May 2022

Tornado Rips Through Hazlet
On Friday, May 20, an intense storm suddenly blew through our area. The next day, the National Weather Service said it was an EF-0 tornado. It was on the ground for just one minute, from 5:09 to 5:10 p.m. Its winds damaged over a dozen homes and numerous trees between the Strathmore section of Aberdeen and Hazlet. Nobody was reported injured or hurt. Read the detailed NWS report.

Straight winds splintered three telephone poles on Route 35 North, disrupting power to 112 Hazlet customers. On Parkview Drive there were two broken Verizon poles, impacting another 42 Hazlet customers. Verizon workers spent the weekend erecting new poles, with JCPL following up to hook up the power. It was a weekend of unusually hot temperatures in the 90s.

Hazlet residents who have brush from the storm may place it at the curb for pick-up and call Hazlet Dept. of Public Works at 732-217-8654.

Hazlet Swim Club Opening Weekend
The pools are filled and waiting for members and their guests this weekend! Starting Memorial Day weekend May 28, the pool club is scheduled to open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Starting June 27, it is scheduled to open daily through Labor Day Sept. 5. Closures are possible due to inclement weather. Learn about membership.

Hazlet Township has partnered with private camp operator Camp Coconuts to help staff the facility. Read about the agreement.

Memorial Day Ceremony Monday 10 AM
Hazlet Township's annual Memorial Day ceremony is at 10 am on Monday, May 30 in the monument park next to the James. J. Cullen Center at 1776 Union Ave.

The Township Committee will welcome attendees. The VFW will remember the fallen and present a wreath. The Hazlet Township Police Color Guard will march in to the bagpipes playing “America the Beautiful.” Hazlet Police Chaplain Barry Mulligan will lead an opening and closing prayer for all our veterans and active military.

Deputy Monmouth County Commissioner Sue Kiley will read the names of fallen soldiers from our hometown and recognize citizens who are currently serving.

The Hazlet Pops Band will provide live music. Following the ceremony, there will be a light snack sponsored by Perkins Restaurant & Bakery of Hazlet.

More chairs will be set out this year, but you are also free to bring your own.

Find township government, board and committee meetings and more on the main township calendar.

MAY

May 30, Monday: Memorial Day Ceremony at the Cullen Center, Veterans Park. Starts at 10 a.m. Hazlet Pops will perform.

JUNE

June 13, Monday: Wellness Screenings, 10 am to 1 pm at the Cullen Center. Provided by Hackensack Meridian Health.

June 15, Wednesday: Lunch & Lighthouse Tour on the Navesink Queen Paddle Wheel Boat, Atlantic Highlands Marina. Meet at the boat. From noon to 3 p.m. $55 per person. Lunch and dessert included. Get your ticket.

June 24, Friday: Movie in the Park: "Star Wars," sponsored by Hazlet Recreation. Starting at 8:30 p.m. at Veterans Park. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Food, ice cream on site. Let Recreation know you are coming.

June 27, Monday: Monthly Blood Drive sponsored by Hazlet Emergency Services at North Centerville firehouse. For an appointment go to nybc.org/newjerseydrive sponsor code 70721 .

June 29, Wednesday: Hypertension Lecture & Lunch. 11 am to 1 pm. Vascular screening by appointment. At the Cullen Center. Provided by Hackensack Meridian Health.

JULY

July 2, Saturday, at dusk. Hazlet Fireworks Display in Veterans Park

July 7, Thursday: Hazlet Pops Patriotic Concert, held outdoors. Details TBA.

July 8, Friday: Parents' Night Out, sponsored by Hazlet Recreation. Enjoy a night out while kids spend time together at the Cullen Community Center. From 6 to 9 p.m. $25 per child. Ages 5 to 12 years old. Space is limited. Admission includes arts and crafts and fun games. Pizza, water and snacks provided. Sign the kids up.

July 14, Thursday: Hazlet Pops Concert and Movie Night. Details TBA

July 21, Thursday: Hazlet Pops Broadway Night Concert. Details TBA.

July 28, Hazlet Pops Raritan Alumni Classical Music Night. Details TBA.

AUGUST

Aug 1-4, Raritan HS Soccer Camp

OCTOBER

Oct. 1, Saturday: Hazlet Day. Held outside Town Hall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors, rides, games, information booths, food trucks and more. Registration is open to secure a spot at our registration site. (look under Programs tab, Events.)

