HOME
Local News

Essex County Real Estate News & Development Updates

Stay informed about what's happening in Bloomfield, West Orange, Montclair, and across Essex County. I cover local development projects, tax changes, and community issues that affect homeowners and homebuyers in Northern New Jersey.

Last reviewed:

Research note for this update (October 27, 2026): 1 new story added this cycle, and 4 resolved stories moved to the archive so the main feed stays current. New this cycle: West Orange posted official notice of an online tax lien sale for 2025 and prior-year delinquent taxes and other municipal charges, with the auction listing open at westorange.newjerseytaxsale.com and the sale targeted for November 20 (township News Flash, October 20; Patch). Moved to the archive: the Montclair Film Festival (concluded October 25), Bloomfield's Boooo-mfield 5K (October 24), the October 24 brewery anniversary and wellness day roundup, and the October 5-11 Essex County home sales week (superseded by the newer weekly roundup in the main feed). Sign-off: 1 story added and 4 stories removed from the main feed this cycle.

Sorelle Crooks

Covered by Sorelle Crooks - local real estate agent and Essex County insider keeping you informed about the developments that affect your neighborhood.

Send a Tip
Filter:
The West Orange NJ municipal building on a crisp late-October morning with red and gold autumn maples along the front walkway and an American flag at the entrance, where the township posted notice of its November tax lien sale
West Orange New

West Orange's November Tax Lien Sale: What Homeowners Should Know

West Orange has posted official notice of an online tax lien sale for 2025 and prior-year delinquent taxes and other municipal charges, with the auction listing open at westorange.newjerseytaxsale.com and Patch reporting the sale targeted for November 20. The notice from Tax Collector Joanne Gagliardo, published October 20, is the township selling liens, not properties, with interest starting at 18 percent and bid down, and liens no one buys struck off to the township. For homeowners the takeaway is a deadline, not a threat: if you are current on taxes the sale does not touch you, and if you are behind, the sale date is the moment to get current or call the tax collector. Here is what the lien sale means for owners, buyers, and the town's budget year.

Read full story
The warm interior of a planned board game lounge with long wooden tables of open games, floor-to-ceiling shelves of game boxes, cozy reading nooks, and string lights over a small New Jersey downtown street at dusk
Bloomfield New

The Treasured Realm Is Coming to Bloomfield: A Board Game Lounge on Glenwood Avenue

An immersive board game lounge with more than 1,000 games is planned for 285 Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield, with a spring 2027 opening target, per Montclair Girl's late-October report. The space is set to include themed rooms, food and drinks, and game guides to help you pick what to play. For anyone weighing where to put down roots in Essex County, a new entertainment destination on a downtown side street is a small but real sign of Bloomfield's momentum. Here is what we know so far and what it could mean for the neighborhood.

Read full story
A stately mature oak tree with golden October leaves in front of a historic shingle-and-clapboard house on a tree-lined Montclair street, with a small township notification tag on a low branch
Montclair New

Montclair's Proposed Tree Law: Stricter Rules and Higher Fines for Homeowners

Montclair's proposed rewrite of its 2012 tree law would raise penalties for violations, including fines in the thousands and possible jail time, and would require many more replacement trees when large oaks and other big trees come down, per Montclair Local's October 22 report. The council held off on adopting the changes at its October 20 meeting, so the stricter rules are still a proposal while the details get revised. For homeowners the practical takeaway is simple: tree removal permits and replanting requirements look likely to become more protective and more expensive. Here is what is proposed and what it could mean if you own property in Montclair.

Read full story
A municipal storm-drain construction crew works beside the curb on a Bloomfield residential street with orange cones, a new catch basin, and a landscaped rain garden, with porched homes and autumn maples behind
Bloomfield New

Bloomfield Is Upgrading Storm Drains to Ease Urban Flooding

Bloomfield's engineering department is responding to the storm-by-storm flooding that has hit Essex County this fall by adding drains, basins, and rain gardens so runoff drains faster. Township Engineer Paul Lasek described the recent flooding as 'urban flooding' caused by isolated rainstorms rather than river events, and laid out the sustainable stormwater approach in a Township Engineering Department update published October 11 through TAPinto, with Patch's mid-October coverage picking up the drain upgrades as well. The distinction matters for homeowners: these are block-by-block fixes for nuisance flooding, and the town's investment says something real about neighborhood resilience. Here is what it means for drainage, buyers' questions, and how the town sees the flood problem.

Read full story
Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair on a bright autumn afternoon with historic brick storefronts, outdoor cafe tables, pop-up market stalls with festival bunting, string lights, and pedestrians strolling mid-street at a community festival
Montclair New

Could NYC-Style Open Streets Work on Bloomfield Avenue? The Conversation Is Growing

An October 15 forum at Montclair State University asked whether the NYC open-streets model could work on Bloomfield Avenue, screening the documentary 'Close Encounters of the 34th Avenue Kind' with filmmaker Clarence Eckerson Jr., VELO Bloomfield president Emily Holland, and D10/11 founder Lo Sontag, who argued the avenue's streets belong to people for festivals and conversation, not just cars. Montclair Local's October 20 report brought the discussion to a wider audience just as Montclair wrapped its five-weekend Church Street car-free pilot, with the final car-free weekend running October 23-25. For anyone renting, buying, or running a business along the region's main commercial strip, the conversation points to how the avenue might look in the years ahead. Here is what was said and why it matters.

