Westfield BOE Member by KIMBERLY A
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, January 12, 2012 OUR 122nd YEAR – ISSUE NO. 02-2012 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Gretchen Ohlig Sworn In As Newest Westfield BOE Member By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL candidate was asked to make an open- immediate needs.” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ing statement including why they Mr. Mattessich stated that Ms. WESTFIELD– After seven candi- wanted to be on the board and what Ohlig was a past president of the dates were publicly interviewed last they thought the vision of the Jefferson School PTO and served as week, Gretchen Ohlig was appointed Westfield school system should be. the president of the board of trustees as the newest member to the Board of In addition, each candidate was asked for the Education Fund of Westfield. Education on Tuesday evening dur- the same three questions including He also noted that she was part of the ing the board’s regularly scheduled what their thoughts are on achieving Strategic Planning Committee for the meeting. success for all students; what could district. According to Board President, Ri- be done to help the schools in a time Ms. Ohlig thanked the board for chard Mattessich, the appointment of limited resources and to talk about her appointment saying, “I am grate- will be from now until the board of how they have resolved conflict be- ful for your confidence in me and for education elections in April. He fur- tween committee members on any your consideration. I am thrilled to ther noted that in April, that particu- previous jobs, boards or assignments. be here.” Her family looked on as she lar seat would be open for election “During this process, we have seen was sworn in. for a one year term. The interrupted that Westfield has many enthusiastic In other business, the Board of term is being filled after former Board and well qualified members of our Education thanked 12 cross country President Julia Walker, resigned al- community,” Mr. Mattessich said. He team members from the Westfield most a year and a half prior to the thanked all of the candidates for com- High School’s Varsity team who have conclusion of her term. ing forward stating, “We picked the recently participated in a national Mr. Mattessich stated that each most qualified candidate to fit our competition in Oregon this past De- cember. Thanking the athletes, Mr. Mattessich stated “This was the first time in our memories that Westfield had been invited to such a distin- guished meet.” It was also noted that the team had Photo courtesy of Lorre Korecky won the Group IV State Champion- NEW MEMBER…Gretchen Ohlig was sworn in on Tuesday night to the Westfield Board of Education. The board ship in Holmdel Park in November appointed Ms. Ohlig to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Julia Walker. Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Ginny and placing 22nd in the entire nation. Leiz, Richard Mattessich, BOE president; David Finn, vice-president, and Rosanne Kurstedt. Back row, left to right, Jane Mr. Mattessich concluded “This is an Clancy, Mitch Slater, Ann Ormsby Cary, David Friedman and Ms. Ohlig. amazing accomplishment for our stu- dent athletes and their coaches Jack Martin and Chris Tafelski.” Westfield Town Council Continues Mr. Mattessich also announced that after many years with the Westfield High School’s track team, Coach Martin was retiring. He thanked the High School Parking Meetings coach for all his time and dedication. Coach Martin concluded by say- By LAUREN S. BARR Patrick Garrigan, Scott Mersereau, School (WHS). ing, “I want to thank the administra- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Bruce Miller, Brian Minson, John She reported that in addition to the tion and the board of education for WESTFIELD – The Westfield Morgan, Robert Musacchia, Jonathan members of her committee, Board of their support. There are 86 boys on Town Council, less Mayor Andy Pierce, Jr. and Dariusz Tokarz. Education President Richard Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader our team and I thank you all for the Skibitsky, who was away on busi- Acting Mayor JoAnn Neylan, Mattessich, Vice-President David NEW EQUIPMENT…Rep. Leonard Lance (D-7) stopped by the Westfield Fire opportunity to recognize them for ness, held a brief conference session chairwoman of the Public Safety, Finn and member Ginny Leiz were Department on Monday to announce a federal security grant in the amount of their accomplishments.” on Tuesday night to review several Transportation and Parking Commit- present. Also in attendance were Po- $33,885 for new equipment to the fire department. The money will be used to buy tee, reported to the council that her lice Chief John Parizeau, Fire Chief a new five-inch supply hose and five new intake valves for the fire engines. Cross