News-Record's Page

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
South Orange and Maplewood officials have until the end of the month to fill out an 88-question checklist that would determine how much of their final 2010 state aid payment they will receive.
Municipalities around New Jersey are doing the same thing, a requirement the Legislature approved as part of the state budget. The Christie administration has said the “best practices initiative” is aimed at bringing “greater accountability, responsible… Continue

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
New Jersey American Water could have done a better job of notifying the public about a problem with brown water last month, said Maplewood health officer Robert D. Roe.
His comments came after representatives of the utility spoke before the Township Committee, acting in its capacity as the local board of health. Roe said he felt the company could have been “more proactive.”
The water company explained the problem that occurred with the wat… Continue

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Agatha Illuminati had finished shopping at the A&P on Valley Street when she heard the news Sept. 3 that the food store would close next month.
“You’ve ruined my day,” she said as she carried a plastic bag of corn in her left hand. “I feel very bad about tha… Continue

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
The Maplewood Planning Board is expected to decide Sept. 14 whether to permit a 7-Eleven convenience store on Springfield Avenue to settle a lawsuit the property owner brought against the board.
The owner, 1712 Springfield Commons LLC, sued the board in April 2009 after its application requiring three variances was denied. The Planning Board won the initial round in court, although the case is being appealed.
But the two sides met in close… Continue

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Maplewood will embark on the final phases of an eight-year facelift of Springfield Avenue seen as a critical public investment to spur later private development.
Since work began in the fall of 2002, the township has installed 125 planters, planted m… Continue