Read full story
A quiet tree-lined residential street in an Essex County suburb with mature trees and well-maintained single-family homes, where sewer repair work is underway on the corridor
West Orange New

Emergency Sewer Repair on Standish Avenue in West Orange: What Neighbors Should Know

West Orange announced emergency repair of the sanitary sewer on Standish Avenue after a video inspection found the line compromised, with the work expected to take four to six weeks on the corridor between Lakeside Avenue and Park Avenue, per Patch's October 22 report. Specific block boundaries, closures, and detours had not been published as of the announcement. Here is what the repair means for residents, buyers, and anyone driving the street.

Read full story
A For Sale sign in front of a historic Colonial-style home on a tree-lined residential street in Essex County New Jersey on a bright late-autumn afternoon
Essex County New

Bloomfield and West Orange Home Sales: 42 Closings in the Week of October 12-18

nj.com's October 21 roundups counted 17 residential property transfers in Bloomfield and 25 in West Orange for the week of October 12-18, 2026, for 42 closings combined, with individual sales spanning from under $200,000 to well over a million. The prior week, West Orange's top sale was $1.7 million and Bloomfield's was $865,000. Here is what the town-level numbers mean for buyers and sellers this fall.

Read full story
Bloomfield Center's main street at dusk in late October with jack-o'-lanterns on the sidewalk, string lights overhead, and warm glowing storefronts
Bloomfield New

Halloween Week in Bloomfield: Parties, a Block Party & More

Halloween week in Bloomfield Center, straight from the @bloomfieldcenter flyers: a DJ night and a Super Smash Bros 64 tournament land Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31 brings costume parties at Six Points Pub and Hometown Arcade, the Nightjar Halloweed Party, a haunted-maze block party on Washington Street, and candy and discounts at Leo's Footprint. Here is every event with times, prices, age requirements, and the flyers.

Read full story
A single-story strip of brick storefronts in a Bloomfield NJ neighborhood business district on a late-October afternoon, awnings, parked cars, and oak trees dropping golden leaves
Bloomfield New

Bloomfield's Zoning Rewrite Pulled From October 19 Agenda: What the Storefront-to-Housing Change Would Mean

Bloomfield's Town Council was set to vote October 19 on Ordinance 14141, a rewrite of the township's entire zoning code that would let storefronts in neighborhood business zones become homes 'by right,' without a variance, but the item was pulled from the agenda hours before the meeting, per Bloomfield Chronicles. Mayor Jenny Mundell defended the plan on Facebook, warning of disinformation, as neighbors petitioned to keep the Watsessing corner at Carteret and Morse commercial, and all three ward council seats head to the polls November 3 in a budget year that already brought a roughly 12 percent municipal tax levy increase. Here is what the rewrite would do, why it was pulled, and what it means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A small neighborhood pond in a suburban Essex County NJ park in late October, calm water ringed by red and gold autumn trees, with a walking path along the bank
West Orange New

West Orange Plans Improvements at Vincent's Pond in Degnan Park: What Neighbors Should Know

West Orange's mayor says the town is planning improvements at Vincent's Pond, a Rahway River tributary in Degnan Park, after residents reported 'unsightly current conditions' there, per Patch's October 20 report, and the township's website already lists the pond work among its October projects alongside the Standish Avenue sewer repair. Scope and timing are still unannounced. Here is what the maintenance story means for home values, drainage, and buyers near the park.

Read full story
An empty school board meeting room in Montclair NJ on an autumn evening, rows of upholstered chairs facing a low stage with a microphone and a softly lit presentation screen, warm wood paneling
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Chief Urges Community to Rally for a Fairer Share of State Funding

At the Montclair Board of Education workshop on October 14, Superintendent Ruth Turner walked the room through how New Jersey funds its schools and asked the community to organize around winning a fairer share of state money, with board members joining the call. The district is working through a roughly $20 million deficit and argues its costs outrun the state's 2 percent cap on property-tax levy increases while its share of state aid lags. The push lands weeks before voters choose among six candidates for three school board seats on November 3. Here is what was said and what it means for homeowners and families.

Read full story
The West Orange municipal building on a mid-October evening with warmly lit windows, an American flag, and autumn maples, residents heading inside for a town council meeting
West Orange New

West Orange Adopts Resolution Urging Permanent School Funding Reform: What It Means for Your Taxes

West Orange's Township Council adopted Resolution 269-26 at its October 13, 2026 meeting, formally calling on Gov. Mikie Sherrill and state lawmakers to make permanent changes to the School Funding Reform Act after years of state aid losses, per RLS Media's October 16 report. The resolution, presented by Mayor Susan McCartney, does not set school taxes by itself, but it backs the district's fight for a fairer formula as West Orange Public Schools works through a roughly $13.5 to $15 million structural deficit that led to about 70 staff cuts. Here is what the resolution says and what it means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A classic red-brick public elementary school in Bloomfield NJ with white-framed arched windows, an American flag by the entrance, and oak trees showing early autumn color along the sidewalk
Bloomfield New

ICE Detention Outside Berkeley Elementary in Bloomfield: What Families Should Know

Federal immigration agents detained an adult walking on the public sidewalk immediately outside Berkeley Elementary School in Bloomfield on September 23, prompting a temporary shelter-in-place that the district said was precautionary and over quickly. Bloomfield police confirmed the federal agents' involvement through video footage, and the detained person had no connection to the school, with no students or staff in danger, per the mayor and Superintendent Joseph Fleres' community letter. The episode has reopened a local conversation about the township's financial ties to private detention contractors, and Bloomfield High students later organized a protest walkout. Here is what families should know.

