Enjoy reading about your town? Get the Observer delivered to your mailbox. Call 908-668-0010. •CAR-RT LOT"C 026 c17p17s1075 Sp Public Library Or Current Occupant 2484 PlainfieM Ave South Plainfield S PtaiofieW NJ 07080-3531 VOL. 15, NO. 47 Member New Jersey PressSERVE Association 60 CENTS RJULY 20,2012 Library Board Votes on Pay Hike for Employees Board Moves Reserve for Higher Returns By Libby Barsky or savings) at Unity and benefit the library at the same time. If 15 new The South Plainfield Library Board accounts arc opened which designate of Trustees has amassed more than the South Plainfield Public Library, $2M, which has been reserved in an- Unity Bank will donate an additional ticipation of the construction of a new amount to the library. Hamilton ex- public library in the borough. Noting plained that by designating the library, the small amount of interest the funds extra rewards would be earned by the were receiving, former library director library; the funds would not come out Sunnie Randolph suggested inviting of the individuals' new account but representatives from local banks to would be based on the amounts the present proposals to the board for accounts carry. All accounts would be higher earning accounts. anonymous. At the July 10 meeting, the board The library closed prior to the selected to deposit the funds at Unity public meeting so that the trustees Bank. Five hundred thousand dol- could discuss salary increases for the lars will be moved into a two-year staff. The board voted to increase staff certificate of deposit earning .85% salaries for this year by 1% and .5%. Lizard Guy Enzo Cristantiello offers some "hands on" time for an up close examination of an Albino King interest, and the remainder will be Previously librarians received cost of Snake to Alexx and Noah White and their dad, Councilman Derryck White. moved into a savings account earning living increases; this year the increases .5% interest. are based on staff evaluations. Voting Unity Bank official Maria Hamil- against the increases because they were Library Hosts Visit from Lizard Guys ton also offered the opportunity for considered "too small" were trustees individuals to open any account (CD (Continued on page 10) By Patricia Abbott at the Senior Center to accommodate .set up on the stage and floor. The the large crowd. Admission was a show presenter, Enzo Cristanticllo, The South Plainficld Library hosted non-perishable food item for the local introduced himself along with his the return of the popular children's ftxxl pantry. first animal. Nominations Sought for program, The Lizard Guys, on Julv Excited children sat on the floor, The program consisted of seven 12. The show was geared towards squirming in anticipation of learning different animals. The Fat Tail Gecko children ages three to 10 and was held the contents of the mysterious bins was a huge hit with the kids. Found Parade Grand Marshal in tropical Africa, the gecko stores fat South Plainfield's 55th annual sent to the Public Celebrations Com- in its tail which gives it the appearance Labor Day Parade will be quickly mittee, John Sorrenrino, Chairman, Rafalowski Selected of having two heads. If attacked the upon us, and the Public Celebrations 225 Hopkinson St., South Plainfield, predator will hopefully grab the tail, Committee is seeking nominations for N.J. 07080. which will subsequently grow back. honorary grand marshal. The theme The Labor Day parade is also a For PARCC Program Cristantiello introduced a Blue- of this year's parade is "Throughout great opportunity for all to meet the tongiicd Skink and explained that the Years 1860-Present." community If you or your organiza- Jersey to serve as leaders to introduce the skink uses his tongue to scare If you know of an individual you tion is interested in marching in the new Common Core State Standards away predators. The Sulcata Tortoise feel has contributed outstanding parade, building a float, having a con- and new PARCC methods used in brought kids to their knees in an service to the Borough of South Plain- cession stand or informational table at their assessment. effort to see the huge animal which field, send the committee a detailed the middle school at the conclusion of The Common Core State Standards can be found in arid areas of Africa. letter staring the reasons why this per- the parade, complete an application is in part federally sponsored and Cristantiello explained that the turtles son should be considered for honorary available in Borough Hall or at www. adopted by 46 states coordinated by can grow almost as large as a man. grand marshal. Include candidate's south plainfiekinj.com. Send applica- the National Governors Association, They eat plants and can live for over name, address, evening phone num- tion to the Public Celebrations Com- setting the standards