Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 9, 2015 OUR 125th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 28-2015 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Westfield Planning Board OKs Two Child-Care Centers By DELL SIMEONE well and a fenced-in playground area at the rear lot. Ms. Pallant said it is Specially Written for The Westfield Leader the rear of the property, which will possible. WESTFIELD – The planning board, result in a reduction in the number of Architect Thomas DiGiorgio said on Monday evening, gave its approval parking spaces. Required parking the ground floor would be used for to plans for two new child-care cen- spaces are 12, and nine are proposed. infants. He also said that synthetic grass ters and listened to a “conceptual plan” One of the owners, Lara Pallant, would be used in the playground area, to put a 7-Eleven on the corner of said they are moving the pre-school which would be surrounded by a picket Central Avenue and Grove Street. next door. She said they are expect- fence. Mr. DiGiorgio said the base- An application was heard concern- ing to have room for 60 children ment would be used for storage, and ing Creative Beginnings, LLC, T/A ranging from ages six weeks to kin- that some shrubbery would be used in Kinderprep, 808 South Avenue West. dergarten. Their former landlords, the backyard. The applicants sought preliminary and Warren and Marilyn Bruder, ques- Another application involved final major site plan approval to use the tioned if the backyard had enough Camp Academy, 932 South Avenue first and second floors of the building room for the proposed parking area West. The property in question for- as a pre-school. They wish to install a as well as a playground and a trash merly was home to a party supply handicap ramp, a handicap-accessible area. Mr. Bruder questioned whether business. bathroom, an additional egress stair- a car would be able to turn around in The applicant was looking for pre- liminary and major site plan approval with variances to use the building as a child day care center and to demol- ish an accessory structure to allow for additional parking. The appli- cant is seeking additional relief for the following variations from code: required is 30 parking spaces, pro- Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader posed is 22; required is a two-foot SALUTE TO AMERICA...Dr. Thomas Connors leads the Westfield Community Band in performing patriotic favorites curb overhang for a nine-foot by 18- July 2 during the band’s annual Independence Day Concert at the gazebo at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield. The Westfield foot parking stall, proposed is less Community Band currently is in its 103rd season of performances. than two feet. Local ordinance al- lows a .5-foot candle of illumination at the property line, proposed is a one-foot candle. The ordinance re- Opposition Continues in Garwood quires a five-foot setback from any property line for a freestanding sign, proposed is no setback. Over Proposal to Ax DPW Head Architect Rocco Cantanella said there would be 75 children at the facility. It also is a two-story building By BRIAN TRUSDELL vote. Council members withdrew the cost savings. Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader and would have an office and a sick Specially Written for The Westfield Leader measure in the face of the overwhelm- The only real new information not LIGHTING UP THE SKY...The fireworks at Cranford’s Nomahegan Park on room as well as classrooms. Engi- GARWOOD – Mayor Charles ing opposition. previously disclosed was that the Fourth of July delighted children as well as adults. The water area was ringed with people with their blankets and chairs. For the enjoyment of children, there neer W. E. Titus said the parking lot Lombardo and Councilwoman Sara On Monday night, while a handful Garwood had approached Fanwood were a few rides, and lots of Italian Ices, lemonade and popcorn. Many people would have both an entrance and an Todisco faced largely hostile crowds of residents voiced support for the with the proposal. However, Ms. were decked out for the occasion in red, white and blue attire. egress. He said there is a metal stor- on Monday and Tuesday nights, op- agreement, opponents appeared to Todisco continued to stress that the age building at the rear of the build- posed to their proposal to eliminate run about 4-to-1 against. Tuesday agreement would not lessen DPW ing that would be demolished. Sev- the superintendent of the public