Weekly Message from Mayor Madden: Recycling on a Windy Day
High Winds during recycle pick up days have been the bane of complaints from our residents. Although our neighbors probably prefer not to share their neighbor’s Friskies cat food or Cesar dog food containers, I am sure that such gastronomic preferences may not be in the best interest of our neighbors during collection time. Please consider that this situation also creates major issues for the people who are collecting such recyclables. I have received calls about their recycle containers have been “ removed” by the contractor. Please look for them around your neighborhood as I am sure they just blew away. The good news is that we are aware of such weather events before they happen. As residents, how can we minimize this perfect storm from occurring ?
Please be mindful that overfilling the containers and not securing them when they are placed at the curb may tip over and blow the containers in neighbor’s yards, on the streets, catch basins, in our parks and waterways. Please make sure that the cardboard is flattened, bundle, tied and properly secured. If your containers do happen to migrate to your neighbor’s yard, please retrieve them to keep everyone happy.
Sewerage Issues
Several weeks ago one of our district pump stations went down. Alarms sounded and our DPW crew were dispatched. Unfortunately both pumps ceased operation altogether. Our sewer operator was on the scene very quickly. He soon determined that both pumps had again seized due to the compaction and caking of those “ flushable “ wipes. The compaction was so serious that the entire pump station shut down. If it weren’t for the rapid response of our DPW, a potential disaster would have occurred. Sewage could have backed up into basements of those in that district.
This event was unfortunately the second occurrence in a short period of time. Please understand that with each occurrence, borough taxpayers are on the hook for the overtime (again on a weekend) damage to the equipment and the cost of the jet/vac if needed to reduce down the effluent so it does not encroach basements. Also, such “ solids “ dramatically increases the cost of wastewater treatment in which we ALL pay dearly. I assure you that we are working earnestly to control these costs. I ask that you please do your part. I was there each day of that weekend to see how efficient our DPW performed in the emergency. In addition, an outside sewer contractor was required to not only help lift the pumps but to coordinate the cleaning, flushing and repair of the system. I am sure everyone there preferred to be home with their families.
I cannot stress enough that when we are finished using the wipes, please make the extra effort to properly dispose of them to your trash.
Spring is Just Around the Corner
Finally it looks like we are getting a nice break in the weather with sunnier, warmer and drier days. Soon outdoor dining and events will resume.
Middlesex Borough’s first recreation event in a very long time is scheduled for Saturday, March 27 at 3 pm. The rain date is Sunday, March 28 at the same time .This will take place at Mountain View Park. Please join us and bring the children for an Easter Bunny hop around the park. This will be a drive-through event where there will be stations to stop along the way to collect and gather goodies for the kids and meet the Easter Bunny.
I am happy to announce that spring sports will be held this year. We are also planning for summer camp as well. This year we are hoping to offer a choice of half day or full day camp. We have never offered the option of full day camp before. We are interested in seeing if this is something both adults and children are interested in taking advantage of and participating.
Lastly, we are also hoping to resume Chair Yoga and Ageless Grace outdoors by April for our Seniors. Please visit the Borough’s website for more information on spring sports or other recreation/Senior opportunities.
Please stay safe. Thank you.
Mayor John L. Madden