Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, February 2, 2006 OUR 116th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 05-2006 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Dr. Foley Explains Budget Process During Q&A Session By MEGHAN GILL district increase ratables, what effi- managed care program. The district Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ciencies were instituted since the last also provides a New Teacher Institute, WESTFIELD —Superintendent of budget, how much is the budget af- a program that highlights differentiated Schools William Foley held a public fected by out-of-district placements instruction. information session, “Understanding and what can the community do to get The district spends $15 million on the Numbers,” on Monday night at the more funding from the state? “Good special education, or 21 percent of its Westfield High School auditorium with communication makes good decision budget. The federal mandate, Dr. Foley an audience of around 60 members of making,” Dr. Foley said. explained, is that every child from the the public and press, and a full board The budget is based upon board age of three to 21 is entitled to special of education turnout. education, however, the gov- “Tonight’s meeting is one ernment funding for these ser- of the new efforts suggested vices is only 7 percent, so the to us in November,” Board local taxpayer picks up the dif- President Anne Riegel said ference. as she introduced Dr. Foley. A member of the public Mrs. Riegel pointed out asked Dr. Foley, what the pen- that the board received more alty would be if the district than 140 e-mails from the did not provide special edu- public regarding the 2005- cation services to pupils. 2006 budget outcomes, in- “The penalty is that the dis- cluding many suggestions trict breaks the law. We have Michael J. Pollack for The Westfield Leader about how to improve the to do it…I can’t deny a child UNBELIEVABLE WEATHER...A family enjoys the record-breaking warm weather at Mindowaskin Park on Monday budget process, such as ex- services because the state afternoon, as temperatures reached 64 degrees. tending voting hours, hold- isn’t paying for it … a practi- ing budget meetings in pub- cal strategy? More advocacy.” lic, rather than in private Dr. Foley said the cost of DWC Welcomes New Members, Meghan Gill for The Westfield Leader committee, and more pub- HOW THINGS WORK...Dr. William Foley, superintendent out-of-district placements for lic involvement in the pro- of Westfield schools, discusses how the budget process works. special needs pupils can reach cess. “We really want to $58,000 annually. “We need develop a budget that people want,” goals, recommendations from the pub- to look and try to control costs,” he Discusses Parking Issues Mrs. Riegel stated. lic, state and federal mandates and said. New programs to keep students By GINA LEVINE-LEVY voiced his frustration with the down- challenge would be “reorganizing our Dr. Foley’s goals of the evening enrollment figures, Dr. Foley ex- in the district are the high-school Specially Written for The Westfield Leader town parking situation. “We can opti- assets to see where that lot would be.” were to “help you understand the plained. He said “86 percent of our “Bridge and Prep” and the pre-school WESTFIELD — During its annual mize all we want, but that’s no pana- He added that the suggestion is “not budget process, help us determine if budget funding comes from local prop- autistic “Leaps and Bounds” programs, reorganization meeting Monday cea for lack of parking.” unreasonable.” our budget information is clear, en- erty tax, 6 percent from the state, 3 which have saved the district $608,642. evening, the Downtown Westfield Cor- Councilman Caruana said that since During citizens’ open discussion, courage us to stay informed and in- percent from the federal government “We need to hire more therapists as poration (DWC) welcomed new board the parking deck referendum failed, property owner Gary Goodman said vite you to communicate with us dur- and 5 percent from other sources.” employees versus sending children to members Sal Caruana (town council “we have to work with what we have. that his inability to lease parking ing the budget process.” Starting salaries for teachers are consultants,” he said. liaison), Ted Schlosberg and Diane This is the reality of our parking situ- spaces to his tenants is forcing him to The presentation began with Dr. $49,000, the highest in the state, and Some shared services that have been Barabas. Town Administrator James Foley taking questions from the pub- the cost of education is $5,673 per implemented with the town are plow- Gildea, who will also sit on the board, lic, and subsequently addressing dur- pupil