Woodbridge is finding ways to turn garbage into gold–1.8 million dollars to be exact. Mayor John E. McCormac recently announced plans to share services in trash collection and disposal with the Borough of Carteret. This is three year deal in which the Woodbridge Department of Public works will provide 12 sanitation employees and four trash trucks to dispose of Carteret’s trash on Monday and Tuesday. In return, Carteret’s Mayor Daniel J. Reiman will arrange for its public works employees to pick up trash in Woodbridge. This plan will allow the township to increase resources by combining public services. The deal will add 1.8 Million dollars to the Woodbridge treasury and save Carteret taxpayers $300,000. “I don’t see the difference. Garbage gets picked up regardless. But saving 1.8 million dollars. That’s good budgeting,” says Bertram, a Woodbridge resident.
I also did not detect a difference. I leave for school in the mornings around the same time the garbage truck turns the corner onto my block. I did not see anything new, but can also appreciate more money being added to the town. For more info Click Here.
The children come out to play. They ride bikes. They play tag. They bring a sense of vitality to the Woodbridge neighborhood consisting primarily of senior citizens. These children seem to have come out of nowhere, but now that they have arrived it is easy to see that the demographics of my community may be changing. I have noticed an increase in the number of children in the neighborhood. It may be because of the warmer weather. But when I first moved to the neighborhhood there were not many young people. Most of the residents appeared to be retired, with children who most likely had grown up and moved away. Now, on my way home from school, ,I see more young people out on the streets. This suggests that older residents may be moving out and being replaced by younger residents with young children. This of course, pertains to my block only. In any case, Woodbridge has made efforts to provide educational events and recreational activities for its young people with, “Youth Month”. It is a two-month “celebration” consisting of several events including an opportunity for young writers to read their compositions at the Barron Arts center and a Woodbridge Idol talent competition. For more information Click Here
With the quiet blow of the wind comes a heavy, “industrial” stench–don’t bother holding your breath. The smell of factory smoke in Woodbridge can arrive in currents-without warning, seeping under the door, filling the room, and remaining until one contemplates opening a window to air it all; but that would be of no help.
Occasionally, these currents of foul air arrive and make breathing even outside uncomfortable. There is one factory I can see far off in the distance from my bedroom window. But I do not know where exactly the source of the scent comes from or how safe it is to breathe in. New Jersey is notorious for a skyline billowing with gray smoke. And occasionally one must deal with the waft of a stinky smell intermingled with the breeze, even in the small, clean town of Woodbridge.
”It can be annoying. When I’m on my way home I smell it sometimes and I have no idea where it comes from. It’s probably safe but its unfortunate we have to breathe that stuff in anyway,” said one resident.
New Jersey’s Air Quality Awareness Week begins April 30th through the fourth. This time is set aside for residents to pay closer attention to what we put out into the atmosphere, and what we breathe in. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website offers information on how residents can do simple things at home to improve the quality of air in their communities. For more info click here: (http://www.state.nj.us/dep/aqaweek/tips.htm).
One morning I wake up to the sound of shrieking, a kind of yelping noise that moves me out of bed. Slug-footed, I follow the crying to my window where I find a dirty, cream cat staring back at me with one good eye. Recently, I have noticed a slight increase in stray cats furtively crossing streets, sitting unperturbed in alleyways, and perching near the shed in my backyard.
This is far from an epidemic. The streets of Woodbridge Township are not crawling with fearless, bug-eyed felines. My observations pertain specifically to the area surrounding my block. But other neighbors have noticed the increase as well.
When asked whether or not the cats were a problem, one neighbor said, “Yes, and they’re having babies. I see the younger ones in my backyard.” They become a real problem when she walks her dog because they are not afraid. She believes the number of strays have increased with each year.
While the cats I’ve seen may not be getting the home they look for, Woodbridge Housing Authority and the Health Department’s Animal Control Staff have partnered to create the senior “Adopt a Cat Program.” These cats are meant to offer a sense of companionship for the elderly. Adoption fees, which were usually $25.00, are now $5.00 for seniors. For more info on pet adoption in Woodbridge click here: http://members.petfinder.org/%7ENJ254/
Mayor of Woodbridge, John E. McCormac confirmed that New Jersey Transit will be a partner in the second phase of the township’s plan to revamp its business district.
Woodbridge Township’s “visioning plan” includes a study that will identify areas of traffic congestion and parking resources that will encourage business and increase transportation accessibility for residents.
Mayor McCormac believes new parking options offered by the proposed plan will encourage people to use nearby trains. Because of this Woodbridge may even receive funds from New Jersey Transit.