Read full story
A classic white Colonial home with dark shutters on a tree-lined Montclair street in golden October light, with a white mailbox at the curb and autumn maples dropping leaves
Montclair New

Montclair's 2026 Property Tax Bills Are Out: The $1,566 Increase for the Average Home, Explained

Montclair's 2026 property tax bills have now gone out, and the township's official breakdown shows the average home, assessed at about $641,700, paying roughly $1,566 more than last year: municipal taxes up $160.42, the county portion down $25.67, school taxes up $847.04, plus a one-time school referendum payment of about $443, for a projected total bill near $24,162. The township also posted an October 12 tax sale listing for delinquent 2026 and prior-year taxes. Here is where every dollar comes from and what it means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
Rows of pumpkins in an open New Jersey field on a crisp October afternoon with a red hay wagon and a golden corn maze in the background
Essex County New

Pumpkin Picking Near Bloomfield, West Orange & Montclair

A farm-by-farm guide to pumpkin picking within easy reach of Bloomfield, West Orange, and Montclair NJ: Fairfield Farms in Fairfield (the closest, with hayrides through October 31), Stony Hill Farms' big corn maze in Chester, Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, Secor Farms in Mahwah, Hacklebarney Farms Cider Mill, and Alstede Farms, with drive times, hours, and concrete activities for each stop.

Read full story
A tree-lined park path in Essex County NJ in mid-October with golden and crimson maples, fallen leaves, a wooden bench with carved pumpkins, and warm afternoon light
Essex County New

October Fall Events Across Essex County

The Strut Your Mutt Pet Costume Parade runs Saturday, October 17 and Saturday, October 24 with free entry and prizes at Branch Brook Park, Brookdale Dog Park, and Grover Cleveland Park, with rain dates each Sunday. Also coming up: the 27th Rose Squared Art Show at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield, Essex County Electronics Recycling Day in Cedar Grove, the Riker Hill Art Park Open House in Livingston, McLoone's Boathouse's 15th Anniversary Party in West Orange on October 17, Halsey Fest in Newark on October 24, the Roseland Pumpkin Carving Contest on October 30, and Fairfield Farms Fall Pumpkin Picking through October 31.

Read full story
A modern tan and charcoal dispensary storefront on Broad Street in Bloomfield on a bright October morning, with potted evergreens by the entrance and autumn maples nearby
Bloomfield New

A-Z Supply Begins Daily Retail Operations at 1283 Broad Street in Bloomfield

A-Z Supply, a licensed adult-use and medical cannabis dispensary, announced on October 14 that it has begun daily retail operations at 1283 Broad Street in Bloomfield, open from 10 AM to 10 PM seven days a week. It carries a full adult-use menu of lab-tested flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vapes, and accessories for adults 21 and up, joining several other licensed shops on a busy Broad Street corridor. Here is what the opening means for the downtown and for buyers weighing Bloomfield.

Read full story
A white and blue municipal shuttle bus at a West Orange commuter rail platform on a golden October morning, with autumn trees and a crossing gate nearby
West Orange New

West Orange Retimes Its Free Jitney Shuttle for the Portal Bridge Cutover: What Riders Should Know

West Orange temporarily modified all of its free jitney shuttle schedules effective October 12 through November 13, 2026, so the buses still connect riders to the Orange, South Orange, and Brick Church train stations while NJ Transit runs a five-week schedule change for the Portal North Bridge final cutover. Weekday departure times differ from normal, but the service stays free and runs its usual weekday hours, with buses trackable through the Passio Go app. Here is what riders and commuters should know during the temporary window.

Read full story
A charcoal-gray private commuter coach bus boarding passengers at a leafy Glen Ridge street corner on an October morning, with historic homes and turning maples behind it
Essex County New

Boxcar Launches a New Glen Ridge & Montclair Commuter Bus to Manhattan: What Riders Should Know

Boxcar launched the Gaslamp Branch of its Essex Express service on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, giving Glen Ridge and Montclair's Grove Street corridor a direct bus to Midtown Manhattan for the first time since DeCamp suspended service, per Montclair Local. The route was built to keep commuters moving while NJ Transit diverts Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken during the Portal North Bridge cutover (October 11 to November 14) and the Port Authority Bus Terminal is rebuilt, with fares at the standard Essex Express rate of about $18.99 per ride. Here is how the route works, what it costs, and what it means for the commute math buyers weigh.

