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Seem* CUB PcMaf '*> •» WMMd, N J. Thursdiy, October 6, 1994 232-4407 FORTY CENTS SOME BOARD MEMBERS SEE MOVE AS DENYING CHOICE TO VOTERS School Board Combines Bonding Questions, Fearing Defeat of Classrooms' Proposal Board Had Voted for $1.6 Million in Improvements at the September 27 Meeting, But, at That Time, Did Not Have the Improvements Spelled Out, Awaking Committee Input

By ELLEN RADIN construction of sevenclassrooms and Mrs. Darielle Walsh. Sptiiully Wriltrnfiir The Wejtfleld Leader lution said it had been their under- one large all-purpose room at standing the combined resolution was Westfield voters will be asked to Board members, Mrs. Susan Franklin School, four classrooms at what the board had been contemplat- approve a combined $7.6 million Jacobson, Dr. B. Carol Molnar, Mrs. McKinley School, six classrooms at ing all along. bond issue to finance both the con- Susan H. Pepper, Mrs. Eileen Satkin, Wilson School and four classrooms William J. Sweeney and Mrs. Darielle They were also concerned that pre- struction of 22 additional classrooms at Jefferson School. at four schools and certain repairs at Walsh voted for formal working of a senting two separate resolutions Up to $1.6 million of the bond resolution which allows voters only might lead to the repairs, but not the five other schools, according to ac- i ssue would finance the second group. tion taken at the Westfield Board of to approve or disapprove of all of the construction of the additional class- As approved by the board on October above construction and repairs as a rooms bcinj.' approved by the voters. Education's special board meeting 4, these repairs now consist of win- held on October 4. whole. Robert H. Flast, Thomas The additional classiooms, they felt, dow replacement and blacktop resur- Madaras and Mrs. Melba S. Nixon were more urgently needed and had The combined proposal, and not facing at the Tamaques School; floor opposed the resolution, favoring in- been the original pui pose of the bond two separate proposals, will be pre- tile replacement at the Washington stead two separate proposals that issue. sented to voters at a special school School; window replacement and would allow voters to approve or They were also concerned that if election to be held on Tuesday, De- lavatory renovation at the Roosevelt disapprove either the new classrooms only one group of pi ejects was ap- cember 13. Intermediate School; window and or the repairs. proved, some schools would not ben- The board had on September 27 roof replacement at the Edison Inter- Those favoring the combined reso- efit at all. Under the combined pro- decided to ask the voters to approve mediate School; and roof replage- posal, each of the nine schools re- financing the two groups of capital menl, window replacement, lavatory ceives some repair or construction. DEER, THEY'RE HERE...TM1 doe takes notice of passersby on Jefferson projects by means of a bond issue, renovation, and replacement of the Westfield Avenue Avenue in the Wychwood section or WesMeld. Deer, although beautiful, have although, at that time, the board, door and steps and other exterior work done • great deal of damage to the vegetation in the Watchung Reservation and when it voted, did not know what the on the portable classrooms at the Is Being Redone have presented the members of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders exact projects would be. Up to $6 Westfield High School. These par- Reconstruclionof Westfield Avenue with a large problem. This picture was given to The Westfield Uader by former million of the bond issue would fi- ticular repairs were recommended by from South Avenue to Park Street is Second Ward Councilwonun, Mrs. Betty List. nance the first group, consisting of the Facilities Committee, chaired by scheduled to begin on Monday, Octo- ber 17. The project will consist of Town Selected roadway reconstruction, new storm sewers, curb replacement, new drive- As Best-Run way aprons and limited sidewalk re- Dispute Arises Over Trees on Boynton Avenue; placement. In New Jersey The majority of the construction cost is being financed by a $150,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of In Report: 10-Acre Parcel Near Cranford Eyed to Be Sold Transportation. The project isexpected to lake six to eight weeks to complete. See Page 3 During construction, the street will Westfield Wants to Sell Parcel to a Developer and Give Jurisdiction to Cranford be open to local traffic only, and detour for its recycling contract, were all indi- signs will be posted to divert other By PAUL J. PEYTON the condition that boundaries arechanged the end of its contract with Advanced traffic around the project. Specially Written far The Weit/ield Under vidual contracts. He ruled in favor of Recycling, Westfield officials would want to indicate the parcel becomes part of The entire roadway will be closed Cranford. Westfield has been in contact Scotch Plains in releasing the township assurances they would be protected un- Opponents to presenting a