country athletes honored in- resolutions and hear a report from the Pictured, left to right, are: Councilman Mark LoGrippo, Councilman Sam Della cluded Jack Leahy, John Kirna, Matt public safety committee. committee had met earlier that Dan Kelly, Police Captain Dave Fera, Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan, Congressman Lance, Chief Daniel Kelly Luppino, Kevin Ingram, David The meeting marked the council’s evening to continue discussions on Wayman, Town Engineer Kris and Town Administrator Jim Gildea. Carville, Kevin Smith, Evan Tarlow, first conference session held at the parking issues at Westfield High CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Dan Luzzi, Jack Campbell, Michael new earlier time of 7:30 p.m. Public Reilly, Jason Colasanti and Tommy council meetings will continue to be Mirabella Named Freeholder Edwards. held at 8 p.m. Gumbert Field Fence to Be The board heard a report was given Among the resolutions slated for by Maureen Mazzarese, Coordinator approval at next week’s public meet- Chairman; Wright Joins Bd. of Counseling K-12 and Christine ing are the appointment of Town Replaced; Pool Bids on Tap Hough, head Counselor 9-12 regard- Administrator Jim Gildea as the By DELL SIMEONE hind the present fence will be cleared By PAUL J. PEYTON Rahway mayor that year, was sworn Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Specially Written for The Westfield Leader in for a full three-year term. Free- ing the counseling services for the town’s designated Public Agency of trees and debris before the new ELIZABETH – The Union County holder Angel Estrada, who was first district. Compliance Officer and the annual WESTFIELD – Dan Duffy of the fencing is installed. Mr. Duffy said as Board of Chosen Freeholders wel- elected to the board in 1999, took the In their report, both counselors renewal of the town’s contract with Westfield Baseball League told the soon as the new fence is in place, the comed new Freeholder Vernell Wright oath for a fifth term. noted that the department was “going the Associated Humane Society. Recreation Commission on Monday land cleared of trees and proper drain- of Union and named Freeholder Al The ceremony was held in the court- green” by sending transcripts and The council also is slated to ap- night that Fenceworks Inc., which has age is in place, fans will be able to stand Mirabella of Fanwood as chairman room of State Superior Court Assign- letters of recommendations electroni- point special police officers for 2012. done a lot of work in Berkeley Heights, behind the new fence to watch the and Freeholder Linda Carter of ment Judge for Union County Karen cally. This, they noted, was not only These officers are used to direct traf- will replace the fence at Gumbert Park games. Plainfield as vice-chairwoman for Cassidy. helpful to use much less paper but fic and for special events and weather baseball field one. The field is located “Clearing the area out, getting proper 2012 during the board’s annual reor- In her remarks, Freeholder Wright was also less time consuming. Ms. emergencies. If approved, the 2012 at First Avenue and Chestnut Street. drainage and sunlight will make a large ganization meeting at the county said she looks forward to “providing Mazzarese stated this will “reduce specials will be: Christopher Beck, The new fence will be 225 feet from difference,” Mr. Duffy said. “Any other courthouse on Sunday afternoon. a voice for all those who are not paperwork to increase people work.” Carmen Brocato, Sr., Helen Cicalese, home plate, where the existing fence is improvements will have to wait until Freeholder Wright, a retired school always heard.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Robert Denny, Anthony Garrigan, 200 feet from the plate. The area be- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 principal from Union, replaces Nancy Freeholder Hudak, who won his Ward of Westfield, who opted not to first election as a candidate for public GW Introduces Amended seek a third term. Freeholder Chris office in November, called the cur- Hudak, who was appointed to the rent freeholders “forward thinking board in December 2010 to replace and passionate.” A former chief of Longevity Benefits Ordinance Rick Proctor, who was elected CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 By CHRISTINA M. HINKE meeting after the council’s Laws Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and Licenses committee requested GARWOOD – The borough coun- it. “There is subterfuge behind this,” cil on Tuesday introduced two ordi- Mr. Mathieu said. nances to revise the longevity ben- “I resent what you are incurring,” efits to non-union employees after the mayor said after Mr. Mathieu Mayor Patricia Quattrocchi vetoed spoke. the council vote to approve freez- Later, Mayor Quattrocchi said in ing longevity benefits at the end of response to resident Bruce last year.