A Message from Bloomfield Center Alliance
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The Bloomfield Center Alliance wants to acknowledge the support and assistance it received from the Township of Bloomfield in the hours after the
tragic fire
last week
where its offices were destroyed. Mayor Venezia, Councilwoman Davis and Freeholder Pomares stepped up with Township resources to provide computers and retrieve our potentially lost data. We also thank Dr. Marcheta Evan, President of Bloomfield College, for providing temporary office space on campus for us to use as we endeavor to recover from this event. We are eager and committed to getting back to work on behalf of the downtown and its many stakeholders as soon as possible.
We join with the rest of the community in expressing deep sorrow and pain for the plight of the business owners and employees affected by the fire. For those who want to help, Mayor Venezia, Councilwoman Davis and Freeholder Pomares have set up a fundraiser to be held on
February 5th from 5:30 - 7:30pm at Essex Junction, 90 Washington St, Bloomfield
.
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Recycling Guidelines and News
February Recycling Schedule
: Week of 2/3-Commingled
Week of 2/10-Mixed Paper
Week of 2/17-Commingled
Week of 2/24-Mixed Paper
In addition to regular curbside recycling, residents can bring recyclable items to the Public Works Yard located at 230 Grove St.
every Saturday from 9:00am-1:00pm
. No garbage or bulk drop off. Recycling codes: 1, 2 and 5 ONLY.
Bulk pickup of large items occurs on the second garbage pickup day of each week. Three items maximum.
Metals and appliances (not electronics) are picked up
every Tuesday
. Call DPW at
973-680-4127
no later than
3:00pm the Monday
before your scheduled Tuesday pickup.
The Township of Bloomfield has
partnered with Recycle Coach
to help residents reduce waste and become better recyclers. The Recycle Coach App is available for FREE download on Android and iPhones.
For more information, visit the
DPW Facebook Page or call
973-680-4127. Their hardworking staff tries to respond to messages 7 days/week.
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Animal Shelter "Spaying it Forward" and Pet Licenses
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CPAW NJ (Communities Promoting Animal Welfare NJ) and the Bloomfield Township Animal Shelter are teaming up to trap, neuter and release as many feral/community Bloomfield cats as possible over the winter in a new program called “Spay It Forward.”
CPAW NJ will loan traps and help with trapping, and the township will cover the veterinary costs. Once spayed or neutered, the cats are returned to their original location, with their left ear tipped to show they have been neutered. If you are a caregiver who is feeding outdoor cats and wish to participate, please email CPAW NJ at
[email protected].
As part of the program, on the
last Tuesday of each month
a mobile spay/neuter van run by Associated Humane Societies will be at the Bloomfield Shelter, making it even easier to transport trapped cats to get their necessary medical care. Maximum number of cats is 15 so it is important to register ahead of time by email.
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The Township of Bloomfield requires a license for dogs and cats within the township limits. The license can be obtained by mailing or dropping off the documents at the Municipal Clerk’s Office.
Our renewal process will start
mid-April, 2020
and all licenses should be
issued by June 30, 2020
.
Requirements:
- Pet License Application (found on our website or in the Municipal Clerk’s Office- Rm 214)
- Copy of Rabies Vaccination Certificate (Valid until after May 1, 2021)
Fee=$22 (Spayed/Neutered) or $25 Not Spayed/Neutered payable only via check or credit card.
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Exercise and Trips for Seniors
Senior-oriented Winter exercise classes are ongoing. $20 includes 20 exercise classes of 10 Qigong/Zumba Gold classes. You can register online at
www.bloomfieldrecreation.org
, or by phone
973-743-9074
, or in person at the Civic Center – 84 Broad St., Bloomfield, NJ.
Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning February 18
running through April | Senior Exercise
10:00 – 11:00am
Qigong
Mondays
from
10:00-11:00am
February 3, 10, 24, March 9, 16, 23 and 30
Zumba Gold
Began months ago, and will continue classes
February 5, 7, 12 and 14
from
10:00-11:00am
.