com- The Westfield Town Council has for three to fcw days during.lhe mill- agreed to hold in escrow money owed to with .Cranford to try and obtain sewer of iis contract wilh Advanced Recycling. der the law until a new recycling firm is bined proposal said they thought the rights from the township. Scotch Plains sought to get out of the found to take over the contract. ing and paving operation, which is board had always been contemplat- the builder of a development in the 100 tentatively scheduled for the week of block of Boynton Avenue until a dispute The matter was tabled until the Tues- contract after its governing body learned "We have to deal with this very care- ing two separate proposals. They also day, October 18 agenda session or until that the officials of the company's parent fully. We would hope there would be November 14. Residents and business felt that it was more appropriate to over the number of trees planted and the along Weslfield Avenue will be given amount included in the subdivision the title to the property is completed. firm had pleaded guilty to fraud. some new people getting into this busi- give voters a choice of the precise The Judge has asked the towns, which ample prior notice of any operations granted on January 30, 1992 is settled. Mr. Brandt said he had received a letter ness," he said. construction or repairs they wished include Westfield, if they would be in which limit driveway access. Officials said $8,000 remains in the from attorneys for the Union County Utili- Mr. Brandt said the contract states that to fund. There was also concern that favor of having the ruling reconsidered Questions concerning this project escrow account for the project. The five ties Authority indicating that Superior Advanced Recycling would continue to thus allowing for a ruling on whether may be directed to the Town Engineer, funds originally intended for a spe- owners of the properties are seeking to Court Judge James J. Walsh was not service the town until anew firm is found. their contracts with the firm through the Kenneth B. Marsh, at 787-4100 or cific improvement might be diverted have five more trees planted to bring the aware that the nine towns contracted with The council supported Mr. Brandt's utilities authority arc now broken. Police Traffic Safety Bureau at 789- to another, if the referendum did not total to 12 as agreed to in the subdivision Advanced Recycling Technologies Sys- recommendation not to give Advanced Mr. Brandt said he indicated to Judge 4020. delineate which funds were intended at a total cost of SI ,700. The neighbors tems, the utilities authority subcontractor have said as an option they would prefer Walsh that, win Ic the town would support for which improvement. to have six trees planted at $100 a piece The board also unanimously ap- and 20 arbor vitae which cost $20 each proved the appointment of the law for a total cost to the builder of $1,000. firm of McCarter & English as bond In addition, the property owners have Town Moves to Sell Union Street Parcels; counsel, saying that the firm's prices sought the removal of debris in a wooded were very reasonable for this highly area at the beginning of the development. technical field of law. Mrs. Jacqueline Third Ward Councilman Kenneth L. P. Shanes, theparticularattorney who MacRitchie said he met with residents on Ways Sought to Address Drainage Problems will work with the board, was very October 1 to discuss the problem. He recommendedthetownreleaseallmoney highly recommended, according to from the escrow account except the Another Public Sale Envisioned Soon for Lexington Heights Properties Dr. Mark C. Smith, Superintendent amount owed for the unplanted trees. of Schools. Mrs. Nixon stated her Mayor Garland C. "Bud" Boothe, Jr. By JEANNE WHITNEY town the option of requiring potential construction of homes on the pro- At this time, the road runoff water approval of the bond counsel should SjitdtlHy Written for The Westfielil Lender originally suggested paying half of the developers to share "pro-rate" or pro- posed two lots. at the intersection of Union and not be construed as approval of all the escrow or $4,000. He later concurred The Westfield Planning Board portionally in the costs of a drainage Town Attorney Charles H. Brandt Sherman Streets flows directly into a mechanics of the election, such as with Councilman MacRitchie that only moved unanimously last night to clas- system. The proportionate share is and Town Engineer Kenneth B. Marsh brook at the rear of the lots. It seems polling places. thatamount which is not indisputeshould sify lots owned by the Town of West- were not yet prepared to present draw- i nevitable that the brook would flood, generally based on size of lot front- Similarly, Mrs. Nixon along with be released. field on Union Street as a major sub- ings to the board of the present drain- Mr. Marsh said. age. Mr. Madaras and Mr. Flast stated that Town Administrator Edward A. Gottko division. The town is seeking a vari- age system or alternate proposals. explained the town's land use ordinance Neighboring