Taxes, School Panic Button and Guns Top Local News

Report: Cedar Grove Has Lowest County Municipal Taxes

Members of the Cedar Grove Township Council took extra pride when a Star-Ledger report Sunday, Jan. 13 showed the township ranked well below the average Essex County municipal tax rates for New Jersey.

The article was the main discussion point during the 12-minute council meeting on Monday.

Local Officials Question School "Panic Button" Legislation

A new bill, introduced by Assemb. Ralph Caputo (D-Belleville) requiring New Jersey schools to have a panic button to alert local authorities of potential life-threatening emergencies is working its way through the state Assembly.

Assembly bill A3691 was introduced on Monday, Jan. 14 and referred to the Assembly Education Committee. Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (D-18), chairman of the Education Committee, is one of the primary sponsors of the bill.

Essex County To Host Gun Buy-Back

Verona police officials have praised plans by neighboring Montclair to team up with Essex County and get guns off the street.

Montclair and Essex County will be holding a gun buy-back in February where anyone can exchange their guns for cash. The gun buy-back was announced last month soon after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 20 children and seven adults dead in Newtown, Conn.

Exasperated Verona Judge Postpones Cirilo Trial Until Feb. 6

The Verona DWI case involving West Orange Council President Victor Cirilo was postponed yet again Wednesday after he changed lawyers and requested more time to consult with his lawyer and seek expert testimony from his personal doctor.

An exasperated Judge John A. Paparazzo appeared annoyed in Verona Municipal Court when Cirilo’s attorney, Roy Breslow of Verona, made the request for an additional postponement, but agreed to delay the trial until Feb. 6.

Bill Banning College Credit Card Solicitation Awaits Christie Signature

Credit card companies may no longer be able to entice college students with free gifts for agreeing to sign up for a credit card under a measure proposed by state Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-40) that is currently awaiting Gov. Chris Christie’s signature.

The legislation, which would ban credit card companies from soliciting students with free gifts like t-shirts, blankets or vouchers on public college campuses, was unanimously passed by the state Senate last month.

Verona Police Urge Residents to Get Flu Vaccine

Verona Police Department issued the following message through the NIXLE Alert System:

Due to the increase and severity of Influenza (flu) cases being reported, we are sending out this reminder that Flu vaccines are recommended by the US Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The flu season runs through March, so it is not too late to receive the immunization.