Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, April 2, 2009 OUR 119th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 14-2009 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Westfield BOE Proposes $89.5 Mil. Budget; $80.3 Mil. Tax; Layoffs By CHRISTINA M. HINKE $2.2 million, which Business Ad- nated six intermediate school intra- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ministrator Robert Berman said mural stipend positions. WESTFIELD – Come April 21, voters “was previously approved.” “Class size(s) was something we will be asked to cast their ballots on an Teaching and other staff positions valued,” said Superintendent Dolan, $89.5-million school budget, which in- were cut in order to bring the budget who stressed that elementary school cludes a tax levy operating budget of below the state mandated cap. High- class sizes were at a level that would be $78.2 million, a 3.17 percent increase level administrators, assistant princi- too big for the district’s goal of a 25- over last year, or an additional $234 on pals and principals were spared from student maximum. the average assessed home. the chopping block. Board Vice President Julia Walker The Westfield Board of Education Superintendent Margaret Dolan said the “priority lies with the elemen- unanimously approved the budget at its said, “I don’t think we have too many tary teacher” and that “we’re paying for Tuesday night meeting, held in cafeteria administrators in this district” after it with an increase in taxes.” B at Westfield High School (WHS). announcing she would combine two She suggested that the district could State aid totaled just over $5 million, special services supervisors into one cap enrollment in elementary schools, with additional special education aid at position that will encompass grades but that the district would have to $125,000. The state also granted addi- K-12, instead of having one for grades reconfigure its system and do away tional funds of $504,955 for special K-8 and one for grades 8-12. with neighborhood schools. education and $432,890 in medical in- Since earlier announcements of Gary McCready said, “If class sizes surance. The total tax levy for the 2009- staff cuts, the board finessed the turn out not to be high, then they may 2010 school year is $80.3 million and budget to add back in three elemen- not use the two [elementary] teachers includes the tax levy debt service of tary school teachers, but also elimi- budgeted for.” Michael J. Pollack for The Westfield Leader In all, 22.75 positions were cut, and BUTTERED AND HOT...Popcorn is being popped in anticipation of the Rialto Theatre’s return. The month of March was of that were 8.75 teachers and seven spent renovating the facility. To see a full recap of the theater’s re-launch, see page 24. paraprofessionals, totaling a cost sav- ings of $1.4 million. In addition, 48 stipend positions were eliminated, to- Parizeau: Remain Vigilant taling a cost savings of $143,334. The board did stress that volunteers could fill the stipend positions. “We’ve never had cuts like this since About Westfield Burglaries I’ve been on the board,” said Anne By MICHAEL J. POLLACK been arrested in connection with recent dents have to be our eyes and ears,” the Riegel, board member. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader burglaries in the area of Lawrence Av- chief said. He assured residents that all Teaching layoffs included two el- WESTFIELD – Police Chief John enue, Minisink Way and Watchung calls would receive responses. ementary school teachers, one kin- Parizeau gave year-by-year burglary Fork. He alerted people to look for indi- dergarten teacher, one Spanish statistics, Tuesday, and warned that He said many times, the incidents are viduals who are moving between houses teacher, one music teacher, one-fifth certain neighborhoods appear to be tar- occurring in daytime. He said burglars because they may be looking for back high school German teacher, several geted more than others. are blending in with landscapers and and side doors. fifths of certificated positions in the There were 49 reported burglaries in delivery people. Most incidents tend to occur be- high school that equate to one posi- 2008, up from 42 in 2007. Though the “They won’t look out of place,” he tween Thursday and Saturday morn- tion, one high school special services number has ebbed since 2006’s mark of said. One criminal turned out to be an ing. Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader REMEMBERING...Asm. Eric Munoz died on Monday of a heart attack. Novem- supervisor, one high school special 66, Chief Parizeau said he is concerned elderly individual who appeared to be “These guys are heading to a week- ber 8, 2007, archive: GOP VICTORY...District 21 Republican incumbents cel- education teacher and one-half el- by the frequency of burglaries in 2009. innocently walking down the street with end party,” Chief Parizeau said. “They ebrate their successful re-election bids on Tuesday night. Left to right, Assembly- ementary resource center teacher. Already, 11 incidents have been re- his satchel. go to a pawn shop [with the items] and man Eric Munoz, Senator Tom Kean, Jr. and Assemblyman Jon Bramnick pose The district will combine two tech- ported. Since the police force cannot patrol [use the proceeds] to buy drugs.” for cameras. nology positions into one position since The chief said that “99 percent of the everywhere at once, “Westfield resi- CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 the I.T. director is retiring. The I.T. time, it’s a drug addict.” He said the supervisor position was cut in the bud- recession has fueled criminals’ appe- Eric Munoz, Represented get put forth on Tuesday. tites for committing such acts. Freeholders Consider $3 Mil. District personnel layoffs include two He said burglaries – defined as of six computer technicians, seven para- “break-ins to structures,” as opposed to Area Since 2001, Dies at 61 professionals, three secretaries and one robbery – are being committed mostly Project In New Providence By PAUL J. PEYTON The 21st District includes custodian. by outsiders from area cities. By PAUL J. PEYTON the project through the Union County Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Berkeley Heights, Chatham CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 The chief said three individuals have Open Space, Recreation and Historic SUMMIT – State Assemblyman Eric Township, Cranford, Garwood, NEW PROVIDENCE — Union Preservation Trust Fund. Munoz, 61, of Summit died Monday Harding, Long Hill, Madison, County officials announced last week Freeholder Al Mirabella called the night following a heart attack at his Mountainside, New Providence, WF Announce Givebacks; that plans are moving ahead with a $3 project “a terrific partnership opportu- Summit home on Monday morning. Roselle Park, Springfield, Summit, to $3.5-million improvement to the 10- nity” for the county and borough. The assemblyman and trauma surgeon Warren, Watchung and Westfield. acre Oakwood Park recreational area in “One thing we are not making any had served in the the State Legislature Union County Republican Com- 22.75 Positions to be Slashed New Providence. As part of the project more of, particularly in this county, is since 2001. mittee Chairman Phil Morin de- By CHRISTINA M. HINKE Numerous calls by The Leader to the borough would deed the land to the land. So, we have to look for ways to State Senate Minority Leader Tom scribed the lawmaker as “an out- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader the WEA were not returned. county. expand the field usage,” Mr. Mirabella Kean, Jr. of Westfield, who represents standing husband, father, surgeon AREA — School staff is being In Scotch Plains-Fanwood, job re- Mayor John Thoms said the borough said. the 21st Legislative District (since and legislator.” slashed in Westfield and Scotch ductions were also a means to an end “finalized the agreement in principal” Freeholder Deborah Scanlon, chair- 2002) remained at University of “He was one of those rare people Plains-Fanwood as the school dis- of rising budgets. Margaret Hayes, with the county on March 25. County man of the board’s open space commit- Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in public life who did many things tricts are faced with busting budgets Superintendent of the Scotch Plains- and borough officials said, however, tee, said, “The big picture is this. New where Mr. Munoz had emergency behind the scenes that no one ever for the 2009-2010 school year. Fanwood (SP-F) schools, said, “we that no contracts have been signed at Providence has the land. The Trust Fund surgery, from 2 p.m. until the knew about. Eric had a generosity Westfield had announced it proposes had not had discussions” about this time. has the money and together we can lawmaker’s death. He told The Westfield and kindness about him that was to cut 22.75 positions and 43 sti- givebacks because the “group is small The mayor said the borough does not make this dream come true of a first- Leader that the assemblyman never endearing,” Mr. Morin said. “He pends, whereas Scotch Plains- enough to not have an impact” on want the field lighted because it is in a class community recreational facility regained consciousness. will be missed by me and the entire Fanwood recommends laying off 18. reducing the now $81-million 2009- residential neighborhood. “We will talk and beautiful greenway.” “It’s a very sad day,” Senator Kean Union County Republican organi- Of these cuts, more than 10 teachers 2010 school budget to save positions.