Spring classes begin February 19
and run until May 1.
Seniorcise
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Channel 35, for Verizon Fios tune into Channel 30 -
Monday – Friday
10:30am and 3:30pm
. A new class each day.
Senior Walmart Trips
Tuesday February 4
from Felicity (9:30am), Troy (9:35) and Heritage Village (9:40) to Walmart.
Returning at 12:00pm.
Tuesday February 11
from Kinder Towers (9:30am) to Walmart.
Return at 12:00pm.
Bloomfield Senior Citizen Club
The Senior Club is a non-profit 55+ group that meets on the
third Friday of each month at 12:00pm
(except for January and August) in the Civic Center, Senior Lunch Room, 84 Broad Street, Bloomfield. Gatherings sometimes include, music, guest speakers, discussions, lunches and refreshments. There is a yearly fee of $20 to join.
Valentines Day Luncheon
Friday, February 14 at
12:00 to 2:00pm
Bloomfield Civic Center
FREE for Members - $10 for Non-Members
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Township Goes Green with Electric Fleet of Cars
The Township of Bloomfield has taken another important step in becoming more sustainable,
recently purchasing and putting into use four new Chevy Bolts
.
There are currently six electric vehicle charging stations in the municipal parking lot, with plans to add more there and in the Glenwood Garage in the coming months. Residents may use a public charging station for $2 for a full charge.
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Arts, Sports and Recreation
Join the Bloomfield Art League!
There are so many perks to joining, including Open Studio access, huge discounts from Jerry’s Artist Outlet, and community events. The next Art League events include an Abstract
Art Demo February 16
and Fine Arts Basics Courses Fridays in March.
Read more here.
Open House
The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department is hosting its Spring Program Open House on
March 14 from 1:00-3:00pm
. Meet instructors and learn about upcoming and ongoing programs.
Softball Hitting and Fielding Clinics
Join the Bloomfield High School Varsity Softball Coaches and Recreation Travel Coaches at two separate sessions in late February (one for grades 1-5 and one for grades 6-8).
Peppermint Softball
Registration for girls in
Grades 3 - 8 will start on Wednesday, February 5
. The registration fee on or before March 4 is $55. After, the fee is $60. Player evaluations will take place at Bloomfield High School at the
following dates and times
;
Monday, March 9 at
6:00-8:00pm
- Grades 3-5.
Wednesday, March 11 at
6:00-7:00pm
- Grades 6-8.
Peppermint Softball Opening Day will be held on
Sunday, April 19
If you are interested in being a volunteer coach, please contact Thomas DeSiervo at
973-743-9074
or email:
[email protected]
.
Friday Fun Night
Parents, do you find it difficult to break away for a few hours and have some time to yourself? Let the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department’s energetic, fun and responsible staff members watch your children (grades K-6) for the evening while you enjoy yourself knowing that your children are well taken care of.
Each session
is $20 and requires pre-registration. Each night, kids will be served pizza dinner and there will be a special themed project or activity. Additional assistance will be provided to children with special needs.
Friday, February 14 6:00 – 9:00pm
Friday, March 13 6:00 – 9:00pm
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Public Library Events
Hours: Mon-Wed: 10:00am-8:00pm
Thurs-Fri: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-5:00pm
Adult Programs:
Monday & Thursday movies at 12:15pm
Book Clubs – Call for topics and dates.
Finance Club – Tuesdays at 6:00pm
Bridge Club – Fridays at 12:00pm
Knitting Club – First & Third Thursdays at 12:00pm.
Poetry Club -Wednesdays @ 6:30pm (beginning 2/12)
Gaming Club - Weds @3:30pm
Cookbook Club - 2/29 @ 1:00pm, Registration is encouraged
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The Library is now fine-free.
Check the
BPL website
often for full schedule and new events as they get added!
