NJ Transit, Local Officials Celebrate Work Completion on Station Improvements by PAUL J
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— Serving the Town Since 1890 — The Westfield Leader USPS 680020 Published OUR 108th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 17-98 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, April 23, 1998 Every Thursday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS NEW UNDERPASS WITH HISTORIC TILES HIGHLIGHT OF PROJECT NJ Transit, Local Officials Celebrate Work Completion On Station Improvements By PAUL J. PEYTON cludes 18 murals recalling Westfield’s In concluding her remarks, the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader history, with an emphasis on trans- artist said she hopes the community NJ Transit, town officials, com- portation. “enjoys the murals for many years to muter leaders and residents gathered The new underpass is also the main come.” last Thursday to dedicate the newly link for individuals to get from the Ms. DeLibero said the completion improved Westfield Train Station. south to the north side of town and of this and other projects is part of the Westfield, with 1,750 daily riders, is vice versa. The underpass is more agency’s “reaffirmation” of its “com- the busiest station on the Raritan centrally located, brighter and more mitment” to New Jersey citizens. Valley Commuter Line. spacious as compared to the now NJ Transit, the third largest transit The $6.2 million project, which defunct tunnel, which NJ Transit system in the country, is now in its began in November of 1996, includes Executive Director Shirley A. eighth consecutive year without a two new, handicapped accessible, DeLibero described as “outdated” and fare increase. 625-foot-long, high-level platforms; “narrow.” Noting the community’s “very rich two elevators and a new commuter Two elevators were installed, one transportation history,” she said the underpass with murals depicting on each side of the new passageway, tiles, when viewed daily by commut- Westfield’s history. to allow passengers with disabilities ers, are sure to “rekindle memories of The project also includes canopies and those who have trouble climbing the past, either of their early years to cover sections of the platforms, as steps access to the new high-level commuting by train or of the times David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader well as stairs, ramps, shelters and platforms. they went to the train station to wel- BETTER THAN EVER...Westfield Mayor Thomas C. Jardim, left, artist Stacey Farley, second from left, and NJ Transit windscreens. Executive Director Shirley A. DeLibero, center, cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the handicapped accessible Other improvements made in com- come their parents home from work.” improvements and new pedestrian underpass at the Westfield Train Station. Looking on are state Assemblyman Alan M. The highlight of the project is the pliance with the Americans with “This station is more than a criti- Augustine of Scotch Plains, and former Westfield Mayor Bud C. Boothe, far right. The dedication ceremony represented new pedestrian underpass – which Disabilities Act include restroom cal transit link for the community, it the culmination of the $6.2 million project, which took 17 months to complete. was shifted 100 feet to the east of the renovations, the expansion of door- is also an historic monument,” Ms. former underpass – and which in- ways, and the creation of a low-level DeLibero said. writing surface near the ticket win- The 18 murals are part of NJ EILEEN SATKIN TO JOIN SCHOOL BOARD AT TUESDAY, APRIL 28, MEETING dow. Transit’s First Transit Arts Project, The tiles that align the walls of the which takes funds set aside in each new passageway were each made by construction project budget and uses hand with porcelain clay and fired to the money to create artwork intended Westfield School Board of Education Budget Passes; 2400 degrees Fahrenheight. Each tile to enhance the station. The Arts pro- had to be fired anywhere between gram was developed by NJ Transit in three and five times, with the color 1994 “as an integral component of the Tuesday Election Draws Only a 12 Percent Turnout put in by hand. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit By JILL LOEWER puters for mathematics skills, new “We will also need to address the said “funds have been earmarked for The tiles were designed and cre- System,” according Steve Coleman, a Specially Written for The Westfield Leader textbooks, seven new teaching posi- issue of increasing enrollment. We staff training in computer skills, and ated by Stacey Farley of Garrison, spokesman for the transit agency. In a low turnout, voters in Tuesday’s tions, and improvements in support have increased the classroom capac- in the area of new curriculums.” New York, a graduate of Westfield In addition to Westfield and the election passed the Westfield Board of the district’s technology initiative. ity at the elementary school level, In the school board elections, in- High School and Brown University Hudson-Bergen project — which is of Education budget by a margin of In an interview with The Westfield and now we need solutions for the cumbents Mrs. Walsh and Ms. in Providence, Rhode Island. She still under development — transit art 69 percent, in a year in which there Leader, Susan Jacobson, Board of other schools,” she observed. Hardwick, as well as former board also has a bachelor’s degree in art is also planned for the Rahway, Lyons was an uncontested race for three Education President, said “The new Finance Committee Chairman member Mrs. Satkin, were elected to and a master’s degree in fine arts and Matawan stations, Penn Stations vacancies on the board. budget was designed to continue the Keith S. Hertell, who was instrumen- fill the three board seats that are from the University of Illinois, and in New York and Newark, and the The voter turnout was 12 percent, long-term commitment to technol- tal in the planning of this year’s expiring this year. Each will serve a has studied at the Pennsylvania Acad- Southern New Jersey Light Rail Tran- compared to last year’s turnout of 20 ogy improvements in our schools. budget, along with school officials, CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 emy of the Arts. sit System. percent, and 21 percent in 1996 — Ms. Farley, a native of Westfield, both years which featured contested was selected by NJ Transit from a races. FIREMEN ATTEND HEARING TO PROTEST ‘RUMOR’ OF PAID STAFF CUTS field of 16 candidate artists. She was School board candidates Ginger given a $35,000 contract to complete Hardwick, Eileen Satkin, and Darielle the work. M. Walsh, all unopposed, were elected The artist said the murals were with 1,851, 1,789, and 1,659 votes, Council Adopts $22.92 Mil. Budget, 7-2; Use of Sale “truly a collaborative piece.” She re- respectively. The school board elec- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 tions have not been uncontested in recent memory. In 1997, six candi- Of Assets Funds Draws Concerns by Former Mayor dates ran for three open seats. By PAUL J. PEYTON or $52.50, on the average assessed the council up for election this year, thought that the council had agreed Spring Fling The total budget of $52,016,848 Specially Written for The Westfield Leader will be supported by a tax levy of home in Westfield of $175,000. they decided it would look better to at a retreat earlier this year to keep $45,793,665, with the remainder of Although the Westfield Town Third Ward Councilman Neil F. cut another tax point than to save the name calling and personal attacks the funds coming from state and fed- Council passed the 1998 municipal Sullivan, Jr., who voted against the money and draw on it over a longer out of the council discussions. Rescheduled eral funding. This will translate into budget of $22,923,211 Tuesday night budget, opposed the council’s deci- period of time, thus preserving it for Resident Karen Mortenson, in re- a tax increase of $104 per year on an by a 7-2 vote, the public hearing drew sion to use the assets money — which future generations. ferring to comments made by Mayor average Westfield home assessed at some strong concerns about the di- he said was mainly funds obtained Mayor Thomas C. Jardim, who Jardim earlier this year, questioned For Sunday $174,000. rection the council was headed in through the sale of municipal-owned cast the other negative vote, said he whether he had a “game plan” as to Due to inclement weather last Among the budget appropriations both from the types of projects it was land — to fund the daily operations believes further cuts could have been where cuts could be made if the coun- weekend, the Westfield Area Cham- will be various programs, including funding and on how the governing of the town. achieved by the council in such areas cil was to develop a budget without a ber of Commerce has rescheduled teacher training, as well as new com- body controls tax increases. He said if the money was to be as deferred charges and other appro- tax hike, as supported by the Mayor. the fourth annual “Spring Fling” Last month, the council went into utilized, it should be in areas on the priations, which come to $240,500 Mayor Jardim noted that his bud- Street Fair in downtown Westfield private session after Fourth Ward capital side that will have more long- — the same as last year — and the get observations were supported by for this Sunday, April 26, from noon Deadlines Told Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman term impact on the town. amount included as reserve to fund the majority of the governing body, until 6 p.m. For Submittals stated he could not support a four tax Surplus funds are those in excess uncollected taxes.