Brooklawn Bulletin

AUGUST 2023

BROOKLAWN BULLETIN

Discover it. Live it. Love it.

BROOKLAWN TO HOST H

The Borough of Brooklawn is hosting its first annual Health and Wellness Fair on September 23. The event will be held at the Brooklawn Community Center from Noon to 4:00 pm and is part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign. The event is designed to promote health, wellness, and community spirit and will offer a wide range of activities and resources to help individuals and families live healthier, happier lives

From health screenings to yoga sessions, and from kids' activities to a unique silent disco, the event is expected to be an enjoyable and educational experience for all.

One of the main focuses of the event is to provide access to valuable health screenings. Visitors will have the opportunity to get on-site health screenings such as blood pressure readings and other important health metrics checked for free Additionally, various health and wellness information tables will be on hand offering guidance on nutrition, exercise, mental health, and disease prevention

The event will also feature guest speakers who cover a range of health-

IN THIS ISSUE: 2023 EVENT DATES

related to knowledg healthy li attendee being and their lives

For those looking to get active and break a sweat, the event will offer an array of fun fitness activities. Aerobic workouts will get the hearts pumping, while the silent disco offers an opportunity to groove to music with wireless headphones, ensuring a highenergy experience Yoga enthusiasts of all levels can indulge in serene and calming sessions led by instructors, providing a peaceful respite from the bustling event

The event will ensure that children have their fair share of enjoyment too Kids can enjoy a variety of engaging activities, including a bounce house that fills the air with laughter and joy These activities not only keep children entertained but also promote the importance of an active lifestyle from an early age.

Nourishing the body is a vital aspect of overall health, and there will be a

on of healthy food vendors and s offering delicious and us options.

miss giveaways and door prizes yes, you read that right there are free goodies and hourly door prizes planned for the event! Every hour, lucky participants have the chance to win exciting door prizes, including fitness trackers like FitBits, which encourage and support an active lifestyle.

The Brooklawn Health & Wellness Fair is more than just a one-day event; it is a celebration of life, health, and unity within the community. It encourages everyone to prioritize their well-being and make positive choices to lead fulfilling lives. So, mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and motivated on your journey to a healthier lifestyle!

FALL FESTIVAL Brooklawn Brooklawn

SAVE THE DATE!

SS FAIR ALL AROUND BROOKLAWN

As we enjoy the final days of summer and families get the kids ready to go back to school, we look forward to the annual Brooklawn Fall Festival. Please join us on October 14th, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Brooklawn Waterfront for a day of fun for the whole family. Fall is the perfect season to enjoy all the festival has to offer including live music, food trucks, a local wine and beer garden, craft vendors, and kids’ activities

This year's festival will also feature Jem & The Vibe, a high energy local favorite that will be sure to get the crowd dancing and in the festival mood!

CAMDEN COUNTY HOME

So mark your calendar and plan to bring the whole family for a fun-packed festival!

Follow us on social media or at Brooklawn-nj.com for events news & updates!

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Neighbors:

I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits, enjoying the wonderful summer season in our charming little town As your Mayor, it brings me great joy to connect with you and share some exciting updates about our community.

First and foremost, I want to extend my gratitude to each one of you for being an integral part of Brooklawn Your support and trust in the Borough Council and staff continues to inspire us to work tirelessly for the betterment of our beloved town.

In our efforts to keep you informed and engaged, I invite you to review the enclosed newsletter. It contains valuable updates about all the enjoyable experiences and events our town has to offer, news, and service reminders

From the upcoming fall festival to our brand-new Health & Wellness Fair, there is something for everyone to look forward to as we head into fall. We are excited to host the first annual Health and Wellness Fair in just a few weeks! The well-being of our residents is of utmost importance, and this event is a testament to our commitment to fostering healthier lifestyles within our community.

