The Serving our Community Redevelopment. Since 1888 Forum Wednesday at 7 p.m. Item at library. Page A3. June 8, 2006 75 cents weekly of Millburn and Short Hills www.theitemonline.com SCHOOL BOND PRIMARY ELECTION Critics Turnout light for Sequoia’s debut By Harry Trumbore of The Item computer laptop “readers” for the The computer readers, said the Haimoff and Democratic chal- cratic challenger Tom Wyka for the raise cartridges reportedly have not been staffer, are due to arrive during the lenger Abby Kalan each ran unop- 11th Congressional District seat. Tuesday’s primary elections delivered. summer. posed on their parties’ tickets. Payne garnered 147 votes in the were as much about the new elec- The result Tuesday night was Voter turnout was described as Haimoff picked up 385 votes and township, Frelinghuysen 230 and tronic voting machines as the can- that the cartridges, along with light in the township, where 12,863 Kalan collected 232. Wyka 86. doubts didates running in mostly uncon- paper back-up records that work- residents currently are registered to Races for Congressional seats In the race for Gov. Jon tested elections. ers referred to as “grocery lists,” vote. can now begin in earnest. Democ- Corzine’s Senate seat, both Robert By Harry Trumbore This was the first time the new were sent as usual to the County Unofficial results—minus absen- ratic incumbent Donald M. Menendez, who was tapped to fill ofTheItem Sequoia machines were used Clerk’s Office for tabulation. tee and provisional ballots—show Payne’s bid for a 10th term repre- the seat on an interim basis, and throughout Essex County. “We don’t have the readers, so the candidates for various offices senting the 10th Congressional challenger Tom Kean Jr., easily The Board of Education Mon- Although the machine is supposed we’re still working with paper, just garnering a handful of votes. District faces no opposition from a fended off challenges from within day night called upon architects to record voting tallies on a car- smaller pieces of paper,” said one In the primary race for a seat on Republican challenger in Novem- their parties and will face off Thomas Kosten and Michael tridge that can be downloaded at staff member in the Clerk’s Office the Township Committee, Repub- ber. Republican incumbent Rod- Bieri to provide the public with a each municipality’s town hall, the who did not wish to be identified. lican incumbent Sandra H. ney Frelinghuysen will face Demo- SEE TURNOUT, PAGE B10 review of the upcoming bond ref- erendum to fund construction at the secondary schools. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE The building proposal is slated to go before voters in September. The plan Kosten presented to the public Monday night at the Education Center was only Hessian House, slightly different from the revised plans he presented in January. The new proposal contains some additional elements asked for by redevelopment the board or residents during dis- cussions over the winter. During the meeting, however, several members of the grass resolutions pass roots organization that success- fully led opposition to a $40.2 By Patricia Harris bond counsel concerning the million bond referendum in of The Item issuance of township obligations December raised objections to or other financing and report elements of the new plan, which The Township Committee back to the Township Committee is projected to carry a price tag passed two special resolutions at on the results of his efforts. approximately half the cost of the its Tuesday meeting, one dealing In response to questions from defeated referendum. with the possible purchase of the the public, members of the Com- Hessian House and the other mittee explained they were acting SEE CRITICS, PAGE B10 removing certain residential as the lead negotiator for the properties from consideration as potential purchase. Committee- BOE part of the proposed redevelop- man James Suell summed up the ment project for the downtown. township’s position when he said, The session, which was limited “The way I look at it is it’s short- to one hour due to the primary term aid for a long-term goal.” elections, drew about 30 citizens. Committeewoman Sandra Video Approximately 10 of them were Haimoff, who has led the town- homeowners concerned about ship’s efforts to preserve the Hes- the redevelopment project. sian House, said, “I wouldn’t The resolution concerning the have brought the resolution forth action Hessian House authorizes a if the Society had not received a number of activities in connec- substantial matching gift.” She By Harry Trumbore tion with the potential acquisition also assured audience members ofTheItem of the pre-Revolutionary War that public input would be At Monday night’s Board of house, located at 155 Millburn required before any final decision Education meeting, member Ave. The Millburn-Short Hills is made. Janet Landau