 Updated: January, 2022 To be added to this list (no cost) email please. SNOWBLOWER REPAIR AND TUNE-UP Northeast Equipment Garden Center Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove
ESSEX COUNTY REGION Adame Brown LLC FDR Auto of West Orange
Frank's Cutting Edge Landscaping Plus Frank Seragusa
Mimi’s Landscaping and Snow Removal Bryan Kelly
North Creek Scott Jones
Softwash Ranger Mario Chet
The Handy Crew
Van Ness Landscaping Brian Van Ness
CALDWELL / CEDAR GROVE / ESSEX FELLS / FAIRFIELD / NORTH CALDWELL / ROSELAND / VERONA / WEST CALDWELL A & C Property Management Don Anderson
Adam and Tom
Chris Nikow
J and C Property Maintenance
Lentini Group Anthony Lentini
Leonardo Snow Removal Maurice Leonardo Jr.
Mike Pescatore
Pete Russo Shoveling
Ted Kinsella
ONLY: CALDWELL / WEST CALDWELL Carl Czarnomski
Casey Cornine Evan Manochio
2 Caldwell Students Who Shovel Joelle Stephenson Ferraro ONLY: ROSELAND Harry Butterfield
EAST HANOVER / LIVINGSTON / MILLBURN / ROSELAND / SHORT HILLS / WEST ORANGE Magic Snow Plowing Mike
ONLY: LIVINGSTON Josh Commer
Expert Plowing and Landscaping Spencer Palmer by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 10:20am ROSELAND FILES WITH FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION IN OPPOSITION TO COMPRESSOR STATION UPGRADES PHOTO: Marcia Weinstein ROSELAND, NJ - This morning, the Borough of Roseland officially filed to be an Intervenor with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in opposition to the proposed upgrades at the Williams-Transco Compressor Station. FERC regulates natural gas pipelines and before any pipeline can be built or upgraded, FERC requires pipeline operators to obtain a federal Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. FERC is now required to respond to the Borough, and at the same time the Governing Body's objections have become part of the legal record.  Through it's massive 1,800 mile long pipeway, Williams-Transco delivers natural gas to utility companies and power plants located along the Atlantic Seaboard. The natural gas originates in the Gulf Coast and the pipeline transports it through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to deliver gas to the New Jersey and New York City area.  Roseland Compressor Station 303 Williams-Transco's Essex County station 303 is an electric motor driven natural gas compressor facility located near the highly traveled intersection of Eagle Rock Avenue and Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland.
The following is an historical timeline of events for Station 303:
Gateway Expansion Project According to Williams-Transco, the Northeast's need for natural gas is increasing because of its superiority as compared to other energy sources. The Expansion Project will increase service to New Jersey and New York natural gas customers, through PSEG Power and UGI Energy Services, and is designed to provide up to 65,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation service to meet the needs of about 300,000 homes. According to the company, the Transco pipeline is at full capacity and upgrades are necessary to provide for the increased demand. The company points out that virtually all of their proposed upgrades will take place "within Transco’s existing rights of way and/or property boundaries." An abundant, reliable supply of natural gas is critical to help reduce carbon emissions," reads the Williams-Transco website, "and provide the flexibility needed to support a growing renewables component in power generation.
Being a resident whose home is in close proximity to the compressor station, " commented Roseland Mayor John Duthie, "I look forward to working with our constituents in an effort to keep Roseland a safe place to live and work. Community Involvement
Although Williams-Transco has stated that they are "committed to minimizing environmental impacts of the entire project," residents of the Borough and the surrounding communities continue to voice dissent to the presence of the compressor station in Roseland. According to FERC guidelines, the community has a right to express their opinion as to the proposed Gateway Expansion Project. To do so:
ENTER A COMMENT ONLINE HERE
Those who have expressed their concerns over the safety of the natural gas compressor station specifically site:
The Roseland Governing Body strongly encourages all interested to view the filing on FERC'S website found online here.
