Montclair had four different town managers from July 2020 to July 2024. At a January 2 council meeting, Michael Lapolla, Montclair’s interim town manager stated: “I am here until July. But until then, I’m going to do this job as if I was going to spend the next 10 years here.” It’s July and Lapolla is still here.
Sherry Fernandes
Sherry Fernandes is a reporter for Montclair Local covering stories focused on municipal government and education. She earned her Master of Science in Journalism from the Columbia University – Graduate School of Journalism and her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at St. Xavier’s College, India. During her time at Columbia, she focused on specializing in investigating healthcare, social injustices, environmental issues, religion and open-source research.
Get in touch with news tips at sherry@montclairlocal.news
Posted inMunicipal Government
Motion Filed to Stop Investigation of Firefighters and Montclair CFO
According to email correspondences from Hatfield Schwartz Law Group sent to the firefighters on June 18 through their attorney Nesmith, the town is investigating employee complaints concerning them both.
Posted inMunicipal Government
Inauguration of Montclair’s Historic New Council
The Township of Montclair celebrated a historic milestone Monday with the inauguration of its new Council. Dr. Renee Baskerville made history as Montclair’s first woman of color to serve as […]
Posted inMontclair Area
Bloomfield Suspends Boil Water Advisory After E. Coli Scare (UPDATED)
Bloomfield suspended a Boil Water Advisory on Wednesday afternoon, a day after it had issued a boil water advisory to all residents after a routine water sample tested positive for E. coli bacteria.
Posted inMunicipal Government
How Montclair Disregarded Warnings to Upgrade Protections Against Hackers
An investigation by the Local, based on interviews with present and former township employees and experts, shows that MFA should have been installed years earlier.
Posted inEducation
Montclair Board of Education Votes to Fill Board Vacancy
Dr. Kimberly Robinson Santos, who previously ran for a board seat in the November school board election, fills a board vacancy left by Crystal Hopkins, who resigned in May.
Posted inMunicipal Government
Montclair Approves $104 Million Budget, Pays $1 Million Settlement with Surplus Funds
Speaking to the Local, Interim Town Manager Michael said, ” The increase on the municipal portion of a resident’s taxes, which is less than 25% of the total tax bill, will increase approximately $140 for a house assessed at $635,000.”
Posted inEducation
Students and Parents Rally for Teacher Facing Non-Renewal
Children and parents rallied in support of third-grade teacher, Lauren Kline, at the BOE meeting on Wednesday.
Posted inEducation
Residents Want Artificial Turf Field Gone, Demand Answers at BOE Meeting
The district maintains that the field is safe and meets New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requirements and regulations.
Posted inMunicipal Government
Tax Hike and a Million Dollar Question in $102 Million Montclair Municipal Budget
Lapolla presented a 2024 municipal budget of $102.8 million, with a 1.17% total increase from 2023. This would be a 2.96% increase in the local tax levy, bringing the average residential annual tax bill of $21,995. The budget also includes $8 million in surplus funds generated over the past year.
Posted inPublic Safety
Long Wait to Replace Outdated Traffic Signals at Dangerous Intersection
“The overrepresentation of right- angle crashes at the intersection of Park Street and Bellevue Avenue can be attributed to outdated traffic signal design and hardware.”
Posted inMunicipal Government
Council Allocates $6 Million to Clary Anderson; Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Approved
Residents packed the penultimate meeting of Montclair’s town council Thursday. They watched the hearing and final vote to approve the Lackawanna Plaza redevelopment plan, ordinance O24-O9. But it was the allocation of $6 million to address much-needed repair issues at Clary Anderson Arena, that got the biggest reaction from many parents and children.
Posted inFeatured Posts
BOE Votes to Approve New Contract for Superintendent through 2029
On Monday night, five members of the Montclair Board of Education unanimously voted to approve a new contract for Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds.
Posted inEducation, Education
Montclair BOE to Hold Special Meeting on Superintendent’s Contract
On May 7, the Local visited Central Office office to review the contract on file, but was instructed to wait for an email response to get an appointment. There has still been no reply.