works night featured more neutral questions services and would save the borough Westfield Rec. Commission enty percent coverage is allowed, department and replace him with his but still several more residents were $70,000 per year in compensation as proposed is 90 percent, including a Fanwood counterpart. clearly against the proposal, saying it well as other savings in terms of playground, Mr. Titus said. The “informational sessions” – risked the performance of a widely shared equipment. Focuses on Tamaques Park Board Chairman Robert Newell which also included several Fanwood praised DPW. One man expressed his Ms. Todisco explained the evolu- asked if a child would have to walk officials – mirrored the council’s last disgust as he walked out of the room. tion of the superintendent’s position, By KATE BROWNE Scouts of America. Phillip presented through the parking lot to enter the full meeting on June 23, when more Both nights drew standing-room- saying that the borough operated with Specially Written for The Westfield Leader a detailed proposal to raise approxi- building. He was told no, there would than a dozen people rose to deride the only crowds, with many of the same a foreman as the head of the DPW WESTFIELD — On Monday, the mately $2,500 for renovations to be a four-foot walkway adjacent to the shared-services agreement the night people attending, including Garwood until 2003, when it finally had to members of the Westfield Recreation Megan’s Place Playground, which is CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 it came before borough officials for a DPW Superintendent Fred Corbitt, comply with a state mandate to em- Commission focused on a strategic located at Tamaques Park. The park who sat silently in the front row. ploy a certified public works super- plan for Tamaques Park. The park, is dedicated to the memory of Megan Other council members, including visor. The borough hired Clint which is the town’s largest, com- Beck, a Westfield resident who died Mountainside Council Looks Mike Martin, Jim Mathieu and Lou Dicksen, who two years later became prises 106 acres and contains eight at age 20 in 2005 after battling can- Petruzzelli, attended both sessions in Fanwood’s supervisor. Mr. Dicksen tennis courts, six playing fields, two cer. Ms. Beck was a beloved camp the gallery, while Ann Tarantino – has remained at Fanwood and would basketball courts and a jogging oval. counselor at the Westfield Summer At Traffic, Cat Concerns who introduced the plan and subse- essentially be returning to run It is among the most heavily-used Playground Program. Phillip’s plan quently withdrew it – attended Garwood’s DPW. facilities in the community, as it is envisions new mulch in the play- By KATE BROWNE recent rollout of a “Trap, Neuter, Re- Tuesday’s meeting. “Twelve years later, I can’t judge home to the PAL Flag Football pro- ground equipment area, the installa- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader lease” policy to deal with cats in the Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and why they decided to hire a full-time gram, Westfield High School’s cross- tion of two picnic benches and the MOUNTAINSIDE — During its Wood Valley Road Court area. Fanwood Councilmen Russ Huegel supervisor, but I feel with seven la- country team, and also is used by the purchase of recycling containers. work session Tuesday, the members of Mayor Paul Mirabelli and other and Jack Molenaar appeared at borers we can operate with a part- soccer, baseball and softball leagues. Recreation Commission Chairman the Mountainside Borough Council members of the governing body dis- Monday’s meeting while Mr. Huegel time superintendent,” Ms. Todisco The meeting began with a presen- Peter Echausse commended Phillip discussed residents’ complaints regard- cussed at length the recent traffic back- returned Tuesday along with Fan- said. tation by Phillip Lizzo, a Westfield for the quality of his presentation and ing changes to the timing of the traffic ups which have resulted due to a change wood Council President Katherine Mayor Lombardo started the meet- resident who is working towards his asked Recreation Director Bruce lights on New Providence Road and in the timing cycle of the traffic lights Mitchell. They said the agreement ings, both of which lasted nearly two Eagle Scout Award with the Boy CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 received a report on the impact of the that control access across Route 22 appealed to them because of the simi- hours, by declaring