Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus USPS 680020 Published Every Thursday OUR 110th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 25-110 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, February 24, 2000 Since 1890 (908) 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS Residents of Cacciola Fear Impact of Development By DEBORAH MADISON ing them will make way for a 23-unit allow this revitalization process to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader townhouse, apartment and store com- expand down Cacciola Place and Speaking on behalf of current resi- plex to be built by Mr. Rapuano. will replace all of the affordable hous- dents of the Central Avenue build- Currently owned by Mr. Rapuano, ing with unaffordable, high rental ings slated for demolition, Westfield the houses are home to more than six units, as is being done to the homes Neighborhood Council (WNC) Di- families. on Central Avenue.” rector Ezella Johnson and WNC The project was approved by the According to Ms. Johnson, the bulk President Harold Cohen recently told Westfield Planning Board last Sep- of the Cacciola Place neighborhood, The Westfield Leader “there is a gen- tember, with demolition of the 100- including the residences on Central eral impression by the residents of year-old houses scheduled to begin Avenue, is made up of low- to mod- this community that real estate de- this spring. erate-income renters who cannot af- veloper Ralph Rapuano does not care Although she is a Cacciola Place ford the kind of rent that Mr. Rapuano about the displacement of these resi- resident, WNC Vice President Mary is going to charge in the new units. dents, and that the town is going to Withers declined to comment on the She said she has discussed the rent allow this to happen,” in the words of situation because she holds a seat on prices with Mr. Rapuano and, ac- Ms. Johnson. the Westfield Planning Board. cording to Ms. Johnson, he intends The houses that will be razed are “The fear of all of the residents in on more than doubling the rent once located on Central Avenue near the this neighborhood,” said Ms. the new units are in place. corner of Cacciola Place. Demolish- Johnson, “is that the town is going to “The community feels that ‘gentrification,’ as it has been called, is just a smoke screen for moving the low income minorities out of town,” Ms. Johnson remarked. The community’s attitude, accord- ing to Mr. Cohen, is that “the town should assist us in finding ways to anchor this neighborhood as a stable, Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader minority community, rather than fa- WOODLAND AVENUE WELL HOUSE…The Westfield Planning Board gave its nod last Thursday to a resolution cilitating Mr. Rapuano’s displace- granting local historic designation and preservation status to the well house at 200 Woodland Avenue. The resolution, ment of the neighborhood.” okayed by the town’s Historic Preservation Commission in December, must now get final approval from the Town When the Planning Board gave Council. It is estimated that the well was built between 1780 and 1790 and was used to supply water to the main house. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 See related story on Page 11. Planning Board Apologizes About New Subdivision; Discusses Strengthening Historic Preservation Laws By INGRID McKINLEY Planning Board meeting for public At the meeting, Karen Terrace resi- Another complaint by some local Specially Written for The Westfield Leader comment on the subdivision was done dent Lori Zivny, a neighbor of the neighbors such as Ms. Zivny is that A remorseful Westfield Planning as a courtesy. subdivision and an outspoken oppo- they received no notice that the sub- Board addressed a crowded Council The meeting began with Planning nent to the plan, and East Broad division plan was under consider- Chambers February 17 on the sub- Board Chairman Martin Robins ad- Street resident Elizabeth and Warren ation by the Planning Board. ject of a new subdivision at 1065 dressing the crowded chambers: “In Hanscom were represented by an The applicant of a subdivision East Broad Street, which was ap- an unusual and unprecedented man- attorney. seeking no variances is not legally proved by the board in January. ner, we are making a special provi- Michelle Gibson, of Greenbaum, bound to notify adjacent neighbors Approval of the subdivision, which sion tonight to open the floor to the Rowe and Smith in Woodbridge, re- about plans. has resulted in some public unrest public regarding the memorialization viewed neighbors’ complaints, in- The town, though, as a matter of particularly by a neighbor adjacent (of 1065 East Broad St.).” cluding the dismantling of the ga- courtesy, has been notifing neigh- to the property, was the impetus for He continued by saying that the rage on the site, the moving of the bors. But because of illnesses in the the February 17 special Planning Planning Board, due to current laws, 18th century home to another