Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, May 19, 2005 OUR 115th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 20-2005 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Suspended Police Council Passes Resolution Officer’s Hearing Delayed For Now For School Budget Cuts By BETSEY BURGDORF Specially Written for The Westfield Leader By PAUL J. PEYTON of the town’s K-12 public school sys- likely be reduced. First grade enroll- WESTFIELD — The hearing Specially Written for The Westfield Leader tem. Town and school officials have ments are averaging between 22 and for Police Detective Sandra WESTFIELD — The town council said the cuts do not involve any current 23 students per class. Chambers who was suspended approved a resolution Tuesday night instructional staff, although several Several residents opposed the cuts, for allegedly having a $20 park- to cut the school tax levy by $714,543, openings due to retiring educators and noting that small class sizes are par- ing ticket “fixed” was postponed which will reduce school taxes on an secretaries would not be filled. Also ticularly important for younger aged from May 11 until a later date, average homeowner between $75 and new purchases and programs proposed children. Town Administrator Jim Gildea $80. The overall tax levy increase in the 2005-2006 school budget have Barbara Sullivan of Clifton Street, said this week. will drop four cents per $100 of as- been cut from the budget. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 It was reported that Detective sessed valuation to 14 cents. First Ward Councilman Peter Chambers, a female as well as an Westfield Voters rejected the $66 Echausse, Finance Policy Commit- African American, had allegedly million school tax levy by a tally of tee Chairman, said it was important Two Bush Protesters filed charges of discrimination Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader $1,528 to $1,463 on April 19. School that no existing staff or programs against the Westfield Police De- PACKED HOUSE…The issue of the installation of lights at Houlihan Field on officials had originally sought to re- were affected by the reductions. He To Be Tried in Spfld. partment (WPD) as a result of Lamberts Mill Road drew a large crowd to the Town Council meeting on Tuesday duce the levy by around $360,000. said staff positions were instead re- By BETSEY BURGDORF the incident. night. Residents turned out in support, as well as in opposition of the lights. The The proposed cuts contained some duced “through either attrition or con- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “Reporters have been calling Council approved the installation of the lights 8-1. 28 different areas hitting all aspects solidation of responsibilities or titles.” WESTFIELD — In a last minute us saying this is a juicy story, but Councilman Echausse said it was decision by their attorneys, it’s really not. It is an interde- important that any cuts were not at any Westfield residents Emily Colvin, partmental issue,” Mr. Gildea Westfield Council Awards Contracts particular school, but rather spread 18, and Jonathan Spitz, 41, will said. “Nothing has been filed throughout the entire school system. have their disorderly conduct whatsoever.” “The budget went down. It was charges heard in a Springfield court- Hassen Abdellah, an attorney For Houlihan As Neighbors Object within our control to pass it,” said room rather than in Westfield Mu- representing Officer Chambers, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Will- nicipal Court. They were among said that the department is seek- By PAUL J. PEYTON With $1.1 million budgeted for the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader merous neighborhood residents spoke iam Foley. “It was voted down in most nine protesters arrested during ing her removal from the force two projects, officials have noted that precincts throughout the town by par- President George W. Bush’s visit to WESTFIELD — The town council in opposition to the lights, citing in- “primarily because of the park- the town would be able to complete creased traffic, noise and traffic. Rep- ents as well as people on fix incomes.” the Westfield National Guard Ar- ing ticket.” Mr. Abdellah stated Tuesday night approved a resolution everything accept the turfing of Sid “I’m not happy about these cuts but mory on March 4. to award contracts for synthetic turf resentatives of the various sports that it was actually Mrs. Cham- Fay Field. leagues in town supported the I accept these cuts,” Dr. Foley said, Donald A. DiGioia, with the law bers son who received that park- at Houlihan Field, to install lights at Recreation department officials are blaming the budget defeat on residents firm of Weiseman Hely DiGioia, is Houlihan and to resurface the projects, stating soccer and lacrosse ing ticket but the car is registered seeking funding through Union leagues are facing significant regis- being upset over rising property taxes representing Miss Colvin. to