Prospect Gardens Testimony Will Continue in March
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Happy Valentine’s Day (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, February 13, 2003 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 113th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 23-113 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] FIFTY CENTS Prospect Gardens Testimony Will Continue in March By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL to carry over the case for the Prospect be heard. At midnight it was finally Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Gardens Project, located at 247-259 decided that these witnesses would After hours of discussion and testi- Prospect Street. have to be carried over until the mony by Board of Adjustment Mem- James Flynn who is representing Monday, March 10 meeting. bers, residents and Professional Plan- the owner of the three, two-family Approximately 55 residents, in- ner Dennis Hudacsko, representing houses on Prospect Street, which will cluding First Ward Councilmen Peter the homeowner, Kenneth Goski, the be destroyed if the variances are Echausse and Sal Caruana, came to Westfield Board of Adjustment ruled granted, had many more witnesses to voice their concerns over the project, which proposes to build 10 townhouses on Prospect Street, be- tween Cowperthwaite and Ferris Several Arrested as Police Places, and is seeking 13 variances to be approved by the board. Mr. Hudacsko, from Bedminster, Investigate WF Drug Bust was called as the first witness and gave testimony supporting the project By BILL SHEPPARD the investigation are ongoing.” When stating that it will bring “much needed Specially Written for The Westfield Leader asked if additional arrests were ex- housing for people over the age of Several arrests were made last Thurs- pected, the Lieutenant said, “that’s a 55,” noting the Federal Older Persons day in the vicinity of Westfield High real possibility.” Housing Act. He reported that he felt School, and the police department is Parents and citizens had been call- that the location was ideal because of conducting an on-going investiga- ing police headquarters as well as The its close proximity to the downtown Ben Corbin for The Westfield Leader tion. Leader. Detective Sergeant John area and the train station. He also CALL TO DUTY…Last Wednesday, fire departments from around Union County responded to a fire on Rivervale An unspecified number of adults Rowe told The Leader on Monday, stated that these particular properties Court in Scotch Plains. The fire was started by workmen in the apartment complex. Pictured above are Westfield firemen have been incarcerated on charges, “The Westfield Police Department also provided the depth that would venting the roof. including what is understood to be received a call on Thursday from a be needed to construct such a project. “intent to distribute,” while minors citizen complaining of a group of He stated that he did not feel the involved have been released to pa- individuals, possibly engaged in sus- project would jeopardize the “char- BOE Continues Budget Discussion; rental custody. Additional details are picious activities, in the vicinity of acter or harmony” of the street as being withheld by the Westfield Po- Westfield High School. Officers were argued by many residents, but that it lice Department pending the progress dispatched to the scene, and, upon would add to the character of the of the investigation. investigating the complaint, arrested street. He noted that the 10-unit con- Reviews Special Ed and Languages Concerned citizens and parents several individuals, both adults and struction was very different from the called the police department and The juveniles, allegedly engaged in drug 40-unit complex that stood across By CHARLOTTE LEDERMAN concluded by offering her thanks. ics and kindergarten through fourth Westfield Leader beginning last Fri- activity.” the street. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader As a result of this announcement, grade social studies, now needs the day, seeking details regarding rumors The investigation is ongoing, but Opposing the project in written The Westfield Board of Education, there will be one more seat available appropriate learning materials to co- that a “major drug bust” had occurred according to the department, police reports are the Westfield Historic Pres- through its budget discussions, on the board during the election pe- incide with the new syllabi. at Westfield High School. expect to conclude matters by week’s ervation Commission, which wants struggled once again to define itself riod. Board President Arlene Gardner The assistant superintendent noted Lieutenant John Parizeau, spokes- end. Detective Rowe expects the to preserve the houses as historical; and therefore the Town of Westfield, once again encouraged those that, “copies of Westfield’s planned man for the Westfield Police Depart- charges to range from simple posses- the Architectural Review Board, stat- as it listened to what the public