THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY THE PLANNING BOARD’S NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING IS MONDAY ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED ON THE TOWNSHIP WEBSITE ON THE PLANNING BOARD PAGE PRIOR TO THE MEETING Land Use AdministratorTownship of Scotch Plains430 Park AvenueScotch Plains Please note on Section III – Certain Homeowners   Initially stated in blue booklets mailed out:  Complete this section only if you answered “yes” at line 5a and moved before December 31 Complete this section only if you answered “yes” at line 5a   they are ineligible to file the application and do not need to complete Schedule III Line 5A is for those that were not residing in the same home for the full year (based on answer at line 4a) the applicant is additionally saying that they were not an owner or renter on October 1 By indicating that they were not residing in the same home all year (Line 4a) and neither a homeowner or renter (Line 5a) the applicant would not be eligible for any of the programs: Senior Freeze there was a printing error on Schedule III itself Schedule III of the PAS-1 booklets that are being mailed to applicants incorrectly indicates that you should only complete the schedule if you moved before December 31 Schedule III should be completed by those who indicated “Yes” online 5a even if they DID move by December 31 Taxation  posted a statement about that error on their  website and even revised the online PDF of the  Scotch Plains is proud to join communities nationwide in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026 through RevolutionNJ This milestone offers a unique opportunity to reflect on New Jersey’s pivotal role in the American Revolution celebrate the diverse contributions of its residents and explore the lasting impact of our nation’s history Phil Murphy and the New Jersey State Legislature and coordinate the nationwide commemoration of this historic anniversary Scotch Plains fully supports RevolutionNJ’s mission to promote history’s role in public discourse we aim to create memorable experiences that enable Scotch Plains residents to connect with history and appreciate how the ideals and events of the Revolution continue to shape our lives today While we are still in the early phases of planning for 2026 we are excited about the array of activities on the horizon Scotch Plains will host its Revolution 250 Celebration honoring our nation's 250th anniversary June 26 will include plenty of festivities culminating in the unveiling of a time capsule there will be an exciting fireworks display held at Shady Rest Country Club We welcome historical reenactors to participate in the weekend's various events If you are interested in reenacting or have information about potential reenactors reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots Look forward to various celebrations that honor both our nation’s history and the unique experiences of Scotch Plains Keep an eye out for updates as we prepare for this important occasion Discover key historical sites in Scotch Plains that highlight the town's unique journey through time through the links below: Scotch Plains has a rich 300-year history dating back to its settlement in 1684 Originally inhabited by the Raritan tribe of the Lenni Lenape the area saw European exploration beginning with Giovanni da Verrazano in 1524 The name "Scotch Plains" was adopted in the 1680s reflecting the settlement of Scottish immigrants under George Scot The township played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War with several historical landmarks still standing today which served as a tavern and gathering place for colonial leaders which bore the marks of battle as colonial troops faced the British during the Battle of Short Hills The arrival of the railroad in the 1830s marked a turning point facilitating growth and attracting commuters and vacationers Scotch Plains had evolved into a modern suburban community with an influx of Italian immigrants bringing new skills and enriching the local culture The township officially adopted its historical name again in 1917 after a brief period of division with the neighboring Fanwood Borough The post-World War II era saw rapid development leading to the construction of new schools and residential neighborhoods to accommodate a burgeoning population Scotch Plains boasts a diverse population of nearly 25,000 residents and a wealth of recreational opportunities The township's many historic sites continue to attract visitors celebrating a unique history that intertwines with the broader narrative of American independence With its modern amenities and rich cultural heritage Scotch Plains remains a vibrant and welcoming community Click here to read more about Scotch Plains' history traveling exhibit that educates audiences about the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism Housed inside an exact replica of a World War II era cattle car just like the ones used to transport Jews and other targeted groups to concentration and death camps during the Holocaust this exhibit is a powerful 360 degree immersive presentation Accompanying the exhibit is a rare collection of original Holocaust artifacts The cattle car will be on the JCC front lawn by the Weinberg doors and the artifact exhibit will be in the Weinberg lobby Registration required at www.jccnj.org Sign-up is in 30-minute blocks throughout the day with a maximum of 25 people in each block Contact Randi Zucker at This email address is being protected from spambots The Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad invites you to join them at their 15th annual Pancake Breakfast The DPW will begin its Christmas tree pickup on Monday The trees should be placed at the curb with all ornaments and tinsel removed The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present the 2025 Union County Senior Art