August 2010 Highlights (22)

Two males rob Springfield Avenue Quick Check

The manager of the Springfield Avenue Quick Check reported to police on Aug. 31 that two black males, one armed, took cash from the store register at 2:34 a.m., according to reports.

No one was injured during the robbery, and there were no other customers in the store at the time…

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Added by News-Record on August 31, 2010 at 11:34am — No Comments

Town officials consider chicken coops at private houses

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Maplewood officials are considering allowing residents to raise chickens for private consumption.

Township officials said residents have approached them with the idea, one that has caught on in other non-rural communities, as people become more conscious of where their food comes from.

Just last week, more than 500 million eggs had to be recalled nationally because of a salmonella outbreak.

At this stage, Maplewood officials have not… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 26, 2010 at 11:14am — No Comments

Foreign dignitaries visit town to learn about sustainability

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

A five-member delegation from Taiwan, visiting the East Coast, came to Maplewood on Aug. 22 to learn firsthand about municipal environmental efforts in New Jersey.

The delegation, led by Tzi-Chin Chang, the deputy minister of the island nation’s Environmental Protection Administration, was briefed on the Sustainable Jersey program that Deputy Mayor Fred R. Profeta Jr. helped start.

The two-hour conference, meeting inside the…

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Added by News-Record on August 24, 2010 at 3:29pm — No Comments

Bolt hits home

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Lightning struck an occupied house on Meadowbrook Road and started a fire Aug. 16, the Maplewood Fire Department said.

The occupant, the 23-year-old daughter of the homeowner, initially was not aware the 2 1/2 story house was on fire, said Deputy Fire Chief Michael Weber. A neighbor alerted authorities by calling 9-1-1 around 5:51 p.m., he said. There was some initial confusion as firefighters were dispatched to Meadowbrook Place, a street… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 20, 2010 at 2:14pm — No Comments

Town wants to known postal status

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Maplewood wants to explore with the U.S. Postal Service what kind of presence it will have locally as the federal agency must plan to leave its current Maplewood Village location.

The township has made clear that it will not renew its lease with the agency when the agreement ends in November 2013.

Last month, Mayor Vic De Luca received a letter from the postal service indicating it would “vacate” the site on or before the expiration date… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 20, 2010 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Maplewood man arrested, charged for shoplifting

MILLBURN — Nigel King, 22, of Maplewood was arrested Aug. 9 and charged with shoplifting seven shirts worth $771 from the Nordstrom store at the Mall at Short Hills, police said. Millburn Police claimed that King allegedly hid the shirts in a shopping bag.

— Philip Sean Curran

Added by News-Record on August 18, 2010 at 9:50am — No Comments

G.O.A.L of local group supports leveling in schools

By Christina Hernandez, Managing Editor

Two local residents are leading an organization that supports the concept of leveling, or the grouping of students in classes based on perceived academic ability, in South Orange-Maplewood schools.

John Davenport and Donna Smith co-chair the South Orange-Maplewood Group for Objective Academic Leveling (G.O.A.L), which was assembled a couple weeks ago to ensure that school officials “keep their promises that combined classes are kept at a… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 17, 2010 at 11:30am — No Comments

Dog responsible for saving owners from fire

A barking dog was credited with saving two people who awoke in time to flee their burning home on Laurel Avenue early morning on Aug. 15, the Maplewood Fire Department said.

The accidental electrical fire, reported through a 9-1-1 call at 4:11 a.m., started in the basement of the 2 1/2 story frame house, said… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 17, 2010 at 9:14am — No Comments

Overhaul of DeHart field comes to a close

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

The playing field at DeHart Park is expected to reopen to the public next month, as the township completes the $1.28 million renovation on schedule.

Since November 2009, Maplewood installed a field made of three types of grass, an irrigation system, park and field lighting, and a new path.

There also were other improvements to DeHart, located on Burnett Avenue.

“It looks incredible,” Vice Mayor Kathleen M. Leventhal said after… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 16, 2010 at 1:50pm — No Comments

Maplewood health officer reminds residents it's mosquito season

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

This is the time of year that Maplewood Health Officer Robert D. Roe says he starts thinking about mosquitoes.

In the midst of West Nile season, health officials around the state are keeping tabs on mosquitoes, dead birds and human cases.

So far, no mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile in either Maplewood or South Orange, the two health departments reported this week.

But two pools in undisclosed locations in Essex… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 16, 2010 at 1:43pm — No Comments

Town officials consider solar panels as part of tree law

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Solar panels will be a factor the township may consider when deciding whether to permit tearing down trees on private properties in Maplewood, an official said.

