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Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday for a handful of New Jersey school districts opting to hold April school board elections.

Of the state's almost 600 school districts, 16 hold spring elections, and the others have them on Election Day in November.

The districts with spring elections are: Cliffside Park, Fairview, Lodi, Garfield, Irvington, Newark, Monroe, North Bergen, Weehawken, West New York, New Brunswick, Randolph, Passaic, Totowa, Byram and Westfield.

All state school elections were held in the spring until 2012, when a new state law allowed districts to switch their elections to November.

Some towns have switched back to April. Garfield was the latest, just making the ballot deadline in February after the school district and current Board of Education tried to stop the City Council from making the move. Lodi changed back to the spring in 2023.

With the change, districts no longer had to seek public approval to pass their budgets unless they exceeded the then-new state-mandated 2% cap on increases.

Only voters whose districts held elections in April had a say on school spending plans, but that was recently changed.

Last year, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law that took the public budget vote away for districts with April elections unless the school district was raising taxes above the 2% cap. With bank cap exceptions, it gives a school district the opportunity to raise taxes over the 2% cap before a public vote can take place.

Bergen County school board unofficial results

CLIFFSIDE PARK (Three open seats)

FAIRVIEW (three open seats)

GARFIELD (three open seats)

LODI (three open seats)

Passaic County

TOTOWA (three open seats)

CITY OF PASSAIC (three open seats)

The New Jersey Highlands Council awarded Ringwood a $35,000 Tourism Expansion Grant, the borough announced on Monday. Going forward, the town will use this grant to "enhance the borough's tourism initiatives."

The New Jersey Highlands Council is a 15-member appointed body that is tasked with the implementation of the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004, which "safeguards the New Jersey Highlands from excessive development and environmental degradation."

The Highlands Council uses funding from the Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP) Implementation Fund to award multiple Tourism Expansion Grants.

The RMP, which provides framework for implementing the Highlands Act at the local level, includes a series of goals and strategies to strengthen the region's economy. In 2022, the council released the New Jersey Highlands Regional Economic Sustainability Plan to "further refine those goals." According to a resolution that was read and adopted by the Highlands Council during its April 17 meeting, several proposed actions in the plan focus on the potential for increased tourism in towns and counties around the Highlands.

"With these goals in mind and utilizing funding from the RMP Implementation Fund, the Highlands Council is offering grants to government entities, nonprofit organizations, and/or destination marketing organizations (DMOs) for implementation initiatives that serve to enhance and increase tourism in the Highlands," reads the resolution.

In Ringwood, the grant will support three key projects:

"We are excited to receive this grant to further our ongoing tourism efforts," said Borough Manager Scott Heck. "This funding will allow us to highlight the natural assets of our community and encourage visitors to hike and bike our trails, dine and shop at our local establishments, and enjoy the cultural arts that Ringwood has to offer."

The maximum award amount for individual applicants is $35,000, according to the resolution. The grant is renewable for future years, subject to funding availability. Projects will be reviewed annually by the Budget and Finance Committee to determine status, effectiveness, overall implementation and management of the award.

"Ringwood is committed to leveraging this grant to create memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike," reads the borough's announcement. "By highlighting the borough's natural beauty, local businesses and cultural arts, Ringwood aims to become a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts and art lovers."

For more information about Ringwood's tourism initiatives and upcoming events, visit www.ringwoodnj.net

New Jersey will eliminate $927 million in medical debt for about 629,000 residents, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday.

The Murphy administration partnered with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization that has a mission to lower or eliminate medical debt for those who need the help most, in 2024. Since the partnership began, the state government has totaled medical debt forgiveness at $1.1 billion for 776,000 New Jerseyans dating back to August of last year.

This is the fourth round of medical debt purchased by the Murphy administration’s partnership with Undue. RWJBarnabas Health, the state’s largest integrated academic health system, bought the latest medical debt.

The state paid for the relief by leveraging about $5.8 million from the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 pandemic stimulus bill passed in 2021.

