WESTFIELD, NJ – The city is one of four Union County parishes that are considering merging their district courts.
On Tuesday, the city council approved a request for government assistance with a study to investigate the feasibility of a joint service contract between Westfield, Fanwood, Garwood and Scotch Plains.
City administrator Jim Gildea said the city first discussed a judicial merger with Garwood in 2018 and 2019. Since then, Fanwood and Scotch Plains have expressed an interest in a possible merger, he said.
Sign up for the Westfield newsletter
Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.
You have successfully registered for the TAPinto Westfield newsletter.
According to Gildea, the State Joint Services Department would assist cities in analyzing the feasibility of a joint court between all or some municipalities.
“It evaluates the departments as they exist today,” said Gildea. “It’s free for the city. And all four cities are ready to work together to see what could be possible. “
The resolution approving Westfield’s participation in the study states that the joint service could lead to “lower property taxes and better services”.
The motion to investigate the merger came the same evening the council approved the appointment of Magistrate Court Judge Parag P. Patel for a three-year term ending January 31, 2024.
A formal swearing-in is scheduled for later in the week, Gildea said.
Patel was named the city’s only municipal judge in 2018. A resident of Westfield, he is one of the two city judges serving in Edison. He has a private law practice in Clark, specializing in tax law, estate planning, and prior law.
Mayor Shelley Brindle thanked Patel for his service in the city. Westfield’s was the first court in the county to open Zoom Court during COVID-19, she said.
“That’s the result of his initiative,” added Brindle. “Well, I’m thrilled that he’s coming back three more years.”
Email Matt Kadosh at mkadosh@tapinto.net | Twitter: @MattKadosh
Read more Westfield NJ Local News
MORE: Replacing gas lines in Westfield starting this week may take several months.
MORE: Sunday’s snowfall brings Westfield to Union County Towns
MORE: Westfield School Board approves $ 15,000 to run Superintendent Search