|
Commission update 6/16/09
Board of Education update 6/30/09
Old theater allowed to keep dormers
by Meghan Grant
In a settlement reached at a recent Board of Adjustment hearing, Nutley’s former iconic Franklin Theater building will be keeping its controversial dormer apartments.
"The subject matter of the settlement is to allow the dormers that have been constructed on the building to remain subject to certain conditions," a published legal notice by the owner’s attorney, Thomas DiBiasi, states.
[See full story]
Juveniles suspected in break-ins
by Meghan Grant
Nutley Police issued a public alert last week warning residents that multiple vehicles have been broken into and vandalized by two suspects who strike on weekends, and made arrests this past weekend for similar crimes.
Authorities said over the past two weeks, multiple vehicles throughout Nutley have had items stolen from them and windows broken.
[See full story]
Two mugged at Mud Hole
by Meghan Grant
Two Nutley teenagers were mugged Jun. 16 around 10 p.m. outside of Memorial Park, commonly known as the Mud Hole, by four males, according to a police-issued alert.
The victims, both 15, were walking when they were approached by one of the suspects and asked for the time, authorities said. The male then stepped in front of the two teenagers and began yelling at them to stop.
At this point, three other males came out of the park entrance and grabbed one of the teenagers from behind, throwing him to the ground and demanding money.
The second victim ran west down Vreeland Avenue, yelling for help and dialing 911, police said.
[See full story]
NHS teacher 'makes the grade'
by Meghan Grant
Nutley High School Spanish teacher Mary Perrotta has been honored for her dedication to learning and her students by being presented with the Teacher that Makes the Grade Award.
Students submitted essays about why their teacher should deserve the distinction, sponsored by Clear Channel Radio and Huntington Learning Centers. One grand prize essay was selected from each of Clear Channel’s popular stations, light music 106.7 LiteFM, top-40 hits 100.3 Z100, and dance music 103.5 KTU, with four runners up taken from all three listener pools.
Nutley High student Arden Servidio sent in her short essay about Perrotta, which was selected out of nearly 6,000 entered to KTU.
[See full story]
Township negotiates cable contract; fight over Channel 77
by Meghan Grant
Converter boxes, cable franchise laws, digital transition, trying to understand how to get Nutley’s public access channel can prove tricky as the township negotiates a contract renewal with Cablevision.
On Friday, June 12 the nation switched to purely digital signals on government mandate, ending analog television broadcasting and freeing up frequencies for emergency public safety communications. As a result, all analog televisions require digital converter boxes to receive programming and rendered TV antenna useless.
[See full story]
Fire contracts settled for first zero percent increase
by Meghan Grant
A settlement agreement between the township and firefighters union has been reached, meaning a zero percent salary increase for 2009, a first for Nutley.
"A zero percent increase has never happened in Nutley before," Public Safety Commissioner Al Petracco said at a meeting with the press. Considering the usual 4 percent salary increase firefighters typically get each year, this will amount to a $258,000 savings for the township and that the Commissioner can "work for no layoffs."
[See full story]
Man pleads not guilty to kidnapping
by Meghan Grant
A Nutley woman, who police say was abducted at knifepoint Sunday evening, was found unharmed Monday.
Meanwhile, according Essex County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Paul Loriquet, Michael Siculietano, a 29-year-old Belleville resident that police describe as her ex-boyfriend, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to kidnapping, robbery, burglary, theft, assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.
[See full story]
Murder plot suspects plead not guilty
by Peter Sampson
Two North Jersey lawyers, accused in a plot to hire a hit man to kill witnesses against a client, formally declared their innocence last week at their arraignment on federal racketeering charges.
Wearing green jumpsuits and shackled at their wrists and ankles, Paul Bergrin, 53, of Nutley, a former federal prosecutor, and Thomas Moran, 42, of Paramus, entered not guilty pleas to the charges contained in a 14-count indictment unsealed May 20 following their arrests.
[See full story]
Murder case puts conduct in spotlight
by David Porter/The Associated Press
With his expensive suits and slicked-back hair, Paul Bergrin fit the stereotype of the flashy defense attorney willing to go to any length to help his clients beat a rap.
How far the former federal prosecutor actually went to do that lies at the heart of a federal indictment unsealed last week that alleges Bergrin used threats, bribes and even murder to discourage witnesses from testifying.
[See full story]
Police round up 40 at party
On Saturday night at 10 p.m., Nutley police officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at a Prospect Street home and discovered a teen house party with nearly 75 students in attendance, and about 200 cans of beer, according to police statement.
