Maplewood Township Committee considers temporary soccer practice lights
Solar towers could extend Tuesday and Thursday practices at Milo S. Borden Park as daylight fades, if nearby residents receive notice and the equipment is secured.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — discussion and presentation, township considers driveway-blocking parking enforcement changes, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The Maplewood Township Committee heard how the club would keep children walking safely after practice while preventing anyone from turning on the lights late at night.
Daylight is running out before soccer practice ends. The Maplewood Township Committee discussed a Cougar Soccer Club proposal to use temporary, solar-powered light towers at Milo S. Borden Park. The plan focuses on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, when travel teams practice. The mayor described lights running until about 7:00 p.m. in September and about 6:45 p.m. in October. No vote was taken.
The club president said the rented towers would stand roughly 15 to 20 feet high at the park’s corners. Trainers would turn them on and off, and the club was considering timers so children would have enough light to leave safely. The club president said the solar towers would be quieter than gas-powered equipment and might be used through late October or mid-November. Wheel locks would keep the towers from being easily moved, and the club would carry insurance and address liability with the township.
Nearby backyards abut the park, so the Maplewood Township Committee asked for notices showing photographs of the proposed setup. The club president offered to hand-deliver flyers with contact information and post signs on the towers. Committee members emphasized that the lights must not be available for late-night use. The Maplewood Township Committee supported a pilot with notification and safeguards, and the mayor said staff would work with the club president on the notice.
Township considers driveway-blocking parking enforcement changes
The Maplewood Township Committee discussed driveway-blocking complaints after a resident described waiting about an hour and a half for police when a vehicle blocked their driveway. The resident said the dispatcher dismissed the concern. The discussion focused on a difficult distinction: a car can make it hard to pull out without sitting fully across the driveway.
Participants said Title 39 limits police enforcement unless a vehicle physically blocks a driveway. They described bumpers extending over the curb line and narrow driveways where a larger vehicle may struggle to get through. Yellow curb paint or a marked buffer could discourage close parking, but participants questioned whether either measure would be enforceable without changing the township ordinance.
The Maplewood Township Committee discussed a street study that would look at traffic volume, accidents and related factors. Participants raised a possible one-foot or two-foot parking setback near driveways, but no change was decided. Narrow frontages and households with multiple vehicles add to the parking constraints.
Township Committee weighs historic-review comment letter
The Maplewood Township Committee discussed supporting the Historic Preservation Commission’s request to preserve local and public input on federally funded or approved projects affecting historic resources. The mayor said proposed federal rules could reduce that input and that a resolution would be prepared for the next meeting; no vote was taken.
Federal reviews can cover projects such as cell towers and transportation work that affect historic resources.
Public Safety Committee reviews school crossing request
The Maplewood Township Committee Public Safety Committee discussed a resident’s request for a crossing guard near a school. Police described how they review school walking routes, observe where students cross during the first weeks of school and reconsider guard locations with the school district. An updated guard schedule is posted.
Families can use the posted schedule to find guarded crossings when planning a student’s walk.
Township Committee publicizes flea market and fundraiser
The Maplewood Township Committee heard Dean Dafis promote a flea market in Maplewood Village and an Oyster Fest fundraiser. He said the flea market would offer shopping and activities, while Oyster Fest would support efforts to fight melanoma.
Residents have two community events to consider, including one that raises money for melanoma efforts.
Mayor flags meeting change and transit disruption
At the Maplewood Township Committee meeting, the mayor announced there would be no meeting October 6 and warned of October train service impacts from a one-track bridge closure. The mayor said the change would affect trips from Maplewood and also announced community events, a business anniversary and a cleanup.
Residents planning October travel or a visit to a Township Committee meeting may need to adjust.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Maplewood had 27 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEElected official report: senior services and Arts & Culture program listings. Committee member Jane Collins Colding listed upcoming senior services and Arts & Culture programs, including Zumba Gold starting September 28, senior center open house, Essex County Senior Wellness Day, senior movie day, cooking classes, acoustic jam sessions, open mic sessions, auditions, and multiple recreation programs and tournaments.
- GOVERNANCEReject bid for Woodland project (roof/doors/siding) due to cost exceeding budget; rebid planned. The Township Administrator reported on action labeled 316-26 to reject the single bid received for the Woodland project because it exceeded the budget. The project will be revised and rebid, with an expected delay of about 1.5 to 2 months; Woodland bookings and election use were discussed.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comment (agenda items): voter registration and League of Women Voters activities. During the first public comment period, multiple speakers affiliated with the League of Women Voters discussed voter registration, voting rights history, and upcoming voter education activities including tables at community events, letters to new residents, and candidate forums/debates.
- GOVERNANCEIllegal fireworks complaints and public guidance on what is allowed. Officials discussed a resident email about illegal fireworks and impacts on dogs. The Police Department encouraged residents to call when fireworks are heard and to provide location details, noted difficulty identifying aerial fireworks sources, and suggested social media posts clarifying what fireworks are legal in New Jersey versus illegal aerial types often purchased out of state.
- GOVERNANCEElected official report: pool season operations, doggy dip rescheduling, parks/fields maintenance, DeHart Field drainage tour, and SOMA shuttle planning. Deputy Mayor Malia Herman reported on pool closing decisions and staffing constraints, doggy dip rescheduling due to Rosh Hashanah, updates on Maplecrest Park playground fencing, DeHart Field drainage work, ballfield maintenance concerns and hiring, and progress on a joint SOMA shuttle study with South Orange and Seton Hall.
- GOVERNANCEPolice Activity and Crime Statistics Update (June/July data; two-month reporting delay). The committee reviewed police activity statistics, noting a reported 47.83% decrease in major crime for June compared to the prior year and discussing July crime totals and trends. The Police Chief described July incidents (including burglaries and auto thefts), emphasized that many auto thefts involved unlocked cars with keys inside, and discussed possible reasons for overall reductions.
- GOVERNANCEPolice board reports on reviews and plans public outreach. The Community Board on Police described its reviews of use-of-force incidents and internal affairs investigations, along with its work with police leadership on data. The board is planning a League of Municipalities presentation and discussed a future public-facing report or event.
- GOVERNANCEPolice training and interagency engagement; resiliency officer initiative. Officials reviewed ongoing police training visibility and discussed a law enforcement meet-and-greet at Kean University focused on partnerships, information sharing, and campaigns. The Chief described the state resiliency officer initiative and reported sending two additional officers to become resiliency officers, with two officers now on staff in that role.
- GOVERNANCEEarly morning walkers request for police presence (5:00 a.m.). Officials followed up on a prior request for police presence for early morning walkers around 5:00 a.m. The Police Department reported sending midnight patrols and using visible presence (e.g., shining lights) and had not received additional feedback.
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