Coffee With a Cop

Join Officers from the Middlesex Borough Police Department at 7-Eleven, 1280 Bound Brook Road, as they open their doors to the community for Coffee with A Cop!

Enjoy a cup of coffee and conversation with officers on National Coffee Day! The event will be on Monday, September 29th from 9am-11am and is free to attend.

Annual September 11th Commemorative Ceremony 2025

Thank you to all who joined us for our annual September 11th Commemorative Ceremony.

Gallery:

Join us at Victor Crowell Park on Thursday, 9/11/2025 at 7pm for our annual September 11th Commemorative Ceremony. The public is invited to attend this ceremony to remember all those who lost their lives and all those who served on September 11, 2001.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the High School at the same time.

Quarterly Newsletter - Autumn 2025 Edition

Hello, Middlesex Borough – welcome to our fall-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.

Mayor's Report: August 2025

Fellow Residents:

It has been a busy summer in Middlesex. I am happy to say we have made progress in a number of areas and here are some highlights:

• We have managed to put together a conservative budget in terms of a cost increase for the year. Unfortunately, with housing prices increasing at a much faster rate than commercial properties this for many resulted in a larger out of pocket tax bill for the residents as some residential properties had to pick up a larger piece of the pie. We need to be even more aggressive in trying to attract new businesses and redevelopment to keep pace.

• On August 2nd we had our annual meeting on the flood wall project. It continues to move along but we are still a long way off. We will continue to work with the Green Brook Flood Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers to keep the project moving.

• We have paved several local streets and we have major work under way in Mountain View Park, with new bathrooms and playground equipment coming soon.

• We have hired a full-time zoning and code enforcer, Matthew Dillingham, who comes to us from Plainfield. We look forward to him making sure our commercial and residential properties are up to snuff.

• Signage and Bollards have been added to the Cedar Avenue Railroad Crossing.

• The library has opened the Middlesex Local History Room. It contains over 10,000 pieces of memorabilia displayed on a rotating basis. A great record of our Middlesex heritage

• The first phase of the Home Town Heroes Banner project has been completed, with the installation of 30 banners along Route 28 on the new decorative light fixtures.

• I hope you attended National Night out on August 19th. This event gets better each year.

• A food truck festival fundraiser for our Fire Department is planned for September 20th in Mountain View Park. Please plan on attending, they need our support.

Many thanks to our Police, Fire, OEM and DPW for quick action before, during and after the two recent storms that brought trees down and resulted in flooding. And I would like to congratulate Captain Craig Comiskey and our Borough Clerk Linda Chismar on their recent retirements. I enjoyed working with you both and your professionalism and dedication to Middlesex leaves a great void. You will be missed but have a great retirement.

Enjoy the dog days of summer and I hope to see you at our 9-11 Ceremony in Victor Crowell Park.

Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk

Big Updates Coming to Mountain View Park

PARDON OUR PROGRESS – Exciting Changes Coming to Mountain View Park!

Some areas will be temporarily closed during construction, but the result will be worth it. Thank you for your patience as we make these improvements for our community!

We’ll keep you updated along the way—stay tuned here for progress updates.

Middlesex Borough Fire Department Food Truck Festival

Please eat, enjoy & support the Middlesex Borough Fire Department at their first fundraising Food Truck Festival!

When: Mountain View Park
Where: September 20th, from 11am - 7pm
Entry Fee: $5 per person

Food & Drink:

• 15+ Food trucks

• Beer truck with 4 craft beers on tap

• Red & white sangria

• 2 Types of Margaritas/Daquiris

• Vodka Lemonade

Activities & Entertainment:

• Live music

• Face painting

• Sand art

• Bounce houses

• Other vendors

• Fire Department recruitment table

Special Fire Safety Features:

• Fire prevention trailer

• Live fire sprinkler system demonstration

Yes, dogs are welcome!