Children’s Programs:
In addition to our regular Storytime programs, we have:
2/5, 1:30pm: Storytime Boogie (at Shooting Star Dance Center)
2/8, 11:00am: Read to Brady
2/11, 1:30pm: Community Storytime (at Lovlee Art Studios)
2/22, 11:00am: Book Bingo
2/29: Read Across America, Call for details
Spanish Storytime: 2/10 and 2/24.
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Special Events & Services:
February 29, 1:00pm
: Bradford Hayes Jazz Quartet.
Free Tax Prep.
Wednesdays 10:30am-5:30pm.
By appt only, call
888-829-3711.
Need help climbing your family tree? Email
[email protected]
for more info. We have Ancestry Library Edition & are a FamilySearch Affiliate Library.
Sign up for Homebound Delivery Service by visiting our website or calling us and mentioning Home Delivery. This service is provided in conjunction with the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.
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Public Safety News
No one was harmed in the tragic 55 Washington St. fire that broke out last Tuesday, but the building’s businesses will not be able to reopen in the near future. This incident makes it all the more important for residents and business owners to make sure that electronics are unplugged when not in use, ovens are not used for heating rooms, and flameless candles are used. All homes and businesses should have a 2A:10 ABC fire extinguisher up to 10lbs.
The Bloomfield Fire Department is available to help residents create escape plans as well as check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Residents seeking assistance with any of these matters can call the Fire Department at
973-680-4153
.
The entire Fire Department also recently took a leadership and training course to be even better prepared to respond to emergency situations.
The free yearly
Bloomfield Citizen Police Academy
begins this Tuesday and runs through March 31. When it began, in 2015, the academy was organized exclusively with Bloomfield Police personnel, and exclusively for Bloomfield residents, but in 2017, the Department partnered with Montclair, and invited Montclair residents to participate. Last year, it was opened to Glen Ridge, as well as Montclair. This year there are 50 registered participants.
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Bloomfield Health
View the
February Nursing Calendar.
For information on this and all other screenings, call
973-680-4058
, and follow
@BloomfieldHDNJ
on Twitter.
The department also has a representative at town hall who can provide residents information and screenings for food stamps (SNAP) benefits. Please contact the Bloomfield Division of Human Services at
973-680-4017
to make an appointment.
Security deposits and rental assistance are available to residents who qualify for assistance through a homelessness prevention grant. Residents must be struggling with a onetime emergency and be sustainable going forward. Utility assistance programs and help with registering with insurance also available. Call Human Services at
973-680-4017.
Don’t miss the 5th annual Senior Extravaganza. This free event invites residents 60 and older to a nice meal and dance. Spots are limited. If interested, call
973-680-4017 to register by March 15
.
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Community Bulletin
- MLK Day of Service Sees 1,200 Hygiene Kits Assembled
By April 1, 2020
, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding: online, by phone or by mail.
The results of the data collected have a direct impact on the federal funding that goes to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources in our community. They also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
Your personal information is kept confidential. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to protect your information, and your data is used for statistical purposes only.
You Count! And Bloomfield Counts! So don’t forget to answer. For more information visit
www.2020census.gov
.
- Council Meetings and Petitions
The Bloomfield Township Council will meet twice in February, in Council Chambers:
February 10 at 7:00pm
February 24 at 7:00pm
To pick up petitions to run for Bloomfield Ward Council, visit the Clerk's Office, room 214 on 1 Municipal Plaza.
- Openings on Environmental Commission
There are two vacancies for alternate positions on the Bloomfield Environmental Commission. Membership includes five full members and two alternates, who participate in all discussions but only vote if a full member is absent. The Environmental Commission makes recommendations to the Mayor and Council, as well as township agencies, regarding environmental matters; and provides general environmental education to the community.
If you think you might be interested in joining the commission as an alternate, please attend one or two meetings to talk with the members and become familiar with how the commission works, or contact Councilman Nick Joanow, the Council liaison. The commission meets the
third Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm
in the Mayor’s Conference Room on the 2nd floor of police headquarters. All are welcome.
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