Exhibit featuring more than 160 original works created by older adults The public is invited to view the exhibit now through June 3 in the Conference Center of UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ The exhibit is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday The venue is located approximately a quarter-mile from Martine Ave Upon entering the campus from Raritan Road visitors should proceed to the third building on the right The annual Senior Art Exhibit showcases artworks by both professional and non-professional artists who reside in Union County The varied media categories include drawing “This annual celebration brings people together in a way which encourages our seniors to develop their interest and cultivate local community,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon “The Board of County Commissioners is proud to dedicate space for this art exhibit each year and we hope everyone in Union County—regardless of age—can take something great away from this experience.” Awards for outstanding entries in each media category were selected by independent professional artists Barbara Wallace Best in Show by a Professional Artist was awarded to Audrey Yankielun of Westfield for her craft work created from thousands of postage stamps titled “Party Dress.” Best in Show by a Non-Professional Artist was awarded to Mark Albertson of Westfield for his oil painting titled “Patience.” First-place artworks will advance to the state level to be exhibited in the fall at the 2025 New Jersey Senior Citizens’ Art Show in East Windsor The Union County Senior Art Exhibit is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The exhibit is coordinated annually by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, email msturm@ucnj.org or call 908-558-2550 weekdays (relay users dial 711) For more information about cultural programs offered by the County of Union, visit www.ucnj.org/cultural Contact Us Organizational Chart PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Township of Scotch Plains Township Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday The Township of Scotch Plains does not discriminate against persons with disabilities Those individuals requiring auxiliary aids and services where necessary must notify the ADA Coordinator of the Township of Scotch Plains at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting led Shawnee with seven goals and two assists.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Dylan McCoy | For NJ Advance MediaTyler Rotkowitz scored seven goals and added two assists as Shawnee won its fifth straight game getting past Scotch Plains-Fanwood 12-8 on the road opened up a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before Scotch Plains-Fanwood (9-5) rallied Shawnee clinched the win with a 5-0 advantage in the fourth quarter Cale Stielau scored twice and dished out two assists for Shawnee EJ Martino and Thomas McAneney each registered two points Colin Kochanowicz recorded a hat trick for Scotch Plains-Fanwood Dylan McCoy can be reached at hssports@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices This year, for the first time, the Township of Scotch Plains is joining in “Denim Day,” as municipal employees will be urged to wear jeans on April 30 to mark the annual international event that has grown to involve more than 12 million people held the last Wednesday in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month began in 1999 as a response to an Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the 18-year-old victim The court argued that because the victim's jeans were so tight she must have helped the perpetrator remove them This decision sparked outrage and protests leading to the creation of Denim Day as a symbol of protest against victim blaming and a show of solidarity for survivors of sexual assault The importance of Denim Day lies in its multifaceted approach to addressing the complex issue of sexual violence we declare our staunch opposition to sexual assault as well as our unquestioning support for survivors This is also an important opportunity to discuss the myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual violence which the original Italian court case exemplified There are many people who still hold harmful beliefs that victims are somehow responsible for their assault what they were drinking or how they behaved Denim Day challenges these harmful narratives by emphasizing that sexual assault is never the victim's fault and that consent is essential This important movement also encourages open conversations about consent and healthy relationships It prompts discussions about what consent looks like how to communicate boundaries and the importance of respecting those boundaries These conversations are vital for creating a culture of respect and safety It is my hope that Scotch Plains’ participation in Denim Day plays a role in breaking the silence and stigma surrounding sexual assault making it easier for survivors to come forward and seek help Another way in which to support Denim Day is by raising funds for sexual assault services These resources are crucial for survivors as they navigate the aftermath of trauma; feeling heard You can learn more by contacting the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault which has programs in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties and at the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers University—New Brunswick services are provided through the Union County Rape Crisis Center in Westfield at 908-233-7273 is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who have been captured or missing in action It's an event held the third Friday of September each year to honor their sacrifices to remember their families' unwavering hope and to reaffirm our commitment to bringing them home Union County is hosting its annual flag raising at 11 a.m