8 the WESTFIELD LEADER the Leading and Most Widely Circulated Weekly Newspaper in Union County
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o 8 THE WESTFIELD LEADER The Leading and Most Widely Circulated Weekly Newspaper In Union County USPS $80020 EIGIj Second Class PostaffO Paid WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1979 Published 20 Pages—20 Cents ~ -~AR —NO.27 nt WmifleM. N. J. pry Thursday Legal Issues Stall Action Municipal Tax Hike On Munsee Way Plea Irate Indian Forest the original character and continued by emphasizing tersections. Chairman Association members "tranquility" of the neigh- that the lot is designated as Dooley mentioned closing First in Three Years formed a standing-room- borhood which she a building lot on the tax map the street is not that simple only crowd at the meeting of described as a "natural, and if a variance were not and is probably a "last Westfield property owners percent is still with us, it the Planning Board Monday and Council, thanks also to municipal increase is only updating of a 20-year-old residential parkland," granted, the lot would be resort" to alleviate the will see the first municipal was felt by a majority on astute municipal ad- 4.4 percent for a total of agreement with New Jersey night to protest the con- A potential decrease in "zoned into idleness." residents' concerns. tax hike in three years if the council thai the final form of struction of a single-family ministrative planning and $3,035,000.00. Bell Telephone Co. which property values as a result Lebowitz countered by Because the public town budget of $7,922,01)0 is Ihe budget is fair and fiscal management, have "The reason Ihe town of enables that utility to use residence at 108 Munsee of the home was mentioned saying that the hardship hearing on the Munsee Way approved following a public equitable to all depart- Way, a move many put together a very sound Westfield can submit a town sidewalks and streets by several residents, among was "self-created" as a application took nearly two hearing Mar. 1:1. but ihe ments. Obviously Ihere was 1979 budget. The budget budget for 1979 with such a for its operations, and a fee- residents in the area see as a them, J.I. Sladkus of 801 result of previous tran- hours, the board postponed increase - for town services very litllc room to add or threat to the "unique totals $7,922,000 including marginal tax increase is due setting ordinance for use of Lenape Trail who said, "We sactions (of which Minogue final action on much of its at least - will be only $15 for improve upon Ihe services the Iradidtional $1,201,000 (o anticipated substantial Memorial Pool and tennis residenlial style" of the don't want our property was not a part) which business until its next a home assessed at $50,(101). to Westfield residents. If the neighborhood. reserve for uncollected increases on the revenue courts values to go down by a subdivided the lot without meeting March 5, including The total properly lax state allowed I am sure taxes. This is an increase of side of the budget. These Pool and tennis permit Patrick D. Minogue, substandard lot." He added municipall approval. the appeal of Anthony bite, however, will be aboui there are those who would some $4G5,54i; or G.2 percent increased revenues are seen lees will remain Ihe same purchaser under contract of that the association would In response lo another Mormile introduced last 10 times lh;il amount be willing lo pay a higher over last year's budget. To in court fines and costs, for residents, but because the Munsee Way property, is like to plant trees on the neighborhood contingenl. the month to erect an auto because of I ho projected :w lax rate for a better quality support this increase there franchise taxes, gross Clrecn Acres funding was seeking a variance to build vacant lot to make it more Planning Board referred to repair garage at 401-413 point rise in I lie total of life in Westfield. I suggest will be a slight lax increase receipt laxes and most used for the Memorial Park on the lot which is deficient attractive. the Town Council the South Elmer St. amount tn be raised for however that this may nol of .03 mills or $15 on a particularly interesl on facilities on North Scotch in frontage by ap- It was the legal question request of some Sherwood Town Engineer James budgets supporting not only be Ihe majority opinion of property assessed at $50,000. investments and deposits of Plains Ave., these must be proximately 20 feet. regarding hardship that Parkway residents to dead- Josephs was satisfied with the town, but its schools and the average taxpayer. However 1 hasten to point some $204,G75.00. West- opened lo non-residents. Additionally, zoning stalled action by Planning end the street at the the revised site plan in its share of county expenses "The cost of operating out lhat this is the firs! year field's treasurer has been Fees are double ($21(1 for a regulations mandate paving Board members who Mountainside line, with the terms of drainage, but as well. your (own is ever increasing in the past three years that doing an outstanding job of family membership at Ihe 18 feet of Munsee Way for requested legal briefs for recommendation that both several board members felt The tax rate is expected lo year after year. The cost of Ihe town budget has called obtaining the highest in- pool. $1(1 for an adult tennis access by emergency their March 5 meeting from the Westfield and Moun- the garage varies too increase from the 1!I7H tab of leaf removal, insurance for a tax increase. Your lax teresl rates availbalc on the permit) for those who live vehicles if a home is con- Swain and the association's tainside councils work greatly with the intent of the $4.29 to $4.5!) per SI 00 premiums, utility rales and rale for municipal purposes market. He obtained a outside WestfieUI desiring to structed. Indian Forest attorney, E. Lebowitz of 910 together to improve the zoning ordinance. assessed valuation this fuel have risen sub- over the past few years: creditable 10 '•'•» percent on a residents are particularly use the Memorial Park pool MinisinkWay, in addition to area. In the B-2 zone, the garage year, resulting in a total lax stantially. Recent wage 1976 6<l mills recent transaction and tennis courts. These are opposed to paving the road an opinion from the board's increase of about $15« for settlements with certain because they fear increased Lieutenant Thomas constitutes a conditional use 1977 .09 mills "Although salaries and Ihe only Westfield facilities own attorney, William Bass. Catalon filed a traffic safety and therefore the board property assessed at Ko.ooo. departments have ap- 1978 Gil mills wages will increase by open to non-residents. traffic in the neighborhood The municipal budget, proached almost 7.2 perecnl from motorists using the Swain argued that his was report with the board must find facts to justify 1979 .71 mills approximately !S2O5,OIK) lo Scheduled for public a "classic hardship case," recommending that a yellow each deviation from the introduced ;il Tuesday on an annual basis. For- "This record equates (o an $3,414.000. your council is hearing and final action al road, and their own streets, night's meeting of the Town tunately to date we have not as a short-cut to Rt. 22. because his client had at- center line be drawn on the ordinance, including average increase of .MM; not providing for any new Ihe Fob 20 meeting of Ihe tempted to purchase the street and that stop signs deficiencies in sideyard, Council, calls for ex- bad the astronomical ex- mills over the four year personnel. Other expenses Town Council are or- Minogue's attorney Frank vacant lot adjacent to his might be erected at the setback and total area. penditures of $7.!I22.O()() of pense of snow removal period or $:o:s for a including debt service will dinances authorizing Ihe Swain indicated that his property to obtain the Crescent Parkway and Mormile and lot owner which $3,035,457 is lo be faced by the town in 1978. property with assessed increase some $233.00(1. This hiring of a town labor at- client would be willing to required frontage. He Belvidere Ave. in- Frank Caldora will come raised by taxation. The winter is nol over and i1 valuation of $50,000.00 figure (foes include Ihe afore torney and prohibiting construct the home without back to the board in March Increased revenues are should be noted that one of "Finally based on in- mentioned appropriation of trucks over four tons from the pavement if the Plan- with more information to credited by Don Alpaugh. the worsl storms of 1071! fell formation al hand your $45,000 for snow removal. using North Chestnut St. ning Board decided to Planners Approve Code help the board render its finance chairman, for during the month of anticipated 197!) taxes will Weslfield's 1979 municipal between East Broad St. and waiver that requirement. decision. keeping lox increases at a February. Hecause we were be. budget will increase by Mountain Ave. Indian Forest residents Also postponed until next low figure In a statement caught short handed last Municipal, $3,035,457.49, some $466,000 but the h>x A theater license was still objected to the deficient Deleting RM-2 Zones month was the appeal of explaining the budget, year in providing for the high cost of snow removal .71 (1979.