexpd.com or picked up at Middlesex Borough Police Department headquarters.
New Summer Office Hours for Middlesex Borough
New Summer Office Hours: Effective now through Labor Day, Middlesex Borough offices will be open Mon-Thurs 9 AM - 4 PM and Fri 9 AM - 1 PM.
SUMMER HOURS 2024
Monday - Thursday: 9am-4pm
Friday: 9am-1pm
- Now through Labor Day
The Middlesex Borough offices have updated their hours for the summer season. Effective immediately through Labor Day, the offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM, and on Fridays from 9 AM to 1 PM. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to serving you during these adjusted hours.
Proclamation: Honoring Edward Johnson - A Pillar of Middlesex
Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk and the Middlesex Borough Council proudly recognize Edward Johnson as a Pillar of Middlesex for his extraordinary contributions over the past 88 years.
Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk and the Middlesex Borough Council proudly recognize Edward Johnson as a Pillar of Middlesex for his extraordinary contributions over the past 88 years. Mr. Johnson's dedication, ranging from his service on the Library Board of Trustees and his extensive legal counsel to the Borough, to his passionate efforts in documenting and preserving our community's history, has made an indelible impact. His unwavering commitment to Middlesex, demonstrated through numerous volunteer activities and support in municipal projects, exemplifies the spirit of community service. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Edward Johnson for his invaluable service and lasting legacy in Middlesex.
Edward Johnson Proclamation
Middlesex Borough Recognizes Department of Public Works with Prestigious Award
The Mayor of Middlesex Borough has proudly awarded the Department of Public Works with a Citation for their outstanding dedication and ingenuity.
The Mayor of Middlesex Borough has proudly awarded the Department of Public Works with a Citation for their outstanding dedication and ingenuity. This accolade acknowledges their extraordinary hard work and creativity in developing, planning, coordinating, and constructing a structure to prevent further erosion in the Heather Lane neighborhood. The Borough appreciates their significant contribution to safeguarding our community's infrastructure.
Pictures: Lenny Vidal – DPW Superintendent of Public Works being awarded the Citation from Councilman Dessino, DPW Liaison. Also included: Chris Emmons, Assistant Superintendent, along with Matt Stitt and Mark Stitt.
Community Day 2024 at Mountain View Park
Community Day will be held in Mountain View Park from 1-8pm. We will have local bands, vendors, restaurants, fun for the kids, and food trucks.
Saturday, June 8th: Join the Fun!
2–7 pm • Mountain View Park
Local Bands and Entertainment throughout the day
Local Vendors
Fun Activities & Games for the kids
Community Groups
Food Vendors
Beer and beverages available for purchase • provided by the Middlesex Elks
Rain or shine
FREE and Open to the Public. Bring your own lawn chair, blankets, and 4-legged friends!
Vendor Applications
Your organization can reach hundreds of residents by signing up to be a vendor at this year’s event. The park will be full of a variety of food, alcohol, live music, and lots of residents. This is a great opportunity for your organization to get involved with our community!
Food & Beverage Booths • Community Affairs Booths • Retail/Services Booths
Questions? Reach out to recreation@middlesexboro-nj.gov.
Photos from Last Year’s Event
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Middlesex PD Violence Response Team Seeks Volunteers for "Women Aware"
Women Aware, in collaboration with the Middlesex Police Department, seeks dedicated, compassionate volunteers to serve on its Domestic Violence Response Team.
Are you interested in supporting survivors of domestic violence in your community?
Join the Middlesex Police Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT)
Women Aware, in collaboration with the Middlesex Police Department, seeks dedicated, compassionate volunteers to serve on its Domestic Violence Response Team.
How DVRT volunteers help
Trained volunteers respond to the police department on an "on call" basis. They provide supportive counseling, domestic violence information, legal options, community resources, and safety planning to individuals affected by domestic violence.
Is this opportunity for you?
DVRT volunteers are needed after business hours and on weekends.
Volunteers must undergo a background check, fingerprinting, and interview process.
Volunteers must complete a 40-hour domestic violence training with Women Aware.
If you are interested in volunteering, please apply at www.womenaware.net/volunteer
24/7 Multilingual Domestic Violence Hotline
732-249-4504 • Toll-free 833-249-4504
Arbor Day Foundation Again Names Middlesex a "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 2024 | Middlesex was named a “2023 Tree City USA®” by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor our 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!