that the sessions from New Providence Road. Officials larities between the boroughs: geo- were informational and not a debate. agreed to ask the Mountainside Police graphic size and population and the CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Department to conduct a traffic survey and work with the New Jersey Depart- ment of Transportation to see what steps can be taken to relieve conges- tion, which has caused significant back- ups in the Mountainside area. Councilwoman Deanna Andre pro- vided her council colleagues and the public with a report on the results of the community’s recent attempts to respond to a large number of unlicensed cats. Several dozen animal advocates at- tended recent Borough Council meet- ings, and a great deal of passion and interest was expressed by residents and others about the correct response to neighbors’ concerns regarding health and safety issues associated with unli- censed animals. Rather than revise the rules and regu- lations regarding cat ownership, the council decided to experiment with a Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader trap, neuter, release program which GIVING THEIR ALL...Participants enthusiastically paddle along the Rahway involved volunteers who partnered with River last Saturday during Cranford’s annual Fourth of July canoe races, residents to trap 20 kittens who will be sponsored by the Cranford Recreation and Parks Department. neutered and put up for adoption. In addition, 15 cats were neutered and PAGE INDEX there are an additional six to eight cats Regional ...... 2-3 Education ...... 15 which will still need to be put in the Editorial ...... 4-5 Sports ...... 9-13 Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader program. The mayor commended Ms. Police ...... 14 Real Estate .... 9-16 CONCERT IN THE PARK...The Westfield Community Band entertains music enthusiasts with its annual Independence Andre for spearheading the successful Community ... 6-7 Classifieds ..... 13 Day Concert in Westfield’s Mindowaskin Park July 2, which also featured a special performance of “Lincoln Portrait,” by resolution of the issue. Obituary ...... 6 A&E ...... 16 Aaron Copland, with narration by tenor vocalist Kerry Stubbs. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Westfield Leader only Page 8 Thursday, July 9, 2015 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A Watchung Communications, Inc. 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WF Planning Councilman Frank Arena, who is the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 governing body’s liaison to the com- building. Board member Jim Foerst mission, advised commission mem- asked if the owner would be opposed bers and the public that five miles of to having a gate at the trash area. He Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader A FINE FINISH...The Cranford Jaycees sponsored their annual Fourth of July AND THEY’RE OFF!...Participants in last Saturday’s Fourth of July Fire- roads in the community were sched- was told they would not be. Firecracker 4-Mile Race last Saturday in Cranford’s Nomahegan Park. This cracker 4-Mile Race in Nomahegan Park in Cranford get off to a rousing start. uled to be repaved this summer, includ- The board then heard a conceptual year, three Cranford firefighters, pictured above crossing the finish line, ran the The Cranford Jaycees sponsor this annual event. ing the jogging oval in Tamaques Park. plan from 7-Eleven Inc., 800 Central entire race wearing full firefighting gear. The commission also discussed a pro- Avenue, which would like to develop posal to install an irrigation system at or redevelop property that held a gas Gumbert 1 ballfield, noting that in light station, but which has not been used of the costs of contouring and seeding for several years. The property is zoned the field, it was financially prudent to as mixed-use, residential and com- Honor Roll upgrade the piping system to insure mercial. The project engineer, James there is sufficient sprinkler capacity to Henry, said 7-Eleven would like to maintain the grass. turn the 3,034-square-foot former gas Edison Intermediate School - 4th Marking Period In other business, the commission station into a convenience store. He reviewed a report from Program Direc- said there is not much vegetation, but tor Dolores MacKay Kaufmann which that the applicant would be looking to Grade 7 Jack Ruckman, Brooke Russitano, noted approximately 185 runners par- put evergreens along the rear of the Distinguished Honor Roll Grace