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 27th, 2026. Let's get started.
Let's start with a few township announcements. Bulk waste collection happens tomorrow, Friday, August 28th. This pickup takes place on the last Friday of every month and covers larger items that won't fit in your regular cart. Residents can set out up to three bulky items, and each one can weigh no more than fifty pounds. To arrange a pickup, contact the Public Works Department for an appointment.
If you drive Interstate 295, take note. The ramp from Interstate 295 southbound, Exit sixty nine B, to Route 206 southbound has been closed and detoured since June 4th while crews install a noise barrier in Lawrence, in Mercer County. A right lane closure just before Exit sixty nine B is also part of that project. Both closures are scheduled to continue through the end of August, so this work should be wrapping up soon.
And here's an important update if you mail payments to the township. The Township of Lawrence is discontinuing its Post Office Box, Box 6006, as a mailing address. Going forward, all correspondence, including payments, should be sent to the Township of Lawrence at 2207 Lawrence Road, Lawrence Township, New Jersey, zero eight six four eight. If you have scheduled payments set up through your bank, please update them with this new address.
Turning to taxes, third quarter 2026 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 after that. 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.
Over at the Recreation Department, fall and winter programs are open for registration, with a variety of activities for youth and adults. The department is also hiring a full time Recreation Leader to help plan and support programs, special events, and senior activities for residents of all ages. If that sounds like a good fit, they encourage you to apply.
For younger athletes, sign ups are open for Junior Wrestling. Participants will learn technique, rules, and skills three times a week. Practices will be held at Lawrence Middle School on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from six P M to eight P M, beginning in mid November. Tennis players, take note. Fall tennis lessons run on Tuesdays, from September 15th through October 27th, at Lawrence Central Park.
For our senior residents, the Senior Center has its September calendar and Senior Connect newsletter 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. The Senior Center's Create to Donate program is also looking for donated fabric and other sewing supplies to help make comfort pillows for cancer patients. Donations can be dropped off at the Senior Center, located at 30 East Darrah Lane.
From the Health Department, the nursing division offers vaccinations, blood pressure monitoring, and help connecting to community resources. If you need assistance, you can reach them at six zero nine, eight four four, seven zero nine four.
Also, don't forget to license your dog. Animal Control is currently reaching out to more than five hundred dog owners with delinquent licenses, and summonses may be issued for unlicensed dogs. A nine dollar late fee is currently in effect, and remember, rabies vaccinations must be valid through November 2026. If you have questions about your application or your dog's rabies expiration, contact the Clerk's Office.
And if you're in need of an at home COVID nineteen test kit, the Lawrence Health Department has kits available, provided by Mercer County. Feel free to stop by while supplies last.
Now for some police department news. As part of the planning around the voter approved ninety eight million dollar bond referendum and the ongoing evolution of the Lawrence Middle School and Lawrence High School campus, the school district and the police department are proud to announce a second full time officer will be assigned to the campus. That addition takes effect on the first day of school, September 1st.
The Lawrence Township Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge two oh nine, is also hosting its annual golf outing on October 21st at Mercer Oaks West in West Windsor, New Jersey. Registration includes eighteen holes of golf with a one P M shotgun start, lunch, food at the turn, a post round meal, an open bar, and a fifty fifty raffle with door prizes. The cost is one hundred eighty dollars per golfer, and the registration deadline is September 21st.
Finally, the Police Department is accepting resumes for per diem Public Safety Telecommunicators to serve as dispatchers. If you're interested and meet the qualifications, they encourage you to submit your resume.
A couple of upcoming committee meetings to note. The Trails, Open Space, and Stewardship Advisory Committee meets Wednesday, September 2nd, at seven thirty P M. And the Recreation Advisory Committee meets Thursday, September 3rd, at six thirty P M. As always, the meeting schedule is subject to change during reorganization, so check the township website for updates or cancellations.
Let's wrap up with some community events and resources. This Saturday, August 29th, from two P M to three thirty P M, the Mercer County Library System's Lawrence branch is celebrating the first anniversary of its native plant garden, with games, crafts, refreshments, and a thank you to the volunteers who helped bring it to life.
The Lawrence Township Environmental Education Foundation has several events coming up in September, including a Sound Bath for Relaxation on September 6th, National Trail Mix Day on September 9th, and another Sound Bath for Relaxation on September 18th.
The Lawrence Historical Society is hosting its Canal House Challenge on Sunday, September 13th, from ten A M to four P M. All five historic homes along the Delaware and Raritan Canal will be open to the public at the same time, and visitors who make it to all five sites win a prize.
The Lawrence Hopewell Trail is collecting used children's bikes in any condition for its free youth cycling program, Spokes and Skills, run with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mercer County. If you have a bike collecting dust, reach out to Claire at claire at L H trail dot org. And if you're looking to volunteer, opportunities are available with the Lawrence Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, and the Lawrence Township Community Foundation.
A few more resources worth knowing about. The Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance program offers financial help to eligible homeowners who've faced a COVID nineteen related hardship. Mercer County also maintains an updated list of cooling centers for anyone struggling with excessive heat, and the Mercer County Food Finder can connect you with more than a hundred food pantries and free meal programs. New Jersey has also launched a new Disability Information Hub, with resources for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. And if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, or a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call or text nine eight eight to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
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.