Cranford Cuts Budget Back Under State Cap

After significant cuts, the budget now reflects a 2% increase.

Following the disapproval by Trenton of Cranford’s budget in early May, the Township informed the public of a possible 2.8 percent tax increase during their readjustment, however it was announced on Tuesday that cuts to the budget would now increase taxes 2 percent. Commissioner Andis Kalnis announced several cuts to the budget at Tuesday’s meeting in order to make up for the increase of $250,000 the town has added for legal fees, particularly due to the Birchwood development issue, according to the Cranford Chronicle. The following cuts were approved at the Township meeting as an amendment to the budget: Commissioner Ed O’Malley was quoted in the Cranford Chronicle saying that some of these cuts are not casual, such as street paving. …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Former Freeholder Candidate to Talk on Union County Topics Tonight

Summit attorney and former Republican Freeholder candidate Andrew Smith will address the League of Women Voters tonight at the New Providence Library. The meeting is open to the public.

Andrew Smith, a Summit resident, attorney, and former Republican candidate for the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, has a few things to say about how county government is run. He'll be talking about that and other topics tonight, May 20, at the New Providence Library, in a special series entitled "Union County - It's a Big Deal" that's being sponsored by the League of Women Voters (LWV). The forum will be held at the library's Conti Community Room at 7:30 pm. The building is located at 377 Elkwood Avenue. A question and answer session will follow the talk, which is open to the public. Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter had also been invited to address the group, but because she's running for reelection, the LWV …

• Photos (1)

Database Provides Information on 31,000 Flood and Salvage-Titled Vehicles

The state urges customers to consult the database before buying a car

The State Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) are urging all customers to consult their database of flood and salvage-titled vehicles before purchasing a car. That database now provides information on 31,000 such vehicles, the State MVC announced on Wednesday. It isn't illegal to sell vehicles with flood or salvaged titles. However, there are specific requirements that ensure potential purchasers are aware of the status of such vehicles, according to the MVC. “Damage sustained by vehicles must be disclosed to prospective buyers,” Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “We will hold car dealers accountable for violating our Consumer Fraud Act if they fail to make such disclosures.” The database was …

•  8 Comments
• Photos (1)

Westfield Regional Board of Health Discusses Impending Cicada Invasion

Health Department will distribute 100 free helmets as part of "B Hard Headed" helmet safety campaign.

To the Editor: The Westfield Board of Health met on May 6, 2012.  We discussed the impending invasion of cicadas. Although cicadas are a noisy nuisance, they are fortunately NOT a public health hazard and will be gone about 1 month after they arrive. To protect children, the Westfield Regional Health Department is sponsoring the “B Hard Headed” helmet safety campaign this summer. Up to 100 free helmets will be distributed to children who ride bicycles, skate board or roller blade. For more information, please contact Laura Scanlon, MS, RN, the Public Health Nursing Supervisor, at 908-789-4070, extension 4074 or lscanlon@westfieldnj.gov. You must license your cats and dogs through the Town Clerk and get them vaccinated against rabies, due …

• Photos (1)

Union County Clerk Offers 'Vote-By-Mail' Service at Westfield Office for June 4th N.J. Primary

Clerk says she is working to make voting "fast and convenient."

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a “One-Stop” service is available for Union County voters at the Westfield and Elizabeth offices of the County Clerk. “Eligible voters are able to apply for a Vote-By-Mail ballot for the New Jersey Primary Election in person at either one of my offices, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “This one-stop voting service is available at my Westfield office as well as at the main office in Elizabeth.” “The service in Westfield and Elizabeth makes voting more accessible, particularly at the Westfield office with its convenient Saturday office hours and evening hours during the week,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “With the important June 4 Primary Election for …

• Photos (1)

Cranford Budget Needs Readjustment, Tax Increase Could Rise to 2.8 Percent

At Tuesday's Council Meeting it was announced that the original proposed budget needed adjustment and the new budget would call for a 2.8 percent tax increase.

Congressman Cites 'Uncertainty' for Slow Job Growth

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance addresses banking reform, immigration at Warren town hall meeting.

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance burnished his reputation as a fiscal conservative in Congress during a town hall meeting in Warren Wednesday, with about 50 residents on hand. In response to questions from residents, Lance said he still opposes the Federal Reserve Bank's quantitative easing program, and said he believes the biggest impediment to economic growth is the malaise of uncertainty hanging over the nation. "Seven of 10 jobs that will be created in this country will be created by small business—and small business is waiting on the sidelines in so many ways because it does not know what is going to happen with regard to tax policy, and it does not know what's going to happen with the president's health care legislation," Lance said, in …

• Videos (2)

Frank Capece of Cranford Charged With Covering Up False Application for Free Lunch Program

Three former Elizabeth Board of Education members and Capece were charged with covering up a false application filed by a wife of a board member.

The following information was provided by the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety. Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that Elizabeth Board of Education member Juan Donoso, Board Attorney Kirk Nelson, and outside board counsel Frank Capece were charged on May 1 with covering up a false application filed by Donoso’s wife for the federally funded free lunch program. The wife, Olga Oviedo-Arevalo, was charged with filing several false applications. The defendants were charged as a result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police. Oviedo-Arevalo allegedly filed false applications for the district’s federally funded free or reduced lunch program for her son for three …

• Photos (1)

Limits on Adjusters' Fees Would Save Homeowners in a Disaster

Bipartisan Muñoz -Brammick legislation would limit public adjusters' fees during a Hurricane Sandy-type catastrophe

Public adjusters’ fees related to a catastrophic loss would be limited to 10 percent of an insurance claim settlement under bipartisan legislation approved today by the General Assembly. The bill, A-3519, is sponsored by Assemblywoman Nancy F. Muñoz and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, both R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “Homeowners and business owners deserve appropriate settlements after a catastrophe,” Muñoz said. “We can protect victims who have suffered a horrific loss and preserve fair compensation for the public adjusters who represent them.” New Jersey has no cap in place and by some accounts adjusters charged as much as 50 percent after Superstorm Sandy. “A cap shields policyholders from unscrupulous adjusters,” Bramnick …

• Photos (1)