The Serving our Community Whiz kids. Since 1888 Students win big playing the Item market. Page A3. May 18, 2006 75 cents weekly of Millburn and Short Hills www.theitemonline.com GOVERNMENT $40 million budget? and the parking lot at the Par 3 golf Public hearing set for June 20 on course, among other projects. Police Chief Paul Boeger- proposed municipal spending plan shausen brought in an operating budget request of nearly $488,000. By Patricia Harris get anticipates revenues of nearly That amount represents an of The Item $12.5 million and calls for nearly increase of nearly 10 percent over $29.5 million to be raised through last year, due in part to increases in The Township Committee intro- taxes. Nearly $2 million must be mandatory expenses, such as utili- duced a $40 million municipal held in reserve for uncollected tax- ties and state mandates, and in part budget for 2006 near the end of its es. to an increase in costs for technol- Tuesday meeting without discus- The introduction of the budget ogy services, he said. sion. Tuesday took place following pre- The chief also made a capital The budget exceeds last year’s sentations by heads of three request of $300,000 for a central amount by slightly more than $1 departments—engineering, police communication dispatch system. million, and township officials and public works. Committee Pete Gallitelli, superintendent of have indicated increased costs of members asked questions of the the Department of Public Works, running the municipal government administrators related to their spe- along with Tim Monahan, the may result in a higher tax rate. The cific operations. department’s supervisor, made a final tax rate, however, will not be Township engineer Tom budget request of $297,000 for known until the schools and coun- Watkinson asked for an operating roads, $240,000 for snow removal, ty portions are factored in. The budget of $84,500, which repre- $181,000 for sewer maintenance county rate is not yet final, sents a 15 percent decrease over and $96,000 for garage and car ADAM ANIK/THE ITEM although the schools’ rate is last year due to a reduction in need maintenance. In addition, the South Mountain School parent Anya Tomko, above left, and son, Alex, receive a lesson from known. for consultants in the area of administrators foresaw the need Martha Annoni, assistant township engineer, on reading an elevation map as part of a The Committee also set a public groundwater testing. His capital for $285,000 for public buildings program conducted Tuesday at the Bauer Community Center to give the school’s student hearing on its 2006 municipal bud- budget request of $1.6 million is to and grounds, $1,485,000 for sani- council members insight into renovation problems in Taylor Park. Below, business get for June 20. After that hearing, cover the portion of restoration of tation landfill and $514,500 for administrator Timothy P. Gordon asks the youngsters to summarize their morning’s work. For the governing body can approve the Short Hills train station not shade tree operations. additional photos, see Page D6. the budget. covered by grants, replacement of A new sludge removal program In addition to $40 million in the steps at police headquarters, appropriations, the municipal bud- and rehabilitation of Parking Lot 2 SEE BUDGET, PAGE D6 REDEVELOPMENT Baer faces stiff questions By Patricia Harris time are to be set, he noted. statute to move ahead with the of The Item Baer said the forum will be led planning process. by attorney Bob Goldsmith, who The mayor then said to Viney A heated exchange between the mayor called an expert in rede- and the dozen other residents, “I Mayor Daniel Baer and Glen velopment issues. (See related sto- understand you’ve been privy to a Avenue resident Frank Meyer ry, Page A3.) certain amount of information. I erupted at the beginning of Tues- The discussion began when Ter- want to be sure you receive all the day’s Township Committee meet- ry Viney, a Glen Avenue resident, information you need to make an ing. applauded the Committee’s efforts informed decision.” The clash marked the third time to revitalize the downtown but Noting he had done his home- the two have faced off in a public asked why the township is pro- work, Baer passed out copies of an session with a group of residents ceeding under the state’s redevel- American Planning Association from Glen Avenue and Cape Court opment law, which he said seems article commending the state’s showing up to question the Com- to be a “rather draconian redevelopment law. Saying no mittee. Again, the issue was the approach.” He also said his prop- plans have yet been developed, he municipality’s proposed redevel- erty value has suffered because