PSE&G work, Union road program to remove numerous trees

PSE&G work, Union road program to remove numerous trees

UNION, NJ — Township residents will soon see a significant number of trees removed from along sidewalks and roads under PSE&G’s electrical upgrade program and the municipality’s 2019 road program. PSE&G has proposed routes for connecting the three electrical substations in the township using aboveground and buried 69 kilovolt power lines; the initial phase involves […]

Survey results jolt Union schools officials

Survey results jolt Union schools officials

UNION, NJ — Cleanliness, quality of extracurricular activities and student behavior all need improvement, according to the results of a districtwide survey of students, parents and staff in the township’s schools. The Culture and Climate survey was distributed to four groups — school staff, elementary students, middle-high school students and parents — at the end […]

New ISO rating could mean lower insurance premiums

SUMMIT, NJ — The local Fire Department’s new Insurance Services Office rating could mean lower insurance premiums throughout the city, according to fire Chief Eric Evans. At the Jan. 15 Common Council meeting, Evans said the Class 2 Public Protection Classification program rating grade from the ISO is earned by fewer than 2 percent of […]

RVSA budget socks Kenilworth again

RVSA budget socks Kenilworth again

KENILWORTH, NJ — The borough is about to receive a seven-figure bill for treatment of its waste water, and its commissioner to the Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority is concerned the town is being overcharged. The $1.05 million bill will represent about 4.1 percent of the RVSA’s budget during its metering year, which ran from October […]

Armstead-led Linden council ousts Scutari as prosecutor

Armstead-led Linden council ousts Scutari as prosecutor

LINDEN, NJ — State Sen. Nick Scutari, who served as city prosecutor for about 16 years, was removed from the position by a vote of the City Council at its Jan. 15 meeting. The council, the majority aligned with Scutari’s political rival, Mayor Derek Armstead, voted to replace him with Scotch Plains-based attorney Deirdre Mason. […]

Expert offers warning, tips cell about cell tower at UCC

Expert offers warning, tips cell about cell tower at UCC

CRANFORD, NJ — An attorney who assists homeowners with cell tower lease negotiations says there are ways to enhance the aesthetics of cell towers like the 130-foot-tall one Union County College proposes building on its campus. In a Jan. 11 interview with LocalSource, Hugh Odom, founder of Tennessee-based Vertical Consultants, said telecommunication giants call the […]

Springfield parents press school board for media specialists

Springfield parents press school board for media specialists

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — Bonnie Lafazan, who has two boys in the local school system, thinks her middle school son is being shortchanged. As a librarian, she is beside herself that none of the district’s five other schools, besides Jonathan Dayton High School, has a certified media specialist. “This is a disservice and a disappointment, and […]

Union OKs apartments for old University Diner property

Union OKs apartments for old University Diner property

UNION, NJ — Plans for a 24-unit apartment building were approved for the half-acre property at 580 North Ave. on the corner of Lynmar Way that was long home to the University Diner, at the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s Jan. 9 meeting, despite residents’ concerns. The plan passed 7-1 with member James DiGiovanni being the […]

Kenilworth council head envisions revitalized Boulevard

Kenilworth council head envisions revitalized Boulevard

KENILWORTH, NJ — The new council president envisions a revitalized Boulevard replete with flowers, benches and tables lining its spacious sidewalks, accentuating its small-town charm. Linda Karlovitch, who was selected as council president by a 6-0 vote in at the reorganization meeting on Jan. 1, doesn’t have to look far for a blueprint. Karlovitch said […]