One of our primary focuses is on economic growth and development. We are actively working to attract new businesses to our town and enrich our local economy. The redevelopment of the vacant church also presents an opportunity to transform the building into an active asset for the community We are dedicated to pushing this initiative forward and revitalizing the space

We cannot achieve our goals alone Collaboration with you, the residents, is the cornerstone of our efforts. We want to hear your voices, ideas, and perspectives. Together, we can create a stronger and more vibrant town.

As summer comes to an end, let us continue to cherish the strong sense of community that makes our town special Please stay connected with us through our newsletter and town events and remember that your active participation is crucial to the continued success of Brooklawn. I encourage you to get involved through volunteering on a committee such as our Centennial Celebration.

On behalf of our entire council, thank you once again for your ongoing support and faith in our abilities. Together, we will make Brooklawn an even more exceptional place to live

Enjoy the last days of summer!

Sincerely,

Julie A. McCleary Mayor of Brooklawn

YOUR MAYOR & COUNCIL

Mayor Julie A. McCleary jmccleary@brooklawn-nj.com

Council President Patrick Moses pmoses@brooklawn-nj.com

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN 2024 AS BROOKLAWN TURNS 100!

We Need Your Help & Photos

Brooklawn is planning a Centennial Celebration in 2024 to celebrate 100 years of our wonderful community. Please consider volunteering your time, energy, and ideas by serving on our committee. There will be many events to plan. Be part of our historic celebration! We are also looking for photos to commemorate the occasionif you have historical photos of our community, please send them to us!

To volunteer or learn more, please contact:

Ryan Giles at boroclerk@brooklawnnj com or Todd Twichell at ttwichell@brooklawn-nj com

To submit photos: dchorzelewski@brooklawn-nj.com

Council Member Mike Mevoli mmevoli@brooklawn-nj.com

Council Member Jerry Granstrom jgranstrom@brooklawn-nj com

Stay

Go

to sign up today!

Council Member John Clotworthy jclotworthy@brooklawn-nj.com

Council Member Patricia McConnell pmcconnell@brooklawn-nj.com

Council Member Stacey Ostrom sostrom@brooklawn-nj com

Borough of Brooklawn

301 Christiana Street

Brooklawn, NJ 08030

Municipal Clerk

Ryan Giles

856-456-0750 Ext. 106

boroclerk@brooklawn-nj com

Courts

Oaklyn Municipal Building

500 White Horse Pike #2

Oaklyn, NJ 08107

856-858-0074

Deputy Clerk/Events Coordinator

Todd Twichell

856-456-0750 Ext 103

ttwichell@brooklawn-nj com

Fire Department

Non-emergency

856-456-2101

Police Department

Non-emergency

856-456-3434

Chief Shamus Ellis

856-456-0750 Ext. 111

Police Administrative Assistant,

Stacey Brewster

856-456-0750 Ext 115

sbrewster@brooklawn-nj.com

Public Works

Main Office

856-456-0750 Ext. 157

Deputy Superintendent

Mike Ostrom

856-456-2638

Tax Assessor

Jim Duda

856-456-0750 Ext. 101

Tax Collector

856-456-0750 Ext. 106

taxcollector@brooklawn-nj.com

Borough Homes Coordinator

Melissa Perry

856-456-0750 Ext 105

mperry@brooklawn-nj com

Shade Tree Commission & Board of Health (Pet-related issues)

Todd Twichell

856-456-0750 Ext 103

ttwichell@brooklawn-nj.com

Treasurer

Stacey Brewster

856-456-0750 Ext. 115

sbrewster@brooklawn-nj.com

Vital Statistics

Ryan Giles

856-456-0750 Ext. 106

boroclerk@brooklawn-nj.com

Marriage Licenses

To schedule an appointment call the Deputy Registrar Todd Twichell at 856-456-0750 Ext 103 or Alternate

