Moving to Maplewood: Useful tips?

Hi all,

My wife and I are in the process of purchasing our first house and will be moving to Maplewood near the end of June.  It's not a far move...we're currently renting and have lived in South Orange for the past three years.

I was wondering if anyone could share some useful tips for living in Maplewood.  Some things I've thought about but don't yet know the answer to:

-What "section" will I be in?

-How do I let the town know I'm now living there?

-How does trash pickup work? is it only back door service via waste industries?

Any other tips or useful info you could share with us, we'd really appreciate it!  Looking forward to being your neighbors =)

Cheers,

Nick

Much information here: https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/

Do this now:  https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/subscribe

Is this what you mean by 'section'? https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/sites/maplewoodnj/files/uploads/maplewood_dpw_zones.pdf

Recycling is different in Maplewood than SO: https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/recycling

There are two waste companies servicing Maplewood -- Waste Industries and Waste Management.  The programs are similar but not identical so check out both.  Backyard pickup is mandatory, but you can select one or two can pricing and the ease of disposing of large items differs.

Oh, and Welcome to Maplewood!

Nick:  Not sure what you mean by section.  If you are referring to DPW sections for leaf removal, garden debris pick-up, etc.  there is a map of the six sections on the town's website.  If you are referring to school district for elementary and/or secondary school, that information can be obtained from the school district, which you should already be familiar with if you are currently in South Orange and have school aged child[ren].  If you are referring to election district, you will obtain that information with your sample ballot.  Be sure to see the town clerk's office at town hall once you move to register to vote in Maplewood.

There are a number of things, not just voter registration, that you may want to sign up for when you move to town.  A visit to the Town Clerk's Office is a good place to start.  Don't forget to stop by the library (either branch) to get library cards for family members.  Proof of residency is required. You may also want to sign up for the town pool.  Check with the Maplewood Department of Recreation, same room as the town clerk, for additional information. 

You arrange for trash pick-up either with Waste Management or Waste Industries.  The company you choose will bill you directly.  Unlike in South Orange, this is not run by the town.  Trash pick-up is rear yard.  However, recycling is contracted for by the town and needs to be placed at the curb.

Hope this helps.  Anything else you need to know at this time?  Unfortunately, you just missed the Welcome to Maplewood night which was held two days ago.  Answers to all your questions and more were covered at that event by the town's department heads.

You CANNOT park on any public street or in any municipal lot between the hours of 2am and 6am.  More than a few people have moved here from towns that allowed on street parking and they found that one out the hard way.  People have even gotten tickets when moving cars around the driveway if they put one on the street while pulling another car out if it is during those hours and an officer happens to see the car on the street.  If you have overnight guests or if you are having work done on your driveway you can get temporary permission* to park on the street, but during snow storms or other emergencies they will rescind that permission 

* Temporary permission for a guest you usually have to call in nightly, for driveway work they usually give you a week or other specific time frame so you only have to call in once for that specific time

Also, cutting down any trees on your property requires a permit.  The diameter at which point a tree needs a permit is very specific, so check out the municipal code before cutting ANYTHING down so you don’t risk a $1,200 ticket 

A lot of the sections are relatively newer concepts.  Neighborhoods used to be, in large part, called by their neighborhood school. The Hilton area is an exception to this as Hilton used to be a separate town.

When you close on your home, the realtor should file a certificate of occupancy, letting the town know that you are here (plus the deed to the property)

You will have regular curbside pickup of bulky items. Your South Orange friends will be calling to ask if they can bring their junk over to your house and leave it for pickup.

You might want to add South Orange to your house hunting territory.  Its more or less indistinguishable from Maplewood but the pool fee is MUCH lower.

Klinker said:
You might want to add South Orange to your house hunting territory.  Its more or less indistinguishable from Maplewood but the pool fee is MUCH lower.

 *ahem*

lolnickfox said:
Hi all,
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing our first house and will be moving to Maplewood near the end of June.  It's not a far move...we're currently renting and have lived in South Orange for the past three years.
...

nohero said:

Klinker said:
You might want to add South Orange to your house hunting territory.  Its more or less indistinguishable from Maplewood but the pool fee is MUCH lower.

 *ahem*

lolnickfox said:
Hi all,
My wife and I are in the process of purchasing our first house and will be moving to Maplewood near the end of June.  It's not a far move...we're currently renting and have lived in South Orange for the past three years.
...

 

 Right you are. Absolutely no judgement, but I wonder what the OP's motivation is.  The schools are mostly the same (one could argue about the virtues of the respective middle schools) and, other than the cost of the pool, I've never seen much difference.  Just curious, really.

