Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the August 11, 2026, meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council:
1) Parkstock Outdoor Concerts, August 13 & 27: Council Member Vargas reminded residents that the Borough’s Parkstock Outdoor Concert Series continues at Donaldson Park, Grove 1, with two more Thursday night concerts this summer. On August 13, enjoy the Ryan Gregg Trio, featuring Blues, Rock & Soul; on August 27, enjoy Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, featuring Bluegrass and Americana. To close out the summer in style, at the final show on August 27th there will be additional activities for kids and food vendors. Both concerts run from 6–8 p.m.
2) Bulk Waste Pickup by Appointment: Borough Administrator Teri Jover shared that Bulk waste collection by appointment resumes in September, with pickups on Wednesdays through October. Residents can schedule a pickup by calling Public Works at 732-247-9379; the limit is two pick-ups per household per year. Accepted items include furniture, mattresses, fixtures, carpeting, and limited amounts of materials from small DIY home improvement projects. Items must be placed at the curb no earlier than one hour before sundown the day before the scheduled pickup. To learn more about the program and guidelines for what is accepted, visit the Bulk Collection section of our website.
3) Construction on Woodbridge Avenue and River Road: Mayor Foster thanked residents and businesses for their ongoing patience with the county-led construction projects underway on Woodbridge Avenue and River Road and encouraged caution when driving in these areas. The good news is that when complete, Woodbridge Avenue will have a new water main, drainage improvements, new curbing, sidewalks, and street trees. The long-planned culvert replacement under River Road will not only stabilize this critical infrastructure, but will also include an enhanced pedestrian crossing and better access to Johnson Park. Both projects are expected to wrap up before the end of the year, weather permitting.
4) Leaf Bags are Coming: With fall just around the corner, the Borough is preparing for leaf season and making sure residents have the supplies they need to maintain their properties. To that end, Borough Council authorized the purchase leaf bags for use during the upcoming season. We will notify residents when the bags are ready for pick-up at DPW, typically by early October.
5) $1.5 Million Grant for Borough Square Plaza on South Third Avenue: Council executed a grant agreement with Middlesex County, who awarded the Borough the maximum $1.5 million grant available through the Middlesex County Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Trust Fund for the Borough Square plaza on South Third Avenue. We thank the Middlesex County leadership for their support and vote of confidence in the project and the Borough.
If you’re interested in watching the August 11th Council meeting, go to HPTV’S Youtube channel where the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The next meeting of Council is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1st at 7 p.m.
