Westfield Council Hears Public Comments; Approves Demolitions by LAUREN S
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, September 29, 2011 OUR 121st YEAR – ISSUE NO. 39-2011 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Westfield Council Hears Public Comments; Approves Demolitions By LAUREN S. BARR Parizeau’s report on the effectiveness for a HAWK light to be installed, as it Specially Written for The Westfield Leader of the Central Avenue crossing signal eliminates cut-through traffic. WESTFIELD – At Tuesday night’s was a “waste of taxpayer dollars” be- Town Administrator Jim Gildea said public Westfield Town Council meet- cause the safety of the current location that Mr. Nassi contacted the town’s ing, residents once again expressed versus the intersection of Clover and traffic expert Gordon Meth and after it their displeasure with the placement Central is what should be studied. was described to him, said it seemed of the pedestrian crossing signal on Mr. Kasko said that according to a like a proper installation, but he did Central Avenue near Clover Street. report by Richard Nassi; who origi- not review it himself. The council also approved the demo- nally designed the HAWK signal for Councilman Dave Haas said that he lition of a single family home at 1249 Tuscon, Arizona; the light only has a is not convinced that the safety of the Prospect Street and a commercial 94 percent compliance rate at mid- corner over the mid-block location building at 440 North Avenue East. block versus a 97 percent compliance was evaluated by Union County be- Greg Kasko, who is running as an rate at an intersection. He also ques- fore the light was installed because the independent for council in the third tioned why Cambridge Road was made town told the county that a light at the ward, said that Police Chief John into a cul-de-sac if the town intended corner was unacceptable. Maria Carluccio said that there was another three-car accident at the light on walk your child to school day last week. She also questioned why cross- ing guards were removed from inter- sections with traffic lights, where there are more points of conflict, but a cross- ing guard is still stationed at the mid- block signal. She also criticized the Betsey Burgdorf for The Westfield Leader council for not answering any of her TWIRLING TOTS...After having their faces painted, two young ladies enjoy a ride at FestiFall, held Sunday in downtown questions stating, “You don’t want the Westfield. The annual event attracts people from all over and offers a variety of vendors providing food, fun, rides and crafts. public to know what your answer is.” When she asked whether or not the council would make statements after she took her seat in the audience, Westfield BOE Hears Busing Councilman Sam DellaFerra said, “I may.” At which point Mrs. Carluccio called the council “cowards.” Mr. Gildea said that there were two Complaints From Parents accidents in September, but that the By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL “done out of order.” She added that ing them on the bus due to parent accidents were actually closer to Clo- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader drivers are sometimes missing stops complaints. ver, with the latest accident being WESTFIELD – During the public and then driving in reverse to reach Because of ongoing issues with the caused because someone was hit while portion of Tuesday evening’s the intended stops. Vogel bus routes Board of Education waiting to make a left onto Clover. He Westfield Board of Education meet- Another parent, Cindy Smith, member Roseanne Kurstedt asked if a PILLAR POSE...The Westfield United Fund kicked off its 75th anniversary said that accidents are down 25 per- ing, parent Barbara Sgro addressed stated that her son was being told by school employee could ride the buses campaign with the annual Pillar Party honoring major donors at the home of cent over last year along the entire members regarding bussing issues drivers to “hurry and get on the bus.” to get a daily report of their activity. Keith and Anne Wargo. Founded in 1937, the fund supports 19 local agencies that serve Westfielders in need. Pictured, left to right, are: hosts Keith and Anne Central Avenue corridor. that were brought up by concerned She stated that the bus drivers are Both parents also relayed to the Wargo and campaign co-chairs Kim Benou and Bernadette Houston. Adina Enculescu, in front of who’s parents at the last Board of Education telling the children that they are rush- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 home the light was placed, said that meeting. the light wasn’t put at the corner be- Mrs. Sgro noted that the E17 bus cause former Councilman Mark route that takes her child to and from MS-BOE Seeks Members, Ciarrocca wanted to satisfy Frances school has improved since the last Cranford Mayor Discusses Terrace resident Christine Povalac, meeting, but its problems were far Hears Intense Busing Debate who no longer lives there. She said from being resolved. She noted that that the council thought she was just the route now had 11 stops instead of Strategy for Recent Flooding By DOMINIC A. LAGANO replacing board members. The district an old woman, but that she is a “tough By FRED T. ROSSI riod, whereas the typical 100-year Specially Written for The Westfield Leader 17. She also noted that the returning placed an advertisement regarding the cookie.” bus routes were not yet clearly de- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader storm results in 8.7 inches of rain in MOUNTAINSIDE — The board vacant seats and requested interested CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 fined as bus stops were sometimes CRANFORD – One month after a 24-hour period. of education (BOE) met Tuesday parties to submit a letter of interest. Hurricane Irene dumped up to 12 While “the community has made night. The search for new board mem- The seven candidates who responded inches of rain and caused flood dam- it through,” the mayor said that, bers was discussed. An intense dia- will be interviewed by the board at a Garwood Turf Enlarged; age to homes and businesses that “we still have a lot of work to do.” logue regarding subscription bussing special session to be held on Tuesday, resulted in several million dollars Looking forward, Mayor service ensued. October 4, at 7 p.m. in the Beechwood in clean-up costs, Mayor Daniel Aschenbach said the newly-formed Newly hired Chief School Admin- School Media Center. A second ses- ‘Supermarket Suit is Over’ Aschenbach laid out a series of ac- task force looking into the future of istrator (CSA) Nancy Lubarsky was sion is tentatively scheduled for Thurs- By CHRISTINA M. HINKE beth to Newark Airport and it would tions that are being taken or are the municipal building will an- not present, as her contract does not day, October 13, for the second vacant Specially Written for The Westfield Leader stop in each town with parking. She under consideration to address a nounce its recommendations in 60 begin until November 14. Departing seat. The public is invited to the special GARWOOD – The council voted said Roselle Park and Cranford are variety of issues arising from last days. The ground floor of the build- CSA Jeanette Baubles was present sessions but there will be no public Tuesday night to amend the agree- very interested. She said the bus would month’s severe flooding. ing was severely damaged in the and will continue her responsibilities comments allowed or video recordings ment with Kinsey Associates for en- run along North Avenue in Garwood, At the township committee’s storm, resulting in multiple munici- until November 3. taken. gineering and landscape services that and in other towns NJ Transit has meeting on Tuesday, the mayor said pal offices being relocated to tem- Board President James Ruban an- Afterwards, the board will decide will expand the turf field at the ath- land it could use for the route. the township government is seek- porary trailers in the municipal nounced that the board has accepted who will complete the term of the first letic field complex “to as big as it can A labor attorney to assist with po- ing additional assistance from parking lot. The task force, the the resignation of board member Mary vacant seat. The board did not know get,” Mayor Patricia Quattrocchi told lice negotiations was approved by higher levels of government to help mayor said, is being asked to “think Beth Schaumberg. The board could whether another advertisement will The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times. the council on the consent agenda defray the costs of the cleanup from outside the box” about a building not accept the resignation prior to Tues- have to be posted. She did not have exact dimensions during the regular meeting. “It would the August 27-28 storm, which he that is located adjacent to a river day because procedures cannot take “If we need to advertise,” Mr. Ruban but said it would not affect the budget be in our benefit this year,” the mayor said was a “substantially larger prone to flooding. place until there is a public meeting. stated, “we will set that up so that they for the field. said during the workshop. “Especially storm” than the September 1999 There will be a meeting soon to The board previously accepted the res- correspond with our next meeting on “The supermarket litigation is with the changes that came down tropical storm Floyd.