Residents, BOE Discuss Options
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Holiday Shopping magazine Vol.35, No. 50 Thursday, December 13,1990 500 NEWS Residents, BOE BRIEFS discuss options By Kim H. Avelino pansion. Jim O'Donnell of Somerset Bearing gifts Special Writer suggested that schools that have been closed in the township be used for Lack of information, tax hikes and The Creamery Gift Shop at the additional space in lieu of new con- confusion were three of the reasons Hagcman Farm may be just the struction. that the school bond referendum fail- place for that special someone on "The Board of Education closed ed at the polls last week, according to the Christmas gift list. The down three schools since the late attendees at Monday's Franklin Creamery is open every Thurs- '70s," said Debbie Shepard, presi- Township Board of Education meet- day in December from 2-6 p.m. dent of the Franklin Park School ing. Plenty of free parking is avail- P.T.O. "Reopening them would be able. For further information: "The school board had information less • expensive than building new 873-8718. (about the need for the referendum), schools, but we would only realize but it wasn't sent to the homes of about 10 classrooms from the people without children," said Dick space." Ms. Shepard said that the Juried exhibit Markowitz of Griggstown. "I'm 52 large number of special education years old and I don't intend on having students in the township have unique a baby just to get information on the The Friends of the Palette space needs mandated by the state schools." that have an impact on the space Place Art Gallery, a non-profit Franklin voters turned out in record requirements of the township as a division of the gallery, is numbers Dec. 4 to defeat the $22 whole. presenting its second annual million referendum by an almost "By voting down the referendum, Black & White Juried Exhibition two-to-one margin. School district the voters missed an opportunity not now through Jan. 20. The gal- officials had hoped the referendum only to get extra space for lery is located at 781 Hamilton would pave the way for a building classrooms, but to better utilize the St., Somerset. This year the program to ease overcrowding in space we have," Ms. Shepard said. acceptance of one color of the Franklin's schools. State requirements for special artists' choice will provide an Karen Bodnar, board president, education classrooms set a limit of 11 additional challenge to the artists said that the defeat was an eye-opener students per class, meaning that who participate. The artworks for the board. "We found out that classrooms that could seat 25 are will cover all medium from col- people don't read the papers," she underutilized. The referendum would lage to sculpture. For further said. Ms. Bodnar said that the board A tree glows have provided for smaller special information, call the Gallery at and school administration were at- education classes at Sampson G. tempting to get the word out about the in Franklin (908) 545-8833 or Smith and Franklin Park schools, referendum through the media and 1-800-273-8830. according to Ms. Shepard. public postings, to avoid the cost of Children from the mailing information to residents. Supporters of the referendum said "We were trying to save money," that township residents should realize East Millstone area CAP meeting she said. that they will either "pay now or pay later," countering concerns over the gathered last Friday In the weeks leading up to the "Depression in the Elderly" tax increase necessitated by the refer- to sing Christmas referendum, many Franklin residents endum — an estimated $57 per $100 will be the topic of the December — including members of the local carols during the meeting of Children of Aging of assessed valuation over the next 25 chapter of Hands Across New Jersey years. Parents, a non-profit support — accused the school board of trying village's annual "Anti-referendum articles harped group for individuals caring for to sneak the bond referendum past on that $57 per year," said board tree-lighting their elderly loved ones. The township taxpayers. meeting will be held from member Bernard Siegal. "I wonder ceremony on Amwell 7:30-9:30 p.m. today, Thursday, At Monday's school board meet- whether anyone took the time to Dec. 13 at Franklin Convales- ing, Dave Schafer of Griggstown said divide what that $57 per year would Road. Carolers cent Center in Franklin Park. that there was confusion over what cost per month ... people will lose a Articles on depression and addi- people were voting for. "There was a lot more than $57 per year when their included, at right, tional resource materials will be conflict over