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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, June 11, 2015 OUR 125th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 24-2015 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Mayor, Resident Discuss State of Downtown Area By DOMINIC A. LAGANO ness district. It’s something that needs thing that we have to consider.” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader to be considered,” Mr. Harrington said. When questioned by Mayor Andrew WESTFIELD — During its regular Mr. Harrington stated that with the Skibitsky about his recommendations conference session Tuesday evening, advent of online shopping and online for a solution, Mr. Harrington replied the town council discussed the state of banking, “we’ve lost six banks in town that the Downtown Westfield Corpora- the downtown area and the prospect of in the last six years,” and the “huge tion (DWC) should, “come up with luring new businesses to it. consolidation” of medical practices is some facts for the council – what is The question was raised by resident causing a “major impact on towns.” going on.” He also suggested that the Tim Harrington during the public com- Mr. Harrington continued, “When DWC hire someone to conduct “a seri- ments portion of the council’s confer- you start looking around you can spot ous survey” to determine solutions. ence session. Mr. Harrington said he some vacant spaces, but I know some The DWC is the management entity was concerned about the future of the more that are coming that haven’t been of the Special Improvement District downtown and equated it to the City of announced yet. I don’t have the an- (SID), an area downtown which covers Plainfield. swer, but I’ve identified a problem that most of the businesses in Westfield. “I’m beginning to wonder whether really needs to get addressed…In sum- In addition to promoting events such Westfield today is what Plainfield was mary, I think that may be the most as Girls Night Out, the Downtown 5K in the early sixties in the central busi- fundamental crucial issue…it is some- Run and Pizza Extravaganza, the Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival and the like, the DWC regularly promotes the Town of Westfield to attract new businesses to the SID. As covered in the February 26 edi- tion of The Westfield Leader, the DWC also prepares a yearly report which is Courtesy of Stu Mooney forwarded to the New Jersey Depart- GIRL POWER...This group of girls gather in the backyard of Michael and Tara Rohwetter’s home on Golf Edge in ment of Community Affairs, the orga- Westfield on Saturday afternoon prior to going to the senior prom. nization that oversees New Jersey’s Special Improvement Districts through- out the state. According to that report, in 2014 20 businesses closed in the past year and Bruns Named Assistant Admin., 33 new ones were created in Westfield’s downtown area, for a net gain of 13 businesses. Senior Housing Open June 25 There was an average 2.59-percent vacancy rate last year, accounting for 42,918 square feet of retail space that By BRIAN TRUSDELL resolution would be introduced at the and Internet forums that DPW Su- was available. Eighty-four building Specially Written for The Westfield Leader council’s next meeting on Tuesday, perintendent Fred Corbitt was being Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader rehabilitations and one new construc- GARWOOD – Borough Treasurer June 23, to formalize the appoint- dismissed and replaced by Fanwood’s FRESH BREAD...This customer admires bread from Hoboken Farms at tion project were completed last year. Sandy Bruns has been recommended ment. DPW management. Cranford’s first ever Sunday morning farmers’ market held in the South In all, the SID investments and rein- as the in-house staff member to be- “She is the CFO, treasurer and, “Unfortunately, at this time, they Avenue train station parking lot. The market is sponsored by the Cranford vestments, including new purchases, come the borough’s assistant admin- next to the administrator, has the most are not able to comment on that,” Ms. Community Connection. accounted for $4,841,404 last year. istrator, a newly created position that knowledge of the borough functions Ariemma said. “I think that we’re all aware the retail will serve as a backup to Borough and the government procedures, mak- She did say the matter would be up paradigm is changing, no doubt about Clerk Christina Ariemma. ing her the obvious choice,” Mrs. for discussion at the June 23 council Board Okays Applications, that,” Mayor Skibitsky stated. Administrative Review Commit- Tarantino said. meeting, but also said the discussion “Westfield, even though we do have tee Chairwoman Ann Tarantino put The resolution also will set the could be in open or closed session. some vacancies, our occupancy rate is forth Ms. Bruns’ name at Tuesday’s compensation for the position at “The proposal, if accepted, will Rejects Bi-Level Expansion CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 borough council meeting, saying a $4,500 annually, Mrs. Tarantino said. not result in any reduction of services This amount will be in addition to her provided by the Department of Pub- salary as borough treasurer. lic Works,” Ms. Ariemma said in her By DELL SIMEONE The home is preserved and histori- BOE Honors Top Teachers, The announcement came in a rela- prepared statement. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader cally correct, he said. The couple would tively short hour-long meeting in In other action, the council unani- WESTFIELD – The zoning board like to add a gambrel roof which would which Ms. Ariemma also spoke about mously approved the $59,000 pur- met on Monday evening and had a full not change the footprint of the garage. Discusses Proposed Bond Ref. a public works shared service agree- chase of a police dispatch console roster of applications. The meeting Board Chairman William Heinbokel ment with Fanwood. Reading from a and related equipment and the issu- lasted until 11:30 p.m. Several applica- said, “It’s a different way of dealing By DELL SIMEONE participants believe the district is ful- prepared statement, Ms. Ariemma ance of a bond to cover the cost. The tions were carried to the Monday, July with the problem.” Their neighbor, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader filling its mission of helping students said the details were not ready for issue had been discussed previously 13 meeting. Shawn Flaherty, testified that he sup- WESTFIELD – The board of edu- to reach their highest potential and to public discussion, but that there have on several occasions. The following applications were ported the new construction. cation met on Tuesday evening and become well-balanced, productive been negotiations with Fanwood for The council also gave Ms. Ariemma approved: Francesco and Lisa Flora Mola, of honored district teachers, heard the and responsible citizens. “certain management functions and approval to sign the lease agreement Barry and Jennifer Jaruzelski, 210 108 Surrey Lane, were approved to result of a community survey and Dana Sullivan, business adminis- other matters in the Department of with the Burger King restaurant on South Euclid Avenue, sought approval build a first-floor addition and a front presented rationale for a proposed trator, said it was necessary for the Public Works.” North Avenue for the leasing of 36 to construct a steeper sloped roof above porch. Mr. Mola said they want to bond ordinance. district to have a bond ordinance be- Council members held a closed parking spaces that would be made their existing garage. They wish to improve the aesthetics and functional- Board President Richard cause a number of high-priority capi- executive session at the last council available to commuters. install a lift to store a vehicle which will ity of their home. The ordinance re- Mattessich presented Christine tal projects must be done in the next meeting on May 26 to discuss a shared A resolution setting the cost to bring a vehicle to the upper story. Mr. quires a rear-yard setback of 35 feet Cabrales with the Optimist Club of 12 to 24 months. She said capital services agreement with Fanwood but commuters has yet to be introduced. Jaruzelski said that the home is historic where the Molas proposed 29 feet. The Westfield’s intermediate school projects cannot be funded through no details were disclosed. Additionally, the council debated and the driveway is long and narrow. ordinance requires a maximum FAR Teacher-of-The-Year Award. Ms. the operating budget because of the At Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor applying for a Union County match- He said parking in the front yard is not (floor area ratio) of 37 percent, where Cabrales is a physical education 2-percent cap on tax levy increases. Charles Lombardo, council members ing grant for recreation improvements permitted and if a third car was parked they proposed 39.4 percent. Their ar- and health teacher at the Edison Ms. Sullivan said the average age of nor Ms. Ariemma would neither con- and enhancements. Council President behind the home it would be impos- chitect, P.J. Kumar, said they would Intermediate School. He also pre- the district buildings is 77 years. firm nor deny reports on local blogs CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 sible to back out without driving across like to enhance the architecture. Right sented the same award to Erika There are 7,000 students and staff the patio. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Hodges, a language arts teacher at who use these buildings daily. She the Roosevelt Intermediate School. said 40 percent of the principal and Antony Farag, a social studies interest cost for most projects is avail- teacher at Westfield High School, able through state debt service aid.

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