Ewan Tract Land Sale Delayed Awaiting Less Restrictive Laws On
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=HOW TO GET THE LEADED Just Fill in the Form On Page 12 And Return It to Us! — Serving (he Town Since 1890— • Thursday, September 22,1994 232-4407 FORTY CENTS PLAN TO SELL ONE ACRE ON DUNHAM AVENUE Ewan Tract Land Sale Delayed Awaiting Less Restrictive Laws On Wetlands by New Jersey Town Attorney Tells Councilman LaPorta If Ewan Tract Is Left Open The State Might Decide to Reopen Its Mt. Laurel Case With Town By PAUL J. PEYTON near the Garwood line, be reduced Robert W. Brennan. Specially Written far The Weitfltld Leader from the previous starting bid of Mayor Garland C. "Bud" Boothe, The Town Council supported the $100,000 to $90,000. Jr. agreed, saying setting real estate decision of Town Attorney Charles Mr. Brandt said, in addition to the prices is not an exact science and thai H. Brandt to hold off authorizing environmental concerns, the starting additional input from professionals another land sale for lots within the bids for the Ewan Tract lots were in the field should be encouraged. Ewan Tract until the State Legisla- considered too high. He said those First Ward Councilman Anthony ture passes a law which will postpone starting bids may have to be lowered. M. LaPona suggested the governing further wetlands restrictions by the First Ward Councilman Norman body consider applying for the state's Department of Environmental Pro- N. Greco suggested the town take up Green Acres program to make (he tection and Energy. the offer by real estate agents, who Ewan Tract a park. He said this plan While nine of the 19 lots within the have volunteered their time to look at should be considered as an alterna- 10-acre tract were available at the the lots the town is trying to sell, to tive, should the town not be success- September 16 public auction, only sec if the bids are just. The starting ful in selling the land. »,.„..,„ . CtoMlc Studio for The Wttttmtld Ltmdrr one of the properties was sold. The bids were set by Town Tax Assessor MAKING A BID...One of the eventual successful bidders at the September 16 WestfleJd land ule makes a bid for one lot, which has a frontage on Prospect COHTIMUEO ON notn of the three properties sold during the auction. Only one of the nine Ewan Tract lots Included In the auction were sold. Street, was sold for the minimum bid of $150,000. The other seven lots on Hamilton Three of 12 Lots Sold Avenue and the one on Bailey Court School Board May Delay Final Vote in the Lexington Heights Subdivi- sion, as it is commonly referred to, were considered too risky a purchase At Public Auction Friday On Construction of 22 Classrooms since the basement in each of the properties had to be constructed by First Sale Raises $425,000; Much More Envisioned Some Board Members Say More Time Is Needed to Review Alternatives; the end of the year to avoid the new restrictions. By KURT C. BAUER set high. Specially Written far The Wcstjirld Leader The only parcel to sell among the Petition Presented Said to Contain 200 Residents Opposed to Building and Bond Program Two Columbus Avenue rectangu- Three of the 12 lots offered for sale lar lots adjacent to the Lexington nine lots in the Ewan Tract was 958 by auction September 16 in the Coun- Prospect Street for $ 150,000 to An- By GLENN R. KAPLINSKY Heights development sold for • Construe! elementary classrooms. Schools, Dr. Mark C. Smith, at a cost of cil Chambers of Town Hal I were sold, thony Cerami of Edison. Mr. Ceraini Specially Wrltirnfor The Writfieltl Leatlei • Create separate schools for grades approximately $5.9 million. $ 130,000and$ 145,000, respectively, with no interest expressed by the 60 five and six m the Edison Intermediate told The Westfield Lender he wanted A vote by the Westfield Board of Edu- A $5 million bond issue would cost during the land sale. Bidding started or so people in attendance for the School and grades seven and eight at the to build a home for his family on the cation on a plan to construct 22 class- between $29.53 to $41.69 per year on the at $ 125,000 for both properties. Rcso- other nine lots, at the minimum prices Roosevelt Intermediate School. one-acre site which sold for the mini- rooms at four of the town's elementary average assessed home in Westfield over lutions to officially approve both set by the town. • Move the fifth grade into the mum price set by town officials. schools, Initially expected on Tuesday, pay period, it was claimed. The transactions and the Prospect Avenue . TJown Attorney Charles H. Brandt September 27, now appears to be in doubt, intermediate schools. sale will be on the Tuesday, Septem- Of the three lots on Columbus