The status honors the Borough’s commitment to effective urban forest management. Middlesex achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The benefits trees bring to urban environments are endless — and by earning Tree City USA recognition, our Middlesex Borough community proves we do experience the benefits firsthand.
The Tree City USA program provides communities with a four-step framework to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives them an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors, and the entire country that they’re committed to the mission of environmental change.
Learn more about the Borough’s Shade Tree Commission here.
Read more about the Tree City USA program on the Arbor Day Foundation’s website here.
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.
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).
Announcing Our New Tree Nursery
With the Tree Giveaway program, we will grow over 300 bare-root trees to give away to our residents in the fall…
Middlesex proudly announces its commitment to planting more trees to compensate for the 35 acres lost due to the flood control project. With the Tree Giveaway program, we will grow over 300 bare-root trees to give away to our residents in the fall. We are confident that our residents will be thrilled to receive a tree once they learn about the numerous benefits that trees provide, from supporting pollinators and birds to enhancing property values.
With the hard work of the Middlesex DPW and the Environmental Commission, we have created a Tree Nursery on Rock Lane, and we are excited to see the positive impact that this initiative will have on our community and the environment.
Have Pops with Cops on Thursday, May 23!
The community is invited to the Middlesex Police Department from 2pm-4pm, following a half day of school – there will be ice pops, snacks, free activities and child car seat inspections…
The community is invited to the Middlesex Police Department, 1101 Mountain Avenue, Middlesex, NJ on Thursday, May 23rd from 2pm-4pm, following a half day of school. There will be ice pops, snacks, free activities and child car seat inspections! Questions can be directed to S.Sgt. Joleen Auricchio, 732-356-1900 ext. 346 or jauricchio@middlesexpd.com
POPS WITH COPS
May 23rd
2pm-4pm
@Middlesex Police Department
Help Us at the Green Brook Clean Up on Sunday, May 19
Green Brook Clean Up! Multiple sites. Register online…
Green Brook Clean Up
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Green Brook Regional Center
MycCoy Park • Mountain View Park • Green Brook Park
Register at lowerraritanwatershed.org
Happy 100th Birthday to Anthony Parente!
Local resident Anthony Parente celebrated his 100th birthday recently, and Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk presented him with a congratulations…
Pictured above: April Menditto (granddaughter), Anthony Parente, and Robert Parente (brother)
Local resident Anthony Parente celebrated his 100th birthday recently, and Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk presented him with a congratulations on behalf of the Governing Body of Middlesex Borough.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Parente!
Pictured below: Mayor Mikolajczyk, Anthony Parente, brother Robert
Quarterly Newsletter - May 2024 Edition
Welcome to our spring-weather updates! Our Borough newsletter is ready to help you catch up on local activities, upcoming events, and opportunities to participate…
Hello, Middlesex Borough – welcome to our spring-weather update!
Our Borough newsletter is ready to help you catch up on local activities, upcoming events, and opportunities to participate in Borough life as we approach the warm weather of seasons.
Select the articles and departments of your choice by scrolling through this edition’s topics.
ROAD CLOSURE: Cedar Ave. Crossing, May 7-10
The Cedar Avenue grade crossing is scheduled to be closed between May 7-10 due to track and crossing repair…
ROAD CLOSURE
The Cedar Avenue grade crossing is scheduled to be closed between May 7-10 due to track and crossing repair. To facilitate this repair, Cedar Avenue will be closed between Lincoln Boulevard and Baekeland Avenue.
This project will be completed by Conrail in conjunction with NJDOT. Please plan an alternate route.
Middlesex Borough Ranked In Top 20 Safest Cities in NJ
Patch.com reports that Middlesex Borough has been rated in the Top 20 Safest Cities in New Jersey by SafeWise…
Patch.com reports that Middlesex Borough has been rated in the Top 20 Safest Cities in New Jersey by SafeWise. This is a big honor for our small Borough! Middlesex Borough was ranked #20 safest in 2024.
