May 2023

All May 2023 issues of Hazlet Citizen Weekly. 
The digital newsletter is produced by the Hazlet Public Information Office and published every Friday on the township website. 

Hazlet Citizen Weekly - May 26 2023

Hazlet Township News & Announcements

May 26, 2023

New Restaurant Opens in Hazlet Memorial Day Service Planned, Summer Kickoff with Neighbors

WELCOME TO HAZLET, NOCHES DE COLOMBIA

The township was on hand for the ribbon cutting of Hazlet's newest restaurant, Noches de Colombia in the Chelsea Plaza at 3253 Route 35 North. This is the company's first location in Monmouth County. The restaurant offers authentic Colombian and Lantin fare throughout the day. There are tables for dining, online ordering, delivery, pick-up and drive-through service.

Noches de Colombia

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE

Memorial Day is Monday, May 29. Veterans Park Memorial Garden is once again decorated with banners honoring Hazlet residents who died in service to our country. 

Memorial Day  May 29Hazlet Township will host its annual outdoor service to Remember and Honor at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Garden next to Town Hall. Please be aware there will be limited seating available and you may bring your own lawn chairs. All are invited.

The half-hour ceremony will be include participation from Hazlet VFW Post 4303 and the Hazlet Police Honor Guard and Chaplain. Wreaths will be laid by Hazlet Fire Companies, Police, First Aid, Township Committee, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Special Olympics Team. 

Music will be provided by the Hazlet Pops community band and Honor Guard bagpipers. The ceremony will conclude with a  21-Gun Salute and the playing of Taps.

Light refreshments will follow in the James J. Cullen Center. 

Closed on Memorial Day
Hazlet Town Hall, the James J. Cullen Center and the DPW Recycling Yard on Leocadia Court will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29, 2023. 

UPDATED OFFICE HOURS START TUESDAY


Town Hall Hours of Operation Memorial Day to Labor Day Hazlet Town Hall

  • Starting Tuesday, May 30, the day after Memorial Day, Hazlet's Town Hall offices will stay open longer Monday through Thursday, until 4:45 p.m.. On Fridays, Town Hall will close at noon. 
  • On September 5, the day after Labor Day, Town Hall office hours will revert back to the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekday schedule.

James J. Cullen Center

The Senior Center at the James J. Cullen Center will remain on the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekday schedule and will not change.

Public Works

  • The hours of the Public Works Department Recycling Yard, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, will be weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. 
  • The hours of the Public Works Department Offices at Leocadia Court will be weekdays, 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
  • After September 4, Recycling Yard will be open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Holiday Closures

Town Hall will be closed:

  • May 29 (Monday) for Memorial Day
  • June 16 (Friday) for Juneteenth
  • July 4 (Tuesday) Independence Day
  • September 4 (Monday)

BUDGET ADOPTED

The Township Committee approved the municipal budget on May 23. The 2023 Municipal Budget call for no municipal tax increase and the average home will see an 8 cent reduction in the tax rate. View a presentation (PDF) of the township spending plan and priorities.

2023 Hazlet Budget Presentation_Page_01 Opens in new window

PUBLIC MEETINGS

The Land Use Board meets Thursday, June 1 for a 7 pm Meeting. Agendas are posted prior to the meeting in the Agenda Center.

NEW PARKING LOT INSTALLATION

Work continues at the municipal complex on the installation of a new parking lot next to the James J. Cullen Center. As of May 26, new walkways and curbing has been installed. When completed, there will be additional ADA spaces with a total of 24 more spaces created. Stay tuned! 

Also in progress is the rehabilitation of 8th Street Park and roadway improvements as part of the township's Road Program. See photos taken around town on May 26, 2023.

Town Construction Work on May 26, 2023

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SUMMER KICKOFF

We had a great time at the Summer Kickoff party today, a joint event by the senior centers of Hazlet and Keyport and sponsored by ShopRite. 

The chefs provided hot food from the big red truck parked outside the James J. Cullen center. There was a DJ and dancing inside. This was a fun way to welcome the summer season with the neighbors! 

The June Senior Center Newsletter is now available. Bowling is now starting and will take place at Bowlero next to Airport Plaza in Hazlet! 

Summer Kickoff May 25, 2023

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Hazlet Citizen Weekly - May 19 2023

Hazlet Township News & Announcements

May 19, 2023

Construction Projects, Public Input Sought on Storm Management Plan, Update on Hours of Operation

2023 ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Work is underway to improve streets off Hazlet Avenue by contractor S. Brothers, as part of the township's 2023 Roadway Improvement Program. The roads are those from Section K1 as outlined in the updated 5 Year Improvement Plan.

