Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, November 19, 2009 OUR 119th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 47-2009 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS BOE: Health Insurance Hikes Could Lead to Layoffs in District By CHRISTINA M. HINKE last five years to combat rising pre- receive insurance as well as does Specially Written for The Westfield Leader miums, according to Board Presi- their replacement. Premiums in the WESTFIELD – The town’s board dent Ginny Leiz. Although she said Westfield school district are lower of education stressed concerns over she acknowledged the staff for sup- than average, Mr. Lawrie said, and rising healthcare costs as it heard an porting the board’s decision to the percentage of health insurance to update on the current school year’s, change carriers, she said she under- the operating budget is “typical.” 2009-2010, school budget, which was stood “it’s not easy [for the insured] The district offers staff an indem- presented on Tuesday. to change carriers.” nity or a point of service (POS) plan, Over the last eight school calen- Last year the district switched from with a majority of staff (about 70 dar years, health insurance costs have Cigna to Horizon Blue Cross Blue percent) opting for the POS, which is increased about 5 percent when com- Shield to save over $1 million, ac- offered at a lower cost than the in- pared to the district’s total operating cording to the district’s insurance demnity plan. budget, and went up from $6.5 mil- broker, Mark Lawrie of Willis of While the board was able to offset lion eight years ago (2002-2003) to New Jersey, Inc. Part of Cigna’s in- some cost increases, the district still the current cost of $13.1 million, or crease was due to an abundance of saw an increase in insurance costs of 15.5 percent, of the operating bud- use of the insurance plan, Board Sec- about $1.3 million, Superintendent get. retary Robert Berman said, which he of Schools Margaret Dolan said. The district has changed insur- said was partly due to an increase of Rates will continue to increase in ance carriers three times over the teachers on child-rearing leave who the near future, Mr. Lawrie said, estimating cost increases from 7 to 45 percent. This poses a problem for the state’s school districts, as they have to meet a state-mandated cap of 4 percent in supporting budgets Courtesy of Albert Paglialunga through taxes. He said that in order PROUD AND THANK YOU...Jefferson School’s Pack 673 Cub Scouts, waving American Flags and holding handmade to meet the cap, some districts are signs, were eager to thank the returning troops of the 102nd Cavalry during the parade last Saturday in Westfield. laying off staff. “That’s what we’re facing,” Ms. Dolan acknowledged. Later, board member Richard Freeholders OK Homeless Trust Solomon also noted that should in- surance continue to increase, the dis- trict would be forced to lay off teach- ers and administrators. Fund, $1.75 Mil. Land Purchases In the Westfield school district, By PAUL J. PEYTON “This (trust fund) provides for vari- away with the MusicFest and put that personnel accounts for 79.3 percent Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ous activities for homelessness that money towards the homeless,” Mrs. of the total operating budget for 2009- ELIZABETH — Union County has not been available (due to a lack Renna said. She said the board should 2010, costing the district $66.9 mil- became the second county in the state of funding),” he said. Mr. Guzzo said consider that property taxes are “re- lion, including salaries (60.8 percent) last Thursday to pass a resolution to the county, with the help of its com- gressive” and that “when you raise and benefits (18.5 percent). The total create a homeless trust fund. The munity-based organizations, has been property taxes we all pay the same Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader operating budget is $84.5 million, not fund will aid in finding permanent successful in applying for and receiv- rate, so these vulnerable people are TIME TO GO...The 109-year-old water tower on North Avenue in Garwood is including bonds. The total budget housing for an average daily home- ing $15 million in grants to assist affected more than anyone.” She said taken down on Tuesday, as traffic was diverted in the morning. Long a part of the approved in the April election, in- less population of 1,100 in the county, homeless families over the past five the freeholders have raised taxes 70 landscape but no longer functional and in disrepair, the 100-foot tower had served cluding bonds, was $86.6 million. according to Frank Guzzo, director years. percent over the past decade. to provide fire protection for the factories in the borough. The district employs a staff