Bruno J. Navarro

The aquatics rivalry between the Maplewood and West Orange swim teams came to its conclusion with a loss for the Makos on Tuesday, July 14. The result was a reversal of fortune for the Maplewood Makos, which swept West Orange Wave in their two New Jersey Summer Swim League meetings last year. The West Orange swimmers topped Maplewood with a score of 236-209 to begin the second half of the season undefeated. The Makos are now 2-3 with three regular meets left to go.

The Maplewood Makos won their 2026 summer swim season opener at home versus Morris Township and lost against the West Orange Wave this week. Head Coach Valerie Houghton, returning for her second year leading the Makos, announced that the Maplewood swim team had broken five pool records at the meet on Monday, June 29. Nola Meehan swam the 100-yard individual medley in 1:03.97. Leonor Genung broke her own record in the 25-yard breaststroke with a time of 21.07 seconds.

Three candidates are running for two seats in the Democratic primary (June 2) for Maplewood Township Committee: Bike Bus founder Martin Ceperley; current Mayor Vic De Luca, running for his 10th term on the Township Committee; and Planning Board and Hilton Neighborhood Association member John T. Sullivan. Read Village Green’s election guidelines here. Read our election coverage here.