Sacco, Rachel Saxon, Haley ticipated in the recent Fun Run, which property, which abuts a private home Kaleb Amarante, Matthew Arndt, Schaefer, Ian Scheurer, Giavanna raised more than $1,500. More than on a residential street. Kathryn Bartlett, Evan Branagan, Schifando, Rachel Seigerman, Nicho- 700 Westfield children are participat- The proposed store would have 13 Katelyn Bromberg, Rachel Centu- las Senyk, Henry Shapiro, Remi ing in the Summer Playground Pro- parking places in front of the building. rion-Rocha, Eliana Cestero, Valerie Shendell, Lindsay Sherman, Grayson gram. The Lego and sports camps have Two driveways are proposed for Cen- Chang, Matthew Chen, Helen Chinn, Shovlin, Jeremy Silber, Daniel Singh, been extremely popular. The members tral Avenue and one on Grove Street. Thomas Chirichella, Gabrielle Cho, Ashley Stone, Julia Tompkins, of the Pool Committee advised that the There would be a security light behind Madeline Cohen, Christopher Katherine Troutman, Brianna Vaca, pool’s opening was successful and the building and LED lights around Composto, Julia Csorba, John Brian Viscido, Tristan Waddell, Jake the property. There would be a desig- Czarnecki, Tyler Devitt, Theresa Waldman, Connor Walsh, Rebecca nated loading and delivery zone as DiFalco, Caroline Dwyer, Omay White, Alissa Witzel, Ari Wolf Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader well as a trash zone, Mr. Henry said. Edekar, Mark Falletta, Aliyah Grade 8 LITTLEST PATRIOTS...Local historian and Sons of the American Revolution GW Council Feinberg, Spencer Feinstein, Distinguished Honor Roll member Ken Ward instructs kids on the fine points of using a Brown Bess musket The store would operate 24 hours a during the Westfield Community Band’s Independence Day Concert festivities CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 day, seven days a week. Anastasia Fowler, Daniel Fox, Steven Kathryn Armstrong, Julianne July 2 at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield. But many speakers virtually ignored Mr. Henry said at this point redevel- Freidenrich, Ethan Friedman, Julia Aronson, Maria Biegler, Flora Blandl, the comment, with one citizen asking opment is in the conceptual stage. Gagliardi, Harshita Garg, Lauren Nicole Boutsikaris, Rachel Bowman, rhetorically where was their compas- Before any work could take place, the Gaudin, Talia Gold, Cecilia Cooper Brennan, Kayla Butera, An- Guarnuccio, Matthew Guarnuccio, drew Caminiti, Katherine Ceraso, Aus- sion, and telling Mr. Lombardo and company would have to make an ap- Ian Gurland, Allison Hess, Kurt Hu, tin Chen, Colby Chen, Casey Cohen, Ms. Todisco that they were throwing plication to the board. Grace Hutchinson, Emily Isaacman, Jack Colby, Daniella Deis, Massimo Mr. Corbitt “into the street.” Angelina John, Alexander Joseph, Del Pizzo, Taylor Dobson, Juliette The divisions had a partisan as- Aidan Kilbourn, Derek Kingsley, Jer- Duguid, Mackenzie Dulski, Morgan pect. While the Fanwood council and emy Kronheimer, Arun Lakshman, Eng, Corinne Flaherty, Gayatri mayoralty is entirely Democratic and MS Council Jason Lee, Alison Lisanti, Connie Ganesan, Haley Gasson, Mayrin four of Garwood’s six council mem- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Liu, Theresa Lizzo, Thomas Lupicki, Gomez, Sarah Hacker, Megan Hanlon, bers are Democrats along with Mr. Margaret Maguire, Tara Makhija, Sydney Harding, Kyle Henderson, Lombardo, Councilman Mathieu, a The council also agreed to review Casimir Malak, Rachel Markowitz, Sophie Hendricks, Julia Hollosi, Republican, and Republican council the issues that have arisen with the Laura Masciola, Isabelle McGovern, Zachary Hom, Elisha Israel, Michelle candidate Joe Sarno clearly voiced Federal Emergency Management Max McKenna, Greta McLaughlin, Israel, Ethan Jaffee, Hannah Jepsen, opposition. Ileen Cuccaro, the other Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Stephanie Michael, Claudia Justin Joseph, Margaret Kelly, , Jack- Republican council candidate, dis- Plan. The plan was intended to provide Millwater, Emma Miovski, Raaka son Kirsch, Emma Krueger, Chloe tributed a single page of arguments grants to New Jersey municipalities for Mukhopadhyay, Lydia Nisita, Emily Landau, Celia Lanza, Amanda Lee, against the proposal at Monday’s mitigation funding and other non-emer- O’Connell, Deborah Obiajulu, Yan Leyzerovych, Kamryn Lombardi, meeting. gency disaster assistance and was ap- Roberto Panora, Luke Pardo, Ronit Thomas Mcguire, Ronald Melao, With Mr. Mathieu forcing the is- proved by