September 2016 Allentown Borough Newsletter

From L to R. C Schmitt, C Strovinsky, C Anthony, Mayor Westfall, C Borkowski, C Stinemire, C Gavin

Mayor Westfall’s Message

Annual Fall Festival is October 8th-9th

Residents are reminded that the Annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Allentown Business Community Association, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th. The Fall Festival will feature quality artisans and crafters, a Civil War re-enactment camp, classic car show, live entertainment in the forms of music, dancing and clowns, a petting zoo, contests and more. Please come out and support our local businesses.

Traffic Study

The Mayor has contacted the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority requesting a traffic study specifically focused on the impact of traffic on the residents, businesses and historic district of Allentown Borough. Residents with concerns regarding traffic issues should contact me or attend one of the regular Borough Council meetings (2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month).

Handicapped Parking is Now Available at Borough Hall

Persons with handicaps may now park at Borough Hall. The parking space is located behind Borough Hall and adjoining the Borough building ramp for persons with handicaps.

Indian Run Dam

Monmouth County has requested a meeting with Allentown Borough officials regarding the Indian Run Dam located at the western end of the Borough along Church Street. The NJ Division of Dam Safety has rated the dam as in “poor” condition. The County is proposing a County-Borough agreement to investigate alternatives for the dam including its rebuilding to current dam safety standards, its decommissioning or removal.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Status

Dewberry, LLC has presented its preliminary engineering report to the Borough Utility Committee on September 8th. A meeting regarding permits was held with NJDEP on September 12th. Additional meetings are scheduled with NJDEP on September 29th. The current schedule shows a completion date for the plant upgrade by June 2018.

Senior Open House on September 14th

The Ad Hoc Committee for Seniors sponsored an open house at the Allentown United Methodist Church. Speakers covered public safety issues (see article in this newsletter) as well as services available from Meals on Wheels, Monmouth County Office for the Aging and Robbinsville Senior Center. Over 35 people attended. The next Seniors Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th at 10 a.m.

Energy Aggregation

The Borough Council, at their September 13th meeting, approved a resolution for the Borough to join the New Jersey Sustainable Energy Joint Meeting for the purpose of participating in the joint procurement of electric power and natural gas supplies. This initiative will be to reduce the costs of energy used at Borough-owned properties only, including the energy needs at the water and wastewater treatment facilities.

Public Safety, Phone Scams and Door to door Solicitation
By Lt. Dan Panckeri. OIC, Allentown Borough Police

Residents are reminded to keep their homes and cars locked.

Residents are warned to avoid responding to phone scams such as people representing the IRS and threatening them. Report this type of call to the Allentown Police.

Borough Code 4-2.3 states that “it shall be unlawful for any peddler, solicitor, distributor or transient merchant to sell, offer for sale or distribute merchandise, printed material or services within the Borough without first registering with the Borough Clerk…” A registration certificate is issued which identifies the person and the type of activity for which he is registered. Any solicitor should be requested to show their registration certificate.

Under Borough Code 4-2.3 does permit religious groups to approach a residence and attempt to “sell” their religious ideology. If they are asked to leave the residence they must do so immediately.

Also, please report suspicious activity IMMEDIATELY by calling 609-259-6300 or 911 in case of an emergency.

Volunteers

Citizens that are interested in volunteering for Borough Boards, Committees and Commissions should complete the Citizen Leadership Form which can be found at the Borough website at: Click on Clerk’s Office, then click on Applications and Forms.

Leaf Collection

Fall leaves will be collected Tuesday through Friday, commencing Tuesday, October 18, 2016 and will continue up through December (weather & manpower permitting). Residents may place loose leaves between the sidewalk and curb or if you live where there are no sidewalks or curbs, put the leaves close to the street. Also, if parking is allowed on the street in front of your house and there is no available room for the pile due to parked cars, please rake leaves to an area where the DPW crew will be able to gain access to them. If you feel that the DPW crew can miss the pile, please call Borough Hall at 609 259 3151 and inform us where the leaf pile has been placed.

  • Do not place leaves within 10 feet of a storm drain inlet, fire hydrant or intersection.
  • Do not mix branches/twigs with leaves, this can damage the leaf collection equipment.
  • Leaves cannot be co-mingled with brush.
  • Bagged leaves will not be picked up during this period, as the Borough will be utilizing the leaf vacuum.

REGULAR BRUSH PICK UP WILL BE COLLECTED ON MONDAYS

A reminder that plastic bags are no longer accepted. Brush is to be placed in paper bags or a container suitable for DPW to unload onto the back of the Borough dump truck. Branches no larger than 6” in diameter must be tied in bundles not more than 4ft long and not more than 50lbs in weight.

Commencing Tuesday, October 18, 2016

WEEK 1 - NORTH MAIN, PONDVIEW, PROBASCO, HENDRICKSON WAY, ALLEN, COATES, GRAHAM, ROBINSON, GREEN WAY, JOHNSON, GREENFIELD, WILBUR, HAMILTON, PEARL, MECHANIC & BROAD.

WEEK 2 - SOUTH MAIN, GORDON, CHURCH, WAKER, MAIDEN, LAKEVIEW, WALDRON, NOLAN, FARMER, QUINN, TWAIN SANDBURG, POE, NEW, YARDVILLE-ALLENTOWN, & HIGH.

Flu Clinic

On October 18thfrom 9:30AM to 11:00AM, the Monmouth County Health Department is hosting a Flu Clinic at the Allentown First Aid Building. The building is located at 70 Waker Avenue. Bring your insurance or Medicare card. If you have any questions, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456.

Voting Deadlines

October 18th is the deadline to apply to vote in the upcoming general election. November 1st is the deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot for the general election. Voting registration forms are available on our website at AllentownBoroNJ.com. Under Clerk’s Office and Applications and Forms. November 8th the polls are open from 6AM to 8PM.