SCOTCH PLAINS — The zoning board of adjustment last week made one change to its leadership and professional team for 2025, reelecting Craig Peskin as chairman and installing Frank Cruz as the new vice-chairman. Mr. Peskin, a board member since 2019, is entering his fourth year as chairman. He thanke...

SCOTCH PLAINS — The planning board on Monday reelected Jeff Strauss as chairman and Michael Plotnick as vice-chairman, with Mr. Strauss saying that 2025 will be “a very important year” for issues such as the new affordablehousing mandates and the updating of the township’s master plan.Mr. Strauss, b...

SCOTCH PLAINS — The recreation commission on Monday reelected Mike Walsh as its chairman for 2025 and named Colleen Gialanella as vice-chairman.Recreation Director Julie Buonaguro said the work at Brookside Park, which includes a refurbished basketball court and new pickleball courts, will mean that...

MOUNTAINSIDE — At the first work session meeting of the year 2025, the Mountainside Council reopened a discussion regarding a tree removal and replacement ordinance that was tabled last year. According to state law, most municipalities are required to adopt a regulatory ordinance to mitigate tree re...

WESTFIELD —Aguest speaker’s presentation at the Union County Torah Center-Chabad in Westfield was interrupted by protestors last week. The incident, which was deescalated by members of the Westfield Police Department and representatives from a private security firm, was resolved without violence or ...

WESTFIELD — Two Westfield eateries will be subject to further inspection and potential closures by the local board of health for repeatedly failing to meet certain food-safety and cleanliness requirements. On Monday, during the board’s annual reorganization meeting, Health Officer Megan Avallone exp...

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Planning Board convened January 8 for its first meeting of the year, during which it welcomed new member Brian Capps. Mr. Capps will serve the board until December 2028, and is also a member of the 2025 Westfield Green Team. The board will swear in its new chair during its ...

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Town Council rang in the new year with a look forward and a recap of 2024 on Tuesday during the community’s annual reorganization meeting. “I’m very proud to report that Westfield is stronger than ever,” Mayor Shelley Brindle said, adding that the community has achieved “un...

SCOTCH PLAINS — Mayor Joshua Losardo was sworn in to a second term on Tuesday and briefly outlined what he said were “two important goals” for 2025. At the reorganization meeting of the township’s governing body, Mr. Losardo — only the second mayor to win reelection — thanked the residents for their...

COUNTY — The Union County Board of County Commissioners rang in the new year on Monday during the governing body’s 168th annual reorganization meeting.Commissioner Lourdes Leon, a former educator who has served on the board since 2020, was unanimously appointed to serve as this year’s chair.“Union C...