By Jennifer Amato
Staff Writer
NORTH BRUNSWICK – In an effort to do some spring cleaning while also fostering a sense of property pride, North Brunswick will hold its first community-wide yard sales in May.
Michael Hritz, the director of Community Development, suggested the idea last fall in order to beautify the town while also helping residents sell their unwanted items.
Sales will be scheduled according to the township’s garbage collection zones: Zone 1, downtown and Berdine’s Corner, May 7; Zone 2, Route 130 from the overpass to Davidson’s Mill Road, May 14; and Zone 3, Route 1 to Route 27 from How Lane to Finnegans Lane, May 21.
“We thought this would promote a lot of what people are storing,” Hritz said. “We want people to get rid of and clean up what [they] have in their yards and garages and the sides of their houses.”
Residents will be able to register online at no charge with their name, address, phone number and email address, though only their address will be made public. Prior to the sale date, a map will be available with all addresses so that shoppers can stop by at whichever location(s) they wish.
“It attracts a lot of people to come and make the sale more successful,” Hritz said, to which Councilman Bob Davis mentioned that the township should look into additional police presence in those neighborhoods on those days since a lot of out-of-towners may come to browse.
“Unfortunately, it’s a shame we have to do it,” Davis said.
In addition, if a homeowner has overflow material, he or she may choose to sell again on Sunday, though that would not be coordinated by township officials, Hritz said.
“I like it,” Councilwoman Cathy Nicola said. “I think it’s a great idea.”
Coordinating with Eric Chaszar and Nancy Krauss of the Department of Public Works, Hritz said bulk collection will be scheduled for the Monday following each garage sale to afford residents the opportunity to properly dispose of their unsold, unwanted, larger items, such as furniture.
Promotional materials should begin to circulate by next month, Hritz said.
“It will just be interesting to see how many people participate,” Hritz said.
Typically, residents are only allowed two garage/yard sales per year and must register in person at the municipal building in order to receive a permit. The limitations arose years ago when residents would effectively run a small business out of their yards, holding sales every weekend, according to Hritz.
However, these particular yard sales will not count toward the two-per-year limit, Hritz said.
In addition, Councilwoman Shanti Narra proposed offering online registration for all yard sales with the ability to print permits from home.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.
