The Westfield— Serving the Town Since 1890 — Leader USPS 680020 Published OUR 109th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 51-99 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, December 23, 1999 Every Thursday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS Menorah Near Train Station Draws Citizen, Council Debate By PAUL J. PEYTON elected officials should have in place policy.” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader when considering the largesse of our Mayor Jardim read a prepared let- The recent placement of a menorah community.” ter which he had written but not sent on municipal property near the town’s He was critical of Mayor Jardim’s to Mr. Hertell in response to the Christmas tree, in front of the north decision to accept the menorah and former school board member’s com- side train station, has prompted con- have Department of Public Works ments. cerns from a former elected official staff install it “without a courtesy He said Mr. Hertell had a “pro- in town and an angered response consultation” with members of the found misunderstanding” of his role from some members of the Town council. has mayor. Mayor Jardim said he has Council. He said this action “sets a dubious the authority to respond to requests Keith S. Hertell, who served on the and dangerous precedent, which may by residents and to direct town staff Westfield Board of Education from or may not reflect the best interests of in this regard. 1995 to 1998, publicly read a letter the citizens of Westfield.” Mayor Jardim stated that the coun- he sent to Mayor Thomas C. Jardim Mr. Hertell said he felt that a policy cil has the power to change his deci- and the council at Tuesday’s final is needed to deal with the placement sion. He indicated, though, that if the governing body meeting of the year of religious symbols. Among the ques- menorah is rejected, the governing and the century. tions such a policy might include are: body had better be prepared to reject Mr. Hertell, who stated he is in location of the symbols, limitations the replica of the Presbyterian Church, favor of inclusion in terms of the on their size and/or color and whether CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader representation of symbols for vari- or not all groups would be recog- TO PROTECT AND SERVE…Westfield police officers, pictured left to right, Christopher Battiloro, Kevin O’Keefe, ous religions in the town, said his nized with their own symbol. Robert Bartkus, Jr., Christopher Wolfson and Vincent Costanzo, stand ready to receive Life Saving Awards during concern is not about religion “but “If the council is not given a cour- Tuesday’s meeting of the Westfield Town Council. Looking on are Police Chief Anthony J. Scutti and Mayor Thomas C. rather about a process which our Appeal Filed Jardim. tesy heads-up, and there is not a policy in place, may the next mayor refuse all the public’s gestures? “As we move forward, it seems To Decision Westfield Police Officers Receive Promotions; that a well-thought-out process needs to be in place, to maintain an air of On ShopRite civility and togetherness which has Departmental Awards for Performance of Duty been the cornerstone of Westfield in By KIM KINTER Specially Written for The Westfield Leader • • the past,” he said in his letter. In a break with tradition Tuesday Captain Clifford Auchter, ap- the department in October of 1980 Patrolman Edward Maguire has One remark included in the letter, One of the attorneys represent- night, members of the Westfield Po- pointed to the department in Febru- and promoted to Sergeant in July of been promoted to Sergeant of Police which Mr. Hertell had initially not ing a local couple opposed to the lice Department were honored be- ary of 1976, was promoted to his 1986, he has been assigned to the and will be assigned to the Patrol read to the council but later recited construction of a large ShopRite fore the Town Council and the com- current rank in October and has as- Detective Bureau since June of last Division effective Tuesday, February after questioned on its deletion by supermarket on North Avenue in munity on having received promo- sumed the administrative captain’s year. 1. Sergeant Mcguire was appointed Garwood has filed an appeal to a • Mayor Jardim, stated: “The fact that tions and departmental awards re- duties for the department. Detective Sergeant John M. to the department in August of 1992. our present Mayor finds the church recent Superior Court decision flecting distinguished service. Captain Bernard Tracy, who pre- Parizeau has been promoted to Lieu- He will replace Sergeant Carl Geis (The Presbyterian Church in allowing the building of the gro- In the past, local officers have been viously served in that capacity, is tenant of Police and will