TC APPROVES DEADLY DRUNK DRIVING SPOT STOP SIGNS, AND MORE

The Township Committee made good Tuesday night on Mayor Vic De Luca's promise to install a four-way stop at the corner of Essex Ave. and South 4th Street, the site of the deadly drunk driving accident last summer.

The Committee unanimously approved on first reading, an ordinance that would put the stop signs in place.

In addition, the TC unanimously approved initial drafts of ordinances to increase annual Jitney pass fees and bar weekend construction from beginning before 8 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

The public hearings and final votes on all of these measures will take place on Oct. 15.

TC VOTES TO REDUCE VALLEY STREET SPEED LIMIT

The Township Committee on Tuesday night voted to reduce the speed limit on Valley Street, from 35 mph. to 25 mph., extending from the South Orange line to Millburn Ave.

The vote on final passage was 4-1, with TC Member Jerry Ryan opposing.

Ryan said he was worried about "selective enforcement." But the other members found it a good idea to ease accidents and speeding through the street.

"I see this as a good thing," said TC Member India Larrier.

The move still requires approval from the Essex County Engineer, which TC members said was likely.

BIG TC MEETING TONIGHT - JITNEY FEES, SPEED LIMIT AND YOUR PET LICENSE

Tonight's Township Committee meeting will be among the busiest in a long time.

The TC, among other things, plans to vote on final passage proposals to lower the speed limit on Valley Street from 35 mph. to 25 mph. and change dog and cat license fee rules to require renewals in December instead of January.

The governing body also plans to introduce an ordinance that will increase Jitney fees for monthly and annual passes, while another would bar construction and repair work from beginning before 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. on Sundays.

See the entire agenda HERE and show up to find out what they do, and/or give them a piece of your mind - good or bad.

Remember, they work for you.

THREE MORE ARMED ROBBERIES LEAD POLICE WEEK

After two armed robberies last week, this week's police report offered another three gun-touting rip-offs of people off. C'mon already!

See below:

September 23, 2013: Robbery; At approximately 10 PM a male entered the Quick Chek on Springfield Ave, brandished a handgun and then emptied the cash register. He then fled to a vehicle and drove East on Springfield Ave. 

September 28, 2013: Robbery; At approximately 220 AM, a juvenile male near the intersection of Jacoby St and Springfield Ave was approached by two males described as approximately 20 years old.  One of the males displayed a handgun and struck the juvenile with it before stealing his phone. As the actors fled, the juvenile reports that he heard two shots.

September 28, 2013: Robbery; At approximately 645 PM, a juvenile male and resident of South Orange was walking on Valley St near Crowell Pl.  He was approached by a male in his late teens that displayed a handgun and demanded the juvenile’s wallet and cell phone.  The actor then ran North on Valley St. 

In more crime news:

September 24, 2013: Burglary; At approximately 320 AM patrols responded to the

Liquor Cabinet on a alarm activation.  Upon their arrival, it was found that the

front door had been broken and entry made to the establishment.  The actor,

Anthony Myers, age 50 of Newark was located walking on Springfield Ave and was

taken into custody and charged with the burglary.

September 28, 2013: Robbery; At approximately 915 PM an adult male and Maplewood resident was walking in the area of Springfield Ave and Colgate Ave.  While walking, he believes that he was struck in the head by an unknown person or persons and his cell phone and glasses were stolen. 

September 28, 2013: Theft; At approximately 9 PM an adult female and Irvington

resident was walking on Springfield Ave near Chancellor Ave when two males

approached her.  One of the males knocked a cell phone out of her hand, picked

it up off the ground and then walked away with it.

INDY FILM SHOOTING IN MAPLECREST PARK

Maplewood got a taste of Hollywood, or at least an independent film, as the crew of a small movie project used Maplecrest Park to shoot some scenes for a new production on Monday.

 

Those on site said the filming was for a flick called, "Lake City."

Township officials confirmed the production, a one-day event, included the proper township film permit, for which the producers paid the township $1075.00.

NOISE COMPLAINT AGAINST B OF A WORK

...Scanner indicates resident complaining that jackhammer work at Bank of America in Maplewood Village was starting too early, the law says not before 7 :30 a.m...Police responding.

NJ TRANSIT DELAYS INTO MIDTOWN, AGAIN

From NJTransit.com:

Travel Alerts Oct 01, 2013  06:47:04 AM
  Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line and Midtown Direct trains are subject to 15-20 minute delays in and out of New York due to signal problems between Newark Penn and New York Penn.

TRAIN STATION CONCESSIONS FULLY OPEN

This morning marks the full re-opening of the concession stands at the Maplewood Train Station.

Mavi's Cafe, which has been running one of the food stands for weeks, told us they will open the opposite spot, previously run by Joyce, for a two-pronged approach.

They also have Wifi and a great coffee card to earn a free cup.