Government

WESTFIELD, NJ — A special playground has reopened, the town announced Tuesday.

Fencing around the Mindowaskin Park playground came down Monday evening and the long-awaited play spot was ready the next morning, officials said. The playground had been closed since July for the extensive renovations, which were delayed due to rain.

“The DPW has installed some temporary silk fencing ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Town Council is anticipated to hold its annual reorganization meeting Thursday, Jan. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The schedule for Town Council conference and regular sessions for 2019 is as follows, the municipality announced:

Jan. 15 and 29
Feb. 12 and 26
March 12 and 26
April 9 and 23
May 7 and 21
June 4 and 18
July 9
Aug. 13
Sept. 3 and ...

WESTFIELD, NJ —The town may join a chorus of municipalities banning the sale of recreational marijuana, something that comes in advance of the state Legislature’s expected passage of legislation that would legalize recreational pot.

The state Legislature is anticipated to vote on the measure next month, at the earliest, something that gives Westfield some time to ...

The town can levy a $100 fine on anyone who drops animal feces in the wrong spot and does not clean it up.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Pick up your pooch’s poop.

Such is the message that resident Debbie Lynn has for anyone who drops canine feces on the ground in Gumbert Park, which is near to her Garwood residence.

Lynn, 45, said that at least one dog walker is ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — In Scotch Plains, the municipality budgeted $30,000 to pay its mayor and Township Council this year.

In Cranford, the municipality budgeted $15,000 to pay its Township Committee for its service in 2018.

In Mountainside, the Borough Council budgeted $12,000 for its own salaries this year.

This week, Westfield’s mayor and Town Council got their paychecks: ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — After an extensive search, the town has a new police chief, the mayor said.

Mayor Shelley Brindle announced the appointment of Christopher Battiloro to the position of chief on Wednesday. Battiloro has been serving as the department’s acting chief for the past four months, following the abrupt departure of former Chief David Wayman.

A graduate of Westfield High ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — When it comes to curbside recycling pickup, the town will be paying more money for fewer options in the coming year, a result of the changing market for scrap plastics, officials said.

After rebidding it, the Town Council on Tuesday awarded a $607,000 contract for the curbside collection of recyclable material to Giordano Company, of Newark, the resolution ...

Garwood Police offered a warning to ice rink patrons who slide their cars into the wrong spots: Beware the tow truck.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Just a month after its establishment under a massive tent in Gumbert Park, an ice rink has become wildly popular — too popular for some people.

The rink established on the Garwood border through a partnership with Westfield’s ...

WESTFIELD, NJ — When Brian Murphy moved into his New England Drive home in 1986, he thought his residence was the last new home on the block.

So when a developer proposed tearing down a home on his street and building two in its place, he became concerned. 

Murphy, now 71, said he doesn’t want the neighborhood of stately homes with wide lots to be disturbed, something ...

A snowstorm early in the season prompted the DPW director to recommend Westfield extend its leaf collection program by two weeks.

WESTFIELD, NJ — Departing from the New Jersey norm, residential leaf collection in this town does not involve vacuum suction, something officials said makes getting vehicles off the street during the collection more important.

While many municipalities ...