“Nobody should have to choose between their health and their financial stability. My Administration has pursued lasting systemic reforms to put more affordable health care in reach for New Jersey families and better protect our residents from accumulating debt,” Murphy said in a statement announcing the medical debt relief.

Previously, Undue and the Murphy administration purchased medical debt from Prime Healthcare in August and the Atlantic Health System in October. A third round of debt forgiveness came earlier this year as well.

"I’m very proud that we’ve helped the state and Governor Murphy reach this momentous milestone of over $1 billion of medical debt erased for New Jersey residents,” said Allison Sesso, CEO and president of Undue Medical Debt.

Murphy also signed a law last summer to help those with medical debt by prohibiting medical debt reporting to credit agencies, one of only five states with that policy in place.

Who qualifies for medical debt relief?

Those who have medical debt from RWJBarnabas Health, and are either at or below 400% of the federal poverty line or have medical debts that equal 5% or more of their annual income, can qualify for this round of relief.

There is no application process. A letter will be sent from Undue to those who will have their medical debt relieved.

RWJBarnabas Health has numerous hospitals and health centers throughout New Jersey.

Medical debt in New Jersey and across the country

The health care industry in New Jersey expanded over the past several years with more hospitals and research centers.

About 11% of New Jerseyans have medical debt that has gone to a collections bureau and about 6.8% of residents were uninsured in 2022. About 16% of minorities had medical debt in collections and about 11% were uninsured, said the nonprofit Urban Institute.

New Jersey residents pay a steep price in hospital bills, with an average of $3,157 in expenses each day. The Garden State ranks 11^th in the country in health care costs, with the average resident paying more than $11,000 a year.

Medical debt affects not just those in New Jersey, but people throughout the country. U.S. residents owe at least $220 billion in medical debt, according to the American Hospital Association. About 3 million people in the country owe medical debt of more than $10,000.

Celebrate Mother's Day 2025 in style, with an indulgent brunch in New Jersey prepared by someone other than mom.

Restaurants throughout northern New Jersey, like Biagio's in Paramus and Alstede's in Chester, are cooking up some fabulous meals full of breakfast delights, salads, carving stations, and desserts. Some of these eateries offer discounts for kids, and others are FREE for young kids. These Mother's Day brunches are perfect for families, but they usually require reservations and get booked up quickly.

If you're down on the shore, explore these wonderful Mother's Day 2025 brunch options and find more great eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in New Jersey.

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Top Mother's Day Brunch Spots In Hudson County

A Hoboken staple for many years, Amanda's serves one of the best weekend brunches in town. The menu has all your favorites, like Belgian waffles, eggs Benedict, omelets, sandwiches, and more. Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–3pm. The prices are great, too, with many entree options for less than $20.

This Hoboken standby is well-loved by locals and does a great brunch every weekend, including Mother's Day. Choose from French toast, a brunch burger, steak and eggs, sandwiches, and more. The ambiance is a mix of old city charm and modern chic.

For a casual, kid-friendly brunch, Madison serves up classics like pancakes, breakfast burritos, and avocado toast that average less than $20 per entree. Don't forget to save room for dessert.

Brunch at this swanky, modern restaurant feels special on any weekend, but especially on Mother's Day. Starters include warm doughnuts with dunking sauces plus savory options like spinach and artichoke dip and tuna tartar tacos. There are many great brunch plate options, too, including sandwiches, salads, eggs, and French toast.

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The sweeping views from the patio make Liberty House a favorite for Mother's Day brunch.

The restaurant's Hudson River view isn't the only sight to behold. The budget-friendly weekend brunch menu (11am-3pm) has a delicious variety, including Nutella French toast, eggs, artisan grilled cheese, sammies, and crab cakes. Dine outside and enjoy some spectacular views of NYC.

You simply can't go wrong with a diner, and Tops is the best in the state. With an upscale, retro vibe, snag a coveted table here for mom to dine on classic brunch items, such as huevos rancheros, fruit-topped waffles, Nutella French toast, and eggs served many ways. This one is a steal of a deal.