defining the 75 years. ber, your phone number and detailed mittee, Borough of South Plainfield, knowledge and skills students should The Eastern Box Turtle, which can list of volunteer activities and accom- 2480 Plainfield Ave, South Plainfield, have in their K-12 classes so they be found in this area, was very small plishments. Deadline for nominations N.J. 07080. graduate high school and are able to (Continued on page 7) is August 10. Nominations may be succeed in college and work training programs. The Common Core State Standards and the PARCC assessments is replacing NJASK-New Jersey Assess- ment of Skills and Knowledge stan- Paul Rafalowski dardized test which is administered to all New Jersey public school students. South Plainfield School District Rafalowski, who taught math since Curriculum Coordinator Paul Ra- 2001 at South Plainfield High School falowski will travel to Chicago this and the Middle School, received a month to take part as a member of the master's degree in administration and Partnership for Assessment of Readi- supervision from the Graduate School ness for College and Careers (PARCC) of Rutgers University in May 2011. Educator Leader Cadre. He will train He was named curriculum coordina- with 24 other educators from New tor for the district in January 2012. Concert Series Continues With The Mark Heter Band The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders' I free summer concert scries continues with The Mark Hctcr ' Band-Wonderful Music from the Circus in the Spring Lake Park gazebo on Sunday, July 22,6:30 to 8 p.m. Concerts are South Plainfield residents (front to back) Anthony Fallet, Andrew Fallet and Rachelann Fallet get behind free and Open ro the public. For more the wheel of an antique Ford at the South Plainfield Rescue Squad fifth annual car show. For story and information, visit www.co.middlcsex.nj.us. 18 8 4 8 additional photOS, see page 6. -Photo courtesy of Louis Mormile •To subscribe to the South Plainfield Observer,call 908 668-OO1O July 20,2012 Want to stay informed about the business of your Council and BOE? g Council meetings air on Comcast Channel Wargacki Named Knights Member of the Year Council ^6 Monc|ays at 7 p.m. BOE meetings air on educates runaway teens in New York 0 ar\c Thursdays at 7 p.m. City from 1984 to 1987; worked at ex tlUb FYI the Fish Food Distribution Center, To purchase a complete copy of a council or BOE meeting, contact the Observer. an organization providing food to (Check Comcast community bulletin board for last minute time changes.) the needy, from 1984 to 1990, and council since 1988 has supported the Fish Meets twice a month on Mondays, 'except where noted. Hospitality Program, which counsels Borough Hall Council Chambers • Questions? 908-226-7605 and encourages homeless families. Agenda Meeting Public Meeting Wargacki was named Fish Volunteer "Special Meeting-Public Hearing on 2012 Budget on Monday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m.** of the Year in 2005. Monday, August 13 Monday, August 13 Wargacki volunteers at the Wood- Tuesday, September 4 Tuesday, September 4 lands Nursing Home every Tuesday, All Agenda Meetings begin at 7 p.m. followed immediately by the Public Meeting, unless and on Sunday mornings he teaches otherwise noted. Meetings of the Governing Body are held in accordance with the N.J. Open Bible study at Sacred Heart Church. Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.) in the Council Chambers at 2480 Plainfield Ave. He supports the nuns at Mother Te- planning resa Missionary of Charity in Plainfield on Wednesdays, and drives them when Meets second and fourth Tuesday of the month, 'except where noted. they go to the airport and on shop- Borough Hall Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Questions? 908-226-7641 ping trips. July 23*, Aug. 14, Aug. 28, Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 11 Wargacki supports two of his zoning neighbors on Geary Drive who are Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month, 'except where noted. both 94 years old. He visits them Borough Hall Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Questions? 908-226-7641 Grand Knight Joe Scrudato and Knight of the Year Anthony Wargacki. every day and helps them with their Aug. 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, Dec. 18 daily activities around the house. boardofeducation Anthony Wargacki was named as well as the Keystone Community With everything else Wargacki does, the Knights of Columbus Council Christmas party. In addition, he has Meets Wednesdays at Roosevelt Administration Gymnasium on Jackson Ave. he goes to his mother's house every, #6203 2012 Member of the Year supported many community organiza- Wednesday (she is 94) to help out Committee of the Whole meetings (begin at 6:00 p.m.) at an award ceremony held June 24.