FEMA and adopted by Gov- Rao, Colin Rees, Talia Remba, Jes- Sophia Morales, Jason Orenberg, sue, Ms. Todisco and Mr. Lombardo ernor Chris Christie on April 25, 2014. sica Roitman, Emily Rossi,Spencer Abigail Painter, James Peretz, Jordan said that the administrative review Pursuant to the plan, Mountainside Rothfleisch, Nicholas Rubinetti, Phillips, Ashley Postaski, Madeline Elisa Saint-Denis, Emma Sarrazin- Reynders, Julia Rickert, Rachel committee was scheduled to meet purchased an emergency generator Boespflug, Jessica Schlewitt, Anna Rothenberg, Bridget Scaglione, Sara later in the week, discuss the com- which is located at the Mountainside Schwartz, Rachel Seiden, Carly Shen, Sarah Silva, Matthew Siroty, ments and consider possible changes Public Library, but to date FEMA has Sherman, Samantha Shih, Sarah Brady Smith, Samantha Stravach, in the agreement. not reimbursed the community for the Simon, Eden Siskind, Alan Solovey, Brooke Sullivan, Lauren Sullivan, Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader If the committee intended to rein- costs of the generator and it appears RIVER RACE...Cranford’s annual Fourth of July canoe races prove to be an Zachary Spergel, Hasumi Tanemori, Pierre Sulmont, Amanda Szaro, Ethan exciting event again this year as participants paddle their way along the Rahway troduce a shared-services resolution, other towns in Union County, includ- Sophie Tsekov, Sivaji Turimella, Useloff, Sophia Vera, Eliza Weiniger, River. The Cranford Recreation and Parks Department sponsors this event. Mayor Lombardo and Ms. Todisco ing Westfield and Fanwood, have had Sumana Turimella, Kevin Vricella- Edward Xing, Jeffrey Yang, Eric Yoon, vowed to share the changes by Friday similar issues with FEMA. Stokes, Brooke Walden, Angela Zachary Youssef night with Mr. Mathieu, who has In other business, the council ap- Wang, Sophia Wayner, Jakob White, Grade 8 How This Newspaper Helps Advertisers … complained repeatedly that he only proved the appointment of Christopher Brianna Worms, Kevin Yucetepe, Honor Roll received the original resolution four- Sileo as a volunteer firefighter and voted Ryan Zadrozny, Abbey Zidel Tahani Ahmed, Jillian Alvarado, and-a-half hours before he was to in favor of applying for a 2015 Union Grade 7 Samuel Arkin, Natalie Becker, Jezaniah With a Strong Hand vote on in it on June 23. County Kids Recreation Trust Grant. Honor Roll Benaojan, Jeffrey Bennett, Luke After Tuesday’s meeting, Mr. Any funds received will be used for Karen Abaya, Inti Araya, Jonathan Bigosinski, Briana Brown, Julia Burk, We’re newspaper people, with our ears to the ground and Lombardo would not commit to say- field improvements, the installation of Audino, Marcela Avans, Katherine Jeffry Cabrera, Devin Caherly, Bran- strength in our hand. ing if the proposal would be dropped bicycle racks and safety padding, as Billing, Sebastian Blasi, Keliah don Capistrano, Lindsey Casale, Char- or when it may be reintroduced, but well as resurfacing and repairs of the Blenman, Jonathan Bracco, David lotte Clausen, Ciara Collins, Brendan For a long time it has been our job to meet the people of our appeared to hint that the matter would tennis courts. In addition, because La- Broughton, Madison Bryant, Carly Cox, Jenna Daniel, Julie Dannevig, area – in their homes, work, schools, churches and in their be brought back in some form. bor Day is not until Monday, Septem- Burke, Sierra Byrne, Anna Jaimie De Dea, Yuliana De Los Rios, Cagnassola, Julia Campbell, Sean Jillian DeBenedetto, Thomas DeRosa, civic and social activities. It has been our job to understand “I think (the meeting) was very ber 7, the summer program season will Canavan, Annabella Cerria, Marcus Zoe DelVecchio, Sydney Dobson, Mat- their needs and desires; to report their joys and sorrows. productive, and I thought we brought last 89 days instead of 82; as a result the Chin, Jack Cioffi, Gregory Claiborne, thew Eagan, Allison Escaldi, Gabriella up a lot of talking points,” Mr. payroll budget for the pool staff will Elise Colannino, Julia Colleran, Estrada, Sean Flynn, Amy Forbes, Few know this area and its people better than us. Many Lombardo said. “I hired Fred. There’s need to be increased to reflect the need Grace Demers, Faith Dobosiewicz, Michael Fuccillo, Andy Garcia, Jasmin merchants look to this background of experience and no ax to grind here. We just feel we for an additional week’s salary. Taylor Dombalis, Lauren Donohue, Garcia, Logan Gibbs, Fiona Gillen, understanding for assistance in reaching their