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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, September 19, 2019 OUR 129th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 38-2019 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Parents Voice Continuing Concerns About School Safety By JENNIFER GLACKIN police.” Bowie suggested training volunteers Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Mr. Battiloro also asked parents to or having someone in charge in the WESTFIELD — The board of edu- follow the new guidelines and proce- school office who could communi- cation listened to many parent con- dures, “no matter how routine or cate with responding officers and cerns at Tuesday’s board meeting. monotonous they become.” Parents volunteers in the building in the event Police Chief Christopher Battiloro routinely thanked the police depart- of an emergency during those times. informed parents that police officers ment and Chief Battiloro for their Similarly, WHS student Colin had performed unannounced security quick response in June, and the board Sumner wondered why no one was checks of the elementary schools, two of education for all the policies that talking to the students about safety. times per day since the beginning of have been implemented for this school He also suggested training students. the school year, in addition to the year. Opinions differed on the subject of three school resource officers (SROs) Faye Bowie expressed concerns SROs and/or security guards in currently assigned to Westfield High about after-school activities. Ms. schools. Many expressed wanting an School (WHS) and two intermediate Bowie urged the board to come up SRO in each elementary school as an schools. “I promise you this,” he with a policy that helps protect the added layer of security, especially stated, “persistent presence of police students who are using the school for since resource officers are already in officers in schools is the norm and it Girl Scouts, variety-show practice, place in both intermediate schools will remain so as long as I am chief of or other activities after school. Ms. and the high school. Also, hiring a separate person solely for security would alleviate the burden on secre- taries and principals. Former police officer and resident Greg Kasko pointed out that an SRO is more of a “teacher or mentor,” rather than a security guard. Other parents ex- Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader pressed concern over putting an armed REMEMBERING THOSE WE LOST...The Color Guard stands at attention during Wednesday’s Wesfield 9/11 ceremony officer of any kind into elementary remembering the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and aboard United schools and the impact it could have Airlines Flight 93. on students’ emotional well-being. Transparency and communication concerns were echoed by parents. Transit Groups Provide Updates While acknowledging that some in- formation must not be disclosed for safety purposes, parents suggested creating a subcommittee to get parent On Portal Bridge, One-Seat Rides perspective or holding parent infor- By FRED T. ROSSI grade the rail transportation infra- tion of one-seat rides into and from mation nights like some neighboring Specially Written for The Westfield Leader structure in the region and also issued Manhattan along the Raritan Valley towns. Later in the meeting, Board CRANFORD – Transportation ad- fresh warnings about what a failure to line. The group also backs a bill pend- President Peggy Oster said subcom- vocates sounded optimistic that a new fix the crumbling infrastructure would ing in the State Legislature that would PICKLEMANIA...What’s the fastest growing sport in America? Hint: It involves commuter rail bridge outside of New- mean for the New York metropolitan temporarily reduce NJ Transit fares dinking, serving and staying out of the kitchen. No clue? Well it’s Pickleball. mittees are a possibility. Pickleball is an easy game to learn, fun for all ages, and, thanks to the mayor and Improved communication was pre- ark can be built to replace the aging area. on the Raritan Valley line by 10 per- department of recreation, pickleball is now in full swing on all eight courts at sented by Superintendent of Schools one and improve train service be- Bruce Bergen, RVRC chairman, cent until one-seat rides are restored. Tamaques Park. On September 9, players from Westfield and surrounding towns Margaret Dolan, Ed.D., as a district tween New Jersey and New York said that all steps necessary to secure Until one-seat rides are revived, the joined together to enjoy the great weather and fine-tune their skills. goal for the 2019-2020 school year. City. federal funding to replace the Portal group is pushing to have commuters She encourages people to go to the At a public meeting on Monday Bridge that spans the Hackensack in Newark be able to change trains on district website and follow the dis- night in Cranford, representatives River in Kearny and Secaucus have the same platform, Mr. Bergen said. Water Main Work in Garwood