Read full story
A quiet residential street in Bloomfield NJ on an October morning with Colonial and Cape Cod homes, autumn maples, and a municipal water utility truck working at the curb
Bloomfield New

Bloomfield's New Sewer User Fee: How the Shift from Property Taxes to a Water Bill Works

Bloomfield replaced the flat sewer charge folded into property taxes with a new sewer user fee that took effect July 1, 2026 and now appears on quarterly water and sewer bills. The township says roughly 98% of households will pay less, because the fee is tied to water usage instead of a flat charge, but critics, including two council members and thousands of seniors, say it works like a new tax, and a petition to amend it for senior support is still circulating heading into the November 3 election. Here is how the fee works and what it means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
The Daughters of Israel skilled-nursing campus at 1155 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange NJ, a low brick and stone senior-living building with landscaping and turning autumn trees
West Orange Updated Oct 20

West Orange Approves the Daughters of Israel Builder's Remedy Settlement: What the Deal Means

West Orange's Town Council unanimously approved the settlement agreement with Daughters of Israel at its October 13, 2026 meeting, ending the nonprofit's builder's remedy lawsuit and clearing the way for a continuing care retirement community on the roughly 18-acre campus at 1155 Pleasant Valley Way, per Patch's October 19 report. The deal resolves one of the six builder's remedy lawsuits pressing the town over its overdue housing plan, covers roughly 311 units including at least 41 affordable beds, and leaves zoning specifics for a future ordinance. Here is what the approved settlement means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A demolition crew and excavator working at the former Essex House restaurant site at 525 Northfield Avenue in West Orange NJ, with rubble, orange safety fencing, and autumn trees
West Orange Updated Oct 13

Demolition Begins at Former Essex House Site: Apartment Proposal Moves Forward in West Orange

Demolition began at the former Essex House restaurant site on Northfield Avenue in West Orange in early October, per Patch's October 8 report, the clearest sign yet that the roughly 95 to 104-unit mixed-use proposal is moving forward even as the planning application continues through completeness review. Here is what the project means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A residential street in a New Jersey neighborhood closed off for an autumn block party, with folding tables, carved pumpkins, string lights, bikes, and lawn chairs under golden October trees
Bloomfield New

Watsessing Week: Five Community Events in Bloomfield

Five community events are coming up in and around Watsessing: the Bloomfield Center Alliance Art Show on October 15, the Lenox Terrace Block Party on October 17, a Watsessing Park tree planting on October 21, the Boooo-mfield 5K on October 24, and a Halloween Party and Costume Contest at the farmers market on October 27. Every event is free to attend, and details come straight from the neighborhood groups and organizers.

Read full story
Daytime exterior of the 23 Skiddoo Cafe storefront in Bloomfield's Watsessing neighborhood, brick facade with a COFFEE sign and bistro tables outside
Bloomfield Updated Oct 20

23 Skiddoo Cafe Closes, and Bloomfield's Watsessing Corner Is at a Crossroads

23 Skiddoo Cafe, a Watsessing neighborhood staple since June 2018, closed suddenly on Wednesday, October 7, one day after Bloomfield's Planning Board voted 6-0 to approve a subdivision at 37-39 Carteret Street that clears the way to demolish the longtime corner store and build two single-family homes. The cafe's announcement cited a lack of support and ongoing neglect from the township. Neighbors held their 'Watsessing Speaks' town hall on October 18, covered by News 12 NJ, and the owner has confirmed the permanent closure with a final farewell weekend set for October 24-25.

Read full story
The historic 1901 red-brick Fire Station 3 on Harrison Avenue in the Montclair Fourth Ward with arched bay doors, stone lintels, a small cupola, and an American flag in warm October light
Montclair New

Montclair Council Deadlocks Over Firehouse Design Dollars: What the Historic Fire Station 3 Vote Means

Montclair's Township Council deadlocked 3-3, with one member abstaining, over $24,950 in design funding for the rehabilitation of Fire Station 3 at 151 Harrison Avenue, the historic shuttered 1901 firehouse in the Fourth Ward, per Montclair Local's October 9 report. The design contract with Connolly & Hickey Historical Architects stalled because council members disagree on the building's long-term future, leaving the firehouse in limbo. For homeowners in the South End and anyone comparing Montclair neighborhoods, the vote is a window into how the town handles aging public infrastructure and what that means for services and taxes. Here is what happened and what to watch next.

Read full story
A bright modern Montclair public school hallway with Chromebook carts along the wall, a ceiling-mounted security camera, and a wall display showing a school technology dashboard
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Triple Internet Speed and Deploy 430 Cameras: What the Tech Overhaul Means

Montclair Public Schools has been rolling out a broad technology upgrade over the past year: internet speed tripled through a federal E-Rate program, 430 security cameras deployed across the district, and a classroom technology overhaul that moved students off Google accounts, scaled back Chromebook use, and blocked YouTube for the youngest grades. The district's Director of Technology presented the work to the Board of Education, and The Montclair Pod refreshed its coverage on October 8. Here is what the upgrades mean for families weighing Montclair, and why school infrastructure is worth understanding before you choose a town.