Garwood residents Mr. Marsh said further he sees a their opposition to Dr. Smith's rec- ance to subdivide three existing lots Mr. Marsh said he had met with requires that trees be planted at the right- objected to the subdividing at last long-range goal of collecting the run- ommendations, which included the as two lots, for possible sale to devel- Garwood town engineer Donald of-way spaced 50 feet apart. month's meeting of the planning off water through street drains that bond issue, not be construed as oppo- opers. Guarriello since the last board meet- A resolution is expected to be included board, claiming that the drainage sys- would pipe the water directly into a sition to other aspects of the recom- Classification of the subdivision as ing to research the drainage. on the agenda of the Tuesday,October 11 tem in the area was insufficient for basin, bypassing the brook entirely. mendation. meeting, releasing escrow funds to the major, rather than minor, allows the The shared water detention basin, Dr. Smith had also recommended developer for completed work. which Westfield leases from In other business, the governing body thedistrict monitor enrollment, work Cranford, never has more than one or with the high school professional agreed to delay further discussion on a two feet of water in it, Mr. Brandt 10-acre strip of land bordering on staff, retain Lincoln School and sched- Cranford which Westfield hopes to sell to said. Mr. Marsh said that when the ule a public report. basin was built, with Union County a developer and turn the jurisdiction over In other action the board approved funding, it was designed to handle to Cranford. the building objectives of each schoul. drainage as though the surrounding Mayor Boothe told The Westfield These "building objectives" do not area were fully developed. "It was Leader the town would like to get the concern construction but academic money from the sale of the land. The land overdesigned," he said. would be developed for single-family and other goals set by each individual Mr. Marsh also said he saw sec- school or building. The board also homes based on Cranford's zoning laws. tions of the brook that are now sub- Town Attorney Charles H. Brandt in- approved the bid of Hillcrest Paving stantially narrowed, due to collected & Excavation Inc. of Maplewood to dicated that, since Westfield would own debris and concrete structures that the property until it isdcveloped, Cranford pave the parking lot at Edison Inter- could seek taxes. property owners appear to have built mediate School. Mayor Boothe said he would favor selling the parcel at a public auction on Transcripts, Leaders DEADLINES HELP Are You Registered? Extended periods for registration for On ShopRite Available PAPERS SERVE YOU the November 8 General Election have "In response to requests by resi- Those preparing press releases for been scheduled by the Town Clerk's dents for a more convenient way to submission to The Weslfield Leader or Office. Residents may rcgistcrlhrough review past proceedings in the The Times arc reminded all copy should Tuesday, October 11. ShopRite matter, transcripts of all hear- be in the hands of the Editor at 50 Elm The Town Clerk's Office will be ings before the Westfield Planning Street, Westfield, by 4 p.m. on the open for registration form 4:30 to 9 Board arc being deposited in the Ref- Friday before the Thursday on which p.m. today, Thursday, October 6; to- erence Section of the Westfield Me- they wish it to appear. morrow, Friday, October 7, and Tues- morial Library," Mayor Garland C. Leader releases also may be mailed day, October 11, as well as the normal "Bud" Boothe, Jr. announced this week. to Post Office Box 250. Westfield. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. office hours. The transcripts go back to the begin- 07091, and Times releases to Post Of- To register, persons must be 18 years ning — February of 1993. "Unfortu- fice Box 368, Scotch Plains, 07076, to of age on or before November 8, must nately there is no index, but The Wesl- meet the above requirements. have lived in New Jersey 30 days be- field Leader is assisting by providing For events which happen the week- fore November 8 in order to vote in the copies of their articles covering each end prior to publication, press releases General Election. of the hearings. These should make it a should reach the Editor by Monday of If you have changed your address, little easier for those interested to pin- the week of publication at 10 a.m. please notify the Union County Board point who testified and on what on Obituaries will be taken until Tues- Courioay ot W. W. Norton 8. Company, Naw York mnd London day at 5 p.m. of Election, 271 North Broad Street, ALL IN SCALE...For over 32 years, John Zwclfel labored to create the White House In miniature on a one-inch-to-one-foot which nights," he added. Elizabeth, 07208. Change of address scnlc. His gift to the Republic is described in crisp detail in a book to he published October 13, The White House in Miniature, Further ShopRile hearings aresched- For events