Applicant Closes Case for 120-Foot Cranford Cell Tower Bordering WF by CHRISTINA M
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 17, 2008 OUR 118th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 29-2008 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Applicant Closes Case for 120-Foot Cranford Cell Tower Bordering WF By CHRISTINA M. HINKE the Cranford Swimming Club located the swim club property. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader on County Park Drive and bordering At the last meeting, Mr. Masters CRANFORD — In the sixth hear- Westfield. It was announced last said the shelter to house the telecom- ing for the cell tower application be- month that Sprint dropped out. munication companies’ equipment fore the Cranford zoning board on Another variance was added to the would stay the same size “in case of Monday, the applicant’s attorney, Gre- application on Monday. During Mr. an additional carrier in the future.” At gory Meese, closed his case. At the Schmidt’s address to the applicant’s the meeting this week he amended next meeting on August 25, John planner, William Masters, Mr. his testimony, stating that the size Schmidt, the attorney representing Schmidt began reciting parts from would reduce by 360 square feet to the residents opposed to the applica- Cranford’s Master Plan. The plan 2,400 square feet to account for the tion, will bring his expert witnesses specifies that in a residential zone, loss of Sprint. to the stand. only one principal use is allowed per Mr. Masters said this does not The applicant, SMSA Limited Part- site. change the side-yard or front-yard nership, composed of Verizon, AT&T Board vice chairman Jeffrey Pistol setbacks because the unit would sit and T-Mobile, seeks a use, height and requested the board attorney add this on the east side of the lot in an interior setback variance to place the 120- as another variance to the applica- side of the property. foot monopole and an equipment shel- tion, since the tower would be a sec- He said the site is suited for a ter at its base in a residential zone at ond principal use should it erect on telecommunications tower, citing proximity to major traffic corridors, such as Kenilworth Boulevard and Springfield Avenue, the size of the swim club property, which he said is 3.02 acres, the proximity of the club to Lenape Park, some 270 acres of open land that is Green Acres prop- Courtesy of Eileen O’Donnell erty that cannot be developed for resi- LET FREEDOM RING…Westfield Town Crier Tom Sherry shared local news for the last time with residents during the dential purposes, and a willing land- Westfield Community Band concert on July 3 in Mindowaskin Park. Mr. Sherry was presented with a certificate of lord. He also said the landlord picked appreciation for his service to Westfield. He is moving out of the area and passing the bell to a new Town Crier. the spot on the property where the tower would sit. Mr. Masters presented an aerial Mountainside Residents React photograph of the proposed area to place the tower, and several posters with photos showing simulations of To Arrest of Church Youth Director views with the tower in place. The simulated photos depicted a By DEBBIE HOFFMAN age girl several times this past spring Union County Prosecutor Theodore red helium balloon erected at the ap- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader at both his Piscataway residence and Romankow said in a statement. proximate height where the tower is MOUNTAINSIDE – Mountainside at the Spruce Street chapel. Hagg was ordered by state Supe- proposed. Then he took the same pho- parents reacted this week to the arrest A spokesman for the Union County rior Court Judge John Triarsi to have Christina M. Hinke for The Westfield Leader tograph and digitally added in a tower of Jason Hagg, the 35 year-old youth Prosecutor’s Office said the incident no contact with the girl or her family. MIND THE GAP…Norman Albert, a Union County representative, right, ad- where the balloon was shown. His director at Mountainside Gospel is still under investigation by his of- A preliminary hearing is set for dresses the SMSA Limited Partnership planner, William Masters, left, during the pictures were taken from areas on Chapel. fice and explained that Mr. Hagg was Wednesday, July 23, in Elizabeth. cell tower application hearing at the Cranford zoning board meeting on Monday. Nomahegan Court, Springfield Av- Hagg was arrested and charged of charged with second-degree assault Officials at Mountainside Gospel An aerial photograph of the area where the cell tower would be placed is shown enue, Lenape Park, the swim