Read full story
Washington Street in West Orange NJ on an October morning with freshly painted crosswalks, pedestrian signal poles with countdown timers, young street trees, and shop fronts along the corridor
West Orange New

West Orange Advances Washington Street Corridor Improvements: Public Meeting Held October 7

West Orange scheduled a public information center meeting for October 7 on Phase II of the Washington Street Corridor Improvement Project, the township's Complete Streets redesign of a corridor that planning documents flag for a disproportionately high rate of vehicle-pedestrian crashes. The project builds on a $780,000 NJDOT/NJTPA Transportation Alternatives grant and years of corridor study, and it pairs road and signal work with bicycle and pedestrian paths, streetscape upgrades, and green stormwater infrastructure. Here is what the corridor work means for homeowners, buyers, and anyone whose daily route touches Main Street.

Read full story
A partially built five-story apartment building at 59-65 Church Street in downtown Montclair with scaffolding, a tower crane, and open unfinished upper floors on an October afternoon
Montclair New

Montclair Approves Tax-Break Transfer for the Stalled Church Street Tower

Montclair's Township Council approved transferring the 30-year tax abatement for the stalled 74-unit apartment project at 59-65 Church Street to Wayne-based Dobco Group, per October 5 reporting by Hoodline and Jersey Digs. The building, about 65 percent complete after its original developer exited amid a $24.6 million foreclosure, now has a clear path to restart. Here is what the decision means for downtown renters, homeowners, and the tax-break debate.

Read full story
Halcyon Pond in Bloomfield NJ on an October morning with freshly restored banks, erosion fabric and stone along the shoreline, young native trees in protective cages, and autumn foliage around the water
Bloomfield Updated Oct 13

Bloomfield Moves Forward on Halcyon Pond Restoration: What It Means for the Neighborhood

Bloomfield announced October 5 that it is moving forward with a comprehensive restoration of Halcyon Pond, and four-phase work covering sediment removal, damage repair, and water-quality improvements began October 7, per TAPinto's report. Unhealthy ponds can trap sediment and handle storms poorly, so the work matters for flood resilience and quality of life. Here is what to watch.

Read full story
A Montclair NJ street with a solar-powered parking-enforcement camera pole next to a crosswalk, fire hydrant, yellow-curb no-parking paint with historic homes and parked cars on a crisp October morning
Montclair New

Montclair Prepares a 90-Day Pilot of Automated Parking-Ticket Cameras: What Drivers Should Know

Montclair is preparing to test automated parking-ticket cameras for 90 days using SafetyStick technology from Municipal Parking Services, the same system already in use in Belleville, per Montclair Local's October 1 report. The council authorized up to $50,000 for the pilot in August. The solar-powered poles monitor restricted spots like crosswalks, fire hydrants, yellow-curb, and no-parking zones, and a municipal official reviews each flagged vehicle before any ticket is issued. Here is how the pilot works and what it means for drivers, residents, and renters.

Read full story
The warm interior of an upscale Indian restaurant in the evening with a glowing brick tandoor oven, dark wood tables, brass lanterns, and copper accents
Bloomfield New

Bukhara Grill Brings Decades of Indian Dining Experience to Downtown Bloomfield

Bukhara Grill, the Indian restaurant known for North-West Frontier-style cooking with more than 40 years of history behind it, is opening a new location at 380 Broad Street in Bloomfield, per Montclair Girl's September roundup of new businesses. It will be the brand's third New Jersey restaurant, and the family behind it ran Bukhara Grill in New York City for more than 25 years. An exact opening date has not been announced yet. For anyone comparing Essex County towns, an established restaurant group choosing Bloomfield's main commercial street is another small sign of downtown momentum.

Read full story
The bright interior concourse of Newark Liberty Terminal A with floor-to-ceiling windows, travelers with rolling luggage, and a white jet taxiing on the tarmac beyond the glass
Essex County New

Newark Airport's Terminal A Gets a $110M Expansion: What the 8 New Gates Mean for Essex County

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey authorized $110 million on September 24, 2026 to expand Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, adding eight new gates across two phases: a $100 million southern expansion with two gates, a new concession area, and restrooms, plus $10 million to plan six more gates to the north. Terminal A opened in 2023 and already exceeded its design capacity in 2024. For Essex County homeowners, commuters, and NYC-area relocators, this is the region's home airport growing to keep up with demand. Here is what the expansion includes and what it means for buyers and sellers.

Read full story
A stately red-brick public school building in Montclair NJ with arched windows, stone trim, an American flag, and golden autumn maples on a sunny early-October morning
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Look to Move Election Polling Sites Out of School Buildings: What It Means for November 3

Montclair's Board of Education is working to relocate election polling sites out of school-owned buildings, citing the learning disruptions and security costs that Election Day brings, and finding alternatives has been difficult, per Montclair Local's October 1 report. With the November 3 election approaching and an October 13 voter registration deadline, the timing makes this both a schools story and an election story. Here is what we know and why it matters for families and buyers.

Read full story
The new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River at golden hour, with an NJ Transit train crossing toward the Newark skyline and construction cranes on the embankment
Essex County Updated Oct 21

Portal Bridge Final Cutover Underway: Five Weeks of Commute Changes for Bloomfield, West Orange & Montclair

The Portal North Bridge final cutover is in full swing: since October 11, weekday Midtown Direct trains on the Morris & Essex, Gladstone, and Montclair-Boonton lines have been diverted to Hoboken, with regular service expected November 15. The weekend of October 17-18 added insult to a commute already in flux when NJ Transit canceled more than 47 trains systemwide because of crew and engineer shortages, including Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton service. Here is the honest picture for Essex County commuters and buyers near stations.