which are planned weeks, cards may be obtained from the Town written by Mrs. Gail Buckland of Westfield, the former Curator of The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, now uled, to the extent necessary, at 7:30 or months in advance, we encourage Clerk's Office or you may use your an Associate professor at tlic Cooper Union In New York. The book, only one Inch high shown In the "library" of the White p.m. in the Town Council Chamber on submission of stories as early as pos- voter registration card. House, Is a miniaturized reprint of Reagan: The Man From Main Street USA by Vance H. Trimble, published in 1980. With the following dates. Thursday unless sible prior to the event. The dates published in last week's a magnifying glass, the text und illustrations by Jack Gold are legible. Trie picture over the fireplace is a diminutive copy otherwise noted: October 13 and 20; The above deadlines arc meant to issue were incorrect. These ore the of The Cincinnati Enquirer in 1888 by William M. Harnelt, an American master of trompe l'oell painting. Please see a story Wednesday, November 2; November enable us to prepare your copy care right dates. and other photographs on Pages 6 and 7 prcpnred by the Publisher of The Westfield Leader, Kurt C. Bauer. 10 and December 8 and 22. fully. Pace 2 Thursday, October 6,1994 Freeholder Board Backs Limited Growth Players Open New Season For Union County College, Pending Study With Comedy The 61st Anniversary season of Chairman Pledges Clean-Up of County-Owned Trap and Sheet Range; Westfield community Players opens with Pulitzer prize winning author Residents Ask Reinstatement of Ban on Deer Hunting in Reservation NeilSimon'ssmashhitcomedySa/te-'j Women. By JEANNE WHITNEY took it upon himself to estimate that Gary Miller. "Simon gives us Jake, a writer to Specially Written for The Leader and The Tines 13 tons of lead shot could be on the I could cost $250,000 to clean up immersed in his craft that he misses At the regular meeting of the Union site at the range, if one round of skeet the site, Mr. Miller said. outontheloveandfunofhisrelatioB- County Board of Chosen Freehold- were shot once a week for 35 weeks Other Cranford residents who live ships with the women in his life. Jake ers Thursday night in Elizabeth, out of the year, since 1935. near the Trap and Skeet Range com- is at his best delivering glib wise- scoresof Union County residents gave The Department of Environmental plained of the noise from gunshots, cracks to hide his tender and sensi- the freeholders an angry piece of their Protection has closed a similar site in particularly on the weekends. tive feelings as he is afraid that if he minds. Weschester County in New York opens up, his relationships and ulti- With the November 8 elections State, according to Cranford resident Freeholder Chairman Frank H. mately his writing will suffer," a Play- looming in the background, residents Lehr said that whether or not the ers spokesman said. demanded that freeholders take ac- county proceeds with the renovation Aarm Wcxkr ea tafaf a rattaa Uok hi Td Aviv Opening Saturday, October 15, at 8 tion now instead of later, to clean up Babysitting Course to the facility, the clean-up at the site p.m., the show continues on October and close the county-owned Trap and has to be done. 21,22,28,29 and November 4 and 5. Skeet Range in Lenape Park in Will Start Soon He said that shop other than lead Pupils Use Summer to Visit "As always the Players invite all Cranford, to stop the deer hunt in can be used, for example, shop made opening night patrons to stay after Watchung Reservation and to limit At Ralmay Hospital with steel or bismuth, another metal. the show for the traditional opening- the expansion of Union County Col- Rahway Hospital will be offering a Other county residents tried in sev- Places Both Near and Far night party featuring light food and lege campus in Cranford. "S.M.A.R.T.Sitter Course" designed eral different ways to convince the desserts," the spokesman said. freeholders to restore the ban on hunt- For most teenagers, summer memo- the state, resolving problems in New Jer- Ultimately, the board passed a reso- to help baby-sitters meet the chal- ries include relaxing days on the beach sey and examining ethnic and cultural Tickets for $12 are available at lution in support of limiting growth lenges of caring for children of all ing in Watchung Reservation. and hanging out with friends, but for pluralism. A requirement of this program Rorden Realty and The Town Book of the campus and crating a commit- ages. The three session course will Mountainside resident Mrs. several Scotch Plains-Fanwood High included developing a major project; Store in Westfield and at the box tee made up of community and col- take place from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Patricia Bryden presented a list of School students, this past summer pro- Shannon chose to write a paper based on office by 232-1221. lege members. Thursdays, October 13,20 and 27, af veterinarians volunteering to super- vided a chance to travel, learn an