facilities and program in property values go down because the from left, Janie available a( ihc meeting for the minds of the voters." he said. schools are overcrowded and running group participants. The meeting "People were saying, 'we don't want double sessions. A good school sys- Scudder, Alaina is free of charge, but reserva- to spend $22 million on a magnet tem raises the property values a great tions are required and can be program' ... we may be trying to deal more than $57, but when the Wozniak, Kevin made by calling Linda Bigelow juggle too many things at once." The township grows and we don't ha\e Hague and Erin at 821-8000. magnet program is a special cur- rixun for these kids, we'll really be riculum proposed lor Franklin hurting." he said. Bamrick. schools that is not directly related to "Anyone who says that this is not a the referendum real issue is closing their eyes to what Poinsettia sale Dissention also arose over the need is before us." said Jo Nolan, for the space that the referendum Photos • Stove Goodman The Millstone Valley Fire De- would have provided for school ex- See BOE, Pago 7A partment Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual Christmas poinsettia sale from l> a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Mt. Laurel owners getting 'free ride,' activist claims fire department's headquarters, Amwcll Road, Fast Millstone. By Laurie Lynn Strasser munity," Mr Bridges, president ot conimodate low- and mod Mount Laurel and other owners," he However, Mount Laurel units are For further information: Staff Writer the QuailhriHik Fast homeowncis as- crate-income dwellings within their said, adding that lie had heard some geared toward low-income residents, H73-3O59. sociation and the I ranklin Chapter of )unsdiction. Acting under Mt. Laurel homeowners making "discriminatory who may not he able to afford to Franklin condominium owners the Coalition of Associations lor guidelines, lhe State Council on At remarks toward Mount Laurels." shoulder a greater percentage of the would mi longer lx" requited In pay Political Action, told the Township fordahle Housing stipulates that Quailhrook l.asl is an unusual case, maintenance burden. "They've maintenance fees lor low- and mod Council last week. purchasers ol such units may pay said Art Bernard, deputy director of signed a document that says they Garden party crate-income units under legislation Mr. iliidges claimed it is unfair Ix-'tween 0-75 |>erceiit of tnaintetiance COAH. adding that most low- and don't have to pay," Mr. Bernard proposed by local condo li>l>l>yiM that owners of Mt. I .autel units in his lees. mtxlerate-income residents' pay .15 said. "If they weie squeezed, they Reservations aie being ev ("laylon llndges and other ciuulo wllai'i's not 011K COAH lets builders set this per- percent of maintenance costs, might lose their units through fore- ccpted for a black-lie I'lesulcn- Mr. Bridges has asked the I'lankhn in Irankhn Township, but also state centage at their disuciion l!y mini "1 don't feel this burden should be closure." li.il Preview Party b>r die I'^'l Township C'OUMLil to back the legis wide pay less than other lesidenls mi/ing the maintenance component, spread across the (own either," Mr. "I'm not suggesting that this sys- 25lh anniversary New Jersey laliuii. which would exempt members lor basic NCtvn.es NIICII as land developers can thaige mote lor units, Bridges said. "Homeowners should tem of paying is |K'rlcct," Mr. Mower & (iauk'ii Show, lhe of homrou tycrs avsociations luuii sc.tping, tiash and MIOW temoval. and but still remain Mow the ceiling on lake some responsibility for dial Bernard said, "but speaking of fair- preview party will be lioin 7 to sulisidi/mg pait or all of Ihv inaiiiti'n repairs o| riHiling, siding, sidewalk or moitgagc tales lot low and mini home " One possibile solution, he ness, many of these subdivisions 10:10 p.m. liiday, Icb 22 at ancc cx|>i'iises lor Mount I.auiel II roads erate income buyets. said, would IK" to increase over lime wouldn't exist if not for Mount the Garden State Convention & units ill then SUIHIIVIMOHS Ihc Mount I .autel I and II cnuit In Quailhrook Fast. Mount Lauiel the percentage of maintenance fees l^iutel," According to Mr Hcrnaid. I'.nlnbit Centei in Somciscl. Ihc "Ihere's Kisically a private wel- decisions mandated that inuiiiU' icsidents pay no niaiiitenaiue k*cs at lor which Mount Laurel residents are preview patty will give guests an fare ptogt.im going on m lhe com palilies must provide /omnj: to JC all. "It cieates a ban iff K'lwicn (he rcs|mn\ihle. Soo MT. LAUREL, Pngo 7A advance look at the show Crudites, hots il'oeuvics, New Jersey wines and ihccses will bo served Kescivatutiis.