today on the steps of the county courthouse in Elizabeth at 2 Broad St The half-hour event will include a rifle salute the playing of “Taps” and the retiring of the colors we remember and honor nearly 81,000 veterans who were prisoners of war and veterans still missing from World War II You may have visited the commemorative chair located in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington  “Let this empty chair serve as a memorial to those who served in the military of our great nation but have not returned home to us They are Prisoners of War and Missing in Action America will forever be grateful for your bravery and sacrifice in service to our nation The history of POW/MIA remembrance dates back to the Vietnam War, when an estimated 2,500 American soldiers were captured or went missing in Vietnam and Laos. Their families, left in uncertainty and anguish, began advocating for their return. There are still nearly 1,600 Americans still unaccounted from that war. coupled with the unwavering support of veterans' organizations and government officials led to the establishment of the National POW/MIA Day in 1979 President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation; each year the current president signs a new proclamation honoring this important day The significance of this observance lies in its ability to keep the memory of POW/MIAs alive It ensures that their stories are not forgotten and that their families continue to receive the support and recognition they deserve it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who have served our country there are families in our area of New Jersey that continue to search for answers with prayers their loved ones will one day return Their unwavering faith serves as an inspiration to us all reminding us of the power of hope in the face of adversity POW/MIA Remembrance Day is our opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to bringing home those who are still missing It is also a call to action for governments and individuals to continue their efforts to locate and recover the remains of our fallen soldiers Let us commit to never forgetting the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women upholding the freedoms for which they fought a leading sustainable clothing and textile recycling company to launch a  used clothing and accessory recycling program and provide residents with an easy and accessible way to recycle unwanted clothing and accessories Helpsy will supply designated drop-off bins for used clothing and household linens    —regardless of condition—as long as these items are dry and odor-free helping to divert them from local landfills The collected items will be repurposed for resale Residents can drop off their items for free at the DPW Yard at 2445 Plainfield Avenue Thursdays from 7:00 am to 2:00 PM Please call (908) 322-6700 x 243 or 244 with any questions National Development has broken ground on a new 86-unit senior living community in Scotch Plains marking its entrance to New Jersey as part of a multipronged expansion in the region said it was working alongside Benchmark Senior Living to build the project at 1814 where plans call for 63 assisted living units with an in-house fitness facility The development is also slated to include 23 memory care units part of a designated memory care floor outfitted with a dedicated dining area The joint venture is developing on 4.6 acres in the township National Development expects to deliver the facility in summer 2026 The firm on Tuesday also announced the acquisition of an existing assisted living and memory care facility in Smithtown in a deal with a separate affiliate of Benchmark Senior Living the roughly six-year-old property includes 71 assisted living units and 30 memory care units on site enjoying strong occupancy and having earned recognition from U.S “These properties represent National Development’s ongoing commitment to the senior living sector,” said Andrew Gallinaro “We expect to continue to add to our pipeline throughout the Northeast in 2025 We are very fortunate to be able to partner with Benchmark Senior Living a recognized industry leader with whom we have had a decades-long relationship.” “Benchmark is pleased to be collaborating with a firm of National Development’s caliber,” Benchmark Founder “We are also thrilled to soon bring Scotch Plains residents the high-quality compassionate care Benchmark has built its reputation on for nearly 30 years.” has been covering New Jersey commercial real estate for 13 years Many industry leaders view him as the go-to real estate reporter in the state a role he is eager to continue as the editor of Real Estate NJ He is a lifelong New Jersey resident who has spent a decade covering the great Garden State Restaurant chain Bojangles has opened along a major commercial corridor in Piscataway as part of a previously announced deal brokered by The Goldstein Group All RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright 2023 Real Estate NJ 101 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland Our site uses cookies. Learn more about our use of cookies: cookie policy As fiscal stewards of municipal government it is essential that we educate the community about how property taxes are generated and spent I know that many residents – like me – want to understand where every dollar is allocated and how it directly benefits the services and quality of life in Scotch Plains might be quick to assume that the total property tax bill is at the direction of the Mayor and Council we only oversee about 14% of your total property tax bill We are pleased that town hall has been able to keep the municipal portion of your tax bill relatively flat for the past nine years The total property tax bill you receive is divided across three main areas: (1) Scotch Plains Township for municipal services; (2) the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education