Verona and Cedar Grove Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy, also known as “Frankenstorm” on social media, is expected to hit Verona and Cedar Grove late Monday and into Tuesday. Both towns are busy preparing before hunkering down to await the storm.

Both townships will be using the NIXLE system to provide residents with immediate updates on what is going on in case of an emergency situation.

Cedar Grove Board, Teachers Reach Agreement

Members of the Cedar Grove Board of Education and the district's teacher's union announced late last week they have reached agreement on a new contract.

Although details of the tentative contract remain unclear, officials came to terms on the deal after negotiating for a year - including part of that time under the direction of a mediator.

Verona Police Catch School Purse Thief

A New Providence man was arrested following a series of thefts from employees at The Children’s Institute’s Verona campus, police said.

In the most recent incident, police were called to the campus, located at 1 Sunset Ave., after money was stolen from a purse on Oct. 15.

Lautenberg Appears at Verona Fundraiser

More than 100 guests were on hand Wednesday night to greet U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) at a fundraiser for Verona Councilman Michael Nochimson.

Although Nochimson is not up for re-election until 2015, the councilman held the informal meet-and-greet with Lautenberg at Verona’s Annin Flag Company to raise money for his Nochimson Now Campaign.

Verona, Cedar Grove Candidates Run Unopposed

In both Verona and Cedar Grove, the board of education candidates are running unopposed this year.

Incumbents John Quattrocchi and Joseph T. Bellino will be running unopposed for seats on the Verona Board of Education, while incumbents Frank G. Mandala Jr. and Laura Marinelli run unopposed in Cedar Grove.

Cedar Grove BOE Analyzes Test Scores

Tuesday night, Cedar Grove principals told the board of education the district must improve the way they teach certain math and language arts skills if the district is to improve on state-mandated proficiency tests.

Verona, Cedar Grove to Save in Local Property Taxes Next Year

Verona Township will save $87,957 in 2013 as part of a series of pension reforms signed into law last year.  Cedar Grove Township will save $74,833.

The cuts are thanks to the reforms agreed upon by the New Jersey legislative bodies and signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in June 2011.