Construction on David Street, from Mason Drive, Hazlet


NEW PARKING LOT IN THE WORKS

Visitors to the municipal complex will notice the area next to the James J. Cullen Center is currently under construction. A new parking lot with additional ADA spots is being installed. The adjacent parking lot area will also be reconfigured for improved safety and more parking spaces. 

Parking Lot Construction Next to Town Hall

HEALTH FAIR

More than 40 people visited the 3- hour pop-up Health Fair Wednesday, May 17 at the James J. Cullen Center to learn about their health. There were many stations to visit staffed by knowledgeable Hackensack Meridian Health nurses and specialists. There were free screenings for blood pressure, pulse, body mass index, total cholesterol, glucose and stroke risk assessment. Thank you to the HMH team for bringing the fair to Hazlet!

Hazlet Health Fair May 17, 2023

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Coastal Storm Risk Management Flyer

NOTE HOURS OF OPERATION MAY 30 - SEPT. 1, 2023


Town Hall Hours of Operation Memorial Day to Labor Day Hazlet Town Hall

  • Starting Tuesday, May 30, the day after Memorial Day, Hazlet's Town Hall offices will stay open longer Monday through Thursday, until 4:45 p.m.. On Fridays, Town Hall will close at noon. 
  • On September 5, the day after Labor Day, Town Hall office hours will revert back to the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekday schedule.

James J. Cullen Center

The Senior Center at the James J. Cullen Center will remain on the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekday schedule and will not change.

Public Works

  • The hours of the Public Works Department Recycling Yard, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, will be weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. 
  • The hours of the Public Works Department Offices at Leocadia Court will be weekdays, 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
  • After September 4, Recycling Yard will be open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Holiday Closures

Town Hall will be closed 

  • May 29 (Monday) for Memorial Day
  • June 16 (Friday) for Juneteenth
  • July 4 (Tuesday) Independence Day
  • September 4 (Monday)

SENIOR CENTER SOCIALS

The Hazlet Senior Center at the James J. Cullen Center hosts many social activities, and everyone is warmly invited - residents and nonresidents. If you haven't checked it out, please stop in to meet Director Denise Bucciero and take a walk around. For a calendar of events, check out the monthly in the Senior Center section. It is also linked on this weekly newsletter, in the "Save the Date" section. For further information, call the office at 732-217-8683. 

Spring Tea Party and Bingo - May 12, 2023

Tea Party at the Hazlet Senior Center

NEW: LATIN GROOVE CLASS 

Latin Groove Dance Class starts May 24 with image of a dancerInstructor Oscar Diaz will lead a Latin Dance Class at the Hazlet Senior Center.

The class will be held Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. from May 24 to June 28. 

Registration is open to residents and nonresidents and costs $30. 

Please call to register at 732-217-8683. 

VIEW THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET

The final adoption of the municipal budget will be held at the Township Committee meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23. View a presentation (PDF) or the proposed municipal budget, introduced March 28. 


2023 Hazlet Budget Presentation_Page_01 Opens in new window

Hazlet Citizen Weekly - May 12 2023

Hazlet Township News & Announcements

May 12, 2023

Police Week Proclamation, Pickleball Courts Planned, Hazlet Day Announced for Sept. 9 

POLICE WEEK MAY 14-20

Hazlet Township Mayor Michael Sachs has declared May 14-20, 2023 "Police Week" in Hazlet Township. He read a Proclamation at the May 9 government meeting urging all citizens  to honor and salute the vital service provided by law enforcement officers in Hazlet and throughout the nation. 

Police Week May 14-20

Mayor Michael Sachs, center, flanked by Hazlet Police Officers and Township Committee members.

CHECK OUT THE PICKLEBALL COURTS

Players, get excited! The township is reconfiguring the tennis courts in the municipal complex  to allow for six pickle ball courts and two tennis courts. The six courts will be located on the side closest to Green Acres Drive. Work begins in coming days. Courts will be ready for play, pending weather, mid-summer.

Hazlet Township Pickleball Court Plan

NEW PARKING LOT 

Improvements are coming to the parking lot between the James J. Cullen Center and Town Hall. 

There will be a new parking lot next to the Cullen center, a new traffic flow pattern, plantings and increased parking. Work will begin in coming days.

Additional ADA accessible parking will be available near the Cullen Center.

