County Tax Levy to Rise $12.4 M; WF to See $2.1 M
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, April 12, 2012 OUR 122nd YEAR – ISSUE NO. 15-2012 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS ‘76 Murder Suspect Had Served on Vandalism Panel, Burglary Arrest By LAUREN S. BARR as they are not permitted to comment dered Ms. Triano. According to the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader on juvenile matters. article, Franklin was ap- WESTFIELD – In the wake of an Despite the fact that the pointed by then Fourth arrest made in the brutal 1976 rape suspect is now 51 years Ward Council candidate and murder of Lena Triano, despite old, he was a juvenile at Herb Kessler. Mr. being charged as a juvenile, The Star the time the crime was Kessler was elected to Ledger revealed the name of the ac- committed, and thus has the seat, and chose to cused as Carlton Franklin, a 1979 to be treated as a juve- serve a single term. When graduate of Westfield High School, nile and under the laws contacted by The Leader, who was just 15 at the time of the as they existed in 1976. Mr. Kessler said that he murder. According to The has “no recollection of While the Union County Prosecu- Westfield Leader ar- that event” and said that tor Theodore Romankow had said chives, Franklin was it was likely that Franklin appointed to a Youth was recommended to last week that he would file a motion Carlton Franklin to have the suspect’s name released, Advisory Committee him by another commit- the prosecutor’s office could not com- on Vandalism in September of 1977, tee member. Mr. Kessler’s daughter, ment on a timeline for such motions just a year after he allegedly mur- Lisa, also served on the committee. A phone call to her was not returned as of press time. According to the archives the com- mittee was formed as a way to com- bat a serious vandalism problem that was taking place at the time. Over the course of several months the town was not without an act of vandalism Greg Ryan for The Westfield Leader EGG HUNT…The Lions Club of Westfield sponsored the 77th annual Easter Egg Hunt held at Mindowaskin Park on for a period of more than two days. Saturday. Over 1,200 eggs were collected in less than one minute by eager participants. Franklin next appears in the ar- chives in April of 1980 when he was arrested and charged with a Stirling Place burglary along with Ralph County Tax Levy to Rise $12.4 M; Petterway. The two were held on $10,000 bail. Then on November 6, 1981 Franklin broke into the Lawrence WF to See $2.1 M Hike, CF $1.1 M Avenue home of Donald Garrigan, By PAUL J. PEYTON discuss the “various options that could homeowners to pay an average of holding him, his wife Annmarie, and Specially Written for The Westfield Leader be utilized” with the savings. Free- $1,660, or $112 over 2011, while son Paul hostage. According to The COUNTY — Union County Man- holder Fiscal Affairs Committee Mountainside residents face a total Leader archives, Franklin held the ager Al Faella last week released a Chairman Dan Sullivan said those tax hike of $573,914 to $7,646,218. family hostage for several hours be- proposed budget of $483.9 million discussions would have to occur be- The average borough assessed home fore instructing Mr. Garrigan to with- for 2012 with $303.5 million to be fore final adoption of the budget. will pay $2,597 in county taxes, which Fred Rossi for The Westfield Leader draw money from two banks. While raised in county taxes, an increase of Locally, Westfield will pay is $204 over last year. (For a com- PLAY BALL... Approximately $100,000 in renovations and upgrades to Gumbert at the bank, Mr. Garrigan was able to $12.4 million over last year. Last $32,027,934 in county taxes, a $2.1- plete county list, please see chart on Field in Westfield are near completion just days before the Saturday, April 14, alert an employee that he was being year’s tax levy increase was $13.8 million increase over 2011, with the below). opening day. held hostage and police surrounded million over 2010. average assessed home to pay $3,109, In his budget letter to the freehold- the home. Detective Bernard Tracey, The introduction of the budget is or $199 over last year. Scotch Plains ers dated April 4, Mr. Faella said the who would later become Westfield’s scheduled for Thursday, April 19, residents will see an increase of $1.4 county faced a budget hole of $36 Baseball Fields Take Shape police chief, broke through the door