Read full story
A stately red-brick public high school in Montclair NJ on a late-September morning with ivy, arched windows, an American flag, and autumn leaves turning gold
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Project a Small Surplus, but 'Not Out of the Woods': What the Budget Recovery Means

Montclair Public Schools is projecting a roughly $1 million surplus for 2026-27, the first positive sign since the district's deficit reached about $20 million, but Superintendent Ruth Turner said September 22 the district is 'absolutely not' out of the woods. The surplus is not yet certified, the forensic audit is still underway, and school taxes remain elevated. Here is what the recovery means for families and homebuyers.

Read full story
A bright modern Montclair public school classroom with rows of desks holding Chromebooks and tablets in late-September morning light
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Introduce New AI and Technology Policies: What Families Should Know

Montclair's Board of Education introduced two policies at its September 28 meeting that limit how students use AI tools, Chromebooks, and classroom technology, formalizing August guidance and responding to a district survey that showed families are uneasy about AI in schools. Here is what the rules do and what they mean for families weighing Montclair.

Read full story
A commercial plaza along Valley Road in Upper Montclair NJ where a proposed SwimQuest swim school would have been located
Montclair Updated Sep 29

Montclair Planning Board Rejects Swim School at 580 Valley Road: What Homeowners Should Know

Montclair's Planning Board rejected the SwimQuest swim school application at 580 Valley Road on September 28, after months of hearings and strong resident opposition. Parking, flood risk, and the site's size drove the debate. Here is what the rejection means for the neighborhood and the vacant bank site.

Read full story
A historic red-brick public school building in Bloomfield NJ with arched stone-trimmed windows, an American flag, and golden autumn maples on a late-September morning
Bloomfield New

Bloomfield's School Board Approves 2026-27 District Goals: What the Priorities Mean for Families

Bloomfield's Board of Education unanimously approved the district goals for the 2026-27 school year at its September 28 meeting, a set of five goals focused on student success, safety, finances, and stronger family engagement, per TAPinto's coverage. The vote comes as the district works through a state aid cut and a school budget that raised the tax levy, so how the goals are funded matters to every homeowner. Here is what the goals are and why they matter for families and buyers.

Read full story
The New Jersey State House in Trenton with its gold dome and red sandstone facade framed by autumn trees on a late-September morning
Montclair New

NJ Lawmakers Advance School Oversight Bills After Montclair's Budget Crisis: What Homeowners Should Know

New Jersey lawmakers advanced a package of school financial-oversight bills on September 25, 2026, sparked directly by Montclair's roughly $20 million school budget crisis and similar problems in East Orange and Hackensack. The four companion bills would flag district money problems earlier, strengthen board accountability, and cover reporting, state warnings, unused leave, and reserves. Here is what the legislation means for school taxes and home values.

Read full story
The Bloomfield municipal building with its brick and stone civic architecture, American flag, and autumn-turning maples on a late-September morning
Bloomfield Updated Oct 16

Bloomfield 2026 Election: Town Council and School Board Races to Watch

Bloomfield voters fill all three ward council seats and a contested school board race on November 3, 2026, with no Republican candidates filed in the ward races. Early in-person voting runs October 24 through November 1 at the Watsessing Park Community Center (38 Conger St), and the mail-in ballot request deadline is October 27. The election lands right after a 12% municipal tax increase, a school budget built after a $1.5 million state aid cut, and a new sewer fee, and the Watsessing corner closure has become a campaign flashpoint in Ward Three. Here is what is on the ballot and why it matters for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A stately brick municipal building in Essex County New Jersey used as a polling place, with an American flag, a ballot drop box near the steps, and autumn-turning maples on a late-September morning
Montclair Updated Oct 16

Montclair 2026 Election: Town Council and School Board Races to Watch

Montclair voters will fill one at-large council vacancy and three school board seats on November 3, 2026, with an October 13 voter registration deadline. The council seat opened when Carmel Loughman resigned, and three candidates filed for it: Mariana Horta, Kyle Porro, and Antoinette 'Toni' Martin. The school board race drew seven candidates for three seats, and notably none of the three eligible incumbents filed to run after a year dominated by the district's budget crisis. One candidate, Brandie Bookhart, withdrew on September 30 but remains on the printed ballot. For homeowners and buyers, the winners will shape taxes, development, and how the district rebuilds trust. Here is who is on the ballot and why the race matters.

Read full story
A low, boxy data center facility on the edge of a suburban New Jersey town in afternoon light, the kind of use Bloomfield has now restricted
Bloomfield Updated Sep 30

Bloomfield Bans Data Centers: What the Zoning Reversal Means for Homeowners

Bloomfield has moved to ban data centers, capping a resident-driven debate that began with an August review finding no immediate threat, and it is finalizing the zoning amendments as part of its master plan. Neighboring municipalities adopted their own bans in the week of September 21, and developer lawsuits against such bans are mounting statewide. Here is what the change means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
The lower Passaic River on an overcast September morning with industrial riverfront dredging equipment, a treatment plant in the distance, and the Newark skyline on the horizon
Essex County New

EPA Takes a 'Huge Step' on Passaic River Cleanup: $125M Settlement Moves Dredging Forward