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 9:13pm  Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley ROSELAND, NJ - For the past 11 weeks, residents of Roseland have been debating who it was that sent out a postcard to the entire town, using the Roseland Borough Hall as a return address. The postcard appeared to most residents as if it was coming from the town administration itself. At the meeting of the Roseland Governing Body, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, Mayor John Duthie held up the postcard and pointedly told resident Claudia Reis that it was she who sent out the postcard, while also arguing that the statements she has been making online against the administration are not true. While we're on the subject of being truthful, it's come to the attention of the Governing Body that you had sent out a postcard to the entire community using the Borough's mailing address as a return address....everybody knows this. At that same meeting, Roseland Councilman Richard Leonard broke into the Mayor's statement expressing that he was "thrilled" with any notice that "gets the public involved in the decision making" of the town and that when he looked at the postcard he saw the return address as announcing the location of the meeting. When Councilman Mark Vidovich asked Leonard, "So it's okay if someone uses your business address?" the councilman did not answer. Reis did not reply at all to the Mayor's statements and walked away from the podium. Following the meeting, West Essex Now repeatedly contacted Reis asking if there was any truth to the mayor's assertions; there was no response. During the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 19, Reis wrote on Facebook that the reason she did not use her home address on a postcard sent to the entire town was because she's been called a variety of derogatory names on social media. I can't imagine why I just wouldn't give When pressed further, Reis ultimately admitted to sending out the postcard, and paying for it herself. She also echoed Leonard's explanation for the return address being used, that it was simply the location of the meeting.  Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley I didn't respond to the Mayor's questions It is clear that Reis considers her actions justified.  Credit: West Essex Now by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 11:55pm  Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley ROSELAND, NJ - This morning, Essex County Superior Court Judge Thomas R. Vena ruled that a claim brought against the Borough of Roseland by resident Scott Gorman, lacked merit. Gorman had brought a lawsuit against the municipality claiming that the Borough violated the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) in regards to the publication of its agenda items for a June 20, 2017 meeting.
Gorman argued that the published agenda of the June meeting was in violation of OPMA because two items which were listed on the agenda as “Closed Executive Session” instead ending up being “Resolution Action Items” and were voted on during the public portion of the meeting. The items specifically referred to a request that the Planning Board determine whether the areas of 85 Livingston Avenue and 6 Becker Farm Road were in need of redevelopment. Gorman further argued that because the two items were illegally added to the agenda, their passage by the governing body was invalid and should be dismissed. After considering Gorman’s arguments, Judge Vena determined that the Borough of Roseland had acted appropriately stating that the Governing Body was not aware that it would take action on the two items when the agenda was first published. Vena ruled that the two Resolutions were indeed properly passed and will continue to stand. The judge went on to rule that the Borough of Roseland - like every municipality in the state of New Jersey - must continue to ensure that its meeting minutes are approved in a timely matter and that the public be given notice for all items to be addressed in Closed Executive Sessions. Gorman was not awarded any monetary penalties. While the Borough's insurance will cover the balance, the $5,000 deductible will be paid by Roseland taxpayers. by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 10:04pm  CALDWELL, NJ - On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the governing body of Caldwell, NJ, unanimously passed the following resolution in support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Whereas, the Borough of Caldwell supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and hereby recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Borough of Caldwell; and Resolution 10-25 was signed by Caldwell Mayor Ann Dassing, and passed into Resolution by:
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence conceived of the idea for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1987 in an effort to end violence against women and their children. The month's intention is to:
In 1989, after 57 Senators co-sponsored the Bill, the US Congress passed Public Law 101-112 which designates October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month because of "the need to increase the public awareness and understanding of Domestic Violence and the needs of Battered Women and their Children." Abuse in any relationship – whether it’s between family members, friends, or spouses – is not acceptable, no matter the “reasons” behind it or the gender of the people involved.
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 11:30am  NEW JERSEY - According to the 1976 New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, all individuals have the right to attend all New Jersey Public Meetings, whether they be held by municipal, county or state governing bodies.
Additionally, the Act requires the governing body to:
According to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the Act, which is popularly known as the "Sunshine Law," became necessary after public distrust of government following the Vietnam War and Watergate. A summary of the Act is as follows:
Further information about the Act can be found online in detail here. All Members of the Roseland Governing Body Were Included on the Controversial May, 2016, Text3/8/2017
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 9:58pm  May, 2016, text message Credit: West Essex Now ROSELAND, NJ - During the Tuesday, Mar. 7, Roseland Caucus Meeting, Nick Bellomo, of Roseland, referenced the continued posts by The Progress which have erroneously stated that the controversial May 2016 text messages were only sent to the male members of the Roseland governing body. Repeatedly, The Progress has stated that Councilwoman Michele Tolli was not included in the conversation. Specifically, Bellomo referred to this paragraph published by The Progress on Feb. 28:  The Progress Feb 28, 2017 Bellomo then asked, "What was it, all the members or just the male members?” Councilmen Thomas Tsilionis responded to Bellomo that all seven members of the governing body, including Tolli, were present from the start on the conversation.