Registrar, Melissa Perry - Ext. 105

Water & Sewer Payments

856-456-0750 Ext. 106

taxcollector@brooklawn-nj.com

Water & Sewer Emergencies

Deputy Superintendent

Michael Ostrom

After normal business hours

856-456-3434

During normal business hours

856-456-2638

Zoning & Construction

Melissa Perry

856-456-0750 Ext. 105

mperry@brooklawn-nj.com

Administrative Assistant

David Chorzelewski

856-456-0750 Ext 104

dchorzelewski@brooklawn-nj.com

UpcomingEvents UpcomingEvents UpcomingEvents MUNICIPAL SERVICES & REMINDERS

Blood Drive & Backpack Donations, September 5

Health & Wellness Fair, September 23

Fall Festival – October 14

Trick or Treating - October 31

Annual Tree Lighting - December 2

Go to Brooklawn-nj.com for event updates!

BIKE SAFETY REMINDERS

Bicycling is one of the best ways to get exercise, see the sights and reduce your carbon footprint. However, bicyclists face a host of hazards. They often must share the road with vehicles and injuries can happen even on a designated path The number of deaths from bicycle incidents increased 16% in 2020 and 44% in the last 10 years, from 873 in 2011 to 1,260 in 2020 (according to injury facts). Of the 1,260 bicyclist deaths in 2020, 806 involved motor vehicles. With about 80 million bicyclists sharing the road with motorized vehicles, it is vital bicyclists – and drivers take safety precautions. Follow these tips provided by the Brooklawn Police Department to help keep everyone safe:

A Tip for Drivers to Help Keep Cyclists Safe?

The far-hand reach, or Dutch reach, is a simple technique that will stop you and your passengers from opening your vehicle door in front of an oncoming vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian. This works for streets, sidewalks and parking lots. It's simple, using your hand furthest from the door forces you to look back and view if cyclists are coming before opening your car door

Try it, it's a great habit to keep everyone safe!

Cyclists, Check Your Equipment! and spokes

Always inspect your bike prior to riding

The seat should be adjusted to the proper height and locked in place

Make certain all parts are secure and working properly

Check that the tires are inflated properly

Make sure the bike is equipped with reflectors on the rear, front, pedals

A horn or bell, a rear-view mirror, and a bright headlight also are recommended

Plan to be seen, make certain drivers can see you

Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright clothing

Whenever possible, ride during the day, if you must ride at night, wear reflective clothing and use flashing lights

Always wear a properly fitted helmet...see tips---->>>

Follow These Rules of the Road

Get acquainted with traffic laws; bicyclists must follow the same rules

as motorists

Ride single file in the direction of traffic

Remain alert, keep your head up and look around; watch for opening car

doors and other hazards

Use hand signals when turning and use extra care at intersections

Never hitch onto cars

Before entering traffic, stop and look left, right, left again and over

your shoulder

HELMET FITTING TIPS

Make certain the helmet is certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and follow these guidelines to properly fit the helmet:

Adjust sizing pads or fit ring until the helmet is snug

Position the helmet level on your head, covering the forehead and not tipped backward or forward; this will be about one to two finger widths above the eyebrow

Adjust the side straps so they form a “V” shape under and slightly in front of your ears

Center the buckle on the chin strap under your chin

Buckle and tighten the chin strap until it is snug; no more than one to two fingers should be able to fit between the chin and strap

When fitted, the helmet should not rock more than 1 inch side to side or front to back on head

COUNTY LAUNCHES HOME IMPROVEMENT LOAN PROGRAM

Need repairs around the house? A new Home Improvement Program (HIP) has been announced by Camden County Government. The program focuses on preserving Camden County's housing by providing financial assistance in the form of deferred payment loans to homeowners to make needed repairs.

To review income eligibility, requirements, and to learn more call (856) 751-2242.

A new playground is coming soon. The Borough's new playground equipment has arrived! Please be advised that the current playground behind Alice Costello Elementary School will be closed so that our Public Works Department can remove the existing playground equipment to make way for the brand-new playground

Stay tuned for updates as this very exciting project progresses

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: LISA MCCLEARY NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2022-2023

It is with great pride and admiration that we celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of Lisa McCleary, who was named the 20222023 Teacher of the Year at Alice Costello Elementary School. This recognition reflects her unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to shaping the minds of our future generation.