de- “Westfield residents interested in cycle of curriculum review through ment, met with The Leader on Friday sion to possession with “an intent to ing that 10 units would be too con- fined as its necessities, priorities and becoming a candidate” to “obtain 2010 (which is modified from time to afternoon at police headquarters. distribute” for the adults and the ju- gested, and the Planning Board, stat- even values. petitions at the Board Secretary/Busi- time) is available in your Office of Lieutenant Parizeau said, “Arrests veniles. The adults were immediately ing that “if variances were granted in This latest installment of prelimi- ness Administrator’s office at 302 Curriculum, Instruction, and Pro- were made, people are in custody, we incarcerated while the juveniles were this case, it could set a precedent nary budget discussions included Elm.” Petitions must be submitted by grams.” The state of New Jersey re- are withholding the names of those released to their parents from Westfield inviting similar requests elsewhere, special education, elementary foreign 4 p.m. on Monday, February 24. quires curriculum be reviewed every arrested and the circumstances since police headquarters. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 language and curriculum and instruc- With the Superintendent of Schools five years. tion. absent, Dr. Janie Edmunds, Assistant Dr. Edmunds also revealed a break- The meeting got under way with Superintendent, sat in his stead and down for the teacher’s time and ex- WF Council Refers Edgar Road board members Anne Riegel, Beth presented the curriculum and instruc- pertise 2003-2004 curricular revi- Cassie and Kim Rhodes confirming tion component of the budget discus- sions/additions. This includes, at the that they will all run in the upcoming sion. high school, two science courses at election. Dr. Carol Molnar, however, Dr. Edmunds revealed the budget- all levels and a course of language Parking Problem to Committee stood to announce that after 15 years, ary items for the 2003-2004 school arts, English three. she would not seek another term. A year in this department. Under this She concluded by touching on in- By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL Chief Tracy noted that the lack of Second Ward Republican Coun- member of the Westfield Board of area, curriculums that have previously structive initiatives, namely the new Specially Written for The Westfield Leader parking at the high school has been cilman Matthew Albano stated that Education since 1988, Dr. Molnar been reviewed and revised now need teacher’s institute, differentiation of A lengthy discussion was held an ongoing problem made worse when he was at the high school re- revealed she has had an “interesting new, supporting textbooks. For ex- instruction and other professional de- Tuesday evening during the Westfield since the new construction has taken cently for freshman orientation, he and rewarding” experience, and has ample, curricula revised in 2002- velopment, and primary reading study. Council’s agenda setting meeting, place and eliminated approximately was told that for the 2003-2004 school “enjoyed serving Westfield.” She 2003, such as sixth grade mathemat- The board also heard from Dr. Ted concerning parking issues of high 50 parking spaces. He also stated that year, 100 more kids will be entering Kozlak, Assistant Superintendent for school students on Edgar Road. he felt a good solution that was the high school than leaving, and in Special Services, on a report of spe- Mayor Gregory McDermott asked brought to the Board of Education the 2004-2005 school year, 200 more cial education. Police Chief Bernard Tracy to ad- was the making of a proposed stone CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Mountainside Borough Dr. Kozlak provided a breakdown dress the council on recommenda- lot behind the National Guard Ar- for where the money comes from for tions that he may have about the mory. He stated that he thought this special education. Comprising 67 ongoing problem of students park- would be an excellent asset to help Date Is Set percent of the department’s funding, ing, littering and generally misbe- with the problem, but noted that the Council Discusses a local tax results in $9,853,375, while having in that neighborhood. Board of Education rejected the pro- For Hearing state aid supplies 27 percent, or The Mayor also opened the discus- posal. $4,083,349, and federal aid makes up sion to the council members at large Councilwoman Jabobson stated Possible New Fire Truck 6 percent, or $857,617. and especially Fourth Ward Demo- she understood the Board of On Temple Lot In addition, using figures from crat council members Lawrence Education’s position to be that it did December 1, 2002, Dr. Kozlak showed Goldman and Susan Jacobson, who not want to build a lot on property By LAUREN S. PASS By MARY RONK parking their cars illegally on Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Lawrence Avenue. While the illegal CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 represent that area.