audience can do things a little differently and a The council’s next meeting is Tues- Eric Elizes, Colin Elliott, Eric Ellner, Kamil Gonzalez, Nathan Gotz, Thalia most effectively. It is an unusually strong hand to their little more efficiently in Garwood.” day, July 21. Emily Ensslin, Bryan Felter, Robert Grandinetti, Ryan Grochan, Zuzanna Frankfort, Daniel Friedman, Bennett Gujda, Connor Hach, Layla Halterman, merchandising efforts – as well as an effective source for Galindo, Caroline Gallagher, Will- Alana Hammond, Alicia Harris, Joe information and advice. iam Gamba, Jakob Gibbemeyer, Mat- Herzog, Ethan Hom, Anthony Iacoponi, thew Goldman, James Greco, Jacob Zachary Jacobson, Meghan Johnson, Let us show you how the combination of this experience Harnisher, Faith Heffron, Brendan Jesse Katz, Evan Krishnamurthy, John and audited circulation facts can help you get maximum Hiltz, Benjamin Honig, Maya Hooey, Kwok, Kellie Leuthold, Noah Levy, results from your sales messages. Katherine Hynes, Uzezi Ijoma, Alexa Linsky, Lauren Logozzo, Declan Amayia Johnson, Elaina Jones, An- Luka, Julia Mancheno, Megan McCabe, drew Kapadia, Gabriella Kaplun, Jes- Evan Meade, Sara Mehta, Ian Miller, sica Karlin, Ashley Klein, Natasha Jenna Miller, Charlotte Moore, Tomas Koetje, Daniel Kohler, Nathan Lam, Moore, John Mulholland, Nicole Jacob Larue, Kaitlin Laskaris, Noelle Murray, Carli Negron-Maron, Justin Laskaris, Diana Li, Jessica Lisanti, O’Boyle, Jackson O’Brien, Anthony William Litchholt, Anna Liu, Anni Oliveri, Luke Orioli, John Ossman, Liu, Michael Magnotti, Stephanie Lillian Paone, Adam Perry, Cooper Margolies, Dominic Maurillo, Prieto, Roseline Reyes, Timothy Rosa, Declan McCauley, Abigael John Sandstedt, Jamie Schuermann, Mckinney, Anthony Merlo, Sumner Henry Schwartz, Emily Serpico, Migot, Havana Mohr-Ramirez, Jack Catarina Silva, Sloane Silverman, The Westfield Leader Musho, Declan O’Connor, Anna Angelina Silvester, Jacob Singman, Obsgarten, Christian Pansini, Ava Emmett Smith, George Snell, Alan The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Paul, Megan Prasek, Andrew Souza, Julia Souza, Ashlen Suen, Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader Principato, Leanna Prip, Zachary Caroline Tan, James Tichenor, Julian ALL-AMERICAN...These young women show off their patriotic spirit during Rever, Anthony Ricerca, Joseph Trott, Lia Varga, Brian Vergilis, Jordan 908-232-4407 [email protected] last Saturday’s Fourth of July festivities at Cranford’s Nomahegan Park. A Rigney, Madeline Ripper, Arthur Wallis, Glen Warner, Zachary Weiss, traditional fireworks display capped off the Independence Day celebration. Robbins-Geller, Jessica Rokhsar, Andrew Wellnitz, Ethan White ATTENTION LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS: Did You Know You Can Insert Your Pre-Printed Advertisement into the Leader/Times? • Mailed to subscribers with the printed newspaper • Provided to stores • Attached to the online edition each Thursday Ideal for Targeting Your Audience! Go to goleader.com/inserts for more information. Serving the community since 1959

USPS 485200 Thursday, July 9, 2015 Published Every Thursday Since 1959 (908) 232-4407 OUR 56th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 28-2015 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.timesnj.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Opposition Continues in Garwood Over Proposal to Ax DPW Head By BRIAN TRUSDELL full meeting on June 23, when more clearly against the proposal, saying it Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times than a dozen people rose to deride the risked the performance of a widely GARWOOD – Mayor Charles shared-services agreement the night praised DPW. One man expressed his Lombardo and Councilwoman Sara it came before borough officials for a disgust as he walked out of the room. Todisco faced largely hostile crowds vote. Council members withdrew the Both nights drew standing-room- on Monday and Tuesday nights, op- measure in the face of the overwhelm- only crowds, with many of the same posed to their proposal to eliminate ing opposition. people attending, including Garwood the superintendent of the public works On Monday night, while a handful DPW Superintendent Fred Corbitt, department and replace him with his of residents voiced support for the who sat silently in the front row. Fanwood counterpart. agreement, opponents appeared to Other council members, including The “informational sessions” – run about 4-to-1 against. Tuesday Mike Martin, Jim Mathieu and Lou which also included several Fanwood night featured more neutral questions Petruzzelli, attended both sessions in officials – mirrored the council’s last but still several more residents were the gallery, while Ann Tarantino – who introduced the plan and subse- quently withdrew it – attended Tuesday’s meeting. Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and Fanwood Councilmen Russ Huegel and Jack Molenaar appeared at Monday’s meeting while Mr. Huegel returned Tuesday along with Fan- wood Council President Katherine Mitchell. They said the agreement appealed to them because of the simi- larities between the boroughs: geo- Paul Lachenauer for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times graphic size and population and the MOVIE NIGHT...Area families gather for a Movie Night July 3 at Alan M. Augustine Park, adjacent to the Scotch Plains cost savings. Municipal Building, featuring a screening of The Lego Movie. Free films will continue to be shown on Fridays at 8 p.m. The only real new information not through the month of August. previously disclosed was that Garwood had approached Fanwood with the proposal. However, Ms. Westfield Recreation Commission Todisco continued to stress that the agreement would not lessen DPW services and would save the borough Paul Lachenauer for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times $70,000 per year in compensation as Focuses on Tamaques Park LOVING LEGO...Little Leyla Yessin and her dad, Mark, get ready to see The well as other savings in terms of Lego Movie on July 3 at Alan M. Augustine Park in Scotch Plains, adjacent to the By KATE BROWNE municipal building. The film kicked off this year’s series of free Friday movies. shared equipment. try team, and also is used by the tal improvement projects could be Ms. Todisco explained the evolu- Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times soccer, baseball and softball leagues. funded in the 2016-2017 budget. tion of the superintendent’s position, WESTFIELD — On Monday, the The meeting began with a presen- Councilman Frank Arena, who is saying that the borough operated with members of the Westfield Recreation tation by Phillip Lizzo, a Westfield the governing body’s liaison to the Mountainside Council Looks a foreman as the head of the DPW Commission focused on a strategic resident who is working towards his commission, advised commission until 2003, when it finally had to plan for Tamaques Park. The park, Eagle Scout Award with the Boy members and the public that five miles At Traffic, Cat Concerns comply with a state mandate to em- which is the town’s largest, comprises Scouts of America. Phillip presented of roads in the community were sched- ploy a certified public works super- 106 acres and contains eight tennis a detailed proposal to raise approxi- uled to be repaved this summer, in- By KATE BROWNE relieve congestion, which has caused visor. The borough hired Clint courts, six playing fields, two basket- mately $2,500 for renovations to cluding the jogging oval in Tamaques Specially Written for The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times significant backups in the Mountain- Dicksen, who two years later became ball courts and a jogging oval. It is Megan’s Place Playground, which is Park. The commission also discussed MOUNTAINSIDE — During its side area. Fanwood’s supervisor. Mr. Dicksen among the most heavily-used facili- located at Tamaques Park. The park a proposal to install an irrigation sys- work session Tuesday, the members Councilwoman Deanna Andre pro- has remained at Fanwood and would ties in the community, as it is home to is dedicated to the memory of Megan tem at Gumbert 1 ballfield, noting of the Mountainside Borough Coun- vided her council colleagues and the essentially be returning to run the PAL Flag Football program, Beck, a Westfield resident who died that in light of the costs of contouring cil discussed residents’ complaints public with a report on the results of CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Westfield High School’s cross-coun- at age 20 in 2005 after battling can- and seeding the field, it was finan- regarding changes to the timing of the community’s recent attempts to cer. Ms. Beck was a beloved camp cially prudent to upgrade the piping the traffic lights on New Providence respond to a large number of unli- counselor at the Westfield Summer system to insure there is sufficient Road and received a report on the censed cats. Several dozen animal Westfield Planning Bd. OKs Playground Prog