Welcome to the South Orange Weekly Digest!

The South Orange Weekly Digest gives you all the information you need to stay connected to your community, right here at your fingertips. Below you'll find updates about all the important and fun events happening this week in South Orange.

Veggie Vebruary events throughout February

Celebrate simple, fun ways to fight climate change, improve health, and help animals during Veggie Vebruary! Details and RSVPs at https://mmitm.info/veggie-vebruary/

NJ TRANSIT's Language Survey
NJ TRANSIT is conducting a Language Survey to better understand the needs of our customers who may not speak and/or read English well. The survey will ask our customers what they think of NJ TRANSIT’s tools for providing language assistance and how those tools can be improved and refined.

For customers who speak a language not offered, please let them know they can call (973) 491-8031, leave a message and I will reach out to help them complete the survey using a live language interpreter in their preferred language. https://www.njtransit.com/language

We are excited to announce that the South Orange Maplewood School District is now officially accepting applications for our 2026-2027 Preschool Program lottery.

Because you are a trusted voice in our community, we are asking for your help in sharing this information widely with your stakeholders. A high-quality preschool program provides a vital foundation for our youngest learners, and we want to ensure every eligible family has the opportunity to participate in this selection process.

We have attached a digital flyer to this email; please feel free to post this on your social media, include it in your newsletters, or display it in your organization.

Key Information for Families

Families interested in the district’s preschool program must begin by completing a simple online lottery entry form.

Application Period: Friday, January 23, 2026 – Friday, March 13, 2026
Link to Share: Preschool Lottery Now Open

Important Deadline: The form must be completed by March 13, 2026. .

Selection & Notification Process

Once the application period closes, the district will conduct the formal lottery. Families will be notified in the spring regarding their status:

Selected Students: Families will receive a formal offer for a preschool placement.
Waitlist: Families not selected during the initial lottery will be automatically placed on our district waitlist for future openings.

Registration for Selected Families

Families selected through the lottery will have approximately four weeks to submit required registration paperwork. Timely completion of this process is essential as it allows the district to properly prepare to welcome our new students this coming fall.

SNAP Crisis Resource Roundup

South Orange & Maplewood restaurants, businesses & organizations are stepping up to create food drives, offer restaurant discounts & raise money for gift cards during the SNAP crisis.

For a look at local restaurants offering discounts, head to: http://bit.ly/4qKs7E1

Are you a local restaurant or business interested in offering a promotion to those in need? Fill out the Google Form here: https://forms.gle/BMzCjL2MJKJTZgx57

For a roundup of local groups gathering food & donations, scroll through the flyers we've posted into one place on our website.

There is a Community Fridge and Food Pantry where residents can take what they need or donate what they can. The fridge is located at 1926 Springfield Avenue, and is open 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishables, as well as canned goods, can be donated.

For a rolling update on SNAP resources including food pantries and more, head here: https://nj211.org/njsnap

For a quick resource roundup from SOMSD, see their flyer below. If viewing from your phone, you can screenshot this and the URLs should appear as a link when you view it in your photos.

Anyone needing assistance or further information can reach out to our Health Officer at healthofficer@southorange.org.

ATTEND A VILLAGE MEETING

Want to get more involved in your community? Attend a meeting. You will get a first-hand look at all the ins and outs of our town, and it is a great way to participate and make a difference. Please note that meetings are subject to change with short notice. Refer to our events calendar (select ALL calendars) for up-to-date information.

Community Relations Council Meeting on Monday, February 16th at 7 PM
South Orange Senior Advisory Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th at 5 PM
South Orange Parking Authority Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th at 7PM
South Orange Public Library Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th at 7:30 PM
South Orange Downtown Meeting on Wednesday, February 18th at 8:30 AM
Historical Preservation Commission Meeting on Thursday, February 19th at 7:30 PM

Village Council Hot Topics

The ordinances below will be on for 2nd reading/adoption at the Village Council Meeting on February 23, 2026.

2026-01 Ordinance authorizing Handicapped Parking for Gwendolyn Melvin-Foster at 119 Seton Place
2026-02 Ordinance Approving and Adopting an updated Municipal Code fully including all ordinances enacted through December 31, 2025
2026-03 Ordinance establishing Chapter 211 of Village Code to codify the Open Space Recreation Farmland

The ordinances below will be on for 2nd reading/adoption at the Village Council Meeting on March 9, 2026

2026-04 Ordinance of South Orange Village amending and restating Chapter 68 “animals” to provide for the keeping of backyard chickens; amending Chapter 143 “fees” by amending section 4- animals for the licensing of backyard chickens within South Orange Village.
2026-05 Ordinance of South Orange Village amending and restating Chapter 375 “sanitary standards” to add requirement for the licensing and inspection of child-care centers and amending Chapter 143 “fees,” section 38 - sanitary standards to add fee for inspection and licensing of child-care centers
2026-06 Ordinance of South Orange Village amending and restating Chapter 375 “sanitary standards” to add requirement for the licensing of massage and bodywork therapy facilities; and amending Chapter 143 “fees” by section 38- sanitary standards to add fee for inspection and licensing of massage and bodywork therapy facilities

View South Ora nge Village Alerts & Notifications

Gaslight Newsletter

Give us a call! 973-378-7715