Westfield BOE Approves Goals, Hears Statement on Violence Ciarrocca Says Parking Sales Taxes
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, October 5, 2006 OUR 116th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 40-2006 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Ciarrocca Says Parking Sales Taxes are ‘Farcical Shell Game’ By MICHAEL J. POLLACK public records. the town’s six parking categories and Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “Governor (Jon) Corzine is trying the tax’s impact on each. The town WESTFIELD – During Tuesday’s to divert the money to other sections,” delineates between commuter, em- meeting, the Westfield Town Council she said, saying that the money will ployee, meter, pay station lots, resi- reached a consensus to ask for a re- now enter the general fund. dent permits and night-owl parking. peal of sales taxes affecting parking As of October 1, state sales tax According to Mr. Cockren, “me- fees. In addition, the council heard an hikes will impact multiple town fees, tered parking is not subject to the tax; update on the White Paper reports. including commuter and employee commuter-parking permits are sub- Before the council discussed the parking permits, pay station collec- ject to the tax; pay station receipts are new mandates, Town Clerk Claire tion and pool membership, on which, subject to the tax; if an employee’s Gray said the town would object to up until now, the town did not collect parking is provided for by an em- the diversion of Public Archives and sales tax. Under the new mandate, the ployer, it is not subject to the tax, but Records Infrastructure Support state will levy a tax of 7 percent. if it is paid by the employee, it is (PARIS) Grant Program-dedicated Administrator Jim Gildea said the (taxed); residential parking permits funds. Ms. Gray said the money was tax will result “in a loss of revenue should be exempt. We didn’t reach a earmarked for deficit-records man- unless we increase rates.” conclusion on night-owl parking.” agement and archiving backups of Attorney Bob Cockren identified Third Ward Councilman Mark Ciarrocca said, “We have to have our manpower collect sales tax for the State of New Jersey so that they can reduce property taxes. To further re- duce the burden on municipalities, they’re taking more revenue. It’s ab- solutely outrageous.” Horace R. Corbin for The Westfield Leader The statute, according to Mr. PULLING STRINGS AT THE FAIR...A string sextet entertains Festifall crowds outside of the New Jersey Workshop for Cockren, does provide that “if the the Arts storefront on Sunday. municipal entity was currently col- lecting its own parking fee or tax, oddly, it was another basis to be ex- empted from the state sales tax.” He Westfield BOE Approves Goals, said Mr. Gildea then asked if the town could simply “enact its own tax.” Mr. Cockren said there is “enabling authority in the law, but limited to a Hears Statement on Violence very small group of municipalities By MEGHAN GILL He said officials will meet with the robotics program at Edison, to attract that do have their own parking sales Specially Written for The Westfield Leader kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students from Roosevelt Intermedi- tax already. They are Newark, Jersey WESTFIELD — The board of edu- staff on Monday, October 9, to de- ate School. “I am open to other sug- City and Elizabeth. However, the way cation Tuesday night listened to Su- velop the specifics of how the center gestions (from parents),” he said. the statute was crafted, it was done perintendent of Schools William will operate, meet with parents to The other board goals are to meet obviously pretty carefully only to Foley’s presentation and unanimously answer questions and form a plan- Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in approved seven goals for the 2006- ning committee for the 15-month- all schools, to develop new in-district David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader apply to the larger municipal entities AT A TURTLE’S PACE...The town of Westfield has been making in the cities and we would not, as the 2007 academic year. The plan re- long transition period, should the bond strategies to return out-of-district improvements at Tuttle Parkway, although the new street signs law stands, have the power to do it.” quires approval of a $9.4-million bond be successful. placements, to engage community denote “Turtle Parkway.” Second Ward Councilwoman Jo by the public scheduled for vote on He said some issues have been put support of the budget and to hire “key Ann Neylan asked, “Is it worth it to January 23, 2007. forth regarding the center, such as administrators in a timely manner” battle (against the taxes)? It seems so Prior to hearing the transportation and congestion. One and develop a long-term recruitment Kasko Termination Hearing unfair. It’s just thrown upon us. superintendent’s presentation, Mr. proposed idea is to bus only students plan. “There