Anti-Blue Law Group, Assemblyman's Creditors, School Administrator's Resignation Top This Week's News

Anti-Blue Law Group Aiming For Voter Referendum This Year

A group of Bergen residents seeking to repeal the county's "blue laws" intend to get 2,500 signatures for a petition by the end of June so they can get their initiative on the ballot in November.

"Modernize Bergen County" has now just about completed their petition and members will be gathering signatures at community events and other public places around the county, according to Rosemary Shashoua. They aim to get all 2,500 legally-required signatures by June 30, before many families begin going away for summer vacations, though they may get extras to be safe. 

Creditors File to Force Assemblyman Schroeder Into Bankruptcy

State Assemblyman Robert Schroeder may be forced into bankruptcy.

Three creditors — Quincy Wong and Nicolas Bedural of Mahwah and Joseph Marra of Brick — filed a petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark Thursday to force Schroeder, of Washington Township, into involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Westwood Special Services Director Cerco Resigns

Dr. Robert Cerco, Westwood Regional Schools' director of special services, has resigned effective June 30.

The Westwood Regional Board of Education voted unanimously to accept Cerco's resignation and other personnel matters during their meeting Thursday night.

Interim Superintendent Rory McCourt and board President Roberta Hanlon declined to comment because personnel matters are confidential.

Hillsdale School Taxes Will Rise $228 For Average Homeowner

The average Hillsdale homeowner will see a combined increase of $228 for the K-8 and regional school districts next year.

Both the Hillsdale and Pascack Valley RegionalBoards of Education approved their respective budgets last week. Hillsdale approved a $21 million budget with a $99 increase for the average homeowner. Pascack Valley approved a $48 million budget with a $129 increase for the average Hillsdale homeowner, though the change in the tax levy varies for each of the four towns in the district.

Westwood Regional School Board Approves $52M Budget

The Westwood Regional Board of Education unanimously approved a $52 million budget for the 2013-14 school year during their meeting Thursday night.

The $52,600,772 budget includes a .5 percent tax levy increase for a total levy of $46,550,241.

The amount of taxes paid by Westwood and Washington Township residents will shift slightly in the borough's favor, though they will still be paying about 53 percent of the levy. Taxes for the owner of the average Westwood home assessed at $397,000 will decrease about $2 while the owner of the average Washington Township home assessed at $533,000 will increase almost $20.

Washington Twp. Website Ranked 27th Among N.J. Towns

Washington Township's website was recognized as one of the best in New Jersey by a Monmouth University study and honored for its "overall content."

The site was listed as the overall 27th best municipal government website in the state.

WWT Education Foundation Holds Casino Night Fundraiser

The Westwood-Washington Township Education Foundation held a casino night gala at SeasonsWednesday night.

District staff members Danny Castro, Alexia Zygiel, Cindy Mazanec, Jennifer Jarolem, Rachelle Campbel, Susan Ehlers and Donna Kahn were recognized with the "Dedication to Excellence Award" by the foundation.

Westwood alumnus Linda Bowden, the regional president of PNC Bank, was recognized with the "Cardinal Alumni Achievement Award."

The Hillsdale Council voted to amend their proposed budget after some officials voiced concerns over the amount of money which was planned to be borrowed during a special hearing Wednesday.

The council voted 4-2 to move a number of smaller capital items — worth about $55,000 together — into the operating budget and issue bond anticipation notes for $285,000 for the cost of two vehicles and the first year of a 20-year road resurfacing program.

New Boutique Brings SoHo Style to Westwood

There's a new clothing boutique for women in Westwood that's got a little bit of everything.

Maci, located at 190 Westwood Ave., opened last week. Shop owner Ejona Maci said they carry clothes appropriate for just about anything, from the beach to a night out and everything in between.

Maci said she wanted to bring SoHo style and New York fashion to New Jersey and has gathered a collection from designers who are otherwise hard to find in the area.

Pascack Valley Administrator Resigns

Yas Usami, the business administrator of Pascack Valley Regional Schools, will be leaving the district June 30.

The Board of Education voted to accept Usami's resignation "with regret" during their meeting last week.

"This is a bittersweet moment for all of us," board member Jeffrey Steinfeld said.