The EPA and DOJ proposed a $125 million settlement in mid-September 2026 that funds the first physical construction at the Diamond Alkali Superfund site on the lower Passaic River, including an upland sediment processing plant in Newark and dredging of about 3.5 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment. For Essex County river towns from Newark and Belleville up through Bloomfield's watershed, it is a decades-stalled cleanup finally moving toward construction. Here is what it means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A classic Colonial-style home in Bloomfield NJ in early autumn with fresh roofing materials and a contractor ladder staged on the stone walkway
Bloomfield Updated Oct 7

Bloomfield's Home Repair Loan Program Is Now Taking Applications: Up to $25K, 0% Interest, Forgiven Over 10 Years

The application window for Bloomfield's Home Improvement Program opened Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. as scheduled. The program gives income-qualified homeowners 0% interest, forgivable loans of $10,000 to $25,000 for critical repairs, funded by the township's Affordable Housing Trust Fund, not property taxes, and the first repair projects are expected to begin around December 2026. Here is who qualifies and what the loans mean for owners and buyers.

Read full story
A historic red-brick public school building in Montclair NJ with tall arched windows and an American flag on a bright mid-September morning
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Must Spend 15% of Special Ed Funding on Discipline Fixes After State Flags Disparity

New Jersey Department of Education data presented at Montclair's Board of Education meeting shows Black students with disabilities are suspended at disproportionate rates. The district must now review its disciplinary policies and spend about $150,000, 15% of its federal special education funding, on fixing the gap. Here is what the data shows and what it means for families.

Read full story
A tree-lined residential street in Montclair NJ on a crisp September morning with curbside trash and recycling bins in front of historic Colonial and Victorian homes and a sanitation truck further down the block
Montclair New

Montclair Launches a New Rodent Reporting Tool: What the Stepped-Up Fight Means for Homeowners

Montclair is stepping up its fight against rodent activity with a new online reporting tool for residents, announced after a noticeable uptick in complaints across the township. Health Department Director Amy Monaco briefed the council on September 14, and the response includes more inspections, two short-term refuse-inspector hires under consideration, and a proposal that would tie rodent-control plans to certain construction permits. For homeowners and renters, it is a practical quality-of-life story that touches everything from trash pickup to renovation projects. Here is what changed and what it could mean for you.

Read full story
The cozy interior of a small craft brewery taproom in an old brick New Jersey building with a long wooden bar, brass tap handles, exposed brick, and warm Edison bulb lighting
Essex County New

Continuum Brewing Is Coming to Orange: A New Taproom for the Essex County Beer Scene

The team behind Hoboken Brewing Co. is bringing a new brewery and taproom to the former Four City Brewing space at 55 South Essex Avenue in Orange, just a short drive from Montclair. The plan was reported in mid-September, and it adds another craft-beer destination to Essex County's food and drink scene. For anyone comparing towns in this part of the county, where you can spend a Saturday afternoon matters, and a well-regarded brewing team investing in a neighboring downtown is a good sign for the area. Here is what we know so far and what it could mean for homebuyers.

Read full story
The warm interior of a newly opened Cuban restaurant and lounge in a downtown New Jersey building, with string lights over a long wooden bar, cream-painted brick, tropical plants, and dark wood tables in early-evening light
Bloomfield New

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge Opens in Bloomfield

Mambo Cuban Restaurant & Lounge opened its newest New Jersey location in Bloomfield in September 2026, and Montclair Girl covered the grand opening on September 17. The restaurant brings Cuban and Latin dishes, cocktails, and a lounge atmosphere to the downtown at 412 Bloomfield Avenue, the space most recently home to La Santa Bar & Grill. For anyone comparing towns in Essex County, a restaurant chain choosing Bloomfield's main street is a small but real signal about the neighborhood's momentum. Here is what we know so far and what it could mean for homebuyers.

Read full story
A classic Colonial-style home in Bloomfield NJ on a crisp September morning with a white mailbox at the curb and autumn leaves on the lawn
Bloomfield New

Bloomfield's Fourth-Quarter Tax Bills Jump: Mayor Explains the 12% Municipal Increase

Some Bloomfield homeowners found their fourth-quarter property tax bills noticeably higher than their third-quarter bills, prompting Mayor Jenny Mundell to explain the jump. The increase traces to the roughly $114.5 million municipal budget adopted in July, which carried a 12% municipal tax increase, more than triple the prior year's. Here is what the sticker shock means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A road resurfacing crew and milling machine working on a tree-lined West Orange NJ avenue with one lane open to traffic on a crisp autumn morning
West Orange New

West Orange Road Work: Signal Upgrades Underway, Eagle Rock Avenue Paving Set for October

Essex County began traffic signal and roadway improvements in West Orange around September 16 at Pleasant Valley Way and Woodland Avenue and Washington Street and Watchung Avenue, and New Jersey American Water's subcontractor is scheduled to start milling and repaving Eagle Rock Avenue on October 27. Here is what the road work means for commuters, residents, and buyers.