is a real dearth of ca- There’s going to be outcry.” Foley made a statement regarding from the north-side schools, and with pable school administrators out there,” Mayor Andy Skibitsky replied that school violence. “I have asked all our possible pick-up and drop-off points Mr. Foley said. Postponed Until Oct. 20 he would “strongly consider drafting staff to be alert to potential security at their neighborhood schools. The board also approved exempt- By PAUL J. PEYTON department’s attorney, objected to the a resolution asking the governor to problems,” he said. Regarding traffic congestion, Mr. ing the cheerleading squad from Specially Written for The Westfield Leader delay, saying Mr. Kasko had the GPS repeal the tax.” He said the town “Currently, we have cameras and Foley said that it would be a “rela- physical education classes. “I have WESTFIELD — A hearing officer information “for months.” Mr. Pope received the letter on Monday, Octo- security locks at three elementary tively small school of about 200 stu- no reservation about granting this,” has postponed a Westfield Police said he received the information in ber 2, (dated September 28) to apply schools. We hope by the end of the dents, half bussed.” He also said that Mr. Foley said. Department public disciplinary hear- August. the new sales tax on October 1. The school year to have them installed at the fence adjacent to the football field Twenty-one WHS students have ing from yesterday, October 4, for Mr. Pope said the decision of mayor said he didn’t think the resolu- all elementary schools,” he said. would be moved to create a circular been named commended students for police officer Gregory Kasko until 4 whether Mr. Kasko is terminated will tion “would do any good, but I think In his presentation of goals, Mr. driveway, easing traffic. the 2007 National Merit Scholarship p.m. on Friday, October 20. Hearing rest on testimony regarding GPS that our voice should be heard.” Foley said that the first goal – to The third board goal is to “balance Program and have been placed among officer Robert Lucid said any addi- details “whether he (Mr. Kasko) First Ward Councilman Sal Caruana “provide additional elementary space enrollment between intermediate the top 5 percent of more than 1.4 tional delays would require unpaid moved his car” out of the cemetery estimated that the tax’s “net cost by establishing an Early Childhood schools.” The first step in implement- million students who entered the 2007 suspension time for Mr. Kasko. during the time police supervisors would be about $100,000.” Center at Lincoln School ” – and the ing this goal will take place at a meet- competition by taking the 2005 pre- Mr. Kasko was suspended from said they found him sleeping. Mr. Mr. Ciarrocca said, “Taxpayers second – to “create a stronger pro- ing of fifth-grade parents on Tuesday, liminary SAT. duty with pay on July 7, accused of Pope said he might call expert wit- need to know the ramifications of gram for kindergarten and pre-school October 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Edison Escorted tours of Roosevelt will making false statements of material nesses regarding the GPS system. what happened in Trenton in July. special education at Lincoln School” Intermediate School. take place on Saturday, October 21, facts to superior officers during a As per the PBA (Police Benevolent CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 – were grouped together. The board will also modify the to allow members of the public to May administrative hearing while Association) representation charge, fifth-grade orientation and develop tour the facility. under oath. He faces termination if Mr. Kasko has been charged with choice and logistics, including the The next board meeting will take found guilty of those charges. making a “false entry in a department Freeholders Thank Donors possibility of a Chinese language pro- place at 302 Elm Street on Tuesday, Yesterday’s hearing stems from tes- report or record specifically by falsely gram and a science and technology/ October 17, at 8 p.m. timony that Mr. Kasko made at the reporting in writing to the Chief of May 25 hearing and during deposi- Police that [his] employee rights were For Expanded Trailside tions on February 28, March 22 and violated by refusal to be provided By PAUL J. PEYTON dation, which gave $6,000. Recreation Comm. OK’s April 18. All were related to charges with PBA representation.” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader In other business, Mr. Mirabella he received for failure to back up Mr. Kasko was the subject of a MOUNTAINSIDE – The Union announced that the board would as- another patrol car for a motor vehicle public disciplinary hearing conducted County Freeholder Board last Thurs- sume responsibility for removing deer Memorial Park Master Plan stop while allegedly sleeping in his March 20 on charges that he demon- day congratulated the many county carcasses from local roads in Union By NORDETTE N.