Update: Upcoming Middlesex Sampling Plant Vicinity Property Investigations

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District is conducting environmental investigations and survey activities related to the former Middlesex Sampling Plant (MSP) site located at 239 Mountain Avenue in the Borough of Middlesex, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The MSP was established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Engineer District (MED) to sample, store, test, and transfer ores containing uranium, thorium, and beryllium. The ongoing site work is being performed under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), a program that is cleaning up sites with contamination resulting from the nation’s early atomic energy program.

project background

The 9.6-acre MSP is a legacy MED and U.S. Atomic Energy Commission facility that received uranium, thorium, and beryllium ores from the 1940s until 1967, when the facility was decontaminated to the standards in effect at the time. However, overlooked during decontamination were traces of radioactive materials that had been carried off-site over the years by wind or rain, or removed from the site for use as fill at nearby properties. Also, records later revealed that in 1948, some radioactively contaminated materials had been trucked from the plant to the Middlesex Municipal Landfill (MML), one-half mile away.

In the 1980s, the contaminated nearby properties (referred to as MSP Vicinity Properties) were cleaned up, and the excavated soil was stored on the MSP site in a specially constructed pile, known as the Vicinity Property Pile.

A Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in 2005 that specifies the criteria for the cleanup of contaminated soil related to the MSP. Cleanup of the MSP soils was completed in 2008. USACE conducted a review of the MSP Vicinity Properties previously identified by the U.S. Department of Energy to ensure they meet the criteria set in the ROD. In 2019, USACE added a new Vicinity Property to the MSP. The location of this VP suggested that a wider area around the MSP be further investigated. In 2021, USACE conducted an expanded aerial survey extending 12 square miles around the MSP Site.

current activities

The aerial survey results show that there is no immediate threat to people’s health or the environment. However, USACE will continue ground investigations this year on public and private properties. Work crews will conduct visual observations, perform surface scans, and collect soil samples. The additional data collected will help to confirm the aerial survey results. It is important to note that USACE investigating a property does NOT mean there is contamination. Similarly, elevated readings do not necessarily indicate contamination because there are many sources of naturally occurring radiologic activity in our environment that can cause elevated readings, such as granite stone and building materials like brick. Work conducted by USACE will help determine whether radiological levels on the properties investigated are consistent with naturally occurring radioactive material. As with the previous USACE work at this site, these investigations are being conducted in coordination with both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

more information

Middlesex Sampling Plant Vicinity Property Investigation Fact Sheet
Middlesex Borough Evaluation Areas July 2025
Study Area Overview July 2025

Blue Acres Voluntary Flood Buyouts

Blue Acres is an optional program available to homeowners that offers to purchase homes that are at high risk of flooding. The goal is to help homeowners move to safer areas, reduce the risk of future flood damage, and restore natural spaces like wetlands that can absorb floodwater. After the buyout, the land is turned into state-owned open space.

The program provides homeowners with the option to sell their land to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, move out of harm's way and stop the cycle of repetitive flooding and property loss.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, you can attend a consultation event, hosted by the Blue Acres staff.

In-Person Consultation

When: Wedneday, August 27 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Where: North Plainfield Public Library, 6 Rockview Ave, North Plainfield, NJ

Virtual consultation

When: Tuesday, August 26 from 6 - 8 PM
Where: Microsoft Teams (register online)
Register Here

Mosquito Spraying Alert: Thursday, August 21st (Evening)

Weather conditions permitting, the Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission will be conducting a truck ULV spray mission for nuisance adult mosquitoes and/or vector control.

• Municipality: Middlesex

• Application Date and Time: Thursday, August 21st, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM.

• Rain Date: Monday, August 25th, 2025

• Location/Boundaries: Areas off NJ-28 east of Orchard Rd/Wellington St

Check here to see if you are located in the: Mosquito Spray Zone/Map.

For information about UltraLow Volume spryaing of approved insecticides using truck mounted sprayers, please review the CDC Website: What You Need to Know About Truck Spraying.