outlined ways the Historical Society has indicated The other special resolution, board’s new ad hoc committee an interest in purchasing the concerning redevelopment, on communications hopes to house, listed as an historic build- repeals an earlier resolution enhance the flow of information ing in the township’s Master Plan, authorizing and directing the to the public. and perhaps converting it to a Planning Board to conduct a While she spoke, she was museum. study of approximately 200 prop- being videotaped, part of the The township has already had erties in the downtown area and effort to balance cost and effica- the property appraised. The reso- determine if they meet statutory cy in strengthening communica- lution authorizes the township criteria for an area in need of tions, she said. administrator, with the assistance redevelopment. The resolution The videotape made of the of the township attorney, to enter passed Tuesday evening autho- meeting Monday will eventually into negotiations with the home’s rizes the same course of action be aired on TV-36. Tuesday owner, Isobel Kahn, about the but lists only about 160 properties morning, Superintendent of purchase price. Committee- for consideration. Schools Richard Brodow said woman Ellen Steinberg empha- Township administrator Timo- the videographer, Mark Wad- sized the resolution is for negoti- thy Gordon used a color-coded mond of The Video Station, also ation purposes only and no com- map to show downtown proper- will provide the board with five mitment to purchase the house ties currently under considera- DVDs of the meeting, two or has been made. tion. Following the meeting, he three copies of which will be At the same time, the adminis- explained that any property that held at the Millburn Free Public trator will begin negotiations with is primarily residential had been Library, the remainder at the ADAM ANIK/THE ITEM the Historical Society concerning removed, although those that Education Center for public Township residents Frederick and Dorothy Engel prepare to vote in the primary election its financial participation in the combine commercial and resi- viewing. Tuesday afternoon at the Gero Park Field House with the assistance of poll workers Jean Trygg acquisition of the property, super- dential uses have been left in. of the township and Peggy Crawley of Maplewood. The new Sequoia machine can be seen in the vision of access to the property Many apartment and condo- SEE VIDEO, PAGE B10 background, at left. for the benefit of the general pub- minium buildings on the south lic and financial participation in side of Millburn Avenue east of the upkeep and maintenance of the post office, apartment build- ACADEMIC AWARDS NIGHT the property. The administrator is to consult with the township SEE HESSIAN, PAGE B10 Spotlight shines on MHS seniors By Harry Trumbore Millburn is “the importance of where I want to end up,” Ethan stay updated.” ofTheItem learning and loving knowledge for said. “Everything and anything I Kelly will attend Princeton in its own sake.” get into I will work hard at.” the fall and said she is considering Millburn High School seniors Millburn High School is com- Kelly also believes that students a major in electrical engineering. Ethan Groveman and Kelly Lack petitive and students are involved should balance the academic pres- However, she said she also is inter- will be the top honors speakers in the community, Ethan admitted, sures with the lessons they can ested in law and exercising her tonight when the high school holds but he cautioned students to keep learn from each other. analytical skills. its annual academic awards pre- their motivation honest. Building a “It’s important that we made As township parents watch their sentation. strong college application should time to get to know our class- children head off to college, Kelly Although they acknowledged not be the reason for community mates,” she said. “Even if we’re dif- advises them to be unconditional- the academic pressures facing service, he explained. ferent, it doesn’t mean we can’t ly supportive, and she encourages today’s high school students, both “It’s good to have a lot of people find a lot to learn from each other.” her classmates to “work for a bal- Ethan and Kelly said this week stu- striving for excellence,” he said, Kelly said she consistently is ance. Stay open to new experi- dents have to strive to achieve bal- “but there is a slight risk of it amazed by how multi-dimensional ences.” ance in their lives. becoming superficial if everyone Millburn High School students can Awards to be presented tonight “People have to relax and get has to have a leadership position.” be. Township teens, she said, have and student recipients are: PATRICIA HARRIS/THE ITEM some perspective on things,” Ethan As for his own goals, Ethan said exhibited their desire to serve the Advanced Placement National said.