West Essex Now then asked for a firm statement from the group that all members were involved in the text. After receiving an affirmative answer, the news site then requested a copy of the text for accuracy. West Essex Now will be following up on this development with a full inquiry into the implications of The Progress' omission. Resigning Roseland Councilman Thomas Tsilionis Details Reasons Behind Recent Borough Struggles2/19/2017
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 5:55pm  ROSELAND, NJ - This afternoon, Roseland Mayor John Duthie announced to West Essex Now the resignations of Councilman Thomas Tsilionis and Councilman David Jacobs. Tsilionis then contacted West Essex Now with the following letter: Thomas Tsilionis
Councilman Roseland, NJ 07068 Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017 To the West Essex Now Editor: I have been proud to serve the Borough of Roseland as Councilman since January, 2010, and representing the residents of this great community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It is with great gratitude, along with tears of sorrow, that I must resign from this position effective immediately. I recognize that my recent text messages referenced in the Progress and Star Ledger were deemed inappropriate and I personally apologize to all I offended. When taken out-of-context, I can see that my texts would be seen as derogatory. However, the texts do not speak to who I am: there isn't a racist or anti-Semitic bone in my body. Councilman Richard Leonard, who distributed a copy of the texts to the press, already knows that about me. Councilman Leonard never told me or anyone else that the texts offended him, including Councilman David Jacobs who Councilman Leonard campaigned door-to-door with for seven months. Councilman Leonard went to the press not because he was offended, or because he thought that I was a racist or anti-Semitic, or because he thought it was the right thing to do. Plain and simple, Councilman Leonard released the tests to the press out of his own personal agenda to attack Councilman Jacobs and me for not voting for him for Council President. It is no secret that Councilman Leonard and I don't see eye to eye. I believe that Councilman Leonard wants to be a Councilman so that he can use the office for his own personal benefit and to benefit his real estate business that resides in our Borough. As a Councilman, I have witnessed Councilman Leonard use his public office for his own personal gain by acting unethically and even possibly criminally:
In short, Councilman Peter Smith's comments that Councilman Leonard is "off the reservation" is an understatement. It is true that I didn't vote for Leonard as Council President in January and that I seconded the motion to nominate Council President Mark Vidovich. Based on what I know, how could I support Leonard to structure the agenda and lead the Borough Council? Despite these challenging times, as I step down I am proud of my many accomplishments since January 2010, that I have made happen for Roseland, the town that I love. These are only a few of my accomplishments during my time serving on the Roseland Governing Body:
As a community we need to move forward and put this behind us. Sincerely, Thomas Tsilionis Roseland Councilmen Jacobs and Tsilionis Announce Resignations Following Inappropriate Text Messages2/19/2017
by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com Published 11:31am  CREDIT: Carolyne Volpe Curley ROSELAND, NJ - Essex County Republican Chairman Al Barlas, Roseland Mayor John Duthie and Roseland Republican Chairman Mary Comito announced today that Councilmen David Jacobs and Tom Tsilionis have resigned. The Republican group stated that the recently revealed text message exchanges between Jacobs and Tsilionis were "offensive and indefensible." Their prepared statement continued: "Regardless of circumstance, racial and ethnic based comments Resigning Councilman Thomas Tsilionis contacted West Essex Now with his own letter found here:
Published 2:24pm  Credit: Carolyne Volpe Curley ROSELAND, NJ - At Tuesday's meeting of the Roseland governing body, an ordinance was passed which will require natural gas detectors to be part of the certificate of occupancy for new construction and for continued occupancy of new rentals or change of ownership in any home. The recommendation was supported unanimously by Public Safety Chair David Jacobs, and Councilmembers Peter Smith and Rich Leonard. During the public comment segment, there was no one who came out against the measure and several persons spoke out in support of the new requirement including Roseland Office of Emergency Management Director John Matheis, Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator and Roseland Firefighter Roger Freda, Alyce Batta and Affordable Housing Board Chair Bill Tedesco (who showed a receipt for the detector he had just purchased that afternoon). "I support this ordinance wholeheartedly because - bottom line - it's going to save lives, and all at a very minimal cost to all involved," Freda commented. "Councilman Rich Leonard's motion to adopt this ordinance Devin Hinchcliffe, who is a member of both the Roseland Fire Department and Roseland First Aid Squad, was unable to be at the meeting, but a letter from him was read into the record. His comments regarding the safety of the First Responder who is entering a possibly gas-filled residence placed a further dimension on the need for the detectors in homes. "As a member of both the Fire Department and First Aid Squad, This ordinance appears to be the first of its kind in New Jersey, including in Stafford Township. A quick search online shows a Dual Carbon Monoxide and Natural Gas Detector runs anywhere from $29 to $132.
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