Welcome to Lawrence Together, your community podcast for Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Today's episode covers news and updates from Latest in Lawrence, dated Thursday, August 6th. Let's get started.
We'll start with some important township news. First, some good news on the water front. The Boil Water Advisory that was in effect has now been lifted. If you were in the previously affected area, the township recommends a few simple steps before you resume normal water use. Run all your cold water taps for three to five minutes to flush out your service lines and interior plumbing. Empty and clean any automatic ice makers and water chillers. If your water heater is set below one hundred thirteen degrees, drain and refill it. Regenerate your water softeners or replace cartridge filters according to the manufacturer's instructions. And if you're in a tall building, drain and refill water storage tanks as needed.
Next, a heads up for drivers. The Interstate two ninety five southbound exit, Exit sixty nine B, to Route two oh six southbound is closed and detoured beginning June 4th and continuing through August. This is part of a noise barrier installation project happening in Lawrence, in Mercer County. In addition, the right lane on Interstate two ninety five southbound just before that exit is also closed to allow for construction barrier installation.
There's also an important mailing address update from the township. The Township of Lawrence is discontinuing the use of its P O Box six thousand and six as a mailing address. Going forward, all correspondence, including payments, should be mailed directly to the Township of Lawrence at twenty two oh seven Lawrence Road, Lawrence Township, New Jersey, zero eight six four eight. If you have scheduled payments set up, be sure to update them to reflect this new address.
Now, over to the Tax Collector's office. Third quarter twenty twenty six tax amounts are now available on the township website. Tax bills were mailed on August 6th, and the due date has been extended. The last day to pay third quarter taxes without penalty is Tuesday, September 8th, by close of business, with no further grace period. Late payments will be charged interest back to August 1st. If you have questions, you can reach the Tax Collector's office at six zero nine, eight four four, seven zero four one.
The Recreation Department has a busy season ahead. Fall and winter programs are on the way, with a variety of activities for youth and adults, so keep an eye out for registration updates. Youth basketball is returning too, with clinics for first and second graders, girls leagues for third through eighth grade, boys leagues for third through eighth grade, and a high school league. Most programs begin on Saturdays starting December 5th, with the high school league starting December 12th. If hula hooping is more your speed, Hula Hoop Fitness Summer Session two runs from August 18th through September 29th at Lawrence Veterans Park, with a new drop in option now available. Level one meets from five to six in the evening, and level two from six fifteen to seven fifteen in the evening. And for our seniors, the Senior Center has its August calendar and Senior Connect updates available online, and you can call the Lawrence Senior Center at six zero nine, eight four four, seven zero four eight to register for programs. For general recreation questions, call six zero nine, eight four four, seven zero six seven.
From the Health Department, a reminder about dog licensing. Don't forget to license your dog. Animal Control is currently reaching out to more than five hundred dog owners with delinquent licenses, and beginning in June, summonses may be issued for unlicensed dogs. A nine dollar late fee is currently in effect, and rabies vaccinations must remain valid through November 2026. If you have questions about your application or your dog's rabies expiration, contact the Clerk's Office. The Health Department also wants residents to know that free at home COVID test kits, provided by Mercer County, are available while supplies last, so feel free to stop by. For nursing services, including vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, and community resource assistance, you can reach the Health Department at six zero nine, eight four four, seven zero eight nine.
Over to the Police Department. They're partnering with the American Red Cross for a Blood Drive this August. It takes place Wednesday, August 19th, from two in the afternoon to nine in the evening, at twenty two eleven Lawrence Road. To schedule an appointment, enter the sponsor code, Lawrenceville P D Community. The Police Department is also hiring. They're accepting resumes for Per Diem Public Safety Telecommunicators to serve as dispatchers, the vital link between officers and the public. If you're interested and meet the minimum qualifications, you can submit your resume to Lawrence Police at Lawrence Township dot com.
A quick look at boards and committees this week. The Recreation Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for today, Thursday, August 6th, has been canceled. The Historic Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, August 10th, has also been canceled. The Business and Economic Growth Committee will meet as planned on Tuesday, August 11th, at seven in the evening. And the Senior Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 12th, has been canceled. The township notes that the meeting schedule is subject to change during reorganization, so check the township website for the latest updates.
Finally, a roundup of community resources this week. The Mercer County Board of Elections is holding an Election Board Worker Recruitment Day Celebration on Thursday, August 20th, at five in the evening, at the Mercer County Office Park, fourteen forty Parkside Avenue in Ewing. It's a free event, especially welcoming first time applicants who want to sign up to serve, meet the Board of Elections staff, and see the voting equipment up close.
Mark your calendars for the Full Moon Ride and Walk on the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, happening Saturday, September 26th, at six forty five in the evening, at Rosedale Park. Cyclists can enjoy glowing bikes and moonlight, and if you're not a cyclist, join the Full Moon Walk instead, a moonlit stroll along the trail followed by a bonfire with s'mores. And speaking of the Lawrence Hopewell Trail, they're collecting used children's bikes in any condition for Spokes and Skills, a free youth cycling program run with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mercer County. If you have a bike collecting dust, you can reach out to Claire at L H trail dot org.
A few more resources worth knowing about. The Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance program offers financial help to eligible homeowners who saw a significant drop in income or rise in expenses due to the COVID nineteen pandemic. To qualify, you must own and occupy an eligible one to four unit primary residence, have experienced COVID related financial hardship that made it hard to stay current on your mortgage, meet household income limits, and have been current on your mortgage and property taxes as of January 2020.
Mercer County also maintains a list of cooling centers for anyone struggling with the summer heat, updated whenever the area experiences a heat wave. And if you or someone you know needs food assistance, the Mercer County Food Finder connects residents to more than one hundred food pantries, youth meals, and grab and go options through an online map.
The Mercer County Library System offers community events throughout the area, including at the Lawrence Branch, so check their calendar for what's coming up. New Jersey has also launched a Disability Information Hub, an easy to use website with programs, services, and resources for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
And one important resource for anyone who may be struggling. If you're dealing with thoughts of suicide or a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call or text nine eight eight to chat with trained crisis counselors who can offer support and connect you with additional help.
Finally, if you're looking to give back, there are volunteer opportunities this week with the Lawrence Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, and the Lawrence Township Community Foundation.
That's all for this edition of Lawrence Together. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update from our community. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time.