For current information on all spray applications in Middlesex County, please review the Commission's Mosquito Spray Schedule.

For the complete Public Spray Notice, please click here.

What can residents do to reduce exposure?
Please note, neither the USEPA nor the CDC requires relocating or taking special precautions during spraying. However, any possible exposure risk can be reduced by following some sensible actions: (1) Pay attention to notices about mosquito spraying found through newspapers, websites, automated telephone messages or notices distributed by municipal, county or state agencies. (2) Stay indoors during spraying with doors/windows closed and with air conditioners turned off to outside air. The EPA recommends that people remain indoors for at least one-hour after mosquito spraying to allow the spray to settle and dissipate. (3) Plan your activities to limit time spent outside during spray operations. Cover outside items like furniture and grills before the spraying takes place. Bring pets and items like pet food dishes and children’s toys indoors. Rinse any uncovered items left outside during spraying. (4) Consult your doctor or local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, if you think you have a reaction to the insecticide spray.

Sincerely,
Superintendent (NJDEP CPA License #50245B)
Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission
200 Parsonage Road
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: (732) 549-0665

WANTED: Athletes to Compete in the 2025 New Jersey Senior Olympic Games

Woodbridge Township will again serve as host to the New Jersey Senior Olympic games on September 5, 6 and 7, 2025. This is the 19th consecutive year that Woodbridge Township has welcomed the statewide Senior Olympic competition.

The 2025 New Jersey Senior Olympic games feature 22 sporting events and competitions where senior athletes 50 years of age and older - male and female - compete for the Gold, Silver and Bronze in various age categories. The full schedule of competition can be viewed at: www.njseniorolympics.com.

Call the New Jersey Senior Olympic Headquarters at: 973-618-1111 for more information.

We hope to see you at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, September 6 at 10 am at the Woodbridge Community Center.

Stay NJ Property Tax Relief Program

The Stay NJ Program is a new initiative introduced by the State of New Jersey to provide meaningful and real property tax relief for senior homeowners. Beginning in 2026, eligible residents aged 65 and older may receive a reimbursement of up to 50% off their property tax bill, with a maximum annual benefit of $6,500. To qualify, homeowners must have owned and occupied their primary residence in New Jersey for the entire calendar year of 2024 and have an annual income of $500,000 or less. If you are under the age of 65, but are receiving Federal Social Security Disability, you will also be able to qualify for the Stay NJ program. Please note that mobile homeowners are not eligible for this particular program.

The Stay NJ program is designed to work in tandem with existing property tax relief efforts, including the ANCHOR and Senior Freeze programs. To simplify the process, the state has introduced a single, streamlined application called PAS-1. This Application will allow all eligible residents to apply for all three programs at once. After submitting the PAS-1 form, the state will review your information and determine which program or combination of programs will provide you with the greatest financial benefit. The application period runs from February 1 through October 31, 2025, with payments anticipated to be distributed in early 2026. This program represents a significant step toward helping seniors stay in their homes and communities by alleviating the rising cost of property taxes.

If you believe you may qualify, we encourage you to begin preparing now and take advantage of this important benefit. For questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office or reach out to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury for additional guidance. You can also visit the Middlesex County Real Property Tax Relief webpage at: middlesexcountynj.gov/taxrelief for information on how to apply, resources, and additional information.

National Night Out 2025

Mark your calendars and join the Middlesex Police Department for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025, at Mountain View Park between 6pm-8:30pm (Rain date August 26th) .

National Night Out is a Community Policing event for all ages! It is held across the country to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen relationships between community members and the officers who serve those communities, and for neighbors to get to know each other and build a sense of community and cooperation.

The event is free to attend. There will be activities, giveaways, snacks, drinks, and more! Officers from Middlesex Police Department will be in attendance and are looking forward to spending time with the members of our community!