club, having a relationship with a 16-year- because he was in a position of au- Chapel could not be reached for com- at the far right. John Schmidt, the opposition’s attorney, sits in the foreground. and Manatoa Circle in Westfield. old youth group member. thority over the girl as the leader of ment. Hagg’s attorney, Thomas Pavics “It would have some negative im- “I hope the girl is okay,” one parent the youth group. of Flemington, did not return mes- pact, but I don’t think it would be said. “I don’t like hearing things like “The investigation continues, but sages left for him but he did tell the Garwood Residents Voice substantial,” Mr. Masters responded this, especially in my own commu- it’s especially egregious when some- Star-Ledger that his client is innocent to Mr. Schmidt’s question of the im- nity.” This parent, and others, re- one in a position of authority takes and that he’s “looking forward to the pact of the view of the tower from a quested that their names be withheld advantage of that role, particularly opportunity to be able to prove that Ideas for Master Plan home. from the story. when it happens within a church,” and clear his name.” By RAYNOR DENITZIO swimming pool or other sport com- Mr. Masters said “it’s possible the Hagg, a deliveryman with United Specially Written for The Westfield Leader plexes, while resident Brenda Caffrey view will change once the 14 trees are Rental in Piscataway, was arrested GARWOOD — The Garwood said there is a need for development removed.” July 7 at his job, by Mountainside Planning Board held a special infor- aimed at children. Mr. Masters also gave the board Police Detectives Andrew Huber, Jef- Westfield BOA Denies mal meeting on July 9, with the hope “I’d like to see something directed photos showing a simulation of a tree frey Stinner and Michael Jackson, of receiving residents’ input as the towards kids,” Ms. Caffrey said. “We pole, a pole that is outfitted to appear Captain Richard Osieja said. The borough reworks its master plan. have kids with nothing to do.” like a tree. Mr. Meese said the appli- Piscataway resident was released af- Savannah Project Trailers The borough is in the process of Citizens also articulated concern cant is willing to use a tree pole ter making $100,000 bail. By SARA MAGNOLA based AIA Vincentsen Associates, updating the master plan, which ac- over the potential for over develop- should the board decide to approve Hagg is the son of the Chapel’s Specially Written for The Westfield Leader LLP, came before the board seeking cording to a document provided at ment in the borough. Jeff Conlin said the application and make that a con- Minister, Gregg Hagg. He is married WESTFIELD — The Westfield permission to construct a one-story Wednesday’s meeting, “has the pur- there is not a lot of space between his dition of approval. and is the father of young children. Zoning Board of Adjustment on Mon- rear addition, a two-story side addi- pose of guiding the use of land, in- house and his neighbors’ house and “I believe this board can grant this Capt. Osieja said the charges are day declared The Savannah, an age- tion, an enclosed front entrance porch, cluding growth and development asked the board to look for ways to variance without substantial detriment proof that “the system works” when restricted facility under construction a rear dormer and a new garage. Mr. within the municipality.” By law, the prevent “having houses on top of to the public good,” Mr. Masters said. it comes to having police officers at on Prospect Street, in violation of a Pantano, who has lived at the resi- master plan must be reviewed every houses.” “Other than the park and Union the schools. In this case “a counselor board resolution and denied them an dence with his wife since 1990, ex- six years. Resident John Conlin expressed County College, I saw no other sites at the school (Governor Livingston extension request for housing trailers plained that he hopes to make addi- “The master plan is the guiding similar concerns, saying the master that were more particularly suited [to High School) told Officer Huber” and signage at the site. tions to the home to accommodate his document for how you want a mu- plan should seek to avoid “high den- place the tower],” Mr. Masters re- about Hagg’s relationship with the The original variance was granted five children, as well as his wife’s nicipality to grow … we really want sity” development. sponded to a question from the board. girl after hearing about it from a stu- in September 2006 to facilitate James live-in godmother. to get your input tonight,” said Will- “I think they [long time residents] Mr.