Road Work Ahead
Road work is underway in three Hazlet neighborhoods, as the Hazlet Township Committee's ambitious Road Restoration Program rolls on.

On Monday, Lucas Brothers Contractors will start work on Hemlock and surrounding streets, off Union Avenue. Over by Cove Road School, JF Kiely Contractors is currently installing a new NJNG main on Monterey. S. Brothers General Contractors is busy behind Airport Plaza, in the neighborhoods of Wagon Road; and Coach, Surrey and Carriage Drives, installing storm water drainage system improvements.

All of these areas will get new curbing and certain driveway aprons replaced as needed, as well as ADA compliant sidewalk ramps at intersections. The entire roadway surface will be milled and repaved and look brand new.

"Residents can expect to see a lot of work being done, and they will be able to see their tax dollars at work," said Mayor Michael Sachs.

Hazlet launched the Roadway Restoration Program in 2018 with a list of 110 municipal roads on the to-do list.

Repairs began in 2019 and are being completed in phases, in coordination with NJNG utility work when possible. The work is partially funded by NJDOT Municipal Aid Grant Program and financing from a Monmouth County Community Development Block Grant. T& M Engineering is overseeing the work.

Information about current program activities can be found on the township website. Visit the Road Program section.

Road Restoration Program

Road Reconstruction Program May 2022 - Monterey Drive
Road Reconstruction Program May 2022 - Coach Drive
Road Reconstruction Program May 2022 - Coach Drive

Remember the Fallen
Hazlet Township's annual Memorial Day ceremony is at 10 am on Monday, May 30 in the monument park next to the James. J. Cullen Center at 1776 Union Ave.

Deputy Monmouth County Commissioner Sue Kiley will read the names of fallen soldiers from our hometown and recognize citizens who are currently serving.

The Hazlet Pops Band will provide live music. Following the ceremony, there will be a light snack sponsored by Perkins Restaurant & Bakery of Hazlet.

Any organizations that would like to participate in the ceremony may contact the Recreation Dept. at 732-217-8648.

Robert Preston Joins Township Committee
Robert Preston took the formal oath of office at the May 17 Township Committee meeting with his family at his side. The oath was administered by Monmouth County Commissioner Deputy Director Sue Kiley.

The Township Committee appointed Preston, a Republican, on April 26. His term ends at the end of this year. He will serve on the governing body with Mayor Michael Sachs, Deputy Mayor Mike Glackin, Skip McKay and Pete Terranova, who are all Republicans.

Preston works as an automotive technician. He has been a volunteer firefighter for the Hazlet Township Fire District #1 for 36 years. He has previously been an elected district Fire Commissioner and has served more than 10 years as Treasurer. He has also served as Hazlet Township's fire chief and president of the North Centerville Volunteer Fire Co.

At the government meeting, Preston was accompanied by his wife Jackie, daughter Nicole, son Matthew, and mother Betty.

Police Officers Promoted
On May 17th, Mayor Michael Sachs and the Township Committee promoted two officers to their new ranks during a Township Meeting

Sergeant Michael Galvin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Patrolman Edward Schmidt was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Lt. Galvin will be assigned as a squad commander in the patrol division. Sgt. Schmidt will also be assigned to the patrol division.

Chief Ted Wittke ended the ceremony with a congratulations to all and thanked the Township Committee and all the residents for their support.

Police Promotions

Sgt. Mike Galvin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant at the ceremony.
Ptl. Edward Schmidt was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Hazlet Police Chief Ted Wittke thanked Hazlet residents for their support of the police.

Find township government, board and committee meetings and more on the main township calendar.

MAY

May 20, Friday: Hazlet Business Owner's Association invite local owners to "What's Brewing" monthly networking meeting. 7:45 to 9 a.m. at the Cullen Center. Light breakfast. RSVP through their Facebook page.

May 21, Saturday:

Car Seat informational event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by Hazlet Police Dept. Have your car seat inspected or installed by a Certified Car Seat Installation Officers. We will also have different car seats displayed so you can see how a child should be secured in your vehicle as they grow.
Princess Tea Party - from noon to 2 p.m. Hazlet Recreation "Parent and Me" event. From noon to 2 p.m. at the Cullen Center. $10 per adult, $5 per child (ages 1-12) Fun tea party games. Refreshments of tea/punch, finger sandwiches and sweets. RSVP.

May 23, Monday: Monthly Blood Drive sponsored by Hazlet Emergency Services at North Centerville firehouse. For an appointment go to nybc.org/newjerseydrive sponsor code 70721 .