her. Tamaques Park tennis courts by a County government grants as well and not because they are dissatisfied “I had made a motion looking for vote of 8-1 despite objections from tration increases. “Right now everything is on through donations through the vari- Barry Knapp, president of the with the Westfield school system. outstanding discovery (release of hold,” Mr. Adellah told The area residents. ous sports associations in town to pay He noted that school enrollments, documents to opposing counsel) is- Representatives of town sports Westfield Soccer Association, said Westfield Leader. “I don’t want for the project. particularly in the first grade, are down CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 league favor the Houlihan/Sid Fay half the town’s population of children to comment on anything at the At Tuesday night’s meeting, nu- CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 and thus the numbers of classes would moment.” projects. Council members indicated Mr. Adellah said that no their support for the project but vowed charges have been filed against to address traffic safety and how much Dr. Richard O’Malley of Flemington Takes Helm the Westfield Police Department later the lights would be turned off. as of yet. “I don’t want to specu- Currently, the Recreation Commis- late,” he said. “Decisions have to sion has a policy of lighting recre- be made on both sides,” he said. ational facilities from May 1 through As New Mountainside Chief School Administrator Mr. Gildea said the hearing September 30 from dusk until 10 p.m., By BETSEY BURGDORF approximately 6,500 residents. situations, problems and conflicts that dard of excellence at the Whiton El- was postponed because the law- Town Administrator Jim Gildea told Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “You got us out of choppy water could have a negative impact on the ementary School,” he said. yers need more time to discuss the governing body prior to the public MOUNTAINSIDE – Dr. Richard two years ago,” Board of Education school, while developing school poli- Prior to holding the position of the issues related to the case. meeting. He said there is no town O’Malley will be joining President John Perrin cies and implementing the vision and principal at Whiton, Dr. O’Malley “We are still proceeding with ordinance, however, that specifies the Mountainside School stated at the last school mission of the district. served as Principal of Stony Brook the internal affairs procedure,” these hours. District as Chief School board meeting when Mr. “I utilized my leadership, supervi- School, also in the Branchburg Town- he said. “The hearing was ad- Lucas Electric Company of Administrator on Mon- Rusak said goodbye to sory, management and administrative ship School District. journed to further consider the Windsor was awarded the $255,300 day, May 23. His impres- students, parents and skills so as to promote the educational “To achieve academic excellence, charges.” contract for installing lighting at sive resume is almost staff. But Mr. Rusak’s development and preparation of each I worked collaboratively with the su- Houlihan and Sid Fay and the overshadowed by his en- Police Chief Bernard Tracy stint with the district was student and upheld a continued stan- CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 declined to comment on the case Tamaques tennis courts. thusiasm and dynamic only temporary and beyond acknowledging that Helecon, Inc. of Bridgewater was energy that has the po- Mountainside was look- “there’s an issue that needs to be given the contract to resurface the tential to put the district ing for permanent resolved and it should be re- Tamaques tennis courts at a cost of on top. change. $104,850. A. Juliano & Sons, Inc. of Interim Chief School Mountainside Council solved in the proper course.” Richard O’Malley “I think I bring to the Mr. Gildea has said Detective Sterling was hired to re-construct Administrator Walter district a higher academic Chambers has been suspended Houlihan Field to pave and triple Rusak is credited with having standard,” Dr. O’Malley told The with pay pending the outcome of parking capacity at the park as well as breathed life back into the deflated Westfield Leader. He describes him- Passes 2005 Budget her case. fencing Houlihan and Sid Fay Fields district after scandal and construc- self as a “dynamic education profes- at a cost of $770,000. tion woes divided the borough of sional with a strong administrative, By KIMBERLY BROADWELL retained from the budget for the next teaching and technology background Specially Written for The Westfield Leader two years that “has not been appro- and experience developing initiatives MOUNTAINSIDE – The priated for anything.” DWC Highlights Main St. Conference; for new education pedagogy and cur- Mountainside Borough Council The governing body adopted a riculum.” adopted a $9.4 million municipal resolution to authorize a $300 sav- He holds a New Jersey Chief School budget at Tuesday’s meeting.