Av- School officials said increasing class average home in Wcslficld has an as- conducted the viva voce sale and was enue near the Senior Citizens Com- with several board members saying more sessed value of $173,724 with a market ber 27 agenda. time Is needed to review other options. size and eliminating an and music rooms careful to point out all the develop- plex, the two rectangular sites were would result in: value of $257,026, officials noted. In addition to the eight Ewan Tract ment restrictions on the nine lots in Mrs. Maggie Ciniei, district spokes- Officials said several oplions arcavail- properties which did not sell, the next sold and the odd triangular properly woman, said the vole may still be held on • Classes ranging from 20 to 30 stu- the Ewan Tract offered for sale on did not. dents. able for (he construction of fewer class- land sale will include a 60,000 square the construction plan or one of the Op- rooms at one, two or three sites, and costs Friday, so prospective bidders would Messcrcola Brothers Building Co. • AN available elementary classrooms foot Dunham Avenue parcel which tions at its next meeting. The board may would range from $3.6 million to $5.9 understand what was involved. would be used for regular classes and Inc. of 629 Vermont Street, West- also decide to delay the matter until next million, depending upon the number of officials said could be subdivided Mr. Brandt said the eight lots with special education. field, paid $130,000 for 119 Colum- month. classrooms and building sites. Fewer into four building jots. substantial development restrictions • Considerable restructuring. bus Avenue. The special meeting was held Septem- classrooms would mean some adjustment The entire parcel will be sold to would be reoffered for sale at some- Officials said thai constructing elemen- The only property that brought spir- ber 20 to discuss the problem of increas- to class size and no art and/or music tary classrooms would: one bidder with a minimum price tag time in the near future, and the prices ited bidding was 112 Columbus Av- ing elementary school enrollments drew rooms. Fewer building sites would mean • Maintain class size and provide art of $400,000. Mr. Brandt estimated would be reset, reflecting the level of 100 residents. more redistricting. A $3.6 million bond enue, sold to Vincent Paparallo of and music rooms and space for elemen- that each of the lots i s worth $ 125,000. interest expressed at the first auction. Four options arc presently being con- issue would cost $22.58 to $29.53 a year Kenilworlh for $145,000. tary special education programs in (he He said the cost of constructing the Since the property belongs to the sidered to deal with increasing enroll- for the average assessed home, it was All successful bidders were re- elementary schools. road, to be paid for by the town, ments inthe district's elementary schools. alleged by school officials. town, officials are charged with get- cjuired to pay a deposit of 10 per cent • Minimize redistricting. These options arc: The followingchart was distributed by would be about $50,000. ting the most at auction they can, of lite purchase price at the time of • Build 22 rooms at four buildings as • Increase class size and eliminate the Dr. Smith and shows the tax impact of a The governing body agreed with since they are protecting the interests sale. art and music rooms. recommended by tne Superintendent of of al I town residents. This is probably 20-year bond. Mr. Brandt that the third Columbus The seven lots on Hamilton Street Avenue lot that did not sell, located why the prices at Friday's sale were ANNUAL COST COmiNVCOONMGE 12 PER AVERAGE PROJECTED ASSESSED HOME Professional Unit Granted DEBT PER YEAR $3,600,000 $22.5* to $29,53 Mrs. Vernick Proposes Four-Part Plan $5,000000 $29.53(0 $41.69 Non-Professional Tenant $7,600,000 $48.91 to $62.54 Dr. Smith saidcreatingscparateschdols for grades five and six at Edison and To Ease Seniors' Property Tax Burden Applicant Sees Very Little Additional Traffic seven and eight at Roosevelt would in- volve: Proposal, Needing State Approval,Would Offer Ways to Provide Funds for Future Taxes By JEANNE WHITNEY professional indicated certification or • Some redistricting in Kindergarten Specially Written for The Weitpeld Leader membership in a professional orga- through fourth grade. A four-part plan to help reduce the Representative Robert D. Franks, As an example, she said, at the age In a meeting that almost didn't nization. • Eliminating the need for an elemen- bprden of property taxes on senior Assemblyman and former Westfield of 55, a person may sign up for Plan happen at all when a court reporter Board member Lawrence J.