MUNICIPAL BUDGET

The final adoption of the municipal budget will be held at the Township Committee meeting at 7 p.m. on May 23. View a presentation (PDF)

2023 Hazlet Budget Presentation_Page_01 Opens in new window

WHEN HAZLET WAS MOSTLY FARMS

On May 11 at the Cullen Center, longtime friends and neighbors Rose Mocci Cavuto and Elmer Bahrenburg told stories about their childhoods working on the family farm and attending local primary schools. Both of their families have deep roots in the Hazlet/Holmdel area. They shared black-and-white photos of the treasured family homesteads and the Bahrenburg butcher shop, The room buzzed with shared memories. They also passed around a 1906 property tax bill for an 18-acre farm signed by Collector William Bedle. The amount due was $18.50. Everyone had something to say about that! 

Their histories will be added to the township website. The Hazlet History Talks at the Senior Center are part of the township's yearlong 175th Anniversary observance. Thank you Rose and Elmer! 

Hazlet History with Rose Mocci Staikos and Elmer Bahrenburg

FREE HEALTH FAIR MAY 17

Hazlet Health & Wellness Fair - May 17Residents are invited to take part in a free Health Fair at the James J. Cullen Center on Wednesday, May 17.

There will be giveaways, information and free screenings for blood pressure, pulse, body mass index, total cholesterol, glucose and stroke risk assessment. Fasting is not required. All are invited! Contact Denise Bucciero at the Senior Center with any questions: 732-217-8683. 

STORM WATER SEMINAR

The Hazlet Township Environmental Commission hosted an informative Storm Water Management Seminar on Monday, Мау 8 at Town Hall. Residents from Hazlet, Holmdel and other towns came to hear Christopher Obropta of Rutgers University and Joe Barris of Monmouth County Planning talk about the current problems statewide and potential solutions. They answered questions from the audience. Residents with questions may reach out to Annie Eng, our township CRS Coordinator.

Storm Water Seminar May 8

Stormwater Management

HAZLET DAY 2023

We can't wait for Hazlet Day 2023! 

Bring the family and enjoy an outdoor family-friendly festival with neighbors. The festival includes bouncy inflatables, a petting zoo, face painting and lots of fun kids activities. There is constant live entertainment, including excellent bands and dancing. Visit the booths and speak to local business owners. You can learn about nonprofits serving our area and connect with civic organizations. 

Would you like to participate as a vendor? Please fill out an application.

2023 Hazlet Day festival flyer with images of food truck, inflatables, cow, firetruck and tents
Hazlet Citizen Weekly-May 5 2023

Hazlet Township News & Announcements

May 5, 2023

Free Health Fair May 17, Hazlet Police Updates, Job Openings

HEALTH FAIR

Residents are invited to take part in a free Health Fair at the James J. Cullen Center on Wednesday, May 17. 

There will be giveaways, information and free screenings for blood pressure, pulse, body mass index, total cholesterol, glucose and stroke risk assessment. Fasting is not required. All are invited! 

Health Fair - Instagram

PUBLIC MEETINGS 

  • The Environmental Commission meet Monday, May 8. The meeting will include a special presentation about storm water management.
  • The Township Committee meets 7 p.m. May 9 for a Regular meeting. There will be a public hearing on the annual budget.

Agendas are posted prior to the meeting in the Agenda Center.

Stormwater management -350STORM WATER SEMINAR

The Hazlet Township Environmental Commission invites you to join our Storm Water Management Seminar taking place on Monday, Мау 8, 2023 - 6:00 РМ - 9 РМ at Town Hall located at 1766 Union Ave., Hazlet, NJ. 

The Hazlet Environmental Commission, in conjunction with the Hazlet Township Municipal Administrator, Rutgers University Cooperative Extension and the NJ Association for Floodplain Management are pleased to provide this seminar to our residents and neighboring communities. More about the speakers.

MVC MOBILE UNIT 

Thank you to the friendly people at the NJ Motor Vehicle Mobile Unit who visited Hazlet Township on May 2 and provided a range of services for the public! Convenient and quick.

Large NJ MVC Mobile truck outside Hazlet Town Hall

HAZLET ROCKS RETURNS

Examples of Rich Pyburn's HazletRocks project, which he hides in Veterans Park.Hazlet resident Rich Pyburn continues to delight visitors to Veterans Park with the Hazlet Rocks scavenger hunt, which he created with the township's approval during the pandemic days. By Sunday 10 a.m., a new crop of 200 painted rocks will be hidden in the park for you to find. There are rules to the game, so please visit the HazletRocks Facebook Group and read about the Event. Pyburn urges more creative artists to join in the activity by painting and hiding a few rocks, and sharing the photos. 

HAZLET POLICE UPDATES

The following announcements were posted this week on Facebook.com/HazletPolice

New Traffic Signal Pattern at Highway 35 & Bethany/Poole
Due to the high volume of traffic accidents at this location over many years, Traffic Safety Officer Patrick Wood appealed to the NJ DOT to change the light pattern at Highway 35 and Bethany Road/ Poole Ave. 