with adoption anticipated for Thurs- million for a total tax of $17,727,103, million this year. Layoffs of 280 after a scuffle broke out between day, May 31. County officials antici- which amounts to $2,181 per aver- employees have been announced, al- Franklin and Mr. Garrigan after which pate that the tax levy may be reduced age home, or $170 over last year. though county officials said negotia- As Season Begins Saturday the Garrigan family escaped the before its adoption as the freeholders Fanwood will pay $5,078,331, up tions with county employee unions By DELL SIMEONE Commissioner Peter Echausse home. last week approved the refinancing $334,376, with the average assessed are still ongoing. In anticipation of Specially Written for The Westfield Leader asked that a detailed list of approved Franklin retreated to the basement of multiple series of bonds that could home to pay $1,880, or $121 over the layoffs, which will be finalized WESTFIELD – Opening day for and completed projects and costs be prompting several hours of negotia- generate an additional savings of be- 2011. by June 1, the county has budgeted the Westfield Baseball League sea- compiled to present to the Union tions between him and members of tween $2 and $4 million for the Cranford homeowners will pay $1.6 million for unemployment com- son will be this Saturday, April 14, at County Kids Recreation Trust Fund the police department ultimately county, Mr. Faella told The Westfield $17,995,009, an increase of $1.1 pensation insurance, $1.3 million over 12:30 p.m. Westfield Councilman for the department to recoup money ended with his capture after he was Leader. That transaction is pending million, with average taxes per home last year. Frank Arena, who is council liaison by way of 50/50 matching grants subdued by Sergeant Owen McCabe approval from the state’s Local Fi- amounting to $1,999, or $132 over Freeholder Chairman Al Mirabella to the town’s recreation commission, with the county. when he reached for a pack of ciga- nance Board. last year. said he was hopeful that the county told the group at its Monday night Mr. Kaufmann said the department rettes. Mr. Faella said if approved, county Garwood residents will pay unions “would all come to the table meeting, that Mayor Andy Skibitsky is still looking for sponsors for the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 officials and the freeholders would $3,042,425, a hike of $209,713, with CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 will be there to cut the ribbon to the Sunday, May 20 5K Run and one- newly refurbished Gumbert Park. mile Family Fun Run/Walk at 2012 TAX IMPACT ON AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD BY MUNICIPALITY “Gumbert Park looks great,” Rec- Tamaques Park. Members of the Westfield Council Appoints 2012 TAX SUMMARY HOUSEHOLD TOTAL COUNTY TAX 2012 BY reation Director Bruce Kaufmann Westfield High School Leaders Club IMPACT COUNTY TAX 2012 MUNICIPALITY MUNICIPALITY said. He said the fence is being fin- will be on hand to help, along with AVERAGE PER HOUSEHOLD David Wayman Police Chief ished, banners have been dropped off the recreation commissioners. INCREASE DIFFERENCE and the scoreboard is working. The Entry fees for the race are as fol- By LAUREN S. BARR worked his way up the ranks from 2011 $12.3 MIL 2011-2012 2011 2012 Specially Written for The Westfield Leader BERKELEY cost of the upgrade was $29,000. lows: 5K, $20 by May 1 and $25 after detective, to sergeant, to lieutenant HEIGHTS $2,433 $2,502 $69 $14,090,197.88 $14,487,908.72 Mr. Kaufmann said the Memorial that date, and on the day of the race; WESTFIELD – The Westfield and most recently, captain, for the CLARK $1,740 $1,885 $145 $10,512,369.61 $11,367,950.95 Field infield has been cleaned up and Fun Run/Walk, $8 by May 1 and $10 Town Council voted unanimously to past six years. Chief Wayman is a CRANFORD $1,867 $1,999 $132 $16,926,821.31 $17,995,009.98 ELIZABETH $1,209 $1,194 -$15 $31,680,133.45 $31,055,111.24 benches and home plate at field two after that date and on race day. Par- make Captain David Wayman graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High FANWOOD $1,759 $1,880 $121 $4,743,955.05 $5,078,331.81 will be put in place this week. He also ticipants will meet at the Tamaques Westfield’s new police chief on Tues- School in Clark and a resident of GARWOOD $1,548 $1,660 $112 $2,832,712.47 $3,042,425.09 said the backstop at field three would Park picnic area at 8 a.m.