trict on social media to receive accu- from the Raritan Valley Rail Coali- been taken. The bridge, a crucial link Mr. Bergen also gave a brief update rate information. Superintendent tion (RVRC), which represents Union, between Penn Station in Newark and on the Gateway project to build two Dolan also plans to distribute a news- Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon Penn Station in Manhattan, has caused new rail tunnels under the Hudson To Be Completed by Oct. 31 letter starting in November. counties, and the Regional Plan As- delays when it is opened to allow River to ease congestion and to en- By MICHAEL BONACCORSO American Water’s response to the Parents also questioned if new ves- sociation, a regional planning organi- marine traffic to pass through, thus sure additional tracks for commuters. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader spewing hose. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 zation, spoke about efforts to up- delaying trains in both directions, and The existing tunnels, built almost 110 GARWOOD — New Jersey Ameri- Mayor Sara Todisco said numer- when it has become stuck in the open years ago, are deteriorating and the can Water is projecting the water main ous residents have offered positive position, another cause of delays. Mr. flooding experienced during restoration project taking place on feedback to her on the utility’s re- Tax Reassessment Process Bergen said officials are ready to “put Superstorm Sandy seven years ago Garwood’s north side will be finished sponse in assisting residents with a shovel in the ground” and start work has accelerated the tunnels’ decay. by Thursday, October 31, stated Bor- project-related setbacks or situational on a new bridge. Federal officials, specifically the ough Engineer Michael Disko at last occurrences. Explained for Mountainside He also told the three dozen or so Trump White House, are still “not Thursday’s borough council meet- Mr. Disko said American Water’s By KATE BROWNE the inspection and appraisal process. attendees on Monday night that his behind this project,” Mr. Bergen said, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ing. New Jersey American Water has project coincides with Elizabethtown Mr. Duga stated that the licensed group continues to push for restora- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 decided to add four streets to the Gas Co.’s pipeline replacement MOUNTAINSIDE — Hundreds appraisers employed by his firm will restoration project work timeline, in- project expected to be completed by of Mountainside homeowners at- conduct both interior and exterior cluding Beech Avenue, Pine Avenue, year’s end. Elizabethtown is replac- tended an informational meeting last reviews of each home. The purpose Online-Only Bonus at goleader.com Spruce Avenue and Willow Avenue, ing aging natural gas mains. Thursday regarding the property-tax of the inspections is to record infor- Index Mr. Disko said. The Paperboard demolition on reevaluation process. The event was mation about the homes that will Councilman Richard McCormack North Avenue is expected to be com- hosted by the borough council and affect their value such as location, Community -- Downtown Westfield Sports -- Raiders Outhustle said New Jersey American Water’s pleted by the end of September, stated Appraisal Systems Inc., the com- size, number of rooms, decks, pa- Real Estate Openings. Westfield in Boys Soccer; Blue Dev- representative or neighborhood con- Mayor Todisco. She said the site’s pany which has been retained by tios, pools, etc. The interior inspec- Letter to the Editor -- Westfield ils Air Attack Tops Tigers in Grid tact person has been extremely re- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Mountainside to do the state-ordered tions are normally done within 15 Politics Reviewed by Edward Opener; Cougars Sack Montgomery sponsive to any concerns neighbors reevaluation. minutes and a basement is consid- Stellingwerf, Westfield. in Grid Home Opener; Soccer Blue have displayed with the project ham- Correction Mark Duga, a certified appraiser ered “finished” if two out of three Politics -- Garwood Dem. Party Devils Shut Out Oak Knoll Lady pering private property. The council- A front-page article in last week’s with Appraisal Systems, began the surfaces are permanently covered. Endorses Democratic Slate. Royals. man said he wanted to thank Ameri- Westfield Leader on coverage of the meeting by explaining that the more Basements do not count towards the can Water’s project representative for Cranford Planning Board should have than 3,000 properties in square footage of the home. being responsive to his complaint re- reported that the reexamination of the Mountainside were last appraised in If the appraiser is unable to gain garding temporary above-ground Cranford Master Plan report is sched- 1985. He also noted that New Jersey entrance during the first visit, he or water lines leaking at his driveway’s uled for Wednesday, September 18, law requires the fair-market value of she will leave a business card sug- base.