Maplewood adopts disabled veteran tax exemption ordinance
The Township Committee gave final approval to Ordinance 4014-26, adding a new tax code article meant to clarify how disabled veteran exemptions work in Maplewood.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — final passage, public comment (first period) — excessive, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
With no public comment and every vote cast yes, the new ordinance now becomes Maplewood written policy on reciprocity for disabled veteran tax exemptions.
A tax rule got clearer this week.
The Township Committee adopted Ordinance 4014-26 on final passage, creating a new article in Chapter 248 of the Township Code titled “Disabled veteran tax exemption.” The stated goal was narrow and specific: clarify Township policy on reciprocity of exemptions. Before the vote, Mayor Victor De Luca opened a public hearing on the ordinance. No one spoke in person, and no one joining on Zoom asked to comment.
The ordinance had already been published on the Township website, with copies posted on the bulletin board at the Municipal Building and made available to the public as required by law. After the hearing closed, the committee moved to adopt it and directed the clerk to post the passed ordinance online and on the bulletin board. The measure passed by roll call vote, with every vote recorded as yes.
What changes next is procedural but important. Maplewood now has a dedicated article in its tax code spelling out its policy on disabled veteran exemptions and reciprocity. Fire residents who qualify, the immediate effect is not a new benefit described at the meeting, but a clearer local rule on how the Township will handle these exemptions.
Public comment (first period) — excessive parking, blocked driveways, speeding, and noise on a residential street near businesses
Parking complaints on one residential street kept coming back to access.
Residents told the Township Committee that from Thursday through Sunday, workers and customers from nearby businesses fill side streets, park too close to driveways, and sometimes block them for hours. Two dates came up repeatedly: March 10 and July 26. On both, residents said they called police when they could not get out, but no one responded. They described late-night engine revving, loud music, and speeding as a second problem.
Committee members said state law already bars parking in front of public or private driveways and said enforcement could start there. Mayor Victor De Luca said the Township would raise the issue with the police chief and review what happened on the dates residents cited. Officials pointed to one recent change — a curb painted yellow near Boyden — and said broader fixes, including speed humps, require a petition with 75 signatures and an engineering study.
The next step is a mix of enforcement and process. Residents said they believed they had already signed a petition nearly a year ago. Township officials said they had not received a completed one and urged neighbors to submit it, while promising more discussion at upcoming public safety and engineering meetings and at a Hilton meeting in October.
Field Road pothole complaints prompt process review
A resident said a large pothole and water dig-out on Field Road had been reported three times without a response. Township officials said Paul Kittner would be alerted and used the complaint to revisit how Maplewood tracks and follows up on New Jersey American Water roadwork issues.
A resident raised unresolved Field Road pothole and water dig-out problems and officials discussed response tracking.
Maplecrest playground nears opening
Patrick Wherry said the Maplecrest inclusive playground is close to completion after replacement swing sets caused a one-week delay. Bathrooms are expected next, then fencing and surface work, with an opening possible around the end of that week or the next after punch list items.
Maplecrest inclusive playground is nearing completion, with bathrooms, fencing, and surface work finishing soon.
Maplewood updates historic preservation notice rules
The Township Committee adopted Ordinance 4015-26 on final passage, changing how notice works for proposed historic district designations. Under the update, the nomination report will be made publicly available instead of mailed, while state-law notice requirements stay in place.
Final passage changed historic-district notice procedures by posting nomination reports instead of mailing them.
Health office reports meals, screenings, inspections
The health office reported that free summer meals run through August 14 and that the food access program is serving 40 households per day on Mondays and Thursdays. The update also covered a full dental van date on August 10, a rabies clinic on September 12, 24 disease investigations in July, 24 restaurant inspections, and 22 social services cases.
Health report included free meals ending August 14, food access, rabies clinic, and Cyclospora outbreak updates.
- Maplewood Township Committee (including Maplewood Board of Health segment). A resident reported a large pothole/water dig-out issue on Field Road and said multiple reports received no response. Officials directed the resident to contact Township Engineer Paul Kittner and discussed the Township’s reporting system, communications with New Jersey American Water, and the need for better tracking and follow-up.
- Maplewood Township Committee (including Maplewood Board of Health segment). A resident asked for clarification on consent agenda item 284-26, which was described as related to the New Jersey Association of Certified Health Officers. The discussion focused on accurately identifying the organization.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Maplewood had 14 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEDeputy Mayor report: pool membership, pool events, and summer concerts. The Deputy Mayor promoted August pool membership sales as a good deal, announced a float night on August 14, and provided updates on the Gazebo summer concert series with performances on August 7 (DJ Fozzy) and August 14 (Men of Soul), plus additional Maplewood Village events and open mic sessions.
- GOVERNANCETown expands age-friendly event planning. Officials described several age-friendly initiatives, including a partnership with MEND and SOMA Two Towns Ages for a free farmers market, cross-department planning under the NJ Age-Friendly Blueprint, and event accommodations such as tents, chairs, parking, and drop-off areas. The discussion also tied these efforts to larger event planning and future review of police and DPW event costs.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment (first period) — summer civics events at Maplewood Library. A resident announced a series of four summer civics events at the Maplewood Library community room (5:00–6:15), with sessions covering federal, state, county, and local government; the next session was scheduled for the following night on the state level.
- GOVERNANCEPickets liquor license transfer postponed. The Mayor announced that the person-to-person liquor license transfer for Pickets on Millburn Avenue was postponed and removed from the agenda. During public comment, prospective new owners asked about timing and whether the business could close without the transfer, and officials said a proper application and hearings are required.
- GOVERNANCEAppointment to Maplewood Arts Council: Jennifer McGlory. The Township Committee nominated and appointed Jennifer McGlory to the Maplewood Arts Council, with a term stated to end 12/31/2027. Ms. McGlory spoke briefly about her interest in arts, diversity of voices, and accessibility.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncement: cancellation of August 18 meeting; next meeting September 1. The Mayor announced the second August meeting that would normally occur on August 18 was canceled and advised the public not to attend. The next meeting was stated as September 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building.
- GOVERNANCEConsent item 11A approved after clarification. A resident asked for clarification about consent agenda item 284-26 and the organization named in it. Later, the Township Committee took a separate vote on item 11A, and it passed with one member abstaining.
- GOVERNANCEExtend meeting beyond 9:30 p.m.. The governing body approved a motion to continue the meeting beyond 9:30 p.m.
- GOVERNANCEEnter closed session (personnel; affordable housing; legal/contractual). The Township Committee voted to enter closed session under the Open Public Meetings Act to discuss personnel matters, affordable housing, and legal/contractual matters, then adjourned the public meeting with the intent to proceed directly to closed session.
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