Lisa McCleary, an outstanding educator, has been a pillar of strength and inspiration in the classrooms of Alice Costello Elementary School Her remarkable teaching methods have not only nurtured academic growth but also fostered creativity and a love for learning among her students.

Mayor Julie McCleary with a check for $7650.00 that will go towards the upcoming community playground project.

LONGTIME RESIDENT HONORED WITH STREET NAMING

Mayor McCleary presented Kass Maass with a proclamation in honor of her many years of service and dedication to the Borough. Her sign was installed by our public works crew at the corner of Christiana Street and Haakon Road On behalf of Mayor and Council and all our residents, thank you again Kass for your service to our community!

POLICE CHIEF ELLIS RECIEVES AWARD FOR SERVICE

Chief Shamus Ellis received an 'Excellence in Service' Award from the Volunteers of America Organization for his unwavering support and dedication in his partnership with the Camden County Chiefs of Police Association and the Volunteers of America. The Volunteers of America Organization provides community based assistance to populations throughout New Jersey Congratulation Chief!

Her genuine care and support have not only earned her the respect and admiration of her students but also the appreciation of parents and fellow educators

The entire Brooklawn community joins in congratulating Lisa McCleary for being named the Teacher of the Year 2022-2023. Her achievements are a testament to the power of education, and we are confident that she will continue to inspire and nurture young minds for many more years to come.

Let us all take a moment to applaud Lisa McCleary and all of our teachers for the invaluable contributions they continue to make in our community!

The Gloucester City/Brooklawn Rotary Club and Fox & Roach Trident Charities presented

TWO STREET STOMPERS NYB HONORED AT RECENT MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING

Drumroll, Please! Brooklawn's very own Two Street Stompers received a proclamation from Mayor and Council along with an honorary street renaming sign

The Two Street Stompers NYB are a family-run Mummers Comic Brigade and have been entertaining audiences with their colorful costumes and infectious energy since 1978. Their dedication to the art of performance has brought joy and harmony to thousands, making them cherished icons of our local and regional culture

We are proud to celebrate the talent and community contributions of the Two Street Stompers. Beyond their award-winning performances, the Two Street Stompers embody the true essence of community spirit. They have actively given back, participating in charity events and initiatives for local causes close to their hearts. Their efforts have touched the lives of many and exemplify the kindness and generosity that make Brooklawn a special place.

Congratulations, Two Street Stompers...Keep on moving and grooving! We can't wait to witness future performances for many years to come.

BUSINESS UPDATE: WELCOMING EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS!

Brooklawn is bustling with excitement as progress and business growth continue to thrive. We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to several new businesses that are opening or scheduled to open soon. Brace yourselves for the grand openings of Sanders Painting, Chipotle, and Indigo Dispensary, each promising to bring unique offerings and enrich the local landscape.

Sanders Painting - Helping homeowners transform spaces with artistry and affordability is Sanders Painting's calling. With a reputation for excellent service and eye for color and brilliance, Sanders Painting revolutionizes the way we perceive our living and working spaces. Whether it's a residential haven or a commercial space you seek to spruce up, the team at Sanders Panting is poised to tackle those projects on your list.

Chipotle - Get ready to satisfy your taste buds as Chipotle prepares to serve up its delectable Mexican-inspired cuisine. Located on Route 130, Chipotle is known for its mouthwatering burritos, bowls, tacos, and a variety of flavorful options.

Indigo Dispensary - Indigo Dispensary is a welcome addition to the Brooklawn community. With a focus on health and healing, Indigo Dispensary will provide a range of high-quality cannabis products that promote well-being The team at Indigo Dispensary is passionate about educating people about cannabis and providing a comfortable space.

