From the Mayor

Halloween Guidance

This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday. This normally means larger crowds of children, and several of our neighboring towns have already decided to cancel Trick or Treating.

The Borough Council has discussed and ultimately decided that adults need to make their own decisions for their children and for themselves. Rather than government, you get decide whether your children can go out for candy; you get to decide whether you are putting your lights on or off as a signal that Trick or Treaters are welcome. Halloween in Middlesex Borough is on!

However, as we continue to adopt to the realities of Covid-19 in our State and community and in conjunction with guidance from the NJ Department of Health, the governing body does feel compelled to make recommendations for ways to celebrate Halloween safely. We encourage you to plan early as to how you are going to celebrate and to identify safe alternatives.

Our recommendations are informed by the Middlesex Board of Health and the New Jersey Department of Health.

For Those Planning Celebrations

When participating in Halloween activities should keep in mind public health recommendations of social and physical distancing, wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth, and hand hygiene.

Door to Door Trick or Treating

• Those who plan to trick-or-treat should limit their groups to current household members, consider staying local, and limit the number of houses on their route. Social distancing should be practiced between all who are not in the same household.

• Halloween trick or treating should end by 8 pm

• Residents participating by giving out candy should keep their lights on even during the afternoon for the little kids who go out early

For those putting out treats

• Good option: Limit interaction or contact with trick-or-treaters, wear a mask when individuals come to the door, and regularly wash hands.

• Better option: Leave a treat bowl on a porch or table or in a place where it may be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing requirements.

• Best option: Arrange individually packaged candy so that trick or treaters can grab and go without accessing a shared bowl.

Traditional Halloween celebrations often involve crowds, close contact between individuals,and activities in closed spaces. It is important to plan early and identify safe alternatives for celebrating the fall season. Whatever your family decides to do, the goal is to make Halloween a safe, fun activity while keeping everyone healthy.

Best wishes and stay safe

On behalf of the Council, our hardworking Borough staff, and myself, we hope you all have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving and Holiday season.

Mayor John Madden

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Proper Recycling Saves Tax Dollars

Recently we shared about issues that our partner, Middlesex County Improvement Authority, is having with Borough recycling. During these turbulent times where municipalities statewide are seeing their recycling disposal costs double or even triple in cost, we are receiving the benefit of a shared service that has kept our recyclable disposal cost lower than many municipalities throughout the state. Through MCIA’s buying power, we have been fortunate to be able to contract with them. In 2019, the Borough put out a Request for Proposals for recycling services and the lowest bid that came in was more than $100,000.00 than MCIA’s rate to our town.

Middlesex County has the highest rate of recycling in the State and, by pooling our resources, MCIA is able to pass the savings in our recycling disposal costs to our taxpayers. This benefit exists as long as our residents continue to follow the guidelines on proper recycling and understand what is and is not acceptable to be recycled. Unfortunately, it has been brought to my attention from MCIA enforcement officers that Middlesex Borough has experienced an increase in recycling “contamination”.

THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE WITH CONTAMINATION IS PLASTIC BAGS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Additionally, pizza boxes and shredded paper are not recyclable! I know that is counter-intuitive – pizza boxes are made of cardboard and shredded paper is paper – but the fact remains that plastic bags, pizza boxes and shredded paper “contaminate” the rest of the recycling and costs MCIA money to have them removed.
The Borough has been put on notice by MCIA, that, if in the coming weeks, your recycling is contaminated, THE HAULER WILL BE UNABLE TO ACCEPT YOUR MATERIALS AND THEY WILL BE LEFT CURBSIDE FOR YOU TO SORT.

People have good intentions -- they WANT an item to be recyclable so they “sneak” it in -- but these unwanted items (like pizza boxes and plastic bags!) cause big problems.

In closing, I wanted to ask all our residents to please take the time to understand how to properly sort and dispose of your recyclable materials. Everyone must do their part for this program to remain affordable and successful. Thank you for your time and understanding.

Recreation

Oct. 28: Kids Halloween Art Workshop Event

Join us for an afternoon of fun for all ages with ART-stitution Kids Halloween Art Workshop Canvas Painting & Slime Making!

Children will be guided step-by-step how to paint a festive scarecrow with acrylic paint on stretched canvas. Next, they’ll make a batch of ectoplasm slime! There are no tricks here…just treats! All ages welcome. All supplies included. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday, October 28 from 3:00-4:30pm at Middlesex Rec, Recreation Center 1400 Mountain Ave Middlesex, NJ 08846

$25/per child. Must pre-register. Spaces are limited. To register, visit the Rec Department’s registration page here.

