March 16, 2018

1. REMINDER:   Mercer County Sustainability Coalition Which Includes East Windsor Township Presents 12th Annual Mercer Green Fest on Saturday, March 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rider University Student Recreation Center, 2083 Lawrenceville Road (Route 206), Lawrenceville.  This free event for all ages will feature sustainable local businesses and community organizations, local farms, as well as hands-on workshops, an electric vehicle display and informational speaker presentations and entertainment including Miss Amy's Band, Solar Man and Eyes of the Wild wildlife show.  For further information, visit www.mercergreenfest.org. 
2. Township Accepting Applications from Residents for Participation in the 2018 East Windsor Community Garden.  The Community Garden is located on the Disbrow Hill Road open space property, adjacent to the Disbrow Hill playing fields and across from Etra Lake Park.  The Community Garden, which will kickoff early to mid April, provides residents with the opportunity to rent a plot of land to plant their own fruits and vegetables.  To obtain an application or further information, contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at (609) 443-4000, ext. 238.
3. Township and Mercer County Will Hold Special Passport Day on Wednesday, March 28 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the East Windsor Municipal Building (16 Lanning Boulevard).  Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello are sponsoring this special Passport Day locally at which the Mercer County Clerk’s Office will process United States passport applications on-site for residents.  Residents can just show up, but are encouraged to call (609) 989-6473 to reserve a specific appointment time.  To apply, residents will need: (1) proof of U.S. citizenship in the form of a state certified birth certificate, a U.S. naturalization certificate or a previous U.S. passport, and (2) proof of identity in the form of a current driver’s license or state issued identification card.  Cost of the passport is $110 for adults, and $80 for minors, plus a processing fee of $25.  Passport photos can be taken on-site if needed for $15 or $10 for senior citizens.  Only checks or money orders will be accepted.  For further information on requirements and documents needed to obtain a passport, visit www.mercercounty.org and click on County Clerk, or call (609) 989-6473.
4. East Windsor Department of Public Works Is Making Additional Passes through the Township to Pick Up Brush and Debris, in response to the recent weather events.  Place branches curbside for collection.  Additional passes will be made as time permits, without a set schedule.  Residents who hire contractors to remove or cut trees on their property must ensure that the contractor removes those materials from the property and streets.  For further information, contact Department of Public Works at (609) 443-4000, ext. 215.
5. East Windsor Township Will Hold Recycling Day on Saturday April 14 from 10 am to 2 pm, Rain or Shine, at the East Windsor Senior Center (40 Lanning Boulevard).  This Township event is sponsored by Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Members of Council, in conjunction with the East Windsor Clean Communities Committee.  Free document shredding will be available to East Windsor residents.  There is a limit of ten boxes per household, and no commercial drop-offs are permitted.  Residents also will be able to drop off cell phones, fluorescent bulbs and toner cartridges, as well as used electronics, computers, computer equipment and televisions.  The East Windsor/Hightstown Lions Club will be collecting used eye glasses.  RISE will have trucks on-site to collect clothing, shoes, blankets, housewares (plates, mugs, and related items) and working household appliances and electronics.  For further information, call (609) 443-4000, ext. 215.
6. Mercer County Hazardous Waste Collection and Electronics Recycling Event Will Be Held on Saturday, April 7, from 8 am to 2 pm, rain or shine, at the John T. Dempster Fire School, located on Baker's Basin/Lawrence Station Road in Lawrence Township.  No registration is required, just proof of Mercer County residency.  Residents can dispose of aerosol cans, used motor oil, propane gas tanks, pesticides, herbicides, car batteries, paint thinner, oil based paints, gasoline, anti-freeze, driveway sealer, insect repellants, and fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs.  Used electronic equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, televisions, stereos, and microwaves will be accepted.  For further information, visit the MICA website at www.mcianj.org or call (609) 278-8086.