for the public schools; and (3) Union County with smaller portions funding the public library at 1927 Bartle Ave This portion directly funds the daily operations and maintenance of Scotch Plains These investments are vital for ensuring our town remains safe well-maintained and an attractive place to live A substantial portion of your taxes funds our regional school district with a tax rate set by the Board of Education Funding is allocated for teacher and staff salaries This investment ensures that our children have access to a high-quality education and resources that prepare them for future success The county's share funds regional services like maintenance of the roads it oversees such as Raritan Road and Terrill Road These funds maintain our local library and preserve our green spaces enhancing community access to resources and protecting the natural beauty of Scotch Plains for generations to come Please visit https://www.scotchplainsnj.gov/index.php/departments/taxes-and-finance for more information While the breakdown of property taxes may vary slightly from year to year based on budgets the priority at town hall remains the same: delivering value for your investment I am pleased that Scotch Plains is one of only a handful of municipalities in New Jersey that has earned a “AAA” bond rating from independent bond rating companies further underscoring the strong financial management we have at town hall regarding the municipal budget This stellar bond rating makes it possible for Scotch Plains to borrow money for emergency service vehicles building renovations and other capital expenditures at the lowest interest rate possible I hope you now have a better understanding of how your tax bill is divided and how the money is spent among the three main entities we are firmly committed to carefully and strategically managing these funds maintaining the strongest fiscal discipline possible while investing in the long-term sustainability and affordability in Scotch Plains The Township is preparing to conduct a real property revaluation early next year to ensure that property assessments reflect current market values which has been in the works for a number of years is designed to ensure that property taxpayers are paying the correct amount of the overall taxes the municipality collects equitable distribution of property taxes among all property owners The bottom line: Some taxpayers will see a reduction in taxes This initiative – which all towns in New Jersey are required to undertake – fulfills a requirement from the state Division of Taxation and the Union County Tax Board to ensure assessments reflect current market values property values may change because of various factors leading to disparities between assessed values and actual market values two properties assessed at $200,000 may end up with different market values after several years updating assessments to align with current market conditions the Township has digitized its tax maps in anticipation of this required reevaluation It is important to note that a revaluation does not directly increase or decrease the total amount of property taxes collected it redistributes the tax burden more fairly based on updated property values some property owners may see their taxes increase depending on how their property's new assessed value compares to others in the municipality If a property owner believes the new assessment is inaccurate Informational meetings will be scheduled in the fall providing updated information about the process at This email address is being protected from spambots SCOTCH PLAINS - The second time was a charm Voters in Scotch Plains and Fanwood approved both questions Tuesday on the school district's $44.8 million referendum to provide a short-term solution to the district's need for more space and upgrade the HVAC system in all schools Voters approved the first referendum question by a 3,090-2,402 margin That question approved the acquisition of the former La Grande School in Fanwood adding air conditioning to all spaces that don’t currently have air conditioning district-wide and provide other critical upgrades to HVAC The cost of buying LaGrande School is $10.5 million while the HVAC upgrades will cost $34.2 million The second question was approved 2,968 to 2,526 It approved the permanent funding of the operating costs of La Grande including supplies salaries and benefits to hire a new administrator security officer and building and grounds personnel “We can’t thank our community enough for making their voices heard in this special election,” said Superintendent of Schools Joan Mast “This vote holds significant importance for the future of our district and for the current and future generations of students who will walk through our doors.” voters defeated a comprehensive $115 million referendum The school board went back to the drawing board and solicited more community input in creating Tuesday's referendum the school district will receive $11.4 million in state aid to offset the local tax impact More: Scotch Plains, Fanwood residents to vote on $44 million school referendum on Jan. 28 The cost of the referendum works out to be about $24 per month for the owner of a home assessed at Scotch Plains’ average and $21 per month for the owner of a home assessed at Fanwood’s average “While we know this plan does not solve all the district’s space constraints this is a crucial short-term relief for the elementary schools while also securing La Grande as a community asset,” Mast said “We look forward to getting this started.” October 28th on both the North and South side of town *The third and final round of leaf collections begins this week and will continue until all leaves are collected Leaves may be left at the curb through the end of the year We appreciate your patience and understanding in this matter.* All crews are now on the Southside of town