Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Township Committee members feel that November elections would lead to greater voter turnout; dissolving Board of School Estimate also discussed.
The Maplewood Township Committee resolved last night that the Board of Education move its elections from April to November. No action has been taken as yet by the South Orange Village Board of Trustees. The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education will meet tonight to address the issue. The Maplewood resolution was spurred by a new law recently passed by the state legislature. Although the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education is not covered by the law due to the peculiar configuration of the district which covers two towns but predates the separation of Maplewood from South Orange, another bill is being fast-tracked through the legislature to allow the new law to apply to South Orange-Maplewood. If it decides to move its elections, …
The Board of Education will answer questions about middle school and high school restructuring; the Board will also discuss moving elections to November.
The Board of Education will hold a public forum on middle school and high school restructuring proposals tonight, February 8, 2012, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Columbia High School Auditorium. No action will be taken at this session. At the December 2011 and January 2012 Board of Education meetings, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Osborne presented proposals for changes to academic placement at Columbia High School and for Middle School Transformation — namely, the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as well as additional de-leveling. The district has hosted a series of activities and events to inform the public about the proposed changes and for residents to share viewpoints as the Board …
State Council on the Arts awards grants to to 22 artists statewide — with two from Maplewood.
Earlier this month, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced the award of 2012 Individual Artist Fellowship grants totaling $182,600 to 22 New Jersey artists selected from more than 300 applicants in the categories of crafts, sculpture, photography, playwriting and poetry. Two of those artists were from Maplewood: Thea Clark (crafts) received a grant of $7,800; Ben Pranger (sculptor) also received $7,800. The competitive grants are based on independent review of work samples submitted and the anonymous process is focused solely on artistic quality. Click here for a list of recipients. During the meeting devoted to the value of artists to New Jersey communities, Arts Council Chair Ofelia Garcia gave an overview of the Council’s …
The new and increased fees have not yet been approved.
Last week, a number of Maplewood residents received emails stating new fees for the 2012 season at the Maplewood Community Pool. However, the fees have not yet been approved by the Township Committee. "It was an error by the Recreation Department," said Mayor Vic DeLuca at the Township Committee meeting on Feb. 7. Membership rates at the pool are proposed to increase approximately 30% over 2011 and were introduced at the Township Committee last night. The ordinance stating the new fees was passed upon introduction by a vote of 5-0; the new fees will have a hearing and go to a final vote at the Feb. 21 Township Committee meeting. No members of the public appeared at the meeting last night to speak about the fee increases. At the Jan. 3 …
Middle schoolers prepare for show time!
Every year, Maplewood Middle School puts on a musical that wows the community and draws comparisons with high school musical productions. After watching rehearsals of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat last week, one would have to say that the middle school audience is in for another treat this year. The student cast knew all their lines, aced all their choreography, and hit all their notes. Only costumes and microphones were wanting. Show dates and times are: Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.mmshsa.org, or at the door.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Waste Management and Waste Industries will be sending out information shortly on a new menu of trash hauling options. Plus, the town adds two more recycling dates.
Maplewood residents will soon have more options for trash hauling, according to Mayor Vic DeLuca — as well as two more recycling pickups per year. At the Feb. 7 Township Committee meeting, DeLuca noted that in the wake of the town's decision to suspend exploring a mandatory pay-as-you-throw, single hauler bid, residents would soon be receiving a menu of trash hauling options from their existing vendors. Both Waste Industries and Waste Management will be offering: DeLuca said that Waste Industries would be sending postcards with the menu to its customers while Waste Management will be using postcards and electronic media. DeLuca said there would be no change in bulk or yard waste programs from either hauler. The mayor said that both haulers…
Mayors for the Freedom to Marry Applaud 9th Circuit Ruling in Prop 8 Case.
Maplewood and South Orange's top town leaders today expressed their satisfaction with today's decision by the 9th Circuit Court ruling California's Prop 8 — which bans same-sex marriage in California — as unconstitutional. Of the ruling, Maplewood Mayor Vic DeLuca stated, "The California ruling is a tremendous victory. It is now up to the New Jersey Legislature to be courageous and pass marriage equality. This is the right vote to make and I urge them to do so and for Governor Christie to sign the legislation. Let's wait no longer to guarantee the civil rights of all residents in Maplewood." South Orange Village President Alex Torpey, who earlier this week said that gay marriage "is a civil rights issue, not a political issue or partisan…
The following arrest information was supplied by the Maplewood Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
Maplewood police are looking for a possible suspect in the aftermath of a burglary of an Overlook Terrace home reported on February 4. The resident of the home reported that between the dates of Jan. 27 and Feb. 1, someone had gained entry to the house by prying open a basement window. Nothing was reported missing, although items had been reportedly moved. A canvass of the neighborhood by Maplewood police yielded a possible suspect description: On Feb. 1 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 am, a neighbor had observed a black male, approximately 5’8” or 5’9” tall, skinny build, short hair, late 20’s or 30’s, wearing dark colored jeans and a black quilted coat placing the basement window back in place. Four other incidents were reported in this week's …
Thousands pack MetLife Stadium for Super celebration
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New York celebrates Super Bowl XLVI victory in style.
Check out the gallery above to see photos from Tuesday's Ticker Tape parade in New York City, celebrating the Giants' victory in Super Bowl XLVI. Hundreds of thousands of fans flocked to the Canyon of Heroes in downtown Manhattan to ring in New York's latest championship. Paper flew from buildings, fans tossed toilet paper rolls back and forth over Broadway Avenue, and the Giants rolled by with smiles as they ended at City Hall to accept keys to the city from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. RELATED: PHOTOS: To relive action from Super Bowl weekend, check out this Patch gallery
Mary Mann
3:26 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Lauren makes a good point: If you have comments, opinions, suggestions, complaints, contact your town leaders directly. No-one showed at the Township Committee meeting last night to protest — or applaud — the fees. But, even if you can't make it to a meeting, you can send an email. more ›