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By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

South Orange trustees have had private talks about possibly suing the town’s former attorney for malpractice for his work during the firehouse renovation, according to officials.

“It’s a discussion that we’ve had in closed session,” Trustee Howard Levison said in an interview Feb. 2. The public is not present at closed sessions.

Levison refused to delve into specifics regarding ex-Village Counsel Edwin R. Matthews, only that it is a “matter of discussion.”

Other trustees were not talking about the issue at all.

“No comment,” said Trustee Janine Bauer Feb. 1 when asked about it.

Matthews defended his work and felt officials were trying to “scapegoat” him. Matthews, a…

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

South Orange remains undecided as to whether it will install a camera system to catch motorists who run red lights.

The technology, used on a trial basis in more than 20 municipalities statewide, would enable police to issue an $85, no-point ticket to the registered owner of a vehicle.

Officials have said the logical place for a red-light camera would be the town’s busiest intersection, at Scotland Road and South Orange Avenue.

But officials have said they want more information before giving the idea the green light.

Trustee Michael Goldberg, chairman of the village’s Public Safety Committee, said he felt the Board of Trustees “needs to make a decision,”…

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

Some local residents are urging the Maplewood to adopt a comprehensive “complete streets policy” to make its roads as safe and accommodating as possible for bicyclists, pedestrians and all other users.

Helping to move the township in that direction is South Orange-Maplewood Bicycle Coalition, a nonprofit group that promotes bike use in the sister towns.

The grassroots organization co-sponsored an informational meeting Jan. 26 featuring a speaker from the state Department of Transportation who explained how “complete streets” works.

The concept is to make roadways accessible for all users, said Sheree Davis, the DOT’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

For decision makers, the program affects the planning, design, construction and maintainenance of the roads, Davis told residents gathered at Memorial Library. The concept of “complete…