Top Stories For March 2014

Sports fields dominated the news in March. By a huge margin, Verona voters approved a referendum to make much needed repairs to school heating and facilities and rehabilitate the lower field at Verona High School. The Town Council, meanwhile, approved a plan to build two turfed fields on the Hilltop for youth sports.

We also got news that a well-known Thai food truck would open a restaurant in town, and that a new contract would sharply lower starting police salaries.

Every month, MyVeronaNJ.com looks at what our readers have been reading, and we let you know if you have to catch up on them. Here’s what you might have missed in March 2014:

1. Real Estate For March 22-23: Spring Thaw? The snow stopped for a moment and the listings came back, including 14 in one weekend.
2. Referendum Passes By Wide Margin: By a vote of 1,766 to 1,065, Verona voters resoundingly approved a referendum to make a host of much-needed repairs to Verona’s six public schools, improve their security and technology, and fix two school fields.
3. County Investigating Dog Deaths At Mills Reservation: Essex County officials looked into the deaths of two dogs at the Mills Reservation, but rumors of poison proved unfounded.
4. Steven Samuel Feldman, 46: Steven Samuel Feldman (5/9/67 – 2/24/14) died peacefully in his home in Port St. Lucie, Fla. on February 24. He was 46.
5. Editorial–Vote Yes On The Referendum: MyVeronaNJ.com generally does not take position on public ballots. But the March 11 referendum to repair Verona’s six public schools is too important to not vote yes.
6. Thai Elephant Opening Restaurant In Verona: The owners of the very popular Thai Elephant food truck are going to be opening a restaurant in Verona this spring next to Kate’s Kreations on Grove Avenue.
7. New Contracts Lower Starting Police, Employee Salaries And Slow Raises: The Verona Town Council unanimously approved a new three-year contract with police officers that should bring substantial relief to our municipal budget and could become a model for agreements in other towns.
8. Developer Tries To Force Board’s Hand On Bloomfield Ave. Project: The planner for DMH2, the company seeking to develop 176-200 Bloomfield Avenue, told the Verona Planning Board that the company has a way to develop the site without any variances.
9. Pool Rates Rise Again, Seniors Face 6.9% Increase: The Town Council approved Verona Pool membership rates that represent the fourth straight year of increases in pool rates.
10. Council Awards Contract To Build Hilltop Turf Fields: After a decade of planning and debate, the Verona Town Council has awarded the contracts to build two turfed youth sports fields on the hilltop behind the Verona Community Center.