Grace Orthodox Subdivision, Two New Homes Approved Westfield
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, June 16, 2016 OUR 126th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 24-2016 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Westfield BOE Interviews Slater Replacements, Honors Teachers By RACHEL LOGAN meeting, intends to make a decision “We’re really hopeful,” Mrs. Ohlig Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and announce the replacement at its said. WESTFIELD — The school board Tuesday, June 21 gathering. During the open meeting, Mr. Slater privately interviewed 11 possible re- Mr. Slater, who has served on the announced that one of his long-term placements on Tuesday for resigning board since 2010 and has six months goals was coming to fruition. member Mitch Slater, including one remaining on his term, announced on There is to be a “bring your own former member and others who had April 26 his intention to resign effective device,” or BYOD, pilot program at been “really active in the district,” BOE June 30 because of “work-related Edison Intermediate School during a President Gretchan Ohlig said. projects” in the fall. week in June. The BYOD program is Without identifying individuals by Mr. Slater heads the board’s technol- already in effect at Westfield High name, Mrs. Ohlig said one candidate ogy committee and is a member of the School. had served on the board “in the 1990s” budget and finance, and long-range Mr. Slater said the program is to be and two were active through the Parent planning committees. He is also the “an authentic opportunity to enhance Teacher Organization (PTO). Addition- alternate for the curriculum committee learning.” ally there were “more than a few” busi- and board liaison to Tamaques Elemen- The devices are to be used with les- nessmen, a lawyer, an educator and an tary School. sons, and students are to follow “digital “elementary school principal from an- Mrs. Ohlig said that many of the citizenship” responsibility guidelines. other district.” candidates were technology-savvy in- “I believe this is the future of educa- Mrs. Ohlig said the board, which dividuals, making them possibly good tion in the public school system,” he conducted the interviews in the late substitutes into the technology com- said to the board. He then thanked his afternoon prior to the regular open mittee. committee, saying that he is “so, so proud of everything we’ve been able to do.” In other news, the board honored educators in the district who had re- ceived various awards. The Westfield Optimists Club recog- Rachel Logan for The Westfield Leader nized Roosevelt Intermediate School ALL GRINS…The Westfield Board of Education on Tuesday recognized several teachers who had been honored for their Spanish teacher Christine Cassu and work during the school year. Pictured, left to right, are: Christopher Vitale, Christopher Tafelski, Scott Rutherford, Edison Intermediate School Language Christine Cassu and Erin Meade. Maria Martinez (not pictured) was also honored. Arts teacher Erin Meade for their work. Mrs. Cassu said she felt “truly blessed to be part of the growth since 1994”, Grace Orthodox Subdivision, when joined district as the language program in the elementary and middle schools was in its first steps. Mrs. Meade was recognized for her Two New Homes Approved authenticity and respect for her stu- dents. In acknowledging her recogni- By DELL SIMEONE spaces are required by ordinance. 100-year-old trees, and he challenged Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Brian Trusdell for The Westfield Leader tion, she read an acrostic poem for the “What if the church is sold in the engineer Tom Quinn’s depiction of PARK PROCEDING…Garwood Historical Committee Bruce Paterson, stand- word “Outstanding.” WESTFIELD – The Grace Ortho- future? There would be no place to the property as having no problems ing with microphone, acted as master of ceremonies on Sunday at the rededication Some of her students read excerpts dox Presbyterian Church on Boule- put a parking lot,” he said. that would compromise the construc- of the Garwood Sports and Recreation Complex. of letters they had written to Mrs. Meade vard was granted permission by the Reverend Timothy Ferguson, the tion of new homes. about how fun her class was to be in zoning board of adjustment Monday pastor, told the board the church was Mr. Stavenick said there is water each day. to subdivide its lot into three par- established in 1936 and moved to its runoff from the property and under- Cranford PD Announces Four teachers at Westfield High cels, shrinking the plot for the church present location somewhere between ground streams that could compro- School also were recognized for their and allowing two new single-family 1947 and 1951. He said over the mise