Thanks to an AARP Community Challenge grant, the town of Dunellen was able to build benches in Columbia Park with help from community volunteers. (L-R) John Gibney, Rachel Appleton, Glenn Donatiello, Homer Mosley Jr, Georgette Mosley, Terri Albertson, Daniel Cole Sigmon, Mayor Jason Cilento, Stacy Narvesen, Kenneth Baudendistel, Peter Albertson Sr., Heidi Heleniak, and Alex Miller.
A half-mile walking path surrounds Dunellen’s Columbia Park, the town’s recreational hub and the location of its senior center. But until recently there was no seating along the path, making it unusable for some older and disabled residents.
Thanks to a $6,500 AARP Community Challenge grant, the borough’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Dunellen Municipal Alliance and other groups, added a dozen benches, installed and labeled new plantings, and painted a footbridge in the park.
The Columbia Park project did more than beautify the space, said Jason Cilento, Dunellen’s mayor—it engaged the community across generations.
“They all came in and did it together,” Cilento said.
The town’s high school football team, the Dunellen Destroyers, helped with planting. Members of the Dunellen Senior Citizens Club joined in, too, staining the new benches.
The town’s Arts and Culture Commission painted the park’s footbridge, and a former mayor donated signs for the bridge and walking path.
Even a small grant can have a big impact, Cilento said. “We’re a very small town, so resources are limited.”
Great places, new spaces
Dunellen was among 159 municipalities and organizations in every state (including three in New Jersey), D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to be awarded grants last year through the third annual AARP Community Challenge. There were more than 1,660 applications.
The program funds quick improvements, typically completed in under six months, that are meant to make communities more livable for everyone.
“Here in New Jersey, we want our communities to be great places not just to grow up but to grow old, as well,” said Christine Newman, AARP New Jersey community outreach director.
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Weather conditions permitting, the Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission will be conducting a truck ULV spray mission for nuisance adult mosquitoes and/or vector control.
- Municipality: Dunellen
- Date and Time: Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 6:00 PM to 11:59 PM.
- Rain Date: Thursday, July 29, 2021
- Location: Entire Municipality
A map of the spray zone can be viewed here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/viewer?mid=1qftfVLI4lYfKV7BWTRwzJyen6LI&ll=40.589979636572764%2C-74.46540800000001&z=15
The adult mosquito control treatment being conducted is in compliance with section 9.10 and 9.15 of the New Jersey Pesticide Control Code (N.J.A.C. Title 7, Chapter 30). The mosquito control products used will be those recommended by the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), Rutgers University for the control of adult mosquitoes which include: Malathion (Fyfanon ULV®, Atrapa®, or MicroFloMalathion® EPA# 67760-34); Etofenprox (Zenivex®E20, requiring dilution or Zenivex ®E4, RTU, EPA# 2724-807); Prallethrin - Sumithrin (Duet™ EPA# 1021-1795-8329); Deltamethrin (DeltaGard® EPA# 432-1534). All applications will be according to product labeling. For additional information on mosquitoes and adulticiding, contact Dr. Deepak Matadha, Superintendent (NJDEP CPA License #50245B), Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission at 200 Parsonage Rd Edison NJ 08837 at 732-549-0665.
For routine pesticide-related health inquiries, please contact the National Pesticide Information Center, at 1-800-858-7378. For information on pesticide regulations, pesticide complaints and health referrals, contact the New Jersey Pesticide Control Program at 1-609-984-6507. In the case of any pesticide emergency, please contact the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System at 1-800-222-1222. Upon request, the pesticide applicator or applicator business shall provide a resident with notification at least 12 hours prior to the application, except for Quarantine and Disease Vector Control only, when conditions necessitate pesticide applications sooner than that time. The Commission's website, http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/PSH/Pages/MCMosquito.aspx provides updated information on time and location of application(s).
Residents can take following precautions to reduce exposure: (1) Pay attention to notices about mosquito insecticide treatments found through newspapers, websites, automated telephone messages or notices distributed by municipal, county or state agencies, (2) Plan your activities to limit time spent outside during times of possible insecticide treatments. Move your pets, their food, and water dishes inside during ULV applications. Also bring clothing and children’s toys inside. Stay back from application equipment, whether in use or not, (3) Whenever possible, remain indoors with windows closed and with window air conditioners on non-vent (closed to the outside air) and window fans turned off during spraying, (4) Avoid direct contact with surfaces that are still wet from pesticide spraying. Do not allow children to play in areas that have been sprayed until they have completely dried (approximately one hour), (5) If you must remain outdoors, avoid eye and skin contact with the spray. If you get spray in your eyes or on your skin, immediately flush and rinse with water, (6) Consult your doctor if you think you are experiencing health effects from the spraying. People who suffer from chemical sensitivities or feel spraying may aggravate a preexisting health condition may consult their physician or local health department.
Sincerely,
Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission
200 Parsonage Road
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: (732) 549-0665
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Dunellen Arts and Culture Commission is delighted to partner with Adams Theater Company to bring the concert version of Mama Mia to Washington Park this Saturday and Sunday. This is a free program. Don't forget to bring a chair! https://www.facebook.com/
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Dunellen Recreation has teamed up with The American Legion Post 119 and VFW 5479 on a new Hometown Heroes Program.
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Next Stop Dunellen!
To sign up, click here.