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
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.