Home improvements      SCOTT FRIEDMAN Laurie Sutter, of Laurals Aromatherapy, gets her handmade potpourri ready for sale at the 19th annual Home Show and Interior Design Expo at the N.J. Convention and Expo Center in Edison on Friday. For more photos, see page 3. More ... Metuchen proposes a 10.7¢ tax increase Average homeowner could pay $168.78 more per year BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       The Metuchen Borough Council introduced a tentative budget last week that would raise taxes by $168.78 for the average homeowner. "This year, in particular, was tough with the new state levy caps, which was another wrinkle we had to deal with, but we came just under the 4 percent levy cap [by $4,... More ... Hearings set for police director, promotion reforms Legal concerns from police met, but issues remain contentious in township BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON - Even after changes to the language, the Policemen's Benevolent Association still opposes a plan to create a police director's position, instead of the traditional chief. More ... Prospects for N.Y. to N.J. office migration unclear Developer for Edison train project confident N.Y.C. firms will relocate BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       EDISON- Getting Manhattan-based firms to relocate offices to Edison might be a difficult proposition if certain real estate analysts are to be believed, though attracting commuters who work in the city might not be as difficult. More ... State Department cuts more shift than slash BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       Gov. Jon Corzine's proposal to cut three departments in the state government, if it is approved by the Legislature, will be less of an elimination and more of a merger, according to some state officials. During the governor's budget address on Feb. More ... Man KO'd, robbed outside house       EDISON - A township resident was knocked out and robbed near his house March 6 with no recollection of the attack. According to police Public Information Officer Sgt. Robert Dudash, an Edison resident was waiting for her 34-year-old husband outside their house on Lyle Place when she saw him walk... More ... Woman charged with false alarm atWoodbridge Center BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer       WOODBRIDGE - A 23-year-old Edison female was arrested and charged with creating a false public alarm at the Woodbridge Center mall last week. Police are withholding the woman's name because of her psychiatric condition, police said. More ... Comic book writer's quest for success finds TV home Manalapan native Jason Kruse will see show debut on Kids WB! BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer       Jason Kruse had all but given up on his dream of having his comic book series professionally published and animated until recently, when Warner Brothers gave it the green light to go into production. Kruse, a Manalapan native, will have the satisfaction of seeing his efforts come to fruition when... More ... In the Service       ArmyNationalGuard Pvt. SharaeA. Jones has graduated frombasic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. More ...