CEICE V SEP 0 5 2002 PUBLIC LIBRARY ACLE CLARK, N.J.,VOL.12 NO. 48 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 myclark.com TWO SECTIOI Voorhees man killed in Parkway exit accid By David Learn drugs or alcohol had played a role in the accident. At 9:51 p.m., a 1999 Cadillac reportedly driven by Kiray was pronounced dead at Railway Hospital, where Managing Editor It "doesn't seem to be mechanical error. For now it just Joseph Ruggiriello, 56, of Clifton came down the ramp he was taken after the accident. A Voorhees man was killed in an accident Tuesday seems to be human error," said Trooper Sergio Fernandez behind Kiray, hit the curb, became airborne and struck Kir- night that closed Exit 135 of the Gaiden State Parkway for of the State Police Bloomfield Barracks. "There were no ay 's 1993 Corvette. Ruggiriello was taken to University Hospital in Newark nearly three hours. skid marks from the second vehicle, so I assume he passed State Police did not know how fast Ruggiriello was for treatment. Fernandez described Ruggirieiio's injuries State Police early Wednesday morning still were inves- out at some point." driving. as "basically kind of minor." tigating the cause of the accident that killed James Eiray, Fernandez said Kiray was stopped at the stop sign at the "I assume quite fast," Fernandez said. 39, of Voorhees. No determination was expected for bottom of the exit ramp from the Parkway's northbound No charges had been filed by presstime, although Fer- Also responding to the accident were the Clark Police another week, pending the results of blood tests, whether lanes at the time of the accident. nandez said charges may be pending. and Fire departments. Talks fail Council decides against on sale gift of police motorcycle By David Learn trafficked retail areas, such as Central of farm Managing Editor Avenue. The Police Department has squad By David Learn Councilman Marty Ferrara was the cars, vehicles with four-wheel drive Managing Editor first to express interest in the offer, and even bicycles, but i t' s not going to With no agreement on a selling which he felt involved no real com- be getting a motorcycle any time price in sight, the prospect of condem- mitment to a motorcycle program on soon. nation proceedings is looming ever the township's part. At its business meeting Tuesday larger over the Esposito Farm. "We're going to get a. vehicle for night, the Township Council decided Why negotations have failed to nothing. They're going to donate it to to drop from formal consideration an make any progress in recent months is us," he said. "Wouldn't it be that it offer by Woodcliff Lake-based BMW a matter of dispute. County officials would get parked if it gets too expen- 1 of North America LLC to provide blame the Esposito estate. The heirs sive to run it?" Clark police with a used motorcycle blame the county officials. Both sides sv: u. r i free of charge. But even with the motorcycle com- agree, however, that their last meeting ing for free, Councilman Peter was disastrous. Discussion on the offer, which came at the request of Police Chief Nevargic questioned the wisdom of "We're suggesting that if there are Anton "Sandy" Danco, ranged across taking an officer from a patrol car and any more negotiations, it's only at the board. As discussion continued, putting him on a motorcycle, where their request and it's between the two council members questioned the need he necessarily would have less direct attorneys," said Union County Mana- for a motorcycle, what it would cost in access to equipment. ger George Devanney. "Otherwise, terms of maintenance, and the safety we expect to go through condemna- "We now have two officers doing and efficiency factors of putting an tion proceedings." traffic patrol, and they're both officer on a motorcycle. If that happens, the Esposito heirs equipped, but if you put one of them stand to receive $4.05 million for the A letter to Danco from Frank Ste- on a motorcycle, he's not fully 13-acre farm on Madison Hill Road, vens, authority program manager for equipped ," Nevargic said. far less than they believe it is worth. BMW, explains that the bikes former- ly were used by the California High- As discussion continued, other con- "If the county elects to deposit the way Patrol are 1998 R-1100 RT-P cerns surfaced about the prospect of moneys in (lie court, we can take models, and typically have about adding a motorcycle to the police's title," Devanney said. 60,000 miles on them. fleet of vehicles, particularly what In a statement released after negoti- could amount to a tacit consent to add The motorcycles also would come ations failed Aug: 