Clerk's Office

Casting Your Vote

As November 3, 2020 approaches, the Middlesex Borough Clerk’s Department wants to keep all residents informed with the options each resident has to cast their vote in the 2020 General Election. As you should know by now, due to the pandemic, the General Election this fall will be primarily a Vote-by-Mail election. Here is some important information regarding the election.

1) You can drop the ballot in the secure drop box located at the Middlesex Municipal Building just outside the entrance to the Court Office. This area will be video monitored 24 hrs./day and the County Board of Elections will be picking up ballots daily. You can also take the ballot to another drop box location within the County (for locations, see the Vote-2020 page of the County website under “Secure Ballot Drop Box Locations”. Ballots can be dropped off up until 8pm on Election Day.

2) You can bring a completed ballot to your designated polling place on Election Day. Remember at the polling location, you can only drop off your ballot. You cannot drop ballots off for others. You can only vote individually, and you must sign in with the poll workers.

a. Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 are at the High School Gymnasium

b. Districts 5, 6, 7 are at the Hazelwood Gymnasium

c. Districts 8, 9, 10 are at the Mauger Gorman Gymnasium

3) You can vote in person at a polling place. This will be by a paper ballot that is no different than the one received in the mail. This will be considered a provisional ballot until the Board confirms that you have not already voted by mail. Any voting machine at these locations will only be used for those who have a disability.

4) You can bring your ballot to the Middlesex County Board of Elections at 11 Kennedy Blvd, East Brunswick, NJ up until the close of polls on Election Day.

Check the Status of Your Ballot

If you want to verify that your mail in ballot has been received, you should register at “Track Your Ballot” on the New Jersey Elections website: nj.gov/state/elections.

Please feel free to call the Borough Clerk at 732-356-7400, Ext. 238 with any questions you may have.

Licenses

As a reminder, applications for the 2021 Dog License will open on January 1, 2021. No applications for the 2021 year will be accepted prior to that date. Spayed/neutered Dogs and Cats have a fee of $10.00, Unaltered Dogs/Cats have a fee of $13.00. A late fee of $10.00 will be charged on or after February 28, 2021. Applications can be submitted online through the borough website (www.middlesexboro-nj.gov).

Tax Assessor

Improving Assistance to Taxpayers

Throughout the pandemic the assessor’s office continued to provide information and assistance to Middlesex taxpayers regarding the assessment process via an expansion of on-line access to VITAL’s Tax Application, email, and remote telephone services. Operational improvements included the design and creation an electronic format for the processing of the two-hundred-foot adjacent property lists which shortened the response time to taxpayers from five days to three days.

The revaluation for the Borough is scheduled for the tax year 2022. The preliminary work of compiling valuation information and the analysis of sales data is ongoing; it is anticipated that the field work and inspections of properties will begin in the summer of 2021. In November 2021 through December taxpayer reviews will be conducted and on January 10, 2022 the new assessed valuations will be placed on the tax list. Any resulting tax change in billing from the revaluation will be reflected in the mailing of the August 2022 tax bill.

For the tax year 2020 there were six tax appeals filed at the Middlesex County Board of Taxation. The review and adjudication of appeals were conducted via telephone conferences with the comparable sales shared on-line with taxpayers and their attorneys resulting in the withdrawal of County Tax Board appeals. There were no New Jersey Tax Court appeal filings.

Currently only exterior physical inspections of buildings are conducted and for the safety of taxpayers and employees all current CDC guidelines are followed.

Re-Numbering, Explained

Taxpayers may have noticed some changes to the block and lot codes on bills. These changes were a requirement to conform with current New Jersey State regulations. These revisions do not affect ownership or assessment but were required by the Division of Taxation. Under the administrative rules, no alpha block or lot identifiers are permitted which resulted in the re-numbering of certain Borough properties. For example, a property previously identified as Block 100 Lot 7A is now Block 100 Lot 7.01. Additionally, where a single property has multiple lot identifiers such as “additional lots 2, 3, 4, etc.” and the deed encompasses all of the property then the lot is now identified by only the first lot number. Taxpayers who have any questions or concerns should contact the Borough Assessor at (732) 356-7400 x270 or Email:.assessor@middlesexboro-nj.gov.

Tax Collector

Remember Your Quarterly Taxes

4TH QUARTER taxes due NOV. 1st , 2020
Grace period: November 10th

When scheduling a bank to send in  tax payments please note on the check the tax  account # and/or Block & Lot.

NJ Budget Fully Funds Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement Program

The Governor’s budget fully funds the 2019 Senior Freeze Property Tax Reimbursement program. Payments are expected to be paid to eligible taxpayers beginning October 15th, 2020. Status of applications may be checked by calling 1-800-882-6597.

* UPDATE 10/22 * The application deadline for the 2019 Senior Freeze Program has been EXTENDED from November 2, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Booklets may be picked up in the main entrance lobby or outside the main entrance.