7. East Windsor Sponsors Recycling Poster Contest for Local Elementary School Students for Earth Day.  The theme of the poster is to promote any of the "4 Rs" of the Township Recycling Program Logo, which are:   RECYCLE all items that can be recycled;  REUSE other items rather than throw them out in the trash;  REDUCE materials into homes that then have to be disposed of, and  REBUY buy goods that use recycled materials.  Posters should be left by Monday, March 26, at the student's School Administrative Office or at the East Windsor Municipal Building Mayor's Office.  Participants should be certain to provide on the back of each poster the student's name, address, phone number, grade level, and school attended.  Contest winners will be notified and awards, including gift certificate to Barnes and Noble donated by Shiseido, will be made by Mayor Janice S. Mironov at an Earth Day ceremony at the April 24 Council meeting at 7:30 pm.  Winning posters will be displayed in the municipal building lobby through May.
8. East Windsor Is Soliciting Nominations for the Sylvia Weiss Senior Citizen Award for Outstanding Service as a Volunteer.  The annual award is to recognize a senior citizen who has exhibited outstanding service through volunteerism to the community by way of the schools, religious institutions, service organizations or directly to the public.  Nominees must be at least 60 years of age and residents of East Windsor.  Nominations forms, due Thursday, April 12, are available at the municipal building, on Township website (CLICK HERE) or by calling the Municipal Clerk's office at (609) 443-4000, ext. 238.
9. East Windsor Encourages Community Groups to Participate in 2018 Township Adopt-A-Spot Program.  Under this program, participating groups "adopt" a public property and keep it clean during the year.  A placard is erected on the site indicating that it has been "adopted by" with the name of the group.  The groups are expected to perform clean-up three times per month from April 1 through November 30.  Adopt-A-Spot is a great program in not only ensuring public areas of our community are well-maintained, but also has been a wonderful educational tool for teaching young people social responsibility and community pride.  To participate, interested groups should send a letter to East Windsor Clean Communities Committee, ATTN:  Mayor Janice S. Mironov, 16 Lanning Boulevard, East Windsor, NJ 08520.
10. Free Gun Safety Locks Are Available to East Windsor Residents During March under Township Gun Safety Program.  The Township is sponsoring this pro-active safety initiative to promote improved gun safety, as these gun locks if properly used can help keep guns out of the hands of children and prevent accidental deaths and injuries in the home.  The gun locks are available to East Windsor at no cost through Project Child Safe, a national firearms safety program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  Free gun safety locks can be obtained at the Township police/court building (80 One Mile Road) by contacting Detective Brian Gorski at (609) 448-5678, ext. 236.
11. East Windsor Recreation Department Offers New 2018 Spring Break Camp for Students in Kindergarten and First Grades.  The Nature and Exploration Camp will be held at the Etra Lake Park Environmental Center, April 2 to April 5, 2018, 9 am to 3 pm.  Campers will explore nature and investigate wildlife while engaged in hands-on art, science and outdoor activities.  Online program registration and payment is available at (CLICK HERE).  For additional information call (609) 443-4000, ext. 225.
12. Annual East Windsor Egg Hunt Is Scheduled for Saturday, March 24 at 9 am, at Etra Lake Park (rain date Sunday, March 25 at 1:30 pm).  The egg hunt is for children in pre-school through Grade 5.  This annual event features lots of candy, prizes, and fun!  There is no fee or registration, but each child should bring a basket or bag.  To avoid a last minute traffic jam at the park entrance, plan to arrive early.  If inclimate weather, call (609) 443-4000, ext. 400 for information.
13. East Windsor Recreation Department is Accepting Applications for 2018 Summer Camp Positions.  The positions include camp supervisors, camp counselors, before and after care camp staff, and (non-paying) counselors-in-training.  Applications can be obtained by contacting the Township Recreation Department at (609) 443-4000, ext. 214 or online at (CLICK HERE).  Individuals 18 years and older will be subject to a background check.  Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.
14. East Windsor Recreation Department Summer Camp Registration Is Open for Township Residents.  Recreation day camps will be offered for students entering grades Kindergarten through 5.  The Explorer camp is designed for campers entering grades Kindergarten and 1 and the Adventure camp is designed for campers entering grades 2,3,4, & 5.  Our 2018 Travel camps are offered for campers entering grades 6 through 9.  Camp Care for before and after care of campers is also available for an additional fee.  Online registration and payment is available at (CLICK HERE).  Program information is available at the Township municipal building, local libraries and online at (CLICK HERE).  For more information, call (609) 443-4000, ext. 225.