County introduces budget with 1.75 percent tax hike

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The county freeholders introduced a preliminary budget of about $483.7 million on April 26, which would raise the county tax levy by 1.75 percent on an average house. An early version of the 2018 executive budget totalled about $489 million, but was reduced after an ad hoc efficiency committee reviewed the […]

Proposed Roselle budget would increase taxes $15 per home

Proposed Roselle budget would increase taxes $15 per home

ROSELLE, NJ —  The borough council introduced on April 25 a preliminary $32 million budget, which could result in a $15 increase for a local home assessed at $140,000. The proposed tax levy would be a .12 percent increase over last year, said Chief Financial Officer Judith Curran. Overall, the budget rose by about $3,800 […]

Union schools still face layoffs with new budget

UNION, NJ — Local school board members may have found $890,000 in their budget to reduce potential layoffs, although the district still faces a $5.9 million budget shortfall. About 149 staff members — including teachers, custodians and secretaries — were originally slated to be laid off with the budget presented April 24. However, school administrators […]

Final phase of Union Center streetscape will begin in May

Final phase of Union Center streetscape will begin in May

UNION, NJ ― Work to improve the sidewalks and streets along a portion of Stuyvesant Avenue is slated to begin in May, completing the remainder of a streetscape project that began in 2016. Phase II of the streetscape project will include new bump-outs, lighting, granite accents, tree pits and engraved corner designs. The stretch to […]

Hillside teachers press for new contract, pay hike

Hillside teachers press for new contract, pay hike

HILLSIDE, NJ — Kelly Ronca, a second-grade teacher, doesn’t want to leave the school district over contract negotiations, but she also doesn’t want to work three other jobs to pay her mortgage and other bills. “I don’t want to leave Hillside,” Ronca said at an April 19 meeting. “I love the families. I love my […]

Assembly Pro Tem Green remembered by colleagues

Assembly Pro Tem Green remembered by colleagues

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Jerry Green, the third-highest ranking member in the state Assembly who died April 18, was remembered by his colleagues in the state Legislature as a leader, friend and mentor. He was 79. Green, a Democrat, served in the Assembly since 1992 and resigned in January as chairman of the Union County […]

Design, contracts OK’d for Elizabeth station rehab

Design, contracts OK’d for Elizabeth station rehab

ELIZABETH, NJ — NJ Transit announced April 10 a final design and development contract for a long-awaited Broad Street train station reconstruction project. The project will include new station buildings, climate-controlled platform shelters, additional elevators and improved access for those with disabilities, the transit agency said. “This project is a perfect example of the investments […]

Roselle clerk dismisses challenges to primary bids of council incumbents

ROSELLE, NJ — The municipal clerk threw out objections made by a 2nd Ward council candidate’s campaign manager contesting the candidacy petitions of two incumbents running for re-election. Anthony Esposito, campaign manager for Brandon Bernier, filed residency and signature objections against the petitions made by 2nd Ward Councilwoman Carla Walker and 5th Ward Councilman Samuel […]

Union police join with schools for safety program

Union police join with schools for safety program

UNION, NJ — Local police have teamed up with school officials to make random checks at school buildings in the wake of the February school shooting in Parkland, Fla. “The kids love it,” police Director Daniel Zieser said in a phone interview of the new “Park ‘n Walk” program. “We’re getting very positive feedback from […]