SCOTCH PLAIT'S PW.'.LIC UBRAHl 1927 B.I: s'iU AVENUE SCOTCH PLAj.r; PJ f :r?ll7P PCB PLAINSTHE- Serving Scotch PlainsTIME and Fanwood Since 1959 — S fANWOOD IISPS ttSKN Published OUR 36th YEAR SKimd CIM PnUft Paid M Scotdi ftaim, N J. Thursday, January 26,1995 Every Thuraday 232-4407 FORTY CENTS COUNTY REJECTS $400.000 REQUEST FOR HOUSING FUNDS Appraisal Expected This Month On Proposed Site in Township For Second Complex for Seniors Five New Police Officers Hired Out of Academy; Judge Allows Advanced Recycling to Continue Pickups By GLENN R. KAPLINSKY Specially Written for Vie Timn The appraisal is being done by lenged in the court, officials noted. Russell Sterling from the firm of A private firm hired by the town- The council has asked the Union Schwartz and Sterling Associates. ship is expected to complete its County Community Development Mr. Sterling said he visited the Sub-Committee to reconsider its appraisal of a site located at Broad- site off Broadway and Jerusalem decision to deny the request of the way and Jerusalem Road, which Road on January 12. He also met township and the Senior Citizen has been proposed by a private with Township Manager Thomas Housing Corporation for developer for a second seniorciti- E. Atkins. Mr. Sterling said he has $400,000 in additional funds to zens complex in Scotch Plains, given the matter top priority. assist with financing the public later this month. The township's first senior com- senior citizens housing complex, Broadway Associates has pro- plex is expected to be completed which is slated for completion in ALI, ABOUT THE LAW...The Honorable R. Benjamin Cohen of the Superior Court of New Jersey spoke to Mrs. Rita posed to construct the facility on a Selesner's and Mrs. Judy Lasher's seventh-grade history classes on January 12 at the Terrill Middle School in Scotch later this year. The facility con- June or July. The project is lo- seven-acre strip of township- Plains. Judge Cohen explained about the legal system and his experiences presiding in a Newark courtroom. He sists of 97 one-bedroom units and cated off Old Lake Avenue. Those illustrated some points by using excerpts from the movie My Cousin Vinny to the delight of the students. The students then owned land. Scotch Plains would asked Judge Cohen "everything they wanted to know about the judicial system but were afraid to ask." Judge Cohen's 14, two-bedroom units. The facil- interested in making applications visit was the culminating activity of a unit on the United States Constitution. Shown are Mrs. Selesner, Judge Cohen and also have to obtain five acres of an ity is located on Martine Avenue. are advised to contact township Mrs. Lasher with some of the seventh-grade students. adjoining property. In other business, the council officials at 322-6700. Mailings announced that five police offic- are going out to the just under ers have been hired. The new of- 1,000 people who have expressed Significant Revisions Expected to Be Approved ficers whose names have not been interest, officials said. released to the public are all resi- Applications will be accepted dents of the township pursuant to starting Wednesday, February 15. To Borough Zoning Laws in Next Few Months a recently enacted ordinance. Scotch Plains as retained the The new recruits commenced services of an independent agency Planning Board Attorney Sees Problems With Residents Conducting Professional Businesses Out of Their Homes training at the Union County Po- which will screen the applications. lice Academy in Scotch Plains on In other business, the Borough By GLENN R. KAPLINSKY Mr. O'Neill said early zoning in cussion and debate, it was the con- which presently consists of the down- Specially Written for The Times Fanwood consisted of a map on one sensus of those present that it would town Martine Avenue area is to be January 20. of Roselle Park has expressed in- Revisions to Fanwood's zoning side of a blueprint and an accompa- not be in the best interests of Fanwood expanded. Union County Superior Court terest in joining the Suburban Joint regulations were the subject of a spe- nying text on the reverse side. Land to establish an architectural review Mr. O'Neill said, "There is a pre- Judge John M. Boyle has signed Insurance Fund. cial meeting of the Borough Council use is more complex today, he ex- board. ponderance of small lots in the bor- an order to permit Advanced Re- A plan designed to take the Fire on January 18. The proposed revi- plained. Council members felt that, if an ough." He, along with the Borough sions were prepared by Planning cycling Technology Services to Department into the 21 st century Mr. Brandt, with the assistance of architectural review board was es- Council, felt one of the problems that furnish residential house-to-house is being designed by the council, Board Attorney Charles H. Brandt Mr. O'Neill, covered how various tablished, it would be just another needs to be addressed in the new and