of 787, of human services for the county. The county also established the In other business, the board passed including 386 regular-education The trust fund will be entirely first Code Blue program in the state. a resolution supporting a national teachers, which Human Resources funded through a $3 surcharge on all Through the program, the county and healthcare plan in an effort to “sup- Director Barbara Ball called “a good- document transactions processed towns work together to offer shelter port a reduction of long-term growth Main Street Accreditation size number.” She shared with the through the Union County Clerk’s to homeless persons from freezing of healthcare costs and to assure af- board the stories of the commitment Office as stipulated through legisla- temperatures during winter months. fordable, quality health coverage for teachers in the district have to stu- tion signed by Governor Jon Corzine “This resolution…will bring all Americans.” Being Reviewed for DWC dents’ learning. in September. Mr. Guzzo said, based needed dollars that will be spent lo- John Bury of Kenilworth said al- By WAYNE BAKER façade renovations at the Mademoi- In Special Services, as of October on 80,000 documents filed last year cally for those services that are sorely though the nation has what he termed Specially Written for The Westfield Leader selle Building and upcoming and re- 15, the district has 92 students placed with the county clerk’s office, the $3 needed to help people that need our a “dysfunctional healthcare system,” WESTFIELD — Monday evening’s cent promotions. Sherry Cronin, in out-of-district services and 895 in- surcharge “would have brought in help,” Mr. Guzzo told the board. the proposed healthcare plan “is a Downtown Westfield Corporation DWC executive director, said the res- district. Special Services make up approximately $243,000.” Susana Castillo of Perth Amboy, joke.” (DWC) board meeting featured visit- toration of the building containing $7.9 million of the budget. In addition to Union and Passaic, who runs the children’s program “Without removal of the insurance ing representatives from the National the Mademoiselle store at 107 East Other line items of the budget are: Mr. Guzzo said seven other counties through the Elizabeth Coalition to companies anti-trust exemption, noth- Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Broad Street is nearing completion. Facilities, $2.9 million; Transporta- are in the process of approving trust House the Homeless, thanked the ing is going to happen,” Mr. Bury told Street program’s national and state This is a major façade restoration, CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 funds. board for “having the vision and to the board. “Any debate without offices. The Westfield Main Street pro- and includes painting, removal of the not only develop a homeless trust acknowledgement of the McCarran- gram began in 1993 in an effort to Tudor-styled awning, replacement of fund but to also fund it.” She said the Ferguson Act is useless.” revitalize the downtown, and the DWC architectural details such as corbels Enrichment Center Closes; trust fund would assist in funding The federal statute, created in 1945, was formed to oversee the town’s ini- and cornices, and replacement of the case management, house searching exempts insurance companies from tiative. storefront. and other support services. the federal anti-trust legislation that The Main Street representatives DWC board members also dis- Parents, Tutors Owed Money Representing the Housing and applies to most businesses and allows were in Westfield as part of their cussed having the business’s owners, By PAUL J. PEYTON $1,400 for work hours not compen- Community Development Network, state laws to regulate the business of regular review of Main Street Com- Mitchell and Amy Mankin, make a Specially Written for The Westfield Leader sated by Mrs. Sigal. Vito Gallo said, currently, 50 percent insurance without federal government munities. Kathy La Plante was re- few additional changes to the store- WESTFIELD — The Enrichment David Wald, a spokesman for the of all renters in Union County pay interference. viewing Westfield on behalf of the front. Completion of the work is an- Center, previously located on Central New Jersey Attorney General’s Of- more than 30 percent of their income The board also approved a total national Main Street program, and ticipated within the next several Avenue in Westfield, has shut its doors. fice in Trenton, which oversees the in rent. He also said the foreclosure appropriation of $1.74 million for was joined by Heather McCall, the weeks. Owner Elaine Sigal sent an e-mail to Division of Consumer Affairs, said problem in the area is far from over, three land purchases totaling five New Jersey representative.