Township advises spring cleaning - inside and out North Brunswick officials suggest ways to keep homes, streets clean BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer NORTH BRUNSWICK - Spring is a time for most people to clean out their closets, garages and attics, so township officials want to make sure the garbage is disposed of properly, and that properties in general are well maintained "North Brunswick is a wonderful place to live, and we all share great pride in our sense of community," said Michael Hritz, director of community development. "Spring is an excellent time for homeowners to assess their properties and dedicate some time outside to property maintenance." Hritz said most residents are not familiar with the township's official code, which is available at www.northbrunswickonline. com, and therefore receive violations that could have been avoided. For example, Hritz said cars left for sale on different properties, oversized commercial vehicles, boats, and other recreational vehicles in residential neighborhoods, and unregistered and junked vehicles are among the most common problems reported to the Department of Community Development. He said that someone may advertise a car for sale in a residential neighborhood only on his or her own property, on the street directly in front of the owner's residence, or in front of a neighbor's house, but only with permission. Cars for sale may not be left in shopping centers, public parking lots, or at other private businesses, unless they are at the owner's place of employment, and only while the owner is at work. While many commercial vehicles are permitted in residential neighborhoods, dump trucks with a gross vehicle weight of greater than 18,000 pounds are not. Tractors, trailers, and tow, rack and stake trucks are also restricted. Boats less than 28 feet in length are permitted on residential properties, but not in the front yard or on the street. "Most residents are not intentionally violating the code, they're just not aware of the regulations," he explained. Another problem observed by township employees - and fellow residents too - is property maintenance. Residents are usually unaware of what items can be left for garbage collection, and which must be taken to local centers or drop-off points. Mark LaMonica, a supervisor in the North Brunswick Department of Public Works (DPW), said that residents must be aware that garbage may only be put out up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled pickup, and any containers used must be removed from the curb by 8 a.m. the following morning. He said this makes the streets more aesthetic, keeps them safer for children and residents who are using the sidewalks, avoids clogging sewer drains and keeps the flow of traffic and parking smooth. He said the public right of way is 10 feet from the asphalt to the edge of the property, including the curb and sidewalk, and that residents are responsible for maintaining that area. The DPWdoes rent Dumpsters for residents cleaning out their homes. The cost is $300 for a three- to five-day rental and the DPW will deliver and retrieve the 20- and 30-yard containers. Construction materials, soil, concrete and large tree trunks will not be accepted. Other items that usually cause concern are the following: • Yard waste such as small trees and branches can be placed in 4-foot, 40-pound bundles. An appointment must be scheduled. Grass can be stored in an open container or in a biodegradable bag and will be picked up the day after the regularly scheduled pickup, with no appointment necessary. Or, through the "Cut It and Leave It" program, North Brunswick encourages mulching grass and leaving it in place because the nutrients are added back into the soil, according to DPWDirector Glenn Sandor. Then the grass clippings do not go to the landfill, according to Hritz. Also, residents can get free leaf or woodchip mulch from the DPW if they bring their own storage container. • Bulk materials such as carpeting, furniture, doors and windows, wooden fencing, lumber, sheeted glass and construction materials are picked up curbside by the DPW by appointment only. Commercial construction materials will not be accepted. "White goods," such as appliances, are picked up curbside by appointment each week on Wednesday, and must be outside by 7 a.m. the day of the pickup. Appointments must be reserved by the previous Tuesday at noon. These items include washers, dryers, refrigerators, bed frames, iron pipes, stoves and air conditioners. Motor oil, car batteries, metal and tires are also picked up by appointment. "A lot are recycled and then we receive money back," Sandor said. • Household batteries can be dropped off at the municipal complex on Hermann Road on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. • Paint disposal is available in various towns in the county on each Saturday of the month. Latex- and water-based paint, oil-based paint, stains, varnishes, lacquers, thinners and aerosol paints, all with labels, will be accepted. The DPW will accept dried-out paint containers in the regular trash. • Hazardous waste materials such as aerosol paint cans, latex paint, fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane tanks, kerosene, antifreeze and gasoline may be dropped off during hazardous material collection days, as scheduled by Middlesex County. There is usually one each month in various county locations. The next one is May 17 at the Middlesex County Highways Department in Sayreville; North Brunswick will hold one on Apple Orchard Lane on Oct. 18. • Consumer electronics such as computers, televisions, telephones, irons and thermometers can be taken to Hesstech, 45 Executive Ave., Edison, on the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the third Monday of every month from noon to 4 p.m. • For paper documents containing personal information, North Brunswick will host a Shred It program on Saturday, May 10, at the municipal building on Hermann Road from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until the shredding truck is full. Old files, receipts, bills or financial statements will be recycled on the spot. The service is free, sponsored by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and North Brunswick Township. South Brunswick will also hold a shredding event on Saturday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the senior center. Next will be Old Bridge on Saturday, June 14, and then Saturday, June 28, in Spotswood at their municipal buildings at the same time. North Brunswick has three full-time code enforcement officers who inspect properties on a daily basis and issue violations when necessary. Sandor said his staff also acts as watchdogs for proper garbage disposal. "Violation notices are meant to be constructive by bringing an issue to the attention of a property owner and providing a reasonable time for compliance," Hritz said. "Typically, we find homeowners to be responsive." As a means of promoting and enforcing the municipal code, a "Director's Tour" of township neighborhoods was recently started. Once a month, Hritz, Sandor, Lou Ann Benson of the Department of Parks & Recreation and police Lt. Christopher Zerby of the Department of Public Safety's Traffic Division tour a neighborhood to identify property, road and park conditions. Many of these issues are then addressed by township staff members. Individual homeowners may receive a violation notice from the township seeking their compliance on a variety of propertymaintenance issues. If the violations are not addressed, a municipal court summons is issued. "If every homeowner took the time each year to address these maintenance issues on their property, then we wouldn't find the challenges we are faced with today," Hritz said. For more information, contact the Department of Community Development at (732) 247-0922, ext. 440, or the DPW at (732) 297-1134, or visit www.northbrunswickonline. com. Information is also available from the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management at (732) 745-4170 or e-mail solidwaste@co.middlesex.nj.us, or visit the Web site, http://co.middlesex.nj.us/planningboard/ solidwaste.asp.