Tensions Over School Taxes, Rock Stars and Plans for Life After Roche

Belleville School Budget's $272 Tax Increase Sparks Anger

Spending increases prompted two screaming matches Monday night during the Belleville Board of Education's passage of the $63.5 million school district budget for the 2013-14 academic year, a plan that raises taxes an average of $277 for a home assessed at the township average. Officials did not give the specific home assessment value during the chaotic budget public hearing, which also saw a shouting match between school board member Joseph Longo and frequent school critic Vincent Frantantoni.

Law to Aid Nutley in Roche Tax Loss Moves Forward

State officials are moving to bring tax relief to Nutley to offset the loss of more than $9 million in a year tax revenue shortfall caused by the departure of Roche Pharmaceuticals. State Assemblyman Ralph Caputo said Wednesday that he is meeting with members of the state Finance Committee to try and secure funding for the "Corporate Disinvestment Property Tax Relief Act" bill.

Gerard Way Explains My Chemical Romance Breakup

Writing in a long and elusive essay on twitlonger, Belleville High School graduate Gerard Way explained to fans that “there was no divorce, argument, failure, accident, villain, or knife in the back” that precipitate the break up that “ had been quietly in the works.” Instead, the end of the band was seemingly precipitated by Way’s feeling during an Asbury Park performance that felt unpleasantly disassociated from his music.  

Police: Drunk Motorcycle Rider Damaged Holding Cell After Arrest

Nutley police say a Kearny man became aggressive and damaged two holding cells following his arrest for speeding and driving under the influence. 

Nutley School Budget Passes

The Nutley School Board passed its 2013-2014 budget unanimously following a brief public hearing on Monday night. The budget raises taxes $57.19 for the average Nutley home for a total tax levy of $52,931,802. Including money from the special revenue with debt service funds, the school's total budget is just over $64 million. 

Nutley Board Unveils Town Budget After Reductions

The Nutley Board of Commissioners introduced a preliminary $50 million 2013 Municipal Budget Friday morning after trimming an additional $329,000 from operating expenses and nearly $1 million more from capital improvement projects.