NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
HEADLINES:
NEW GARBAGE CONTRACTOR
Starting July 1, 2008, garbage collection will be performed by a new
contractor, Scuffy Carting, LLC. The current schedule and amount of pick ups, as well as the policies and schedules for bulk and metal pick up, will remain the same. We only request that you abide by the collection policy of placing your garbage curbside after 6 p.m. the evening before your scheduled pick-up day. Because this is a new carting company, you can expect that the exact time they collect garbage on your collection day may be different than what you are currently accustomed to. If you have any questions related to trash or recycling, please see the township web-site or Bloomfield BUZZ Newsletter for all policies and regulations. Thank you for your cooperation.
WEEKLY SUMMER CRUISE NIGHTS
The Bloomfield Center Alliance is sponsoring its 8th Annual SUMMER CRUISE NIGHTS  featuring Classic and Custom cars every Wednesday in June, July and August on Broad Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come out and join the fun!
WEEKLY SUMMER FARMERS' MARKET
The Bloomfield Center Alliance is sponsoring its 6th Annual FARMERS' MARKET every Thursday from June 19 through October 30 at VENNER PARK from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a concert band every other Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. beginning June 19th. There will also be a "Healthy Lifestyle" demonstration on the alternate Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. beginning on June 26th, featuring local businesses, such as Powerhouse Gym, Starseed Yoga, and several martial arts studios.
DO A GOOD DEED!!
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to deliver groceries to elderly and disabled Bloomfield residents. The time commitment is approximately one hour per week. If interested, please contact Paula Peikes, LCSW of the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services at (973) 680-4019. Thank you.
REGISTER TO VOTE
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.
DIGITAL TV CONVERSION
Bloomfield Residents: Are You Ready for The Analog to Digital Television Conversion on February 17, 2009? Please click on the Following Website for answers to the questions that you may have and to receive a TV converter box coupon. Analog to Digital TV Conversion
PRESS RELEASE: PARKING GARAGE
The Bloomfield Parking Authority recently adopted a resolution identifying the Lackawanna Parking Lot and the adjacent properties as the best location for a parking garage designed to serve the needs of the commuters, shoppers and residents in downtown Bloomfield. This location, which was identified by the public during a series of open public hearings conducted by the Mayor & Council and by the Parking Authority's professional parking consultant, should effectively address many of the parking issues currently affecting our downtown.
"Parking has been an issue in Bloomfield for as long as I can remember," said Chairman John Generazio. "The construction of a parking garage is the only solution." "Since the garage will last for decades to come, it is important that we construct it in the best possible location. This is the location that has beenidentified by the vast majority of residents and our professional consultant, and we are confident that this block is the best possible location for this project."
When asked about the Board's request for the power to use eminent domain, Chairman Generazio added "Eminent domain is a last resort. We will work cooperatively with every property owner on this block. We recognize that this has been a long and difficult road, but, at the direction of the Mayor and Council, we intend to change the way things are done. We need to build a garage, and we need to build it at this location. We also want and need the property owners to participate in the process. We believe all of these things can be achieved in a meaningful way among reasonable people. We were disappointed by recent newspaper articles, which we believe misrepresented our intentions."
The Parking Authority is in the process of sending out letters to all affected property owners and has already spoken with several such property owners. Representatives of the Parking Authority will meet with every single property owner, make a list of thier concerns and ultimately provide a comprehensive plan constructing a new parking deck. Chairman Generazio stated "we are confident that, at the end of this process, the current property owners will feel that they were dealt with fairly and resasonably, and anyone who drives through or parks in downtown Bloomfield will have a better experience.
ATTENTION--NEW 2-HOUR PARKING RESTRICTIONS
This is to inform you of the new Township Ordinance establishing 2-HOUR Parking, Monday-Friday, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for the areas listed below:
-
ARCH STREET (Both Sides) Entire Length
-
HINRICHS PLACE (Both Sides) JFK Dr. S. to Dodd St.
-
MYRTLE ST.(Both Sides) JFK Dr. S. to Orange & Dodd St.
-
WILLOW STREET (Both Sides) JFK Dr. S. to Orange St.
Residents of the above-listed streets will be exempt from this restriction as Long as they posses the required Township permit. Resident Parking Permits may be obtained at the Record Bureau of the Bloomfield Police Department, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. permits may also be obtained at the Mobile Police Command Center, located in the Myrtle Street parking lot, available Monday, November 12th through Tuesday, November 20th, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Proof of residency is required. Once a valid permit is obtained, the holder of such shall affix it to the driver's side rear passenger window of their vehicle. Please notify tenants (if any) of this new regulation. Residents having questions or concerns regarding this ordinance, may contact the Record Bureau at (973) 680-4105.
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.
JOIN THE CERT TEAM
 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.
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
SENIOR
DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE COMES TO BLOOMFIELD
The Township of Bloomfield began its Senior Dial-A-Ride Service on September 29, 2003. The
Township, along with the Bloomfield Board of Recreation,
is very pleased to have this service available
for our growing senior citizen population and handicapped
residents. The service makes it easier for those seniors who have
no means of transporting themselves to necessary doctor
and dentist appointments. While medical appointments
are given priority scheduling, the senior citizens,
along with our handicapped population, are eligible
for this service for other necessary transportation
needs. Those needs could include a trip to the
cemetery, the library, a nursing home or hospital
to visit a sick friend or relative or any of a number
of other destinations in Essex County.
This
Municipal transportation enhancement comes through
the joint efforts of Congressman Bill Pascrell and
the Essex County Office on Aging along with New Jersey
Transit. This Grant is part of the new working
relationship between the Mayor, Congressman Pascrell
and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. This
cooperation is part of the plan by the Mayor and Council
in their commitment to improving the quality of life
for the residents of Bloomfield. This Dial-A-Ride
bus is just the beginning of what will be a long line
of improvement issues that the Mayor and Council have
on their agenda.
As
one might expect, there are certain limitations to
the rides that will be offered. The most important
factor for the citizens to note is that 3
days notice will be required for scheduling the needed
ride. Arrangements and information
can be obtained through the Board of Recreation at
(973) 566-7194.
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 |
