Essex County Daily Buzz: Jan. 22, 2025

LOCAL NEWS

Fair housing workshop planned by NJ Citizen Action on Jan. 29 in East Orange. The workshop begins at 5 p.m. at Center for Family Services Essex County, 132 S. Harrison St. Attendees will learn how to protect themselves against housing discrimination and their constitutional rights under the Fair Housing Act.
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New Jersey Citizen Action

Newark-area residents can receive free assistance for completing the State Rental Assistance Program’s pre-application on Jan. 29 at Newark library’s Main Branch. SRAP provides housing subsidies for very low-income residents. Eligible applicants must bring the names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates for each household member. Enrollment closes Jan. 31 at 5 p.m.
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Newark Public Library

Free, online conversation with IRS senior stakeholder liaison Jill Maniacci discussing business record-keeping planned by Newark library on Jan. 29. Maniacci will discuss business bank accounts, employment records, documents for records, and other topics. There will be a Q&A session. The event begins at 6 p.m.
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Newark Public Library

Community members can share feedback on Essex County Weequahic Park’s recreational services through an online survey. Feedback will support the park’s application to the Green Acres Program, a state-based grant, which will fund improvements.
Essex County Parks

“Project Homeless Connect Day” planned by Essex County on Jan. 29 in Newark. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Essex County College gymnasium on West Market Street. There will be free health screenings, haircuts, public assistance, and food for individuals experiencing homelessness or are at risk. Attendees can also learn about free programs for youth, veterans, victims of domestic violence, employment resources, and senior services.
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Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.

Resource fair for immigrants planned by Make The Road NJ on Jan. 29 in Elizabeth. It is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 42 Broad St. The Welcome Center for New Americans will provide resources available in Union County, including food dispensers, medical insurance enrollment, emotional wellness services, and English classes.
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Make The Road NJ

Free financial aid clinic for the 2025-26 school year planned by Make The Road NJ on Jan. 29 in Elizabeth. FAFSA application assistance is from 3-5:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Community Center, 42 Broad St.
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Make The Road NJ

Belleville opened a municipal parking lot at 211 Washington Ave. It is metered and managed through the ParkMobile app. Two electric vehicle charging stations will be installed. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham said that the township is planning to create another public parking lot and police substation in the Silver Lake section, bordered by Newark Avenue in Bloomfield and Bloomfield Avenue in Newark.
Belleville-Nutley Patch

Free assistance for completing the State Rental Assistance Program’s pre-application on Jan. 24 with Assemblywoman Carmen Morales’ office. Limited to residents of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Nutley, and Orange. Assistance is available from 4-8 p.m. at 152 Franklin St. in Belleville. SRAP provides housing subsidies for very low-income residents. Eligible applicants must bring the names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates for each household member.
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District 34 Assembly Woman Carmen T. Morales

Creative writers group meeting for youth planned by Belleville library on Jan. 29. Teens can discuss creative projects and get feedback together from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Participants can be working on short stories, essays, poetry, or novels.
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Belleville Public Library

Belleville will be installing a new water main on Harrison Street until Feb. 6. This may cause a dip in water pressure or discolored water.
Belleville Township

Informal LEGO building for ages 4+ planned by Bloomfield library on Jan. 29. The activity is from 5-6 p.m. Creations will be displayed at the front desk for one week. Parents and guardians must remain in the building with children younger than 12.
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Bloomfield Public Library

Bloomfield-area seniors can join Bloomfield recreation’s informal Senior Knit and Crochet Group. It meets Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Civic Center. Since its launch, the group has made and donated scarves, hats, and headbands to local organizations, including Bloomfield College, Neighbor to Neighbor, and The Women’s Safe House.
Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department

East Orange residents can nominate a caregiver they know to receive recognition on Feb. 21, when East Orange Mayor Ted Green will host an awards event for National Caregivers Day. Nominations accepted online until Feb. 10.
East Orange City

Weekly Zumba class for adults planned by East Orange YMCA on Jan. 28. It meets from 9-9:45 a.m. on Tuesdays until Jun. 10. Registration is required and available online.
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East Orange YMCA

Glen Ridge library’s teen advisory board to meet Jan. 29. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. This event is open to Glen Ridge students in grades 9-12 who have ideas about improving the library. Registration is required.
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Glen Ridge Public Library

Landlords in Glen Ridge must complete an annual rental license application. Forms are available online and can be returned in-person at the Glen Ridge Municipal Building. The fee is $300.
Glen Ridge Borough

Maplewood dog and cat owners must purchase or renew pet licenses by Jan. 31. Applications are available online. A $7 late fee is charged for renewal licenses purchased after the deadline.
Maplewood Township

South Orange police department is hiring school crossing guards. Applicants can express interest to apply by email.
South Orange Police Department

