Hair stylist seated as newest Roselle school board member

ROSELLE, NJ — Lifelong borough resident Jonathon “Shawon” Spearman has said his connections to the community will be his greatest strength as the newest member of the Board of Education, which he characterized as “a mess.” Spearman was appointed to the board by an 8-0 vote at its Nov. 19 meeting. After being sworn in […]

Map from 1860 shows vastly different Union

UNION, NJ — The township looked a little different in 1860 than it does now. When it was incorporated in 1808, Union comprised 16 square miles and included parts of what are now Linden, Roselle, Kenilworth and Hillside. The daily 5 p.m. gridlock on U.S. Route 22, a coffee shop on every corner and almost […]

Armstead in line for 40 percent raise as Linden mayor

Armstead in line for 40 percent raise as Linden mayor

LINDEN, NJ — Mayor Derek Armstead is in line to reap the financial rewards of his landslide re-election victory three weeks ago. Armstead, who won the mayoral race with 70 percent of the vote, could receive a 40-percent pay raise starting next year. His current salary is $73,425, and he could earn as much as […]

Union school board to conduct survey on district food provider

UNION, NJ — The school district will conduct surveys regarding its food provider, Aramark, after concerns were voiced by parents and students. There will be two surveys conducted — one by the provider and one by the district — so the Board of Education can decide what to do when Aramark’s contract expires in June. […]

Cranford suggests number for Mount Laurel housing units

CRANFORD, NJ — The township has submitted a plan in Superior Court to satisfy its Mount Laurel housing obligation just weeks before its immunity from “ builder’s remedy” lawsuits was set to expire. The “declaratory judgment” request is dated Nov. 20, and was signed by Jeffrey Surenian, a Brielle attorney who is representing the municipality […]

Officials blame timing of snow, not amount, for chaos

Officials blame timing of snow, not amount, for chaos

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Officials from around the county blamed the midafternoon timing of the unseasonal Nov. 15 snow storm — rather than higher-than-predicted accumulations — for the chaos of gridlocked roads and multihour commutes. Those responsible for snow removal, mostly the heads of municipal public works departments, said the havoc was caused in part […]

Lesniak to advise, instruct policy advocates

Lesniak to advise, instruct policy advocates

UNION, NJ – Students who have an interest in becoming community and policy advocates will have the chance to do so with a new undergraduate course coming to Kean University this spring. The history course, titled “Social Movements: History and the Call to Action,” will be taught by former Democratic state Sen. Raymond Lesniak. “I’ve […]

Experts issue warning: beware of ‘zombie trees’

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — They may look alive, but they’re dead. And due to recent super storms in New Jersey, they’re all around Union County. “Zombie trees,” as they’re referred to by arborists, are trees that may look healthy but now have defects. With winter approaching, and the heavy wet snow with it, tree experts recommend […]

Cranford residents revisit air traffic noise fight

CRANFORD, NJ – The on-again, off-again battle that has waged for decades to reduce air traffic noise in the skies above the township appears to be intensifying again. The Township Committee adopted a resolution at its Nov. 5 meeting “expressing opposition” to the “increase of low-flying aircraft in the community since May 2018.” A copy […]