continue in who will retiring as of February 1. Westfield replica) ‘offensive’ is miss- cery store, The Westfield Leader • recognized for such achievements at now Patrol Division Commander. In the Records Bureau. The Lieutenant, Officer William Moffitt, ap- ing the point. Let’s not ‘spit in the has learned. the annual Patrolmen’s Benevolent this assignment, he has taken over who has been with the department pointed to the department in August eye’ of any citizens by removing long- The New Jersey Superior Court- Association (P.B.A.) dinner. the duties of Deputy Chief John P. since March of 1981, has been as- of 1990, has been assigned to the standing symbols or excluding oth- Appellate Division confirmed that Westfield Police Chief Anthony J. Wheatley, who will retire from the signed to the Records Bureau since Detective Bureau as a plainclothes ers. Rather, let us consider how we an appeal was received by De- Scutti remarked, however, that in- department on Saturday, April 1, 1985. He is responsible for all com- officer. cember 15 from Brian Fahey, a • recognize all cultures in the spirit of corporating the ceremony into the 2000. puter operations and equipment Officer Matthew Cassidy, ap- inclusion through a well-constructed Westfield attorney who represents Town Council meeting would give Captain Auchter served in the Pa- maintenance, along with all depart- pointed to the department in January Dr. and Mrs. Ulf Dolling of members of the governing body and trol Division for six years before be- mental statistics and reports. of 1990, has been assigned to the Westfield. the public a closer opportunity to see ing placed in command of the Juve- • Detective First Grade Nicholas Detective Bureau as a plainclothes Tax Collector Office The case was assigned to a team the kind of officers who serve the nile Bureau in 1985. Promoted to Norton has been promoted to Ser- officer. in the Appellate Division, but no community. The ceremony drew a Lieutenant of Patrol in 1993, he be- geant of Police and will be assigned Several reassignments were also Posts Holiday Hours court dates had been set at press packed Town Council Chambers of came Detective Bureau Commander to the Patrol Division. Sergeant announced. WESTFIELD – The Office of time. friends and family members of the in August of last year. Norton, who began his career with • Lieutenant Frank Brunelle, who the Tax Collector has announced Mr. Fahey did not return tele- officers. • Detective Sergeant Robert the department as a dispatcher, was joined the department in February of that the holiday office hours for phone calls to The Leader. “I think they deserve that kind of Compton has been promoted to Lieu- appointed as a patrolman in August 1972, will be assigned to the Detec- the end of the year are as follow: But sources told The Leader recognition,” Chief Scutti told The tenant of Police and will be assigned of 1987. He has been assigned to the tive Bureau as a Detective Lieuten- Monday, December 27, through that the appeal basically centered Westfield Leader on Tuesday. to the Patrol Division. Appointed to Detective Bureau since 1997. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Wednesday, December 29, regu- on three issues. These include a lar office hours from 8:30 a.m. to Garwood ordinance dealing with 4 p.m.; Thursday, December 30, the development of the property, Sidewalk Replacement Program Leader Announces from 8:30 to 11 a.m. proceedings before the Garwood The office will re-open on Mon- Planning Board during the time Early Deadline day, January 3, 2000. the board heard Village Super- The deadline for submitting CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 In Town Delayed Until Spring releases for consideration for the By DEBORAH MADISON construction begins,” Kenneth B. residential sidewalk replacement for Thursday, December 30, issue of Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Marsh, Director of Public Works, property owners to Cretan Concrete The Westfield Leader is Thurs- The replacement of various side- stated. Company of Highland Park, which day, December 23, at 5 p.m. The walks throughout Westfield, which Under a new special program ap- submitted the lowest of the four bids newspaper offices will be closed is part of a new program initiated by proved by Town Council in July, the received by the town. on Fridays, December 24 and the Town Council in July, will de- has allocated $100,000 from the The company’s bid to complete the 31. layed until the spring. Westfield’s capital budget to help sidewalk work was $76,000. Readers are invited to submit The sidewalk work was expected defray the costs of residential side- Of the 136 residential applications, suggestions and ideas in the form to begin this fall. Due to the unex- walk repairs and replacements.