South Orange resident Michael Parlapiano presented data to the South Orange village council showing that, under the new tree ordinance, fewer trees are being replaced than the law had intended. The previous law required replacement trees for trees cut down on lots larger than half of an acre. The new law, enacted November 2024, eliminates the half-acre threshold and doesn’t require replacing trees that are dead, diseased, or dangerous. Council members Bill Haskins and Olivia Lewis-Chang both worked on developing the new ordinance and said they will monitor the issue within the next four months before next steps are considered.
The Village Green

Free interactive workshop on ways to avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft for low-income seniors planned Jan. 28 in South Orange. It is from 12-2 p.m. at the South Orange B’nai B’rith Federation House, 219 S. Orange Ave. The presentation will be conducted in English. Communities First Initiative, The Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan NJ, and Valley Bank are leading the event.
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TAPinto SOMA

Montclair’s speed limit on Grove Street is lowered to 25 mph following approval from the Essex County Board of County Commissioners. Montclair council members discussed lowering the speed limit on Grove Street in 2023, but needed county approval because it is a county-owned road. It is part of Montclair’s Vision Zero Task Force’s plans to improve pedestrian safety and eliminate all traffic-related injuries and deaths in Montclair by 2028.
Essex County Board of County Commissioners

Montclair-area residents can renew or apply for a passport at Montclair library’s Main or Bellevue Branches. The service is primarily for first-time passport applicants, children younger than 16, and people who need passport photos taken. Montclair library’s Main Branch is ADA-compliant. Appointments accepted online starting Jan. 27.
Montclair Public Library

Financial aid information session with Higher Education Student Assistance Authority planned at Montclair library on Jan. 29 in the Main Branch. The free event is from 6-7:30 p.m. and designed for families. Attendees will learn about available state-based grants, scholarships, and loans. Registration is required.
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Montclair Public Library

“Bring Your Own Baby” screening of “A Complete Unknown” planned by Montclair Film on Jan. 29 at The Clairidge. The film begins at 10 a.m. at 486 Bloomfield Ave. Lights will be dimmed and volume will be moderated throughout the screening. Children under age 5 attend for free. Admission is $11. Tickets available for purchase online.
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Montclair Film

Newark residents without heat or hot water in their home can dial the 24-hour emergency hotline to file a report. Newark housing law requires all property owners to supply heat between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. from Oct. 1 to May 1.
Newark City

Free maternal health workshop planned by La Casa de Don Pedro on Jan. 29 in Newark. It is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 23 Broadway and will discuss the importance of proper prenatal care. Registration is required.
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La Casa De Don Pedro

Free Bharatanatyam dance class planned by Newark library on Jan. 29 in the Main Branch. The class meets every other Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. through Apr. 16. Registration is recommended.
Newark Public Library

Free coffee and soup planned by Nutley Family Service Bureau on Jan. 29 in Nutley. It is from 5-7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, 150 Chestnut St. Attendees are encouraged to dress to support their favorite team ahead of the Super Bowl.
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Nutley Family Service Bureau

Free story time for ages 3-5 planned by Nutley library on Jan. 29. Attendees will hear stories, songs, and make crafts from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Registration is required.
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Nutley Public Library

Orange is hiring a part-time bus operator and parking authority commissioner. Applications available online.
City of Orange Township

West Orange Town Council appointed Tal Ben-Zvi and Todd Debovy to alternate roles in the town’s zoning board. Ben-Zvi is a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology with experience in project management and Debovy serves on the Citizens Budget Advisory Board. Alternate members vote on matters when a regular member is absent or disqualified.
TAPinto West Orange

West Orange town council members voted to apply for a second grant from Green Acres to preserve the Rock Spring Golf Club. The first grant totaled to $4.5 million and the second round of grants will give the township $5.25 million. Preservation protects the land from being developed for housing.
TAPinto West Orange

Teen advisory group meeting for students in grades 9-12 planned at West Orange library on Jan. 29. Attendees are encouraged to share ideas for the library, plan events, and can earn community service hours from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is required.
West Orange Public Library

“Spark Chasers” children’s book group meeting for grades 1-3 planned by West Orange library on Jan. 29. Participants will discuss winter-themed books from 4-5 p.m. Discussion is followed by a craft session. A recommended reading list is available online. Registration is not required.
West Orange Public Library

REGIONAL NEWS

Eligible N.J. residents can apply for the State Rental Assistance Program until Jan. 31. SRAP provides housing subsidies for very low-income residents. A total of 6,000 households will be selected on a lottery basis and placed on the SRAP waiting list. Applicants must meet all SRAP income and eligibility requirements. Guidelines available online. Add to 📅.
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

New Jersey government officials must disclose police body cam footage to people who are the subject of the recordings, the N.J. Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Jan. 21. Footage cannot be withheld to protect the privacy of people accused of crimes because N.J.’s Open Public Records Act and judicial case law do not grant automatic confidentiality, according to the ruling. The decision comes after a family in Chatham, N.J. requested to view the body cam footage of a police interview where a father reported alleged sexual abuse of a child by an adult relative.
New Jersey Monitor