If you would like to read more about this topic check here:Â Â http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/mainstreetvisioningstudy.htmlÂ
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Woodbridge officials have high hopes for the township’s downtown business district. Senator Joseph Vitale served as interim Mayor for Woodbridge Township for four months, after the death of Mayor Frank. G Pelzman. During this period he helped obtain a 50,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community affairs, money that is now slated to help revitalize the downtown area of the township.
Senator Vitale hopes the Main Street Business district will lead to the renovation and restoration of historic buildings. The improvement of storefronts and new living opportunities above the storefronts.
“…the downtown area should always look to reinvent itself form time to time as an ongoing process of study, said Senator Vitale in reaction to the proposed plan.
Though Vitale is not working directly with development plan now, he says he will assist the local governing body in obtaining additional grants for other projects.
 If you want to read more about this article check here: http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/mainstreetvisioningstudy.html
The “visioning plan” for Woodbridge township is well on its way to becoming a reality. Since the last article I posted the Municipal Council officially approved the township’s use of the New York based architectural firm, Argest and Gandelsonas.
The first phase of the transit -oriented plan includes three community based meetings. Mayor McCormac finally confirmed that the first meeting will start in June. Residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions about the use of a 50,000 grant given to the township by the New Jersey Department of Community affairs.
If you would like to read more about this story click here: http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/WDBG_NEWS/mainstreetvisioningstudy.html
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It’s the middle of the day and the lights in the store front of Pavilion Mortgage are dim again. The brand new business wedged between two beauty salons and an empty Greek restaurant used to be a lady’s shoe store only a few months ago. While it is still to early to tell if this business will suffer the same fate as it predecessor–the odds are high along Main Street.
Woodbridge officials hope the concept of a “transit village” will help revitalize the township’s Main Street business district.
The “Visioning Plan” financed through a $50,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, will focus on issues ranging from traffic and parking, to zoning and economic revitalization.
The Municipal Council is expected to approve the New York-based architectural firm of Agrest and Gandelsonas to develop a Transit-Oriented Development Vision Plan for the area.
The first phase of the effort to develop a Transit-Oriented Development Vision Plan will be to hold discussions with business owners and residents. The process will include three community-based visioning meetings within five months that will seek public input and comment on the overall future of the area.
For more information on Woodbridge’s plans check here: http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1175576103253290.xml&coll=1
Woodbridge Township raised a 4-foot-6-inch flag at town hall in recognition of autism awareness for the month of April.
Woodbridge is the first in the state of New Jersey to fly the autism awareness flag. Mayor John E. McCormac held the flag-raising ceremony before the Township Council meeting on March 27th.
The Program for the Advancement of Children’s Education– (PACE) runs a summer program for children throughout the township who have autism as well as other disorders.
PACE hosted its fourth annual Autism Awareness Program on April 2nd at Matthew Jago Elementary School No. 28.
The Autism Awareness/PACE fundraising event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 28 at the Java Moon Café.
To read more about Woodbridge’s flag click here:http://ws.gmnews.com/news/2007/0404/Front_Page/004.html
New Jersey, though notorious for its smoked filled sky line, and mysterious whiffs of factory smoke, took steps to address concerns over C02 emissions in the air; Woodbridge is one of several townships equipping their municipality fleet with cost efficient hybrid vehicles, and making a statement about where they stand on issues of the environment.
Woodbridge officials added 12 hybrid cars to the township’s fleet, its largest ever purchase of environment-friendly vehicles. Mayor John McCormac and the township environmental commission presented the new Ford Escape SUV’s during a meeting at town hall. The cars arrive officially in April and will be used by the township’s engineering and code inspection officers. Woodbridge also applied to be apart of the New Jersey Bio-Diesel Fuel Rebate Program which will help to make 139 of its vehicles run on biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel is a substitute made from renewable organic sources such as soy bean oil, usually blended with petroleum.
Other notable efforts have taken place in Highland Park with its “Green Challenge”, an initiative launched this month, which ties all of their environmental endeavors into one united effort. High land Park took several steps already to bring awareness to this cause. One such example can be seen with their municipal hall which operates under solar panels.
In the annual fifteen minute walk I make from my house to the Woodbridge train station everyday, I can’t help but have a greater appreciation for the environment, and even greater need for it to be at its best . I am excited about the steps some townships in New Jersey took towards going green. While, they are just small steps hopefully this attitude toward our environment will spread and we can make more of a national effort to decrease our dependency on foreign resources and protect our environment with cost efficient alternatives.
To read more about Highland Park’s efforts to go green check here: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/middlesex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1173591995133590.xml&coll=1
To read more about Woodbridge’s purchase of hybird cars check here: http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/117273017774610.xml&coll=1
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