The Township Committee is expected to amend its tree preservation ordinance, specifically for trees measuring between 12 and 24 inches in diameter at 4 feet above the ground, Deputy Mayor Fred R. Profeta Jr. said.

Trees of those dimensions are protected by the law, though the… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 16, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Woman's Club to sell property

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Financial reasons will force the Woman’s Club of Maplewood to sell its property on Woodland Road, the club’s president said this week.

“It’s too much for us to hold on,” said Jo Ann Aponte, citing expenses of operating its 86-year-old building, along with payments to the town and the club’s charities. “We have to move on.”

She did not have a timeline for selling.

“Eventually, we will sell,” she said, adding that the property is not… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 11, 2010 at 10:06am — No Comments

MUSICAL DIRECTOR for CHILDREN'S THEATRE of LIVINGSTON

Back again for the 4th year!! Mrs. Fiordaliso has once again been selected to be the

Musical Director for the April 2010 show, Honk, Jr.! The CTL program will begin in

January 2010.

In 2007, Mrs. Fiordaliso was selected as the Musical Director for CTL's very first show

Edna May's Summer Theatre Camp, an original musical written by long-time

Livingston music teacher, Paul Stefany.

After an extremely successful first year, she was brought back to direct… Continue

Added by Fiordaliso Music Studio on August 9, 2010 at 3:09pm — No Comments

VOICES TO GO AUDITIONING NEW MEMBERS NOW!

NEW!! VTG NOW HAS TWO MORE DIVISIONS OPEN TO

GRADES 3 - 4 AND GRADES 5 - 6!!

Mrs. Fiordaliso originally created this select middle school ensemble two year ago to give students further opportunity to experience singing in two and three part harmony. This past year the seven members of VTG even accomplished singing in four part harmony! The auditioned members learn to individually hold their parts and blend with the other singer incorporated with healthy vocal… Continue

Added by Fiordaliso Music Studio on August 9, 2010 at 3:06pm — No Comments

County brings services to town

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Essex County Clerk Christopher J. Durkin has a friendly staff that can process your passport application at his office in the Hall of Records in Newark.

Or, you can save yourself the time and gas and go to Maplewood Town Hall instead. Every second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., two employees of Durkin’s office are in the township to handle passport and notary public applications. It’s part of outreach efforts Durkin has… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 9, 2010 at 10:37am — No Comments

Committee votes on parking changes to Springfield Avenue

The Maplewood Committee voted Aug. 3 to change the parking restrictions on Springfield Avenue. They decided to make it two-hour parking Monday through Saturday rather than up to an hour.
The change came at the request of the Springfield Avenue Partnership, Mayor Vic De Luca said.

— Philip Sean Curran

Added by News-Record on August 5, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Woman's Club settles to pay $55K to township

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

The Woman’s Club of Maplewood has agreed to pay the township $55,000 throughout five years to resolve the

lawsuit the township filed against the club in tax court, officials said at a township meeting on Aug. 3.

Terms of the settlement, announced at the Township Committee meeting, call for staggered payments starting at $6,000 for 2011, increasing to $8,500 for 2012 and growing every year after that to 2015.

Township Attorney… Continue

Added by News-Record on August 5, 2010 at 11:38am — No Comments

Glitch occurs with live TV feed of township meeting

Viewers at home watching the Maplewood Township Committee on Aug. 3 might have noticed something odd with the picture. There was none.
A glitch occurred in the video feed system in Town Hall, so viewers could hear what was going on at the meeting but could not see it, according to Township administrator Joseph F. Manning.
All meetings are televised live on local cable television.

— Philip Sean Curran

Added by News-Record on August 4, 2010 at 1:16pm — No Comments

Summer Jewelry Trends Inspired By Nature

Nature is the most beautiful thing in the world, so it’s no surprise that one of the hottest jewelry trends this summer season is nature’s inspiration. Leaves, flowers, snakes and butterflies are just a few of the pieces that stand front and center in this stylish and sophisticated trend.

For a subtle nature-inspired style, George Press Jewelers offers a diamond…

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Added by George Press on August 4, 2010 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Contract to develop former police station advances

Maplewood officials have reached an agreement in principle with Mark Built Homes for the former police headquarters on Dunnell Road, Mayor Vic De Luca said Aug. 3.

Terms still have to be ironed out in a redeveloper’s agreement the two sides have to negotiate. The purchase price of the property wasn’t disclosed.

A residential building containing 30 to 35 units will go on the site. In a best case scenario, construction could start in a year, De Luca said.

A Mark Built…

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Added by News-Record on August 4, 2010 at 11:10am — No Comments