SafeWise is a security product review platform who reviewed FBI crime statistics for cities in the state to compile its 10th annual Safest Cities report. Read more:
Select here to read the article on Patch.com, “Here Are The 20 Safest Cities In NJ, 2024 Report Says”
Sheila and John Fuhrmann Each Honored With "Pillars of Middlesex" Proclamations
Mayor Mikolajczyk and the Borough Council would like to honor and recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Borough of Middlesex as "Pillars of our Community"…
In order for a community to thrive and succeed, they must rely on the service and support of its residents. In this spirit of celebration and recognition, Mayor Mikolajczyk and the Borough Council would like to honor and recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Borough of Middlesex as "Pillars of our Community."
At this week's Mayor and Council Meeting, we honored residents Sheila Fuhrmann and John Fuhrmann.
Sheila Fuhrmann
Sheila has exemplified her passion and devotion to the Borough by serving in numerous capacities over the years, such as nine years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, seven years on the Planning Board and six years on the Board of Health.
Sheila Fuhrmann began volunteering for the Senior Department in 1992 and eventually became a borough employee and helped to establish the current Office of Aging and
Senior Services. Not only does Sheila support municipal entities, but local associations such as Feeding Hands Food Pantry, the Blue Jay Booster Club, in which she was a founding member in the year 1976, Board of Education member including six years as Vice President, she served terms as Voter Service Chair, President and Vice President to the League of Woman Voters and edited "This is Middlesex, A Know Your Town Book."
John Fuhrmann.
John Fuhrmann has been a resident of Middlesex Borough for over 60 years and has dedicated his life to the betterment of Middlesex Borough by serving in numerous capacities, including serving on the Borough Council for nine years, serving as Council President twice, and was appointed Mayor in 2009, for which he rose to the occasion by providing the stability to the Municipality needed after the unforeseen resignation of his predecessor.
John has also been an active member and chair to various committees throughout his longstanding residency within the Borough, which included chairing the committee that secured a $7,000,000 grant for the Borough's 86 unit Senior Housing Complex, Watchung Terrace, in addition to helping the Borough receive $300,000 annually to subsidize rents for extremely low income residents. John has aided many local organizations including the American Legion John W. Lupo Memorial Post #306.
READ THE FULL PROCLAMATION AND ALL OF SHEILA'S and John’s CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY (PDF, 2-Pages)
Our Borough is so grateful to Sheila Fuhrmann for all of her dedication, sacrifice and labor to our community!
Have Coffee With A Cop! Saturday, May 18
Join your neighbors and our Middlesex Borough PD for “Coffee with a Cop” on Saturday, May 18th! Free coffee and breakfast will be served.
Join Middlesex Police Department's officers for "Coffee with a Cop" and enjoy coffee and conversation on Saturday, May 18th. Free coffee and breakfast will be served.
Saturday, May 18, 2024
10am-12pm
Middlesex Elks, 545 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex, NJ 08846
Volunteer Fair Brings Community Together
As we reflect on this remarkable Volunteer Fair, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude…
Our first Volunteer Fair was held Saturday, April 20 at the Middlesex Library. As we reflect on this remarkable Volunteer Fair, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the dedicated individuals who make our community thrive.
To everyone who contributed their time, passion, and dedication to making the Middlesex Borough Volunteer Fair an unforgettable celebration of unity and service we celebrate and acknowledge:
All our wonderful residents who attended the Middlesex Borough Volunteer Fair on April 20, we “Thank You”. Your enthusiastic participation and positive energy contributed to making the event a resounding success. We appreciate your presence and are looking forward to working with those who “stepped up” to volunteer and those who “will.” Your contribution to our Community is invaluable.
Middlesex Borough’s ALL VOLUNTEER-Fire Department, Rescue Squad and Office of Emergency Management together with Middlesex Borough’s ALL VOLUNTEER -Boards, Committees and Commissions. Your selfless commitment helps to shape decision making, policies and community initiatives and strengthens the fabric of our community.
Middlesex Borough Staff: Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff members work diligently to support programs, events, and services.
Our Middlesex Borough Governing Body: Thank you for your tireless advocacy and belief in the vision of the Borough Volunteer Fair and Awareness Campaign. Thank you for making possible an in-person opportunity for our Community to engage and learn more about what Middlesex Borough has to offer and the part YOU can play as we move forward and grow the Community.
This is only the Beginning. Let’s continue to collaborate, innovate, and uplift one another.
