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 […]

Kenilworth to implement ‘no-knock’ solicitor regulation

KENILWORTH, NJ — Local governing officials are to implement a “no-knock” registry to stop unwanted door-to-door solicitation after hearing complaints from residents in April. The amended ordinance introduced at the April 25 meeting would have residents register their addresses with the borough clerk to stop salesmen, or anyone canvassing, from knocking on their doors. “This […]

Reporting sexual assault is first step, officials say

Reporting sexual assault is first step, officials say

CRANFORD, NJ — Back in February, a Union County College employee saw what he thought was a student carrying a weapon on campus. The employee notified campus security, who along with police, approached the student and confiscated three fake guns, one resembling a rifle and two resembling pistols. It was an example of the campaign: […]

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 […]