When police arrived, several teens ran out of house. However, police managed to contain 40 of them, ranging in ages from 14 to 17.
[See full story]
Authorities plan to review suspect's cases
by The Associated Press
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office will review all the cases handled by a defense lawyer and Nutley resident who is charged with plotting to kill a witness.
Prosecutor Paula Dow says her office will check for possible misconduct by Paul Bergrin and will reopen cases if necessary.
Bergrin, a Nutley resident, was arrested May 20 on a 14-count federal indictment. He's accused of arranging the murder of one witness, enlisting a hit man to kill another and advising witnesses to lie to authorities or flee.
[See full story]
|
Pomp, Circumstance - no rain!
|
Dale Mincey/Nutley Sun
Graduates Lindsey Hresko, Gianna Stefanelli, and Cheryl Alessio, all National Honor Society members, show enthusiasm for their accomplishments after graduation. For full coverage, see this week's print edition. See more pictures.
|
Storm victims still await roof
by Meghan Grant
It’s been over a year since a tree came down on their William Street house, and now after a mentally and physically exhausting struggle, the Lemmas are one step closer to returning home.
As the Sun has been reporting, the family’s dealt with a storm bureaucracy while attempting to settle their homeowner’s claim with Liberty Mutual, following the damage done to their house in the June 2008 microburst.
[See full story]
Resident sentenced for fraud
Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that a co-owner of two pharmacies in East Orange and Jersey City was sentenced to prison for fraudulently billing the Medicaid program hundreds of thousands of dollars for HIV/AIDS drugs that were never dispensed.
According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, John Borges, 45, of Piscataway, was sentenced to three years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Petrolle in Essex County. Borges also must pay fines, restitution and forfeiture of $762,000.
Borges and Abdul Bari, 54, of Nutley, were co-owners of MLK Pharmacy on MLK Drive in Jersey City and Ampere Pharmacy on Fourth Avenue in East Orange.
[See full story]
Yanticaw Park $2.2 million facelift now in play
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr., on Tuesday, June 16 unveiled a $2.2 million facelift that Essex County Yanticaw Park will receive this summer.
Three construction phases will be conducted simultaneously to modernize recreation facilities, improve lighting and access and enhance the park’s natural beauty and aesthetics. The upgrades are part of the County Executive’s initiative to revitalize the Essex County Park System and provide the safest and most modern conditions for residents to enjoy, officials said.
[See full story]
Child stricken with swine flu
by Meghan Grant
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has confirmed one case of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, in Nutley.
The person confirmed was described as a 4-year-old. As of Tuesday, 15 cases have been confirmed in Essex County and close to 125 statewide.
[See full story]
No surprises in 36th primary
There were no surprises in the 36th District primaries on Tuesday night, as they were uncontested.
Incumbents Fred Scalera of Nutley and Gary Schaer will run on the Democratic ticket. Carmen Pio Costa of Nutley and Donald Diorio will represent the Republican Party.
[See full story]
Family still weathers the storm
by Meghan Grant
For one Nutley family, the one-year anniversary of the microburst that struck won’t be a day to look back on how the township’s gotten back on its feet. For the six of them, the date still means uncertainty of their living arrangements.
As their home on 96 Williams St. remains uninhabitable due to a large hole in the roof, courtesy of a tree blown down by the June 10, 2008, storm, the Lemma family said it struggles with their insurance company to obtain the money to make the extensive repairs. In the meantime, the family has been put up by the company in a rental home, as guaranteed in their insurance policy.
[See full story]
Capital budget still needs a cut
by Meghan Grant
The township is nearing the deadline to reduce its 2009 capital budget by $300,000.
The capital budget currently stands at $1.74 million, listing 11 projects, ranging from various parks and playground improvements estimated at $302,500 to $20,000 for the purchase of fire hydrants.
[See full story]
Town prepared, not panicked over flu
by Meghan Grant
From local pharmacies to the town’s Roche, only a few miles from the outbreak in New York City, Nutley is keeping a level head when it comes to the swine flu pandemic scare despite the media "hamming up" the issue.
Local pharmacies are noticing trends with their customers, but ultimately don’t feel there’s a public panic. Businesses along Franklin Avenue report people buying more defensive supplies such as surgical masks and hand sanitizers, with sales spiking particularly on April 28, the day the federal government advised citizens to avoid travel to Mexico if possible.
[See full story]
Three departments respond
by Meghan Grant
An attic fire at 39 Hampton Place left the home uninhabitable for residents, with smoke and water damage throughout the structure.
