Maplewood Patch: Newest Local Facts

Victor De Luca

2009-07-23T14:35:33-04:00

Victor De Luca, a Democrat, became Maplewood’s mayor in January 2009. As mayor, he leads Township Committee meetings and is considered the head of the municipal government.

The son of a police officer and a high school teacher, De Luca has been active in town politics and civic affairs for a long time. This is the second time he has served as mayor; he held the office from 1998 to 2003.

In addition, he co-founded the Springfield Avenue Partnership and the Hilton Neighborhood Association, and later served as president of both groups. He was also a board member of the Community Coalition on Race, the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce and served on Maplewood's planning board from 1999 to 2003.

He is the president of the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, a New York City-based charitable organization that directs grants to environmental justice causes and reproductive health and rights organizations. He is a graduate of Montclair State University.

He chairs the following boards and committees: Public Works, Economic Development, Code Enforcement, Communications and Cultural Affairs.

He holds office hours on the third Thursday of every month, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hilton Branch of the Maplewood Library. Otherwise, he can be reached at 973-378-8906 or v.deluca@twp.maplewood.nj.us.

Noise Issues

2009-02-24T09:29:17-05:00

Who to Call: Contact the Maplewood Police Department on its main number, 973-762-3400.

Residents bothered by noise from a neighbor's property should call the main number of the Police Department.
According to township ordinance, residents can reasonably expect quiet after 11 p.m.
If problems persist, Maplewood's municipal court offers the Maplewood Mediation Program, which attempts to resolve conflicts without legal expenses or convictions. Call the court at 973-762-2839.
Maplewood's municipal code outlines some specific guidelines on noise reduction.
From 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., do not use any devices (including televisions, musical instruments and stereos) at a volume that would be audible from 100 feet away.
From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., a statute prohibits "yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing" on public streets. The rule is suspended in the town's parks.
Construction, demolition and repair work is generally restricted to the hours between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. In emergencies and special circumstances, the Department of Public Works (973-762-1175) allows work until 11 p.m.
Fines can be imposed on dogs and other pets that make too much noise.

Home & Yard

2009-02-24T09:29:21-05:00

Who to Call: Contact the Building Department at 973-762-8120. Robert J. Mittermaier is the Construction Official. He can be reached at constructionofficial@twp.maplewood.nj.us.

In Maplewood, many types of home and yard construction have to be approved by the town's Building Department. New yard construction on private property—such as decks, sheds and pools—requires the appropriate permit(s).
Weeds, grass and other plants may not exceed 10 inches in height, except for flowers and garden plants.
All noxious weeds are prohibited. New Jersey defines bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), hedge bindweed (Convolvulus sepium), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) and other weeds as noxious. For more information, see the state's Department of Agriculture site.

Lawn Watering

2009-02-24T09:29:21-05:00

Who to Call: Contact the State Department of Environmental Protection at 800-448-7379 (800-4ITSDRY), Maplewood's Building Department at 973-762-8120 or the American Water Company at 800-652-6987 (for accounts beginning with 18) or 800-272-1325 (for accounts that begin with 52, 53, 54 or 55).

Maplewood does not have municipal regulations that deal specifically with lawn watering. However, state law and water company regulations apply.
Maplewood is in New Jersey's Northeast drought region. The state DEP monitors dryness. Check here for the latest information. During a drought emergency, the police department is in charge of enforcing water regulations.
The American Water Company supplies Maplewood with water and makes lawn-watering recommendations on its Web site.

Leaf Collection

2009-03-20T10:41:17-04:00

Who to Call: Contact the Public Works Department at 973-762-1175. Gary Lenci is the Public Works Director. He can be reached at dpwdirector@twp.maplewood.nj.us.

Place leaves at the curb. Do not bag leaves or put out other brush, limbs or garden material with them.
Put leaves out on the first day of pickup.
Leaves are picked up from different town zones each week from October to December. In general, leaves are picked up every other week.

Local Hospitals

2009-01-20T18:01:02-05:00

Who to Call: In case of emergency, dial 911. The main hospital serving South Orange is St. Barnabas Medical Center, 94 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston; 973-533-5000.

OTHER AREA HOSPITALS:

East Orange General Hospital; East Orange
- 300 Central Ave., 973-672-8400
- 86 S. Harrison St., 973-674-3500

Hospital Center at Orange, Orange; 973-266-2000

Irvington General Hospital, Irvington; 973-399-6000

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark; 973-926-7000

Overlook Hospital, Summit; 908-522-2000;

University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark; 973-956-4300

Zoning Violations

2009-02-24T09:29:22-05:00

Who to Call: The Building Department can be reached at 973-762-8120, ext. 3700 or 3703. Robert J. Mittermaier is the Construction Official. He can be contacted at constructionofficial@twp.maplewood.nj.us.

The Building Department administrates and enforces zoning regulations. The Zoning Board of Adjustments decides on appeals and issues variances on zoning issues.
The Zoning Board of Adjustments meets on the first Monday of every month in the main meeting room of the Municipal building.

Reported on 12/05/08

Child Abuse

2009-01-16T18:33:36-05:00

Who to Call: The state's Department of Children and Families can be reached at 973-762-8965. The state's domestic violence hotline is 877-NJ-ABUSE. In an emergency, dial 911.

The Maplewood office of the Department of Youth and Family Services deals with child protection and child welfare.
The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect provides family guidelines for the prevention of abuse and neglect. Download it here.

Open Space Trust Advisory Committee

2009-01-16T18:05:08-05:00

Who to Call: Brian Callahan is the chair. The committee's site is here.

The committee directs funds from the Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition, development and maintenance of land designated for recreation and conservation purposes.
For a recent report, click here.

Maplewood Drug Alliance

2009-01-20T09:47:48-05:00

Who to Call: Robert Roe, the town's Health Officer, is chair of the board. He can be reached at healthofficer@twp.maplewood.nj.us or 973-762-8120, ext. 4600.

The alliance's main emphasis is preventing drug and alcohol use by minors.
It is composed of law enforcement, health and education professionals, as well as a student advisor.
It works with the Governor's Council on Drug Abuse and the Essex County Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to fight and gather information about substance abuse.