for classroom staff, with the state ing and tree maintenance, Dr. Foley was absent due to the birth of his baby. ing his town-hall style presentation. average being slightly higher at $5,833. explained. Other possible shared ser- David Martone and Joseph Spector Among the questions raised by the Dr. Foley also mentioned that health vices for the future would be field will remain chairman and vice chair- public were how can more services care benefits dominate costs, even maintenance, recreation and gymna- man, respectively. Lee Hale was be shared with the town, how can ther though 65 percent of teachers are in the sium maintenance. named treasurer and Dominick Verdic Another area of expense for the was re-named secretary. district is the rise in utility costs under In other business, Councilman Lancaster, Ltd. to Close; the facilities and maintenance portion Caruana, the chairman of the town of the budget. Westfield resident Rob- council’s parking and traffic safety ert Nehring proposed that the district committee, said the town plans to Owner David Sutter to Retire invest in solar paneling for facilities, oversell parking permits for employee By AMY O’BRIEN over the years.” which could allow for a 70 percent lots and issue “conditional” permits. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader The G.A. Wright Company from rebate and could represent a signifi- He said the idea is to see what “utili- WESTFIELD – After 45 years of Denver, CO was brought in to run the cant cost savings for the district. zation we can squeeze out of them.” helping residents mark birthdays, an- closing sale of the store, which be- The sale of 302 Elm Street, where He explained that if permit-holders niversaries, graduations and more, gins Thursday, February 2. The store’s the district’s administrative officers cannot find parking as a result, then Paul J. Peyton for The Westfield Leader they will get permission to park at a KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR…The Downtown Westfield Corporation held Lancaster, Ltd. is shutting its doors. selection of cards, gifts and holiday are located, as early as this spring its first meeting of the year. Pictured, left to right, are: Town Councilman Sal The Elm Street store, which was merchandise will be marked down 20 could give the district a ratable of meter for that day. Caruana; David Martone, chairman; Joe Spector, vice chairman; Dominick Verdic, opened in 1961 by two brothers from to 75 percent. As preparations for the around $8 million. This funding would “The key is to get one call a day. If secretary; Diane Barabas; Frank Arena; Lee Hale, treasurer, and Ted Schlossberg. Hartford, Connecticut, and purchased sale continued throughout the week, be channeled for capital projects, not that happens, then we’ve done our by Westfield resident Bob Haines in customers kept knocking on the door salaries, Dr. Foley clarified. job,” he explained, adding that the ation,” given the defeat of a parking rent to a “lower class of tenants.” the early 1970s, has been an anchor and phoning to express their disap- Monday’s presentation will air on idea is to fill the lots to capacity. deck referendum in 2004 by voters. He said these tenants may “abuse the of downtown long enough to have pointment and wish Mr. Sutter luck. TV Channel 36 over the weekend. Mr. Spector, a business owner, Mr. Caruana suggested that the system” if they don’t have an assigned seen generations of Westfield resi- One of them, Mary Gare of town as a whole should “stop being space, by continually feeding meters. dents celebrate and mark thousands Garwood, summed up the general parking-obsessed.” “Your rules have cut me out of the of holidays and milestones. consensus, “I’m saddened, but it’s Fed Grand Jury Indicts Later, business-owner Mr. system,” he said, adding that he thought “I’m retiring – going out on the time to leave while you still enjoy it.” Schlosberg suggested a reduced-cost he was an “asset” to the town when he high side,” said owner Dave Sutter, a Mr. Sutter – who bought the build- parking area for employees. He said could attract more professional ten- former Hallmark Executive who pur- ing, which houses Lancaster in 1997 ‘Prodigy’ On More Charges many employees without permits ants who used parking permits. chased the store in 1985. “I can’t – says he is in negotiations with two By DEBORAH MADISON worry about parking tickets. Mr. Martone responded by saying Specially Written for The Westfield Leader sued by “defense intelligence” and stated emphasize enough how supportive people to lease the space. But only that his orders were to contact DAO Councilman Caruana said that the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 the town has been. Twenty years ago retailers need apply.