Klinker said:
 Right you are. Absolutely no judgement, but I wonder what the OP's motivation is.  The schools are mostly the same (one could argue about the virtues of the respective middle schools) and, other than the cost of the pool, I've never seen much difference.  Just curious, really.

 I think the OP just wants those tips about things you don't find out until you live here.  Trash company, etc.

Nobody mentioned having to change cable TV providers yet.

[Edited to add] And probably found a house they liked.

I think Maplewood’s regulations regarding fences are different.  

Sweetsnuggles said:
I think Maplewood’s regulations regarding fences are different.  

 Don’t even think about a fence without a permit.  Seriously, if they catch you daydreaming about fences and you don’t have the appropriate Fence Daydream permit you’ll find yourself in big trouble

The deer in your backyard, have not escaped from the local zoo. They live here.

The the autumn leaves the guy raked into the gutter, will be picked up by the town. (I think Ferrante and Teicher wrote a song about it). You can put your own leaves in the gutter if you want.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:
The deer in your backyard, have not escaped from the local zoo. They live here.

 In the OP's defense they have lived here three years (I missed that when I posted about parking).

But yeah, I do remember the post about the "escaped" deer when that person asked how to contact the zoo.  That was funny.

most important thing:  Don’t eat the yellow snow.

Maplewood has a partial leaf blower ban for landscapers during the summer months.  A nice feature, if you have kids or asthma or just lungs.

(Edited for clarity)

Klinker said:
Maplewood has a leaf blower ban.

 No it doesn't. 

Edited to add, because OP is looking for useful tips, commercial entities (such as yard maintenance companies and tree companies) aren't allowed to use gas-powered leaf-blowers between May 15th and September 30th every year. If you have a personal one and want to use it, you can. Everyone is allowed to use electric leaf blowers.

ridski said:
 No it doesn't. 
Edited to add, because OP is looking for useful tips, commercial entities (such as yard maintenance companies and tree companies) aren't allowed to use gas-powered leaf-blowers between May 15th and September 30th every year. If you have a personal one and want to use it, you can. Everyone is allowed to use electric leaf blowers.

 We purchased a battery powered leaf blower and also a weed wacker from P&P in Maplewood.  Brand name is Stihl.  We love them, and they are really quiet compared to their gas powered counterparts.  And you can actually do quite a bit of work on one charge, and the battery recharges super fast 

Welcome to Maplewood.   Living in Maplewood is not that different from living in South Orange.  I've lived in both.  It's really one community.   What I loved most about living in both towns ( I recently moved away after 34 years )  is the sense of community.  Living in these two towns, if you get involved in anything, you will find yourself to be a part of something bigger than yourself.   So the very best advice I can give you is to participate, get involved in something.  Volunteer at the 4th of July celebration, or river clean up day or anything.  Join an organization or a church or a club.  Also, there are several DO NOT MISS events coming up.  As a new homeowner you should certainly keep the Morrow Church Turnover sale on your radar.   It is a month long rummage sale that takes over the entire complex.   They sell furniture, rugs, kitchen items, gifts, books, clothing, sports equipment, toys - just about anything you can imagine - and the bargains are unbelievable.  It runs Saturdays and some tuesday and thursday evenings from the end of June to mid July.   It's been going since the 1930's and people line up around the block on the first day.    Two other do not miss events are Maplewoodstock which is an incredible family friendly  2 day free music festival (with great food and incredible crafts for sale) in Memorial Park.   The other is the Maplewood 4th of July celebration which is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.     Finally, if you have children be sure to participate in the summer reading program at the library.   Also, join the Maplewood pool.  It is well worth it.   Good luck and welcome to the best place you will ever live. 

ridski said:

Klinker said:
Maplewood has a leaf blower ban.

 No it doesn't. 
Edited to add, because OP is looking for useful tips, commercial entities (such as yard maintenance companies and tree companies) aren't allowed to use gas-powered leaf-blowers between May 15th and September 30th every year. If you have a personal one and want to use it, you can. Everyone is allowed to use electric leaf blowers.

 Sorry, I should of been more specific.  For me, the limits on landscapers using leaf blowers would be one reason I might consider moving to MW.  Hate the howl (not to mention the dust and exhaust).

useful tip #7.  It’s “should have” not “should of”.

Hi all, OP here!

These are all really great tips!  We really appreciate it =)  We were at last year's 4th of July in Maplewood and it was great - looking forward to being close enough to walk there this year!

Interesting info about the leaf blowers!  Will keep in mind if we wind up buying one.

I have to admit (I hope there are no Maplewood cops here) that we have thought about fences without a fence-thought permit.

@Klinker - we were looking in South Orange, too!  We really like both towns - it's quite the seller's market right now, and we just happened to have an offer accepted right over the SO/MA town line.  About a mile from both train stations, so it's the best of both worlds!