The 911 call from neighbors came in at 3:46 p.m. Monday, according to Lt. David Wilson of the Nutley Fire Department. Seven fire vehicles and 35 firefighters from Nutley, Belleville and Bloomfield responded to the blaze, which took approximately an hour to extinguish. No one was in the home when the fire began.
[See full story]
Capital budget needs $500,000 cut
by Richard Dickon
Nutley Township’s capital improvement budget is more than $1.75 million, and needs to come down by at least a half million to ease the burden on taxpayers. That was the message Monday night from the Board of Commissioners.
Larger reductions are being sought in the Public Safety Department, while the commissioner of Parks and Public Property said the numbers listed for his department are too high, and will be brought down.
[See full story]
Maria Alamo gets accolades
by Meghan Grant
Monday’s Nutley Board of Education meeting marked the last for Maria Alamo, who’s served on the board since 2000.
Board President Phil Casale allowed Alamo to take his seat as president for the evening in her honor. She served as the body’s president previously for two years.
Former president Sal Olivo thanked Alamo during public comments. "I’d like to recognize Maria’s long service to the district," he said. "Your experience will be sorely missed, your integrity was unquestionable, and you made a difference."
[See full story]
Students perform at Carnegie Hall
by Meghan Grant
Last week, Nutley High School’s musicians and singers put on a performance worthy of the Carnegie Hall stage, their first exclusive concert at the world-famous venue.
Director Michael Cundari is marking his 10th year with the Nutley music program. An NHS graduate himself, he just conducted at Carnegie Hall for the third time, but still cites it as the most rewarding experience of his career in the district.
"Over the past ten years, our school has earned an international reputation for excellence," Cundari said. "I consider Carnegie the most important venue in the world, and it was extra special to have my colleges direct as well."
[See full story]
Candidates to speak again
The Board of Education candidates will speak at a joint meeting of the Nutley Republican and Democratic clubs at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the Nutley Historical Society, 65 Church St.
The six candidates are Lisa Danchak-Martin, Charles Kucinski, Steven Rogers, Deborah Russo, Thomas Sposato and Patricia Williams. They will be asked to speak at the beginning of the program and then will be asked questions from the audience.
[See full story]
Getting to know candidates
by Meghan Grant
The Nutley Chapter of the League of Women Voters held a forum last week for the six candidates running for the Board of Education.
Lisa Danchak-Martin, Charles Kucinski, Debbie Russo and Thomas Sposato joined incumbents Steven Rogers and Patricia Williams for the event to address issues and take public questions.
The questions were asked by Dawn Clarke, a member of the league’s Union chapter to act as an impartial moderator. The candidates were given four questions in advance of the forum to prepare, with answers limited to one and half minutes each.
[See full story]
Spring Garden gym plan unveiled
by Meghan Grant
Spring
Garden
Elementary School has finally been given a new face, as plans for the new gymnasium showcased at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Board of Education member Ken Reilly, chairman of a Construction Committee, gave a presentation on the proposed gym. The overall cost would be in line with the original budget of $1.7 million, measuring 5,000 square feet, half the size of the gym proposed last year, he said.
The new building will make efficient use of space, adding an additional classroom for general use and storage space. The old gym will be used as a cafeteria for students, with the replacement of two back walls to make it more structurally sound. This building will contain windows, but the new one will be windowless.
[See full story]
Nutley gets slight state aid increase
by Meghan Grant
State aid going to Nutley’s school system has increased slightly from last year, up 5 percent giving the Board of Education a little more to work with during Monday’s tentative academic budget meeting. But the increase wasn’t enough to prevent millions in cuts, and raised concern from board members about the short review process.
The $7.89 million total given to the district, broken down to around $2,000 per pupil, amounts to an increase of $376,089 since the 2008-09 school year. The Department of Education announced the aid on March 11. Overall, Essex County will receive $1.18 billion, with a large potion going towards struggling Abbott districts like Newark, Irvington and East Orange.
Monday’s tentative budget came to a total of $59.2 million, with $45.9 million of that amount coming from the local tax levy. Voters will be asked in April to approve the $45.9 million raised from property taxes that will go towards the district’s academic budget.
For 2008-09, a $1 million surplus was added to the operating budget keep the tax levy down, an option not available this year. The administration is not releasing the average taxpayer increase until next Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
[See full story]
Board backing G&T program
by Meghan Grant
A group of parents waited nearly four hours at the Board of Education meeting on Monday.
After lengthy discussion about the board’s corrective action plan in response to a New Jersey Department of Education investigation, they asked the board if the district’s Gifted and Talented program would be cut from the upcoming budget.
[See full story]
|
|
