SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The merging of the South Orange and Maplewood fire departments took another step forward as both towns’ governing bodies passed resolutions approving a joint meeting structure, setting the table for the target completion date of Jan. 1, 2020. The South Orange Board of Trustees unanimously approved the resolution at […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — This weekend the SouthNEXT festival returns to the SOMA community with its “Creative Collision of Inspirational Ideas, Arts and Music.” SouthNEXT, New Jersey’s festival that explores people’s similarities by celebrating their differences, returns to the South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way, on Saturday, Oct. 19, and to Seton Hall […]
West Orange passes resolution similar to Maplewood’s, and South Orange trustees hear from deputy parks director on expansion
WEST ORANGE / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The ongoing conflict between county residents and the administration of Essex County regarding a proposed amphitheater at the Turtle Back Zoo continued at two local council meetings last week. At the Sept. 10 West Orange Township Council meeting, a resolution was passed asking the county not to develop […]
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — On July 25, the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved two resolutions to allocate $1,062,266.95 for the completion of the Irvington Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project. The project’s goal is to revitalize the street and commercial districts along Irvington Avenue in South Orange, Maplewood and Newark. Plan specifics include: creating a […]
West Orange Town Council plans to draft resolution against expanding the zoo's footprint
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — County residents continue to voice opposition to the Turtle Back Zoo amphitheater proposed by County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. earlier this summer, with several towns speaking out against the project. The Maplewood Township Committee passed a resolution at its Aug. 6 meeting asking the county to suspend expansion of the Aug. […]
Fire dept. personnel get fired up over current staffing plans for joint FD
MAPLEWOOD / SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Maplewood Township Committee approved at its Aug. 6 meeting a resolution that supports creating a joint meeting to merge the Maplewood and South Orange fire departments, allowing the towns to take another step forward in combining the two departments. The resolution passed unanimously; Deputy Mayor Frank McGehee was […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Between 800 and 1,000 people gathered Aug. 6 at Meadowland Park for South Orange’s National Night Out festivities, celebrating the village’s first responders while waiting for the sun to set to watch a movie outside. The national holiday, which started in the 1980s as a way for communities to get to […]
Two towns plan to have combined fire department ready to serve by Jan. 1
SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — South Orange Village President Sheena Collum shared an update about the planned merger for the South Orange and Maplewood fire departments at the July 22 Board of Trustees meeting, saying she hopes to have the merger completed by Jan. 1, 2020. According to Collum, the Maplewood Township Committee has […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Monday, July 8, the South Orange Board of Trustees passed ordinance No. 2019-15, encouraging shoppers to bring reusable carryout bags, eliminating single-use plastic carryout bags, and putting a 5-cent fee on paper carryout bags. “Our goal is to incentivize shoppers to make the most sustainable shopping choice and start bringing […]
SORS volunteers give their everything to help village
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Melanie Troncone had just been laid off from her job researching 401(k) retirement accounts when she saw a sign from the South Orange Rescue Squad that read: “The South Orange Rescue Squad wants you!” — an effort to bring more volunteers to the village’s ambulance company. “I said, ‘Huh, maybe they […]