Public Works (DPW)

Wednesdays are Fall Leaf Pick up

Grass and Leaf pick up will occur March through December. On Wednesday, place bags at curb the night before for pick up.

LEAVES WILL ONLY BE PICKED UP IN BIODEGRADABLE LEAF BAGS.

Grass and Leaf pick up will begin the last Wednesday of March and end on the last Wednesday of December. Place bags at curb the night before for pick up. Grass/leaves will only be picked up in paper biodegradable bags. Plastic bags will NOT be picked up. Grass/leaves can also be taken to the Recycling Center. Leaves cannot be raked or blown to the curb or roadway.

LEAF BAGS AVAILABLE: RESIDENTS WILL BE ENTITLED TO 20 BAGS WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP AT THE RECYCLE CENTER IN NOVEMBER.

• Leaf bags are currently available for November while supplies last

• Bags will be given out during Recycle Yard normal business Hours

• A coupon is required to pick up the bags

• Bags will be given out while supplies last

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Recycling Center

Hours (eff. 10/2020)

• Monday closed

• Tuesday 6am-1:45pm

• Wednesday closed

• Thursday 11am-6:45pm

• Friday closed

• Saturday- 7am- 2:45pm

"How Do I Know if It's Recyclable?"

Download the Recycle Coach app or login into their website for all your recycling needs!
https://recyclecoach.com

Road Repairs

Many roadways within the borough are being crack filled to increase pavement life and serviceability. This is a preventive maintenance to prevent water from entering asphalt layers and creating future potholes. Cracks are inevitable and neglect leads to accelerated cracking and many long-term problems. Our public works department takes great pride in maintaining safe roads for our borough residents.

Contact Us

• Department of Public Works

• 110 Main Street, Middlesex NJ 08846

• 732-968-1603 | dpw@middlesexboro-nj.gov

• https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/public-works

Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns.

Community Pool

See You Next Summer!

The Middlesex Community Pool and The Swim Pool Commission would like to thank everyone who believed in us this summer. We are thankful to have been open this year. That we were able to bring some normalcy to the community. We look forward to seeing you all next summer here at the pool. Application for Middlesex Borough Residents will be mailed out around March 1, 2021. Applications for Non-Residents will be mailed out around May 1, 2021.

Please spread the word about your experience at the Middlesex Community Pool. Visit our Facebook page!

Library

Our doors may be closed, but that doesn’t mean we are!

The Library has lots of fun things going on virtually – and some in person – for the entire community to enjoy! Keep an eye on our website for the most up to date information on reopening procedures and Covid-19 related library services. And most of all – stay safe and healthy!

Walkup/Pickup Service

Our Walkup/Pickup service is now running 5 days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays 10am-5pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays, 10am-8pm; and Fridays 10am – 5pm. Call us at (732) 356-6602 or email us at reference@middlesexlibrarynj.org with your requests: books, audiobooks, DVDs, or a combination! We will pull and check out any of your requests that we have in house, and call or email you when they are ready for pickup. Pickup is in the Community Room vestibule – please wear a mask and bring your ID.

Not sure what to choose? Let our experienced Reference Librarians help! Fill out the Reader’s Advisory form at and our librarians will choose several items based on your likes and dislikes. http://www.middlesexlibrarynj.org/digital-resources/readers-advisory

Or, browse our new books, DVDs, and other selections online at our Virtual Bookshelves! Go ahead, judge a book by its cover – you can view them all here: http://www.middlesexlibrarynj.org/surf-our-shelves

We also offer printing and copy services at our Walkup/Pickup area – email documents to be printed to printers@middlesexlibrarynj.org, or come in person with your documents to be copied. Only black and white copies/prints, $0.20 per page.

Notary service is offered at Walkup/Pickup Mondays-Wednesdays at $2 per signature. Please call in advance to ensure notary is in the building.

Program Updates

To keep our community safe at this time, the majority of our programs are virtual – but don’t think you’ll be able to zone out while staring at a computer screen! Our children’s programs with Miss Mo, Miss Kristin, and Miss Theresa are so engaging and energetic, you will feel like you are there with us!

We’ve got weekly programs and some super cool special events – check out the entire lineup here: http://www.middlesexlibrarynj.org/kids/

We also have some socially distanced, in person programs up our sleeves – pop up libraries and storytimes outside, weather permitting! Our Facebook page will announce these last-minute pop up programs a week or so in advance, so make sure you follow us on social media!

Facebook: facebook.com/middlesexlibrarynj
Instagram: instagram.com/middlesexlibrarynj

Touch-a-Truck 2021 is in the Works!