loca- Town Engineer’s office and the De- Board meeting, which actually was had no choice but to approve the tion on the site and the placement of cember holidays, neighbors in this called to review the current Westfield subdivision. But Planning Board a driveway onto Union County Route particular case were not notified. historic preservation ordinances. members recognize the decision has No. 509 (East Broad). When the discussion was com- An 18th century single family been controversial and wanted the Ms. Gibson proposed to the Plan- pleted, Mr. Robins responded to the home currently stands on the East public to be given the opportunity to ning Board that the property be in- group. “We are disappointed we had Broad Street subdivision site and speak on the record, he said. tensively studied in regards to grad- so little power in this case. We should there has been some concern that the “If it (the subdivision) may lead to ing and storm water prior to granting have studied the case more, but could preservation of the home should have further legal action, so be it,” said permits. not within the time frame allotted. been taken more into consideration Mr. Robins. She also suggested that the devel- With the holidays, board members before approving the plan. The tone of the public response oper take out a bond to guarantee the being ill, we just couldn’t do it. We Under the approved plan, the 18th was disbelief. historical house will be restored to were restricted by time, and needed century home will be moved and Residents argued that the Plan- its current condition and not be torn to abide by the law.” relocated on the property to make ning Board should have considered down if damaged in the move. Board member, Anthony La Porta Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader room for two new homes that will WELCOME TO OUR TOWN…New Westfield entrance signs, which were paid the impact on the neighbor in terms The attorney’s suggestions were agreed. “This was a difficult one to face Karen Terrace, which is located of historical preservation and main- taken under advisement by the Plan- approve. We would rather have not, for through last year’s town budget, are installed on Springfield Avenue and off of East Broad Street. North Avenue, as well as five other locations, to serve as a welcoming symbol of taining the existing neighborhood. ning Board. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 the town. Opening the February 17 special Three Incumbents and Challenger Rec. Department Seeks Funding Vie For Westfield School Bd. Seats For Parks Maintenance Entity By PAUL J. PEYTON get. end in 2001 or 2002. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Officials are waiting for state aid Recreation officials said work on By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN “sound policy and well-thought out since 1997. He held a previous term Memorial Park will take the facility Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ideas.” Continuing to iron out this year’s numbers in order to calculate rev- from 1984 to 1987, during which municipal budget, the Town Council out of use for an entire sports season. WESTFIELD – With a Monday, Although he could not cite any time he chaired the Staff Relations enue outside of property taxes that February 28, deadline nearing for met with Recreation Department and will be available to fund the spend- Another proposal by the Recre- particular contribution he made to Committee to find a new School ation Department is for the creation filing nominating petitions, the race the school board when asked, he Downtown Westfield Corporation ing plan. Roughly half of the munici- Superintendent during the 1980s. The (DWC) officials Tuesday night. of a parks and maintenance entity for four seats by three candidates on noted that as a member of the board’s board hired Dr. Mark C. Smith who pal budget is supported by taxes. the Westfield Board of Education The council also reviewed a pro- The preliminary budget calls for a within the department. Currently, Facilities Committee, he would like resigned in 1996 to take a post in field maintenance is handled by the has already gotten into full swing. to keep the district’s facilities from posal to start a senior transportation tax increase of around five to six Massachusetts and later employed service in town. Public Works Department. Incumbents Dr. B. Carol Molnar deteriorating. current superintendent Dr. William cents over last year. The Board of of Wychwood Road and Anne Riegel The governing body was presented Education is looking at a prelimi- Mr. Burrell said the Recreation Early Monday afternoon, Mr. J. Foley. Commission’s proposal, which has of Manchester Drive had returned Kessler confided to The Leader that with a $24.6 million budget from nary budget calling for a seven cent A 1968 graduate of Westfield High former Town Administrator Edward been on the table for several years, their petitions to the office Board he wasn’t sure if he wanted to com- School, Mr.