COMING SOON...Sanders Painting is scheduled to open shorty along New Broadway (Victoria Square).

Stay tuned for more updates on the grand openings of Sanders Painting, Chipotle, and Indigo Dispensary. Let us celebrate this exciting phase of progress and business growth in Brooklawn and embrace the enriching experiences these establishments will undoubtedly bring Cheers to a bright future for our beloved town!

BROOKLAWN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HOST BLOOD DRIVE AND BACKPACK DONATION EVENT

The Brooklawn Police Department is hosting a blood drive and backpack donation event in cooperation with the American Red Cross and Volunteers of America

The event will be held on September 5 at the Brooklawn Community Center from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Stop by to donate blood or pick up a backpack. Registration for the blood drive is still open and there are plenty of appointments available. Search Brooklawn in the Red Cross Blood Donor App to find our drive and select your preferred timeslot. All donors will receive a free t-shirt!

Volunteers of America representatives will also be on location handing out free backpacks filled with school supplies

Help save lives and help the community.

A GREEN & SUSTAINABLE BROOKLAWN CONSERVE WATER!

EAT JERSEY FRESH!

Did you know the average American uses 100 gallons of water per day? In the summer, outdoor water use can more than double. We can reduce our water use by as much as 30% by taking a few simple steps, both inside and outside your home. Saving this important natural resource is good for the environment and can help reduce your water bill! Check out 10 simple ways to conserve water and learn more at: dep nj gov/conserve-water

BROOKLAWN GETS SUSTAINABLE JERSEY GRANT

The borough's green team applied for and received a $2000 grant to help fund our first annual Health and Wellness Fair The grant awards also funded by PSEG are provided to towns who have or are seeking certification status with Sustainable Jersey and fund a range of projects including food waste recycling; green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping; green fairs; composting; green business recognition; environmental resource inventories; outdoor classrooms; pollinator gardens and other sustainability initiatives

Sustainable Jersey is a network and movement of municipalities, schools and school districts working collectively to bring about a sustainable changes in New Jersey. Acting with state agencies, non-profit organizations, foundations, academia and industry, Sustainable Jersey researches best practices for what communities could and should do to contribute to a sustainable future The program culminates in a prestigious certification award to municipalities and schools that have documented meeting a set of rigorous standards. Brooklawn Borough was first certified as a sustainable community in 2021.

Whether you are looking to find Jersey Fresh peaches or berries, interested in tasting a New Jersey Sauvignon Blanc or Blackberry Merlot, or are searching for salsa or sauces made with NJ’s famous tomatoes you can go to findjerseyfresh.com and use the searchable map to find farms, restaurants, wineries, businesses, and everything Jersey Fresh throughout the region! Many area markets now also accpet SNAP/EBT benefits to ensure availibility of fresh produce for all.

CUT IT AND LEAVE IT!

Did You Know? Grass clippings contribute a large amount of waste to our solid waste stream. After mowing your lawn, simply let the grass clippings fall into the soil which will quickly decompose to fertilize your soil By doing so the grass clippings not only benefit your lawn by adding nutrients to the soil, but also reduce waste and cost! Is it bad for my lawn? No, it prevents thatch, which is an accumulation of dead roots, stems, and rhizomes that slowly decompose. Grass clippings are made of 95% water, which decomposes very rapidly and will not harm your lawn

PRO TIP: To maintain your lawn keep it at a length of 2.5-3.5” high in order to keep the soil shaded from the sun and keep the roots cool You save the time it takes to bag up the grass clippings and you also save money on lawn supplies and chemical fertilizers which can harm the environment

JOIN THE GREEN TEAM!

The Brooklawn Green Team is always looking for community members to help Brooklawn be greener and healthier! We work on a variety of programs to help reduce waste, protect our natural resources, and be a more sustainable community!

If you'd like to join the Green Team, email Council President Patrick Moses at: pmoses@brooklawn-nj.com