Last Fall, the Library and the Middlesex DPW ran the first annual, very successful, Touch-A-Truck program, combining STEM learning with hands on activities with our DPW staff and their equipment! Covid won’t stop our second annual Touch-a-Truck – we are working on creating an even bigger and better event for the Spring or Summer, once it is safe for our friends to come interact in person again!

Keep your eyes peeled on our website at http://www.middlesexlibrarynj.org/touch-a-truck/ for the most up to date news on when the second annual Touch-a-Truck will occur – you won’t want to miss it!

Police

Middlesex Police Establish an Internet Exchange Zone

Chief Matthew P. Geist announced that the Middlesex Police Department has established an Internet Exchange Zone in the parking lot at police headquarters. Signs establishing the Internet Exchange Zone will identify the two parking spaces in the police department’s parking lot that comprise the safe zone.  The zone will be monitored by a dedicated video surveillance camera.  The move comes in response to increasing incidents of violence, fraud and thefts by deception involving transactions and exchanges that are associated with online marketplaces.

“Our goal is to create a place that promotes safer transactions between individuals making sales, purchases or exchanges with total strangers.  We urge our residents to use this zone or to use our police department’s lobby to conduct these types of transactions” said Chief Geist. 

The Middlesex Police Department will not provide police personnel to witness or monitor the transactions and thus the Borough of Middlesex and the Middlesex Police Department will make no guarantees, assurances or promises as to the safety or security of any in-person transactions that may take place on borough property. However, the presence of video surveillance cameras and the proximity to police personnel should combine to create a safer environment for both buyers and sellers. Should you have any questions or require clarification regarding the information provided, please contact Captain Frank DeNick at (732) 356-1900 extension 320.

Residents! Sign Up for Nixle Notifications and Alerts

Nixle allows the Police Department to send important, valuable community information directly to residents using the latest technology. Messages will be delivered by email, SMS/text message (cell phone), and over the World Wide Web.

Notifications may include crime related alerts, traffic advisories and other relevant safety and community event information. Nixle also enables citizens to submit anonymous tips to the police department to aid in crime fighting efforts. To learn more about Nixle and to sign up, please visit our web site at http://middlesexpd.com/nixle/.

Food Drive with Contactless Drop Off

The Middlesex Borough Police Department to host a FOOD DRIVE to support The Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS)

Chief Matthew P. Geist announced that the Middlesex Borough Police Department and local youth volunteers will be co-hosting a food drive. The food drive will run from October 15th through November 15th. The police department and local youth volunteers joined forces three years ago in support of M.C.F.O.O.D.S. and the partnership has been going strong ever since.

“The COVID-19 pandemic will nearly double the number of families that struggle to consistently put food on their tables.  Our job is clear – we must do whatever we can to help those in need and we ask you for your help.” said Chief Geist. 

All donations will benefit M.C.F.O.O.D.S. (The Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services). M.C.F.O.O.D.S. is a program that was created in 1994 and continues to support local residents in need. This organization provides nonperishable foods to over 140 partner organizations (food pantries, soup kitchens and social service agencies, etc.) across 25 towns in Middlesex County.

Donation boxes provide a “contactless” donation option and will be located at the Middlesex Borough Police Department, the SuperFood Fresh Supermarket of Middlesex and the Acme Market of Middlesex.

Items sought include non-perishable goods (canned or boxed foods, condensed milk, toiletries, diapers and wipes). Perishable, frozen and refrigerated foods, as well as glass jars and bottles, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Anyone who is interested in placing a donation box at their business, office, school, or building can contact Police Officer Joleen Auricchio by telephone at 732-356-1900 ext. 346 or by email at cp@middlesexpd.com.

Aging and Disabled Services

Ageless Grace and Chair Yoga have resumed with all safety precautions in place. 

Space is limited, please call in advance to reserve your spot: 732.356.0414.   

Send us your email address

We are in the process of gathering email addresses to virtually connect with our seniors.  If you or a loved one would like to get on our email distribution list please give us a call or email seniors@middlesexboro-nj.gov.

Medicare open enrollment is here!

Are you ready? We can help!  Beginning October 15, eligible seniors can apply to receive Medicare benefits or to re-evaluate your Part D to ensure you are on the right plan. Additionally, we can help you with Property Tax Reimbursements forms, Social Security issues, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled (PAAD)/Senior Gold, and LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program).   Please reach out to us at 732-356-0414 to schedule an appointment for assistance with any application and forms.    

Save money and get the best coverage!

It is worth taking time to compare.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

OCTOBER 15 - DECEMBER 7

A local Medicare counselor can:

• Help you compare your current Medicare health or drug plan with other Medicare plan choices

• Help you sign up for a new plan

• Help you avoid high-pressure sales tactics

To schedule an appointment, call 732-356-0414