Read full story
A municipal stormwater pump station and outlet channel in a suburban New Jersey neighborhood after heavy rain with residential homes behind it
Essex County New

Essex County Gets $12.5M for Storm Sewer Pump Stations: What the Flood Funding Means

FEMA approved more than $42 million for flood mitigation projects across New Jersey, including $12.5 million to construct, retrofit, and upgrade storm sewer pump stations in Essex County. After a summer of street flooding and September flash flood warnings, the funding is a real step toward improving drainage across the region. Here is what it means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
A low one-story commercial storefront and paved lot off Locust Avenue in Bloomfield NJ near Watsessing Park, with mature trees and residential homes in the distance
Bloomfield New

Bloomfield Approves 250-Unit Redevelopment Plan for 71 Locust Avenue: What Neighbors Should Know

Bloomfield's council adopted a redevelopment plan for an eight-story, 250-unit building at 71 Locust Avenue this year, over objections from two council members and residents who cite flood risk and contamination on the parcel behind Watsessing Park and next to Watsessing Elementary School. Here is what the decision means for the neighborhood.

Read full story
A dated flat-roofed brick-and-glass commercial office building set back from Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange NJ with a parking lot and street trees
West Orange New

142-Unit Apartment Complex Approved for 200 Pleasant Valley Way: Developer Asks for More Time

A four-story, 142-unit apartment complex approved for the commercial site at 200 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange got a one-year extension request from the developer in June 2026, a sign the project is still alive. Here is what it means for the corridor and the rental market.

Read full story
The low mid-century municipal building at 205 Claremont Avenue in Montclair NJ, a brick and stone civic office building with a flagpole, small lawn, and mature shade trees
Montclair Updated Oct 21

Montclair Probes PSE&G's Substation Plan as Opposition Grows: Vote Expected November 10

At Montclair's October 20 public hearing, PSE&G made its case for a new substation at the 205 Claremont Avenue municipal complex and residents packed the chambers to push back, with council members publicly questioning the utility, per Montclair Local. The council did not vote that night: the vote on Ordinance O-26-39, the redevelopment plan that would permit a utility use on civic land, is scheduled for the November 10 council meeting. The plan would cap buildings at three stories, require overnight parking nearby, and allow uses now barred, including a public utility substation. Here is what the zoning fight means for the neighborhood, taxes, and homeowners.

Read full story
A classic red-brick Montclair public school on a bright September morning with a yellow school bus at the curb as students return for the new year
Montclair New

Montclair Schools Start the 2026-27 Year with New Busing, Phone, and Budget Changes

Montclair Public Schools opened the 2026-27 year with a higher K-8 busing distance threshold, a stricter all-day cell phone rule, and budget-driven staffing changes after last year's roughly $18 million deficit. The average home also sees school taxes rise by close to $2,000 once a one-time referendum amount is included. Here is what the new school year means for families and buyers.

Read full story
A quiet residential street in West Orange NJ with Colonial and Cape Cod homes, parked cars along the curb, and a residential permit parking sign at the corner
West Orange New

West Orange Adds Permit Parking on Nutman Place and Mitchell Street: What Homeowners Should Know

New residential permit parking rules took effect September 8, 2026 on Nutman Place and Mitchell Street, the stretch running from Rollinson Street to Valley Road in West Orange. The change follows a township parking study and is part of the same ordinance that earlier created a permit district in the Valley neighborhood. Here is what the new weekday parking rules mean for residents and buyers.

Read full story
A small local shuttle-style bus stops at a leafy suburban Montclair street corner with Colonial and Victorian homes behind it
Montclair Updated Oct 1

Montclair Exploring a Local Shuttle Bus Service: What It Could Mean for Commuters and Homebuyers

Montclair is exploring whether to bring back a local jitney-style shuttle service to connect neighborhoods with downtown and the train stations. The subcommittee's interim report, released September 24, found 2,028 survey responses with roughly 9 in 10 saying they would use a local shuttle, and the community meeting on September 30 presented those findings and early concepts at Town Hall. The next step is the subcommittee's recommendations to the Township Council. Here is what the transit and quality-of-life story could mean for commuters, renters, and buyers.

Read full story
A quiet tree-lined residential street in West Orange with single-family homes on a late-summer morning
West Orange Updated Oct 22

West Orange Has Not Adopted Its 2026 Budget Yet: What Homeowners Should Know

West Orange's unadopted 2026 municipal budget is now holding up fourth-quarter property tax bills, which the township says cannot be posted until the state certifies the tax rate, per Patch's October 22 report. The budget still awaits state approval before a public hearing and final council vote, with property taxes the dominant issue heading into the November election and the most recent proposal a municipal operating increase of roughly 6.25 percent. Here is what the delay means for homeowners and buyers.

Read full story
Earlier Stories

From the Archive

To keep this page focused on the latest updates, I move older stories here once they are resolved. Tap any title to read the full story, complete with source links, on its own page. I add new stories as local developments unfold, so check back often.

Stay Informed

Have a tip about local development?

If you hear about new construction, zoning changes, or community developments in Essex County, I'd love to hear about it. I'm always looking for stories that matter to local homeowners and buyers.

Email Sorelle (973) 970-4243

Thinking about buying or selling in Essex County?

Local knowledge matters. Whether you're buying your first home, selling a longtime property, or relocating from NYC, I can help you navigate the process with honest guidance.

Let's Talk Book a Consultation
Call
Book a Consultation
Email