Rising Costs Affect Westfield Board of Education Budget Council
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, February 27, 2020 OUR 130th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 09-2020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Rising Costs Affect Westfield Board of Education Budget By JENNIFER GLACKIN Sullivan, companies can choose not house.” While it’s possible to pur- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader to renew a contract at the end of the chase buses, the bus driver shortage WESTFIELD — A preliminary year. When a contract is terminated, would mean there would not be budget presentation at Tuesday’s districts are forced to rebid. By state enough drivers to effectively manage board of education meeting in law, schools must accept the lowest the bus routes for student drop off at Westfield pointed to a growing issue bidder. Some companies will reapply the end of the day and get students to in transportation costs across the na- with a higher price than previous con- athletic events on time. tion. Bus driver shortage is “a na- tracts. Because of the state law, even Special education costs have risen tional problem and it’s getting worse,” if the lowest bid from the original 26 percent in the last six years and the said Business Administrator Dana company is double, the district must reasons are also largely out of the Sullivan who presented the budget accept it. “It’s completely out of our district’s control, said Ms. Sullivan. outline. Board members Amy Root control,” Ms. Sullivan said. Costs for special education are often and Brendan Galligan said the short- Transportation costs are increas- mandated by state and federal regula- age is partially due to the stricter ing this year by $174,644 and have tions or by a student’s IEP (individu- enforcement of regulations regarding risen approximately 46 percent since alized education plan). Out-of-dis- bus driver recertification. the 2015-2016 school year. Ms. trict tuition for some special needs Costs are increasing for transporta- Sullivan explored decreasing these students has increased this past year tion companies and according to Ms. costs by providing transportation “in- by approximately $1.2 million ac- cording to Ms. Sullivan’s informa- tion, and has contributed to the over- all cost. Board member Brendan Galligan said there is speculation from the State Legislature that there will be an increase for extraordinary special education aid and asked if that would Ken Zierler for The Westfield Leader help with these figures. Ms. Sullivan AN HISTORIC AFTERNOON...The Westfield 300 Committee, Westfield Historical Society and the Miller-Cory House Museum sponsored a tasting and dining event in celebration of Westfield’s 300th anniversary last Sunday at 16 Prospect Wine said she cannot plan on that aid for Bar and Bistro. The event featured a presentation titled “Wet Westfield…A Virtual Pub Crawl,” and authentic drinks and next year’s budget yet because that food from the colonial days. Organizing the event, from left to right, are: Arlene Soong, Meg Wastie and Robert Wendel. the district will not receive the infor- mation from the state about the 2019- 2020 special education aid until July of 2020. Council Designates Three Props. These and other increasing costs, such as salary raises and health ben- efits, have caused the budget to grow an estimated $1 million over cap and On South Ave. In Need of Redevel. Ms. Sullivan and her team are look- By CHRISTINA M. HINKE “they’re keeping up the property.” South Avenue East, owned by ing at ways to decrease it. State aid Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Also on first reading the council Westfield Crossing LLC, also zoned information, which could affect this WESTFIELD – The ordinance es- passed that any building permit or commercial, according to land records. number, has yet to be released. Photo courtesy of Union County Prosecutor’s Office tablishing regulations concerning va- development applications are re- Mr. Sammet also provided an up- ILLEGAL PUPPY MILL SHUT DOWN...Investigators last week dismantled a In 2015-2016, the school district cant and or abandoned properties that quired to notice the Downtown date on the town’s affordable-hous- Scotch Plains puppy mill being illegally run out of a private residence, resulting moved to a self-insured health plan, the town council passed on first read- Westfield Corporation (DWC). ing compliance. “I’m proud of what in more than 130 animals being rescued and transferred to more than a dozen which has saved the district “a sub- ing Tuesday night is “consistent with The town also passed a resolution we have accomplished,” he said. As local shelters. stantial amount of money,” Ms. what I see throughout the county and that would designate three properties part of the town’s compliance with its Sullivan said. the rest of the state,” Town Attorney near or on South Avenue as an area in judgment, the town should make ef- Salary and benefits account for 81 