Anyone who wishes to participate or is in need of further information can contact Staff Sergeant Joleen Auricchio at 732-356-1900 ext. 346 or jauricchio@middlesexpd.com

School Crossing Guards Wanted

In preparation of the upcoming school year, the Middlesex Borough Police Department is accepting applications for School Crossing Guards!

School Crossing Guards work approximately two to three hours per day. Equipment and training are provided. If you would like more information on becoming a School Crossing Guard, please contact Staff Sergeant Joleen Auricchio at (732) 356-1900, ext. 346.

Residents Self Reporting Property Damage

Middlesex residents who have damage to their private home from the Severe Weather Event of 7-14-2025, please fill out the Private Property, Preliminary Damage Assessment using the link to the Private Property PDA site below.

https://damagenj-njoem.hub.arcgis.com/

Middlesex Borough OEM Cadet Program: Forging Tomorrow’s Emergency Leaders Today

The Middlesex Borough Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Cadet Program isn’t just a volunteer opportunity; it’s a catalyst for youth empowerment and community resilience. Designed for teens ages 14 to 18, the program opens a door into the dynamic world of emergency response, preparedness, public service, and civic engagement.

Every cadet who steps into this program steps up as a changemaker. Whether they pursue careers in emergency services or choose entirely different paths, they walk away with something powerful: sharpened leadership skills, real-world teamwork experience, and a profound sense of what it means to serve their community.

But this story isn’t just about preparing for emergencies—it’s about igniting passion and nurturing future leaders.

More Than Uniforms: Cadets in Action

Our cadets are not just present. They’re active, energized, and engaged. Through participation in events like:

• The Middlesex Volunteer Fair

• National Night Out

• Marching with pride in the Memorial Day Parade

• Taking part in the Middlesex Borough Youth Police Academy

...these young leaders step out to meet the residents they serve and represent.

Beyond the public eye, they undergo hands-on training, learning the inner workings of setting up community shelters and emergency protocols. These experiences foster a deep curiosity and a commitment to teamwork that reflects everything they do.

In Their Own Words

Below, you’ll meet our OEM Cadets, not just through their accomplishments but in their own voices. Hear about their discoveries, their motivations, and the moments that sparked their passion for service.

They’ve shown up with open minds, strong hearts, and a contagious energy that reminds us why investing in youth leadership isn’t just the right move, it’s the smart one.

So, come celebrate the spark. Get to know the faces and stories behind the uniforms.

If you would like to learn more about the OEM Cadet Program, please contact the OEM Administrator bbenson@middlesexboro-nj.gov or follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/middlesexoem.

Meet the OEM Cadets. Future ready. Community proud.

Gracielle Francisco

Being an OEM cadet has allowed me to improve my confidence in conversing with people within and outside of my community, allowing me to transfer my conversational skills into other aspects of my life. It has also been an incredibly beneficial experience due to the knowledge we received regarding emergency readiness, where we learn various things such as how to give CPR. Overall, being a cadet has been a really nice experience where I have taken away a good amount of knowledge in case of emergencies.

Vu Ngo

A couple of months ago, when I was volunteering at the Middlesex Public Library, some of my friends, who are fellow OEM Cadets, recommended I apply to be an OEM Cadet as well. There are many factors as to why I joined OEM in the end, but the largest one is that I want to help out in the community. Volunteering is something I enjoy doing because I want to give back and help improve this community.

Amanjot Parmar

To me, the OEM Cadet Program has been an invaluable opportunity to play a major role in my community. Being a member has allowed me to get involved with activities that I wouldn’t have otherwise, and volunteer in order to potentially make a change. Various events have helped incredibly with my social and leadership skills, and I would say that I have also gained great knowledge regarding psychology and first-aid that will help me significantly. There are numerous other skills as well, like teamwork, and I hope to learn more about medicine in the future in relation to OEM.