Kid-Friendly Mother's Day Brunch Spots In Morris and Essex Counties

Enjoy a farm-to-table Mother's Day brunch buffet with a side of springtime fun at Alstede Farms' weekend-long Mother’s Day celebration. Advanced tickets are required and sold per time slot. There are select time slots available for Saturday, May 10, 2025 (10am and 12pm) and Sunday, May 11, 2025 (9am, 11am, and 1pm). Mother's Day brunch is sold per table with options for a table of four, six, or eight seats, and you can buy an extra seat if needed. Purchase an add-on activity ticket so your kids can burn off some post-brunch energy with a pony ride, a wagon train ride, and a visit to the bounce house.

If mom is a seafood lover, Halcyon is the place to go for Mother's Day brunch. Start with oysters or a jumbo shrimp cocktail. There are also tuna mini tacos, sushi, paella, and crab cake. The brunch menu offers croissant French toast, omelets, fried chicken and waffles, and farmhouse egg flatbread.

Lorena's is an ideal spot to celebrate Mother's Day brunch. This seasonally-inspired French-American restaurant offers weekend brunch with live jazz music from 11am to 3pm. With salads, French toast, seafood, and a short rib sandwich on the menu, it's a meal mom won't forget.

Feeling French? Dining at Faubourg instantly transports mom to a chic brasserie along the Champs-Élysées. Typical weekend brunch hours are 11am-2:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The two-course prix fixe brunch menu starts with a choice of fruit, parfait, soup, salad, or duck terrine, with French toast, croque monsieur, chicken pot pie, and Spanish tortilla available for entrees. A la carte items include lobster rolls, mushroom omelets, and seafood dishes.

Located within the South Mountain Recreation Complex, McLoone's Boathouse sits on the banks of the reservoir, offering a Mother's Day brunch buffet with a spectacular view. Try the shrimp, clams on the half-shell, and oysters at the raw bar. Design your omelet or feast on bacon, carved roasts, and crepes. Waffles, scrambled eggs, and home fries round out the breakfast assortment, but there are also hot lunch entrees along with pastries and fruits for dessert.

Best Mother's Day Brunch Options In Bergen and Passaic County

This spot is perfect for a multi-generational Mother's Day brunch. Enjoy tea time with scones, tea sandwiches, soup, salad, and sweets. Reservations are required.

This Italian restaurant is hosting a grand Mother's Day brunch buffet with several seatings to pick from. In addition to continental breakfast options, enjoy made-to-order omelets, a carving station with four different types of meat, and more than a dozen hot buffet items, from scrambled eggs and pancakes to penne vodka and beef burgundy. And, of course, don't miss the dessert table.

Looking for a special spot? Bring the family to this historic inn for delicious brunch fare in a cozy, quiet atmosphere. The sit-down brunch boasts a great selection of drinks and appetizers as well as entrees that include omelets, avocado toast, and eggs Benedict.

This buffet is truly a feast. Plan to indulge in a breakfast station (with eggs, meats, waffles, pancakes, French toast, and potatoes), a carving station, several lunch entrees (think lasagna, salmon, pasta, and chicken francese), and a dessert table.

If you'd prefer a plated meal over a buffet, here's a nice option with a 2-course prix fix menu. Opening early just for moms, the Capital Grille Mother's Day brunch—featuring steak and eggs, lobster frittata, and more—runs from 10am-2pm. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Craving an Irish Mother's Day brunch? The Shannon Rose has you covered. Order from the a la carte brunch menu, which includes favorites like breakfast burrito, steak and eggs, chicken & waffle sandwiches, avocado toast, and an egg-topped burger. There's also a traditional Irish breakfast with all the fixings.

Top Mother's Day Brunches in Warren County

Make a reservation at The Architect's Club for a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet (starting at 10am) that's open to the public. You'll find an omelet station, hot chafing dishes with breakfast and lunch items, a carving station, kids' options, and tons of desserts (including an ice cream sundae station). Pre-payment ($55 for adults and $25 for kids 4-11) is required for all reservations.

