Welcome

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND SERVICES THE PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELED. MEMORIAL SERVICES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT 10 AM IN THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 414 HALL ON BERWYN PLACE.

• CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION OFFERS TIPS TO REDUCE CONFLICTS AND ENCOUNTERS WITH BEARS DURING ACTIVE SPRING PERIOD

  Even though overall bear sightings and encounters are declining again this year, New Jersey residents, particularly those living in "bear country'' in northwest New Jersey, are advised to take a few simple precautions this spring to reduce the risk of potential encounters.For more details see the attached flyer.

• RECYCLING AND TRASH COLLECTION ON MEMORIAL DAY There will not be Trash or Recycling Collection on Memorial Day Monday May 27. Trash will be collected on Saturday May 25 and recycling will be collected on Sunday June 2. For more details on the rescheduled Recycling see the attached flyer.

• TRENTON WATER WORKS CUSTOMERS The Trenton Water works was recently notified by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection of a drinking water violation. This water quality did not create an emergency. The City of Trenton is obligated to notify customers of the actions necessary to correct the problem. See the attached for the complete Trenton Water Works notice and the letter from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection with more details.

• Budget Presentation from Joint Budget Hearing with the Lawrence Township Board of Education on March 21, 2013.

• COMPOST SITE SATURDAY HOURS Compost and double ground wood chips are available free of charge to all Lawrence Township residents and are available at the Township Ecological Facility, located at 3701 Princeton Pike, just south of Fackler Road. The compost site will be open Saturdays for the season beginning April 6, 2013. Saturday hours of operation are 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• 2013 Budget introduced at the Council meeting on March 19, 2013.

• Road Work: See attached for details about roadwork on Route I in the vicinity Quakerbridge Mall vicinity that will impact traffic beginning on or about April 8. (posted 4.4.13)

• Important information regarding Homestead Rebates: Gov. Christie announced in his Budget Address that homestead rebates for New Jersey residents will be delayed until August this year.

• Presentation from the March 5, 2013 Council meeting.

• The Lawrence Township Police Department’s main number, 896-1111, is now connected to an automated recorded message. If your call is an emergency or requires immediate attention, you can press “0” or hang up and call 911. Otherwise, the recorded message will provide you with a listing of police department numbers. If you do not choose a prompt, your call will be transferred to the police communication center.

• Please be advised that as of the week of May 20, Professional Property Appraisers continue to be inspecting in the area from south of Interstate 95 in addition to Liberty Green and Lawrence Square Village. If you have any questions, you may contact theTax Assessor's office at 609-844-7040. (updated Monday 5.20-13)

• Lawrence Township Revaluation
  A revaluation is a program undertaken by a municipality to appraise all real property to its fair market value and spread the tax burden equitably throughout the municipality. The Township has scheduled several open public meetings to present and answer questions regarding the revaluation process. For more details about the dates, times and locations of these meetings please use this link. Please see detailed presentations from Professional Property Appraisers and Lawrence Township. You may also go to the New Jersey Association of Certified Tax Boards website at www.njactb.org for more information and to find a property records search database.

• Please use the following links (identification 1, identification 2, identification 3) to access photograph identification cards of the Field Representatives who will be visiting homes to do tyhe evaluation.

• Important information from FEMA regarding assistance for disaster assistance resulting from Hurricane Sandy can be obtained from the attached flyer (also in Spanish). You can also use this checklist as a guide for how to receive assistance.

• Please see FOP contract presentation and the dispatch services presentation discussed at the Township Council meeting of January 8th.

• The Lawrence Township Police Department is currently accepting applications for School Traffic Guards. Please see attached flyer for more information.

• Best Practices Worksheet CY2012/SFY2012.

• Please see information on State Court Tax Appeals and County Board Tax Appeals.

• New Jersey Department of Transportation will be conducting a trial Pilot Project on Route US 1 for Left and U-Turn Restrictions. Please see attached document for details.

• LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP 2011 REPORT OF AUDIT: The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 has been submitted and accepted by the Lawrence Township Council. The 2011 CAFR contained no negative findings or recommendations on the fiscal activity of the Lawrence Township municipal government. See full the report Financial Audit for 2011.

• A Police Staffing Study was completed June 2011 by the Matrix Consulting Group. See Attached.

• Township of Lawrence 2011 to 2012 Assessment Change Data.

• The New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency has announced the "New Jersey HomeKeeper Program" funded through a grant from United States Treasury's Hardest Hit Fund. The program offers financial help to homeowners who are in danger of losing their home as a direct result of unemployment or underemployment. It provides assistance in the form of a second mortgage loan whereby the proceeds may be used to cover arrearages and/or an approved amount of the homeowner's monthly mortgage payment, including property taxes, property insurance, and mortgage insurance. Program details are available online at www.njhomekeeper.gov or the toll-free HomeKeeper call center at (855)-NJ-KEEP-1.

• Foreclosure Fast Facts: A 2-page listing of assistance, numbers to call and general assistance, including counseling agencies experienced in foreclosure: www.nj.gov/dca/hmfa/foreclosureprevention_resources.pdf

• The NJ HOPE (Home Ownership Preservation Effort) website provides information about resources that are available for homeowners who are delinquent in their mortgage payments, need counseling or have questions: www.state.nj.us/dobi/njhope

• Caring for trees...click for information.

• Effective January 1, 2011, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is banning the disposal of all "covered electronic devices". Covered electronic devices include televisions, computers, monitors, and portable/laptop computers. Please do not place any of these items in your blue cart for disposal. These items MUST be recycled! You can visit www.state.nj.us/dep and click on "recycling & planning" for additional recources. Please see Public Work's new drop-off information. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact the Public Works Department at 609-587-1894 for assistance.

• The Shade Tree Advisory Committee has marked the Township’s 14th year as a Tree City with a brochure highlighting the benefits derived from trees and the memorial tree program. Click here to view brochure.

• ENERGY REBATE: Expanded incentives for residents, businesses and local governments have been made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). More information for residents may be found at NJCleanEnergy.com/arra, and details for commercial and industrial customers may be found at NJCleanEnergy.com/noniou.

• Lawrenceville’s Landmarks Guide is available for purchase...see locations.

• Are You Register Ready?  The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness have created “Register Ready” a registry program which assists people with special needs in the event of an emergency.  The program is a free, voluntary, web-based program intended to help people with special needs get to safety at the time of an emergency.

   

  Individuals with special needs or their caregivers can register electronically at www.registerready.nj.gov.  You can also register by calling New Jersey’s toll- free 2-1-1 telephone service. This service will register individuals, offer free translation and provide TYY services for the hearing impaired.

• Concept Plan Business Route #1 from NJ DOT are available in two parts:
  • Project beginning from Pear Street
  • Project ending at Lake Drive

• Help is available for paying your energy bill, winterizing or conserving energy. Click for more information.

• Utility Work: Verizon is currently installing a fiber-optic upgrade within Lawrence Township to provide cable TV, telephone, and broadband access. This work is being conducted by a contractor for Verizon in the utility easement in front of residential homes throughout the Township. Should any resident have a concern or complaint, please contact the hotline at 1-888-240-5752.