29, Joe Torelia — a permanent motorcycle division in equipped with lights and i sirs; sys- whose wife, Fran Torelia, is one of the the Police Department. tem and are "in quite excellent condi- late Peter Esposito's daughters — Mioto By Bob Hclfich tion," according to the letter. "When that motorcycle finally called the county's threat of condem- Meg Kolaya will leave Clark Public Library this October for Scotch Plains Public Library, retires, the Police Department will ask nation proceedings "communism at Adding a motorcycle to the Police where she wili be its new director. for another, perhaps two," said Mayor its best," and accused Devanney of Department's fleet of vehicles would Sal Bonaccorso. "You're going to be having no intention to negotiate. add no extra insurance costs, said Township Administrator John making a commitment for the bike." Both sides agreed the meeting Laezza. Bonaccorso said he saw no need for lasted fewer than 10 minutes. At the end of a chapter Lt. Jerry Scaturo, who came to the the bike. "Prior to our meeting, he has canceled several other meetings and meeting in Danco's place, said the The council decided to have Laezza has decided to make the issue all Library director will leave post for Scotch Plains police chief had been considering the write a letter to BMW, declining the about money," stated Torelia. "And motorcycle for use in Clark's heavily offer. By David Learn so the land the Esposito sisters hoped Managing Editor would carry their father's name and After only five years at the job, Clark Public Library 'In no way is my leaving a maybe a plaque or something will be Director Meg Kolaya has decided it's time to spread her Town: Clean yards snatched away." result of any political pressures wings and move on. County officials meanwhile in an Kolaya will be leaving Clark to become the director or machinations. It's really the Aug. 29 letter to attorney John Fal- of Scotch Plains Public Library. Her resignation will be right time for me to go ahead mean fewer rodents zone Jr., similarly accused the Esposi- effective Oct. 14. No one has been appointed to take her The Clark Health Department is coons, opossums -skunks, ground- to heirs of coming to negotiations in place yet. and grow professionally.' urging residents to clean up their back hogs, moles 's and rabbits. bad faith. "It was a very difficult decision because I've spent — Library Director Meg Kolaya yards and make them as inhospitable Clark also oupports a large rodent "There was no justification for your 5lA years here, and they have been very productive as possible to rodents. population. clients' crude, vulgar and gross growing years for me as an individual," Kolaya said. "I The advisory comes' after the Rabies is a viral disease which is Township Council voted in February not to issue mun- actions in referring to Mr. Devanney really wanted it to be a positive thing for me." department has received numerous transmitted through virus-laden saliva and myself as the 'epitome of greed,' icipal bonds to finance the expansion project The library as she leaves it is a very different one complaints from residents regarding of a rabid animal introduced by a bite calling him 'despicable,' or referring "I think there's probably no doubt that if we were in from what Kolaya encountered when she started in encounters with wildlife and rodents, or a scratch. All warm-blooded ani- to the posterior portions of my ana- the midst of construction, it would be very difficult to 1997. particularly rats. mals can be infected by the rabies tomy," Deputy County Counsel walk away," Kolaya said. virus. "One of the first things I noticed was the physical Health Officer Nancy Ogonowski Joseph Ascione wrote. "It is obvious Even as she expressed confidence the expansion pro- Some simple precautions that can facility, which was in deplorable shape," she said. believes the incidents have been that they had no intentions of nego- ject eventually would happen, she waxed thoughtful on be taken to discourage wildlife and Among the problems she recalls were a roof that prompted by the severe drought con- tiating, but only to vent their the vote earlier this year that has prevented the construc- rodent harborage and protect your leaked, an air-conditioning system that did not work and ditions facing New Jersey. With the frustration." tion for the time being. family and pets from rabies include walls that had not been painted in 20 years. Additional- exception of recent showers, Clark Devanney confessed himself sur- vaccinating pets against the disease ly, the railing on the library's second floor had gaps of "Every town has politics.