Zoning Officer Jeremiah P. items are defined in the proposed layer of bureaucracy to deal with on zoning code is that people are build- recycling services through Febru- Mr. Atkins, Fire Chief Jonathan O'Neill. Mr. Brandt said that "The new code. For example, a restaurant the applicant's part. Councilman ing large homes on small lots. These ary. This will allow the township Ellis and the members of the Fire process started some time ago, and is defined as having IS or more seats. Andrew MacDonald said "delay structures look out of place and are time to retain another contractor Department The plan, it was we are now wrapping it up." Mr. A discussion ensued over whether means money." Mr. O'Neill noted not compatible with the rest of (he Brandt and Mr. O'Neill have been to replace the Firm. noted, is rough and more discus- to establish an architectural review that the applicants are usually flex- neighborhood. An ordinance regarding the reg- meeting weekly to draft the plan. board which would review proposed ible and will negotiatedesignchanges. Mr. O'Neill urged that consider- sion and debate is necessary. How • Another meeting of the Fanwood architectural plans and make reeor, - He did SaV"Jliariliaiiy"applicants a'r<J •WiCWSj^ivcriftf^wiother-dai/gliter" istrntion of sex-offenders was dis ever, the plan calls for the aven- Council is tentatively scheduled for mendations prior to a planning board not familiar with the Planning Board type of housing. Scotch Plains re- cussed. While the council has in- tual replacement of two pumpers. Wednesday, February 15, to further hearing. and Zoning Board processes. cently passed just such an ordinance structed its attorney to research The council received a petition discuss the plan. It is hoped the new The recommendations of any ar- Mr. Brandt explained there is a whereby elderly relatives would have the subject, the council indicated zoning regulations will be given to signed by many municipal work- chitectural review board would be problem with people conducting pro- a part of the house sectioned off for they are not in favor of passing the Planning Board and Borough binding on the Planning Board and fessional businesses out of their their use with separate kitchen facili- ers requesting a change in this Council in early March for their ap- would be of an advisory nature only. homes. Such a use is not permitted in ties. The "mother-daughter" unit such an ordinance at this time. year's holiday schedule. The proval. The architectural review board would the current code or the proposed new would revert to the main house when The council and Township At- change would involve working According to Mr. Brandt, the first be mostly concerned with the facades code. the elderly relative dies or moves torney, Donald T. Di Francesco Election Day, Tuesday, Novem- zoningcodes were established in New and sty les of any building and whethei Another problem area has been away. said that with the recent passage ber 7, in order to gain a four-day Jersey •- 1928. Fanwood was rela- such a facade or style of architecture Winnebago homes parked in resi- Mr. Brandt termed "mother-daugh- of "Megan's Law" such a local tively liuo in instituting zoning. The is appropriate for Fanwood. dents' driveways. The Zoning Of- ter" units an enforcement "night- Independence Day weekend. The Planning Board Attorney character- Westfield has just such an architec- ficer stated that Fanwood allows one mare." Mr. O'Neill in response said measure is unnecessary. In addi- council and Mr. Atkins have ized Fanwood's early attempts at zon- tural review, and it seems to work mobile home to be parked in a resi- there is a growing demand in the tion, the constitutionality of viewecTthe request favorably. ing as "rudimentary." well. However after a prolonged dis- dential driveway. The home must country for this type of living ar- "Megan's Law" is being chal- CONTINUED ON PAOCtO meet certain height restrictions. CONVNVEOONPAGE10 Tractor trailers are prohibited from Fanwood Zoning Board parking in residential driveways, he noted. Rules and Deadlines Announced Two-family homes will be permit- Reelects Mr. Celardo Head ted in the Midway Avenue-Martine Avenue section, if the code passes. For April 18 School Board Election Body Welcomes Miss Swindlehurst as New Member An area has also been designated for senior citizens housing. This area Nominating Petitions for Candidates Are Due on Thursday, February 23 is off South Avenue next to the A&P. By SUZETTE STALKER his backyard after purchasing the The Dean Oil site is not under consid- 'Specialty Written for The Times In preparation tor the upcoming property on December 1, not realiz- eration as a possible site for senior and resident of the district for at least County Board of Elections located at school board elections, rules regard- one year prior to the election and be The Fanwood Zoning Board of ing the structure was in violation of citizen housing.