Celebrate at Brook Hollow with live music, flowers for the moms, an open all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, and a build-your-own sangria bar (wine not included).

Top Mother's Day Brunches in Union County

You won’t go hungry at this fun pub that's known for its large brunch portions and delicious Sunday brunch buffet. On Mother's Day, order up pancakes, chicken and waffles, corned beef hash, frittata, and much more.

Make reservations for Mother's Day Brunch, 11am-4pm, at this Irish pub and restaurant. In past years, brunch included delectable items such as French toast, waffles, eggs, lunch items, and more.

You won’t go hungry at this fun pub that's known for its large brunch portions and delicious Sunday brunch buffet. On Mother's Day, order up pancakes, chicken and waffles, corned beef hash, frittatas, and much more.

Top Kid-Friendly Mother's Day Brunch Spots in Central New Jersey

Enjoy a special Mother's Day brunch from 10-4 with delicious breakfast and hot buffet options, plus stations for omelets, carvings, and waffles. If you prefer dinner, order from the dinner menu after 5pm; kids under 10 eat for half price.

Mother's Day brunch at the Spring Lake Manor promises a very special meal. Enjoy chafing dishes with favorites like French toast, scrambled eggs, chicken cordon bleu, and pasta. Plus, there's an omelet station, a carving station, a waffle station, and more. Reservations are required.

For a memorable start to Mother's Day, have brunch in the Seaglass Ballroom at ICONA Avalon. The menu boasts eggs, bacon, pancakes, and other breakfast favorites, plus carving stations, entrees, and desserts. Kids 4 and under are free.

This large buffet boasts pasta stations, a parfait bar, a fish station, made-to-order omelets, carving stations, a pot-pie station, and multiple chafing dishes.

Photos courtesy of the restaurants

A version of this article was first published in 2015; it is updated annually.

Tower Management has completed the $24.2 million acquisition of Hudson Ridge Apartments, a 215-unit multifamily property located in North Bergen, N.J. According to Yardi Matrix, Optimum Management was the previous owner and seller. Tower Management worked with JLL Capital Markets to secure a 10-year, fixed-rate loan through Freddie Mac that was used to purchase the asset.

JLL Real Estate Capital, LLC, a Freddie Mac Optigo Conventional Lender, will service the loan. A JLL Capital Markets Debt Advisory team led by Senior Managing Director Thomas Didio, Managing Director Thomas E. Didio Jr, Director Gerard Quinn and Senior Analyst Michael Mataras represented the borrower.

According to Didio, Hudson Ridge’s location and affordability lent themselves to the property being a shoo-in for the agency lenders “(It’s) extremely well maintained in an urban infill location in Northern New Jersey with strong affordability metrics,” Didio told Multi-Housing News. “Tower’s experience operating similar product in the surrounding market and affordability metrics made this financing very attractive to the agencies.”

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Hudson Ridge Apartments was built in 1949, and is located at 7112-7312 Boulevard E, which is roughly three miles north of Hoboken, five miles north of Jersey City and three miles to the west of Midtown Manhattan.

Yardi Matrix shows that the property contains a mix of studio, one-and two-bedroom units leased by renters earning an average of 86 percent of the Area Median Income. Unit interiors have hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and oversized closets. Community amenities include picnic areas and garage parking. The same source shows that the community was 98.1 percent occupied at time of sale.

Big news in Bergen County

Also in Bergen County, the two-building, 12-story, 500-unit Scholars Village topped out earlier this month. That project is part of, SciTech Scity, a 30-acre research and development campus being developed by Alpine Residential. It includes 4,000 square feet of retail space. It is set to open in 2026.

In February, the developer obtained $142.7 million in financing to develop the project. The financing package includes a construction loan and equity placement. Bank OZK provided the financing, which was arranged by EOS Residential investors.

The development broke ground last year, and is scheduled to come online in 2026. It is taking shape at 225 Phillip St. in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, less than two miles to the south of downtown Jersey City.