NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
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LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES AND NEW JERSEY STATE GOVERNMENT (Copy of the 2011 brochure as a PDF) http://www.njslom.org/SG-Property_Taxes.html
OK TO LEAVE GRASS CLIPPINGS ON LAWN: "CUT IT AND LEAVE IT" Under a new "Cut It and Leave It" program, the Township now encourages you to cut your grass and leave it on the lawn to help fertilize it and retain moisture. This process is also known as "Grasscycling", meaning a natural recycling of grass clippings. Grasscycling saves time and money, as you no longer have to purchase and fill biodegradable bags for grass, the lawn stays healthier, it lowers your need to fertilize by up to 30%, and it reduces the trucking and resulting fuel use and pollution for collecting the bags. For more information, see our Grasscycling page. Landscapers are also encouraged to grasscycle properly. ESSEX COUNTY WELFARE MOBILE OFFICE VAN The Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services is proud to announce the arrival of the Essex County Welfare Mobile Office Van. The Van will be stationed at Bloomfield Town Hall. Applications can be processed for Food Stamp Program; Medicaid Programs (i.e. Family Care); Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and other helpful programs. To inquire about obtaining an appointment or for more information, please contact the Bloomfield Human Services Division at 973-680-4017.
DO A GOOD DEED!! The Municipal Clerk, Louise M. Palagano, has announced that residents interested in registering to vote should visit her office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Room 214 of the Municipal Building.
DO YOU HAVE A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? Help is available if you live in Essex County. The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) of New Jersey has opened a Resource Center in Bloomfield, staffed by parents and professionals who have received omprehensive training in special education law. For more information, please call (973) 680-4017 and ask to speak with a SPAN Resource Parent. PROCEDURE FOR ISSUING CONTINUING CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY Substantial evidence exists that there are a significant number of properties in the Township of Bloomfield which are not used in accordance with zoning regulations governing the zone in which those properties are located. For example, Township employees have become aware that some two-family residences in the R-2A and R-2B Two-Family Zones have been converted to three-family, and even four-family dwellings. Another example is the use of residentially zoned properties for office use, either exclusively or as a mixed The Township believes that it is in the interest of all residents of Bloomfield that such properties be identified and subjected to review by the Zoning Board of Adjustment to determine whether they are legal non-conforming uses or illegal uses. The goal is to ensure that all uses in the Township conform to zoning regulations, as required by the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1, et seq. One method of identifying properties being used in a manner not permitted by the Township Zoning Ordinance is to require zoning verification upon the sale of a property or a change in its use, since these events require an application to the Township for the issuance of a Certificate of Continuing Occupancy. The Township has, therefore, implemented a procedure whereby all applications for Certificates of Continuing Occupancy will be reviewed by the Township Zoning Officer to verify that the use of the property conforms to the regulations of the zone where the property is located. If the use complies with the zone requirements, the Zoning Officer will approve the Certificate. If the use does not comply, then the owner will be required to submit an application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking approval of the non-permitted use. There are two methods that the Board of Adjustment can utilize to approve a non-permitted use. One is by the issuance of a Certificate of Non-Conformity. The procedure and standards for determining whether a use can be approved by the issuance of a Certificate of Non-Conformity are set forth in the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-68. In simplistic terms, to obtain a Certificate of Non-Conformity the property owner must prove three things to the Board of Adjustment: (1) When the use in questions became illegal; (2) that the use in questions existed on the property before it was made illegal; and (3) that the use was never abandoned or changed. If the property owner is able to prove these facts to the satisfaction of the Board of Adjustment , it will be issued a Certificate of Non-Conformity, which will permit the use to continue as a pre-existing, non-conforming use. (If the application for the Certificate is made within one year of the adoption of the Ordinance making the use illegal, the Certificate can be issued by the Zoning Officer rather than by the Board of Adjustment.) The second method is invoked only if the property owner cannot prove that the questioned use pre-existed the adoption of the Ordinance which made the use illegal. In that case, the owner will need to apply to the Board of Adjustment for a use variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55DD-70(d). Use variances are not easily obtained. Of course, the property owner can choose to discontinue the non-permitted use and convert the property to a use permitted in the Zone. We recommend consultation with an attorney should an application for a Certificate of Continued Occupancy be denied because the use of the property is not permitted under the Zoning Ordinance. The Township understands that, like many other new procedures, residents of Bloomfield initially may be inconvenienced by having to secure approval from the Board of Adjustment in order to sell or lease their property. However, once residents and their attorneys come to understand the new requirements, and realize that elimination of illegal uses benefits all residents, we expect that any potential disruption and delay will be minimized. We thank you for your understanding and patience. PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE It has come to the attention of the Bloomfield Health Department that members of the community are feed the ducks and wildlife in local parks and on Township property. We understand the joy this brings to children and adults, but the Health Department is asking Bloomfield residents to refrain from feeding the ducks or any activity which leaves food on the ground. This activity is creating a problem with feces in the parks that children play in and is also causing rodent problems.
CERT teams were initially formed in Los Angeles in the mid 1980's to assist first responders after earthquakes. There are currently 200,000 trained CERT members in the United States. The Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland predicts that 1 million Americans will be trained by the end of 2004. Members of Police, Fire and EMS teach CERT team members how to protect their homes first, their neighborhood next and finally their community. CERT team members undergo 22 hours of training and then participate in advanced training and exercises annually. The Township's Office of Emergency Management offers a CERT training program which is comprised of 9 - 2½ hour classes, that consist of seven Tuesday evening classes over a 7-week period with a Saturday class at the beginning and end of the program. Should the Office of Emergency Management receive an overwhelming response, an additional class on Thursdays may also be added. CERT Coordinator David Hoibak would like to encourage our Township's citizens to apply for what he stated is "a most rewarding experience". Applications to become a member of a CERT team are now available at the Mayor's Office located in the Law Enforcement Building, The Fire Prevention Bureau, located on the second floor of Fire Headquarters, the Recreation Department in the Civic Center or by calling 973-680-4177. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doreen Butler, Public Information Officer, (973) 680-4177
Keep Bloomfield Beautiful! To Report Child Abuse or Neglect in NJ: 1-877-NJ ABUSE Make the Call, Help A Child, Toll Free, 24 Hours/Day, 7 Days/Week |
Captain Fred Menzel,the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Township has announced the continuation of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Bloomfield's first CERT team, which consisted of 11 members and graduated on December 1, 2003, became the first CERT team established in Essex County.