Tom Jardim said about the ordinance, need of redevelopment, after having forts to have 20 additional homes or Man With Gun at Tamaques percent of the budget and cutting one during the council’s conference ses- the planning board recommend the apartments constructed by not-for- million dollars without a reduction in sion held prior to the official meeting. move upon an investigation done by profit agencies, Mr. Sammet said. Last Sentenced to Five Years staff is “almost impossible,” said Ms. Councilwoman Dawn Mackey said Town Planner Don Sammet. The three year, he hosted an inaugural meeting CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 the town is most interested in that properties are, 421-429 South Avenue with non-profit housing organizations WESTFIELD — A Delaware man found Wilkie holding a .45-caliber East, owned by Westfield Crossing with eight different organizations at- who was found to be in possession of handgun loaded with hollow-point LLC and deemed vacant land, and tending, he said. Three of those had a handgun, numerous rounds of am- bullets. Two additional loaded clips Alternate Site Proposed 445-449 South Avenue East, owned asked for follow up meetings. munition, and a folding knife out- of ammunition and a folding knife by Ponderosa Land and Development These non-profit organizations look side of a Westfield elementary school were recovered from Wilkie’s per- Co. Inc., a property zoned industrial, to the municipality to help with land last year has been sentenced to five son, and 130 rounds of ammunition For 148-Foot Monopole 418 South Avenue East, owned by costs by way of the town selling off years in state prison. were located in the vehicle’s trunk. By JENNIFER GLACKIN gaps to the east that would exist after Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Westfield Crossing LLC and zoned municipal-owned land for a nominal Thomas J. Wilkie, 46, of Bear, Del., Arriving officers were able to take the UCC tower is built, but would not commercial, and 338 Windsor Avenue, fee or using its trust fund to help buy must serve a minimum of 42 months Wilkie into custody without inci- CRANFORD — Architect Frank sufficiently cover the north and south owned by Westfield Crossing LLC, down the property, he explained to of that term before the possibility of dent, and the school was tempo- Colasurdo testified again and offered gaps. which is zoned commercial and 448 CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 parole, under the terms set down by rarily placed on lockdown as a pre- an alternate site for the monopole Resident Kevin Buckman asked if Union County State Superior Court cautionary measure. proposed by Verizon Wireless at Fairview Cemetery would be an Online-Only Bonus at goleader.com Judge William A. Daniel, according “The bravery and professionalism Union County College (UCC) to equivalent site to UCC in terms of to a Union County’s Prosecutor’s Of- demonstrated by Officers Jeffrey Cranford’s Board of Adjustment radio frequency and gap coverage, to Index fice press release. Johnson and Michael Pollock of the Monday night. This new site, while which Mr. Pierson said yes. As previ- The case began at approximately Westfield Police Department was ex- still on the UCC campus, would be ously reported, the owners of Fairview Free Advertising Online Opportunities: 3:55 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2019, emplary. Their quick thinking and located further away from the nearest did not wish to have a cell tower on See www.goleader.com/free when the New Castle County Police heroism deescalated a situation that residence on Princeton Road, but their property. Department in Delaware notified the easily could have turned tragic,” said closer to Fairview Cemetery and The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Sports -- Cougars Win District Past Raiders in UCT Hoops; Cou- Westfield Police Department that a Acting County Prosecutor Lyndsay Colby Lane. Church reached out to the applicants 14 Mat Tourney, Blue Devils 2nd; gars Knock Off Crusaders in UCT man, later identified as Wilkie, was Ruotolo, who commended the This new alternative was presented following the February 10 meeting, Lady Blue Devils Rap Dayton in Boys Basketball; Raiders Place en route to Tamaques Elementary Westfield Police Department under to the board as an option, said appli- expressing interest in a cell site. How- UCT for McKeon’s 100th Vic- 3rd, GL 5th at District 16 Mat School and potentially armed. Police Chief Chris Battiloro’s lead- cant attorney Greg Meese. If the board ever, Mr. Pierson said the church is tory; Blue Devil Boys Rumble Tourney. Westfield patrol officers and detec- ership, as well as the work of Assis- approves the application, the appli- not tall enough to install a roof site tives promptly responded to the tant Prosecutors Theresa Hilton and cants would build at whichever site large enough to make an impact and school, where they located Wilkie in Nicole Siano, who prosecuted the the board thinks best, Mr.