Today, the NJ Dept. of Transportation made the change to the light pattern. Beginning now, the light at Poole Ave (heading south on the roadway) and Highway 35 will have the first green cycle. Then, the opposite, Bethany Road (heading north on the roadway) and Highway 35 will have the green light and right of way. 

We hope this helps limit the numerous violations and accidents that occur at this location, making our town safer for motorists.

Salute to Retiring Officer
Hazlet Twp PBA Local #189 Salute Officer Enright on his retirementWe salute Officer Thomas Enright on his retirement. Family, friends and police officers from neighboring Bayshore towns joined us in celebrating Officer Enright’s last call and Department Walkout this morning.

Officer Enright started his law enforcement career with Keansburg Police Department before joining our Police Department, where he faithfully served the residents of Hazlet for the last 22 years. During that time he has touched many lives in a positive way. 

Please help us in congratulating Officer Enright on his retirement. We wish him and his family the very best during his next chapter!

Stolen Vehicle 
Up until recently Hazlet had been, for the most part, lucky to skirt the stolen high-end car epidemic plaquing numerous municipalities throughout the State. Yes, we have a had a few stolen cars the last couple of years, however we are now seeing recent attempts and successful thefts within our borders on a larger scale. A few days ago, we had two residences in Raritan Valley report that unknown actors entered their backyards and attempted to pry the one residents window but were unsuccessful. In the most recent attempt, last night, unknown actors pried open a window of a residence near the post office, entered the residence and stole a key fob. They then drove away with the resident’s high-end car that was blocked in by another car in the driveway. This resident had taken several precautions and was still victimized. They blocked their high-end car in the driveway with another vehicle, they locked their car doors, they brought their keys in the house, and they locked their house windows but unfortunately these thieves have become more extraordinarily brazen. 

We ask that you continue to be vigilant and continue to make sure your cars and homes are secure. While most all of these types of crimes are perpetrated towards owners of high-end cars, we ask that everyone takes these universal precautions because sometimes they will take any make or model car when the opportunity arises.  

In addition to taking the previously prescribed preventative measures you can take these following steps to help deter these criminals:

  • Add motion activated lighting to the sides and rear of your residence
  • Make sure that any windows that are accessible to the ground level are thoroughly secure and will withstand prying attempts
  • Make sure that side garage access doors are secure and doors leading from the garage into the home are always secure
  • Routinely secure the lock for the access gate entering your backyard. If you do not have one, one should be installed
  • If you hear noises or suspect something isn’t right, at any time, please call the police so we can respond



Faith and Blue Flyer - May 6 2023Faith & Blue Gardening Event
Thankfully the weather forecast is looking beautiful for our Faith and Blue event this Saturday! 

Come to the Cullen Center at 1776 Union Ave to plant flowers donated by the The Home Depot around the Memorial grounds outside of the Cullen Center and in the empty flower beds adorning the building. 

Pastor Barry Mulligan (our Hazlet PD Chaplain) and members of his congregation at the Hazlet Bible Church will be joining Officers from the Hazlet Police Department and you are invited too! Refreshments will be served! 

Please RSVP

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Public Works Dept.
    View Job Announcements
    Hazlet Township is looking to hire a full time Mechanic and a full time Supervising Mechanic. 

  • Recreation Dept. 
    View Summer Employment Page
    • Hazlet Swim & Tennis Club
      • Shift Managers - $20.00 to $24.00 per hour
      • Lifeguard - $16.00 to $16.36 per hour
    • Summer Recreation Camp
      • Arts & Crafts Specialist - $14.50 to $15.34
      • Activities Coordinator - $14.50 to $15.34 
      • Camp Counselor - $15.00 to $15.34
      • EMT

PRIMARY ELECTION

Apply to be a Monmouth County Poll WorkerThere are three ways to cast a vote in the June 6 Primary Election

  • In-person voting by machine at any of the Monmouth County Early Voting Centers, including Hazlet Library, is available Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. through Sunday, June 4 at 6 p.m. Hours during that week will be as follows: Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information.
  • Vote by mail started April 22. Ballots must be received by the County Clerk's Office by May 30. The list of drop box locations included Airport Plaza.
  • Voting on Election Day: In-person voting on a machine will be available at the voter’s designated polling place on Election Day, June 6, 2023.

Visit MonmouthCountyVotes.com for all voting information



Hazlet Citizen Weekly is published by the Public Information Office. It is posted on the township website at noon on Fridays. You can be alerted by signing up here. Questions? Contact Christina Johnson, Public Information Officer: (732) 217-8660 or via email form.