of invited members of the audience to opment project for the downtown. its placement on a list of properties be part of the process. As at previous sessions, Meyer to be considered for redevelop- “If you don’t want development implored the Township Committee ment. on Glen Avenue, tell us,” he said. to conduct an open public hearing Baer responded in a general way Meyer came to the podium to on the redevelopment process. by saying the Township Committee make his plea. The conversation ended nearly has been asked to take a hard look “I’m disappointed that you’re an hour later with Baer saying a at the downtown and is merely taking this so personally,” he told public forum will be held the week responding to that request. He said Baer. “You talk about an open of June 13 at the Millburn Free the governing body is taking the Public Library. The exact date and steps proscribed within the state SEE BAER, PAGE D6 BLEACHER REMOVAL SCHOOLS Students evaluating park as a municipal exercise By Harry Trumbore children have a different view safe only when they have a clear ofTheItem from adults.” view of the area around them. The students were divided into Kylie Ferrentino suggested fil- Members of the South Moun- four different groups and spent the tering the pond to remove debris tain School Student Council hud- next hour and a half studying the they could see washing down the dled with municipal officials Tues- areas in question. river. day morning as they evaluated Martha Annoni, assistant town- Ocean Liu drew a diagram for ongoing problems in Taylor Park. ship engineer, led them through a new Millburn Avenue Bridge. On hand to speak to the stu- an examination of problems sur- He removed the arches to dents in the Bauer Community rounding the Millburn Avenue improve the flow of the river, but Center were Mayor Daniel J. Baer Bridge. kept the overall design. and township business adminis- Forester Tom Doty talked to the “I think people kind of like it,” trator Timothy P. Gordon. students about plans to rejuvenate he said. Baer and South Mountain the riverbank and the problems Collas said he was impressed teacher Rhoda Samkoff, who is caused by invasive plants. with the inventiveness of the stu- the student council faculty advisor, Martine Donofrio, chairman of dents. wanted to present the students the Enviromental Commission, “In one group, I had an engi- with a program that went beyond talked to the students about the neer and a banker,” he said, JIM CONNELLY/THE ITEM the visit by the council last year to pond and the need to control explaining that one student sug- Town Hall. Canada geese in the park, while gested circulating fresh water Doug Furnback of Landsite Construction Co. of Roselle Park scoops up several dismantled Baer suggested having the stu- John Collas, Public Works Depart- through the pond with a pump. bleachers May 11 from the Millburn High School stadium. The removal of the bleachers allows dents evaluate plans being consid- ment Supervisor, asked the stu- The youngster’s friend, Collas for the new track, which is being installed along with an artificial surface field, to be moved ered to renovate or restore areas dents to consider problems sur- added, came up with fund-raising several feet toward the main high school building. in the park and around the pond. rounding the dam. ideas to pay for the plan, saying, “Won’t you come up with some The students soon learned the “That’s how we can make it easy answers for us?” Baer asked the problems were related. on the taxpayers!” Bear sighted in township yesterday morning captured and removed students. Student Council President According to Samkoff, the stu- Gordon explained that the Patrick Ley suggested planting dents now will report back to their Police said a 150-pound bear that entered the neighborhood and eventually was treed near North township sometimes relies on the trees around the pond to discour- classmates, lead discussions and township yesterday morning was tranquilized and Pond at Forest Drive. advice of outside consultants. age the geese. send their recommendations back transported to Clinton where it reportedly will be Police, animal control officers and township DPW Opinions of the students were “The trees will block their view,” to Town Hall. euthanized. workers assisted officials from the Department of Fish being sought, he said, “because he said, explaining that geese feel According to police Sgt. Peter Eakley, the bear was and Wildlife who tranquilized and recovered the bear sighted around 7:45 a.m. in the Beechcroft Road around 11 a.m. Vol. 119 No. 21 CLASSIFIED D7-D9 EDITORIAL A4 MOVIES B2 RELIGIOUS NEWS A8 BOE approves assignments. For home delivery, call 1(888) 473-2673.