TOP TEN MAPLEWOOD STORIES OF 2015

A lot of news was made in Maplewood this year, from developments to deaths. We hope we chronicled it all for you.

With that, our list of the Top Ten Maplewood stories of 2015. See if you agree

10. Dead Body - A sleepy Friday morning in December became lively in the brook area behind the main library as DPW workers discovered the corpse of a 61-year-old Nutley man. No foul play is suspected, but police have yet to reveal the cause of death for the former local resident who was found lying in the Rahway River branch. Or how he got there. The incident shutdown the library for hours and sparked major interest.

9. Pedestrian Dangers - A pair of pedestrian related incidents along Prospect Street in the Hilton section drew angry residents to several Township Committee meetings demanding help and sparked the installation of temporary speed bumps and a raised intersection. And just last week, an adult man was hit in an incident blocks down the street at Prospect and Jennifer Lane, sending him to the hospital. Do not think this is the last you have heard of such dangers.

8. Maplewood Village Best Downtown - Our wonderful downtown was voted the best in New Jersey by those casting ballots at New Jersey Monthly, many aided by a great campaign urging votes from Mayor Vic Deluca and others among the township elite. We beat out Princeton, Summit, Montclair and Morristown in a bracket-type month-long competition.

7. Springfield and Irvington avenues - Springfield Avenue saw many changes with construction starting for 235 apartments at Boyden Avenue, the shutdown and restart of the Daibes development, approval of a new Wawa Market nearby, and the new Wine Barrel opening up along with a slew of other shops - from pet food to a new gallery - cutting ribbons. Over on Irvington Avenue, sometimes unfairly derided as Maple "hood," a big streetscape renovation plan was approved that will help this already vital business corridor. 

6. Lockdowns - Several code reds and yellows hit Columbia High School, sparked by a toy gun, knife-related arrest and online threat. Then there was the Maplewood Middle School student who brought in a loaded gun. No injuries occurred as police moved swiftly and security efforts were tightened with new guards at the middle school. 

5. Tibetan Monks at The Woodland - Spiritual energy and mystical meditation were in the air for a week when the Mandala Project monks took over The Woodland and created their magical sand art in August. The township joined together to feel the positive energy and make these guests feel at home. Did you watch the online video stream?

4. School Board Election: A heated and costly campaign for school board pitted nine candidates against each other for three seats on the governing body. With Member Jeffrey Bennett stepping down, fellow incumbents Wayne Eastman and Madhu Pai took on seven other comers. When the dust settled, Pai retained her seat, but Eastman became the first board president in a decade to be ousted. Challengers Chris Sabin and Annemarie Maini won and will join the board next month.

3. New Schools Superintendent: More than a year after former Superintendent Brian Osborne resigned for a better paying job in New York, the school board hired his replacement: Dr. John Ramos, a veteran of several school districts who had been fired in Connecticut, but most recently held a post in Qatar. Ramos has already made his mark with a big Education Summit in November and instituted "kiva" seminars.

2. Township Committee Election -With TC Member Kathy Leventhal stepping down, Jerry Ryan was the lone incumbent on the ballot. His support for the controversial post office development clearly rankled some as he lost to Planning Board veteran Nancy Adams and newcomer Greg Lembrich, who received a big boost from former Mayor Fred Profeta.

1. Maplewood Village Post Office - The former post office development, which will see the government building replaced with a three-story, 20-unit, five store complex, took up most of the news in town with numerous planning board hearings, Township Committee meetings and at least a few lawsuits. Former Mayor Profeta was among those leading the charge against the plan that some said would hurt the Village's image. But developer JMF Properties, which continued to make changes as requested, ended up receiving the TC approvals and the Planning Board blessing. Look for construction to begin in the spring.