Jasleen Parmar

Volunteering with the Middlesex Boro Rescue Squad opened my eyes to the importance of planning and coordination during emergencies. I joined the OEM Cadet Program to deepen my understanding of disaster response, learn how different agencies work together, and build skills in emergency management. Being part of a team that protects and supports our community in times of crisis is something I value deeply. This program allows me to take a more proactive role in preparedness, not just response, and gives me the tools to contribute more meaningfully during critical situations.

I’m honored to graduate from Middlesex High School, Class of 2025. I will be attending Rutgers University–New Brunswick as a part of their Honors College, majoring in Cell Biology and Neuroscience. My goal is to become a pediatric emergency room doctor and improve healthcare access in underserved communities.

Arshdeep Parmar

The goal of the Office of Emergency Management is to provide immediate care and assistance to those who are in need during a natural or man-made disaster by providing hands-on care with respect, professionalism and consideration of what one is going through. This mission of OEM led me and my parents to make the collective decision of joining OEM as a cadet and I must say our team is walking greatly on the aim for what OEM is made for.

I graduated from Middlesex Borough High School this year.  My aim is to pursue my higher education at Rutgers University under the PreMed program.

Olivia Whale

Saturday, April 20, 2024. That’s when Middlesex Borough had their first Volunteer Fair, and where I first learned about the OEM Cadet Program. Automatically I was intrigued and wanted to join. There isn’t any one reason that inspired me to join the program, but I knew the differences I could make and the lives I could help. I especially wanted to make a difference in my community, as community is extremely important to me. I also wanted to enhance my leadership, interpersonal, and preparedness skills, and become a more resilient and Godly person overall.

I graduated Middlesex High School, 2025, and will be attending Houghton University, Majoring in Environmental Science.

Green Brook Flood Control Commission Memorial Service

The next meeting of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission will be held Saturday, August 2nd 9:30 am, in-person at the American Legion Pavilion, 707 Legion Place, Middlesex (behind the Middlesex Public Library).

It is with profound sadness that this service will be remembering two new lives lost due to flooding within the basin at our annual memorial service. We will also remember the lives lost in August 1973 and September 1999. Elected officials and employees at all levels of government are invited to participate in this meeting. In addition to the Memorial Service noted above, an update will be given on current and future design and construction efforts.

Any questions relating to the project may be directed to Chairman Murray by e-mail at rmurray@greenbrooktwp.org or phone at (732) 424-2772.

Proclamation: James Benson Honored as Pillar

Mayor Mikolajczyk, on behalf of the Governing Body, proudly recognized James Benson as a Pillar of the Community. James Benson was appointed as a member of the Middlesex Library Board of Trustees over 42 years ago, in addition to volunteering his time as a member of the 100th Anniversary Committee, volunteer of the Rescue Squad from 1969-1973, and member of the Community Education Advisory Board from 2020-2022. James was a vital member of the Emergency Services Unit Commanders Committee for 15 years, Middlesex Ethics Board member for 4 years and Economic Development Committee for 4 years.

James not only served the Community through his activities on various Committees and Boards, but also spent his time helping shape the future members of the Community in conjunction with the Recreation Center by coaching girls softball from 1992-1996.

The Borough of Middlesex extends our deepest gratitude to James Benson for all of his dedication, sacrifice and labor to our community.

Congratulations Middlesex Graduates!

Middlesex Borough extends a huge congratulations to all graduates of Middlesex High School and their families. We wish you the best of luck at graduation and for your futures!

Middlesex Aqualytes Trials

Come and try Synchronized Swimming with the Middlesex Aqualytes! Learn basic synchro skills at our free no commitment trial:

When: June 26th - 28th & 30th from 11 am - 12:30pm
Where: Middlesex Community Pool

Middlesex Library Local History Room and Collection is Now Open

Middlesex Borough is pleased to announce that the Local History Room and Collection in the Library is now open. The room was officially opened on Monday, June 16 at 6pm, in a ceremony where members of the public gathered to enjoy light refreshments, and were able to look through the Room and Collection.