new construction. Mr. Quinn achievement: Christopher Tafelski, homes to be constructed to its rear years the congregation had dwindled maintained there is adequate drain- Retirees, Advancements Scott Rutherford, Christopher Vitale facing Summit Avenue. from about 200 members to approxi- age and swales would be created to and Maria Martinez. The matter occupied most of the mately 30. manage any water runoff. By CHRISTINA M. HINKE officer, as recommended to the town- “I wear a lot of hats,” Mr. Tafelski meeting, which lasted until the maxi- He said the church is active on The board’s okay came with the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ship in its two-year plan last year, but said referring to his work as both sci- mum 11 p.m. and required eight other Sunday mornings and is rented out requirement that shade tree commis- CRANFORD – The Cranford Po- the township denied the request, ence teacher and track coach. The alum- applications be postponed and re- to another congregation on Sunday sion approve the removal of any trees. lice Department announced two retir- Mayor Kalnins told The Leader. nus has taught at Westfield High School scheduled to the Monday, July 11 afternoons. In other actions, the board also ing officers, one advancement and At the May 9 workshop meeting, since 2003. meeting. He said the sale would allow the permitted Welington Soalheiro to add two new hires at the township com- Chief Wozniak said the extra officer “I had such good teachers, they made The request was granted, by a 6- church to continue to exist, that it is a third-story addition to his home at mittee meeting Tuesday. Police Of- would allow the police department to (teaching) look easy,” he said. to-1 vote, over the lone dissenting beneficial to the area and shares 811 Walberg Avenue where only two ficer Patrick Fay and Detective Gerard start a community outreach unit out Mr. Tafelski pioneered an exercise vote of board member Robert events with the neighborhood. He stories are permitted. His attorney Quinn have retired. Sergeant Joseph of the investigative unit that could and sports science class that has at- Benacchio, whose biggest objection testified that churchgoers park on Stephen Hehl explained that much Stulpin advanced from a detective, work weekends to investigate alco- tracted over 200 students in its three was to the absence of a parking lot the street, mostly on Midvale Way of the basement is above ground serving 14 years with the department. hol and drug problems in the town- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 for the current church when 113 on the west side of the church which which results in the second story Chief James Wozniak said Sgt. ship. “We do have a serious narcotics is situated at the intersection of being called the third story. Mr. Hehl Shulpin is, “patient, kind, polite, pro- problem in town, not only marijuana Midvale and Boulevard. said that story is five feet below the fessional and helpful.” He has served but drinking underage,” Chief He said the lack of a parking lot height of an actual third story. on the Police Athletic League, PBA Wozniak said at the workshop meet- Reconstruction Work on does not present a problem. In addition to the third story, the 52, the Jaycees, and is trained in wa- ing in early May, and, “four young The new homes would be con- application required several vari- ter rescue, among other training and people were sent to the hospital with structed facing Summit Avenue to ances, including ones for a 14.10- commendations. alcoholism poisoning.” He also said Trader Joe’s Finally Begins the rear of the church, planner Mike foot front-yard setback instead of Probationary Patrolmen Shayne there is an influx of financial crimes, Latovia testified. the required 33.5 feet; a maximum Temple and Joseph Sherbo were se- and that the new 24-hour convenience By BRIAN TRUSDELL “The permits have been ready for Boulevard resident Ed Stavenick building coverage of 22.8 percent Specially Written for The Westfield Leader lected to join the Cranford Police stores proposed in the township also many, many weeks,” Mr. Gildea said. said the vacant lots contain many tall CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Department, which now has 51 po- require additional patrol. At the time, WESTFIELD — Work on the re- “It’s very complicated with a col- lice officers after Tuesday’s announce- Deputy Mayor Mary O’Connor and construction of the building that lapse of this type. There are a lot of ments. The department’s 2016 bud- Commissioner John Mallon said they housed Trader Joe’s between Elm and insurance issues. I guess that’s what get was approved by the committee to supported the request for the addi- Prospect streets has begun, but town took a long time.” have a department of 53 officers, tional hire.