Happy Hanukkah 2019 Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, December 19, 2019 OUR 129th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 51-2019 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Cranford School District to See Share of Birchwood PILOT By CHRISTINA M. HINKE would not see taxes from that resi- Under the PILOT agreement with Specially Written for The Westfield Leader dential development, had the town- Birchwood Developers, the township CRANFORD – The township com- ship committee not formed this shar- is to receive 11 percent of revenue in mittee passed an ordinance Tuesday ing agreement with the school dis- the first 15 years of the 30-year tax that formalizes an agreement with the trict. The township made an agree- abatement. Cranford school district to share a ment to provide the district 70 per- Superintendent of Schools Scott portion of the Annual Service Charge cent of the Annual Service Charge Rubin, Ed.D., said to the committee, from Birchwood Developers Urban received in the calendar year of the “On behalf of the board of Renewal Associates, LLC, commenc- Annual Service Charge start date; 70 education...we really appreciate the ing upon Birchwood’s substantial percent of the Annual Service Charge opportunity you afforded us to advo- completion of a residential develop- received in the first full calendar year cate on behalf of our students and ment along Birchwood Avenue. following the Annual Service Charge faculty.” The apartment complex is under start date; and 55 percent of the An- Two developments going up in the development currently. Since nual Service Charge received in the township are to have deed restric- Birchwood Developers has made an third, fourth and fifth full calendar tions placed after the committee agreement to make a payment in lieu years following the Annual Service passed resolutions. A new mixed-use of taxes (PILOT) to the township, Charge start date, according to the building at 109 Walnut Avenue is to that would mean the school district resolution. include four affordable-housing units, and 310 Centennial Avenue is to pro- vide two affordable-housing (AH) units. Each of those two develop- ments’ AH units would go towards the township’s affordable-housing plan. The desilting of the Rahway River Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader near two dams, Droescher’s Dam and CHRISTMAS CAROLING...The Redeemer Lutheran Church Choir sings carols in downtown Westfield on Sunday Hansel Dam, was approved by reso- morning. The event is sponsored by the Downtown Westfield Corporation. lution. All voted in favor of the resolution to permit 2019 vacation carryover for employees. Garwood Council Creates The committee decided to autho- rize Statewide Joint Insurance Fund (JIF) effective January 1, 2020 Parks and Recreation Committee through January 1, 2021. In the con- ference session held prior to the offi- By MICHAEL BONACCORSO giving it 110 percent,” she said. ment will help Santa tour Garwood cial meeting, the committee discussed Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Mayor Todisco said “long-stand- as he waves to all the borough’s switching to the Garden State JIF, but GARWOOD – Mayor Sara Todisco ing traditions” were maintained children. The Santa Brunch, spon- some commissioners had concerns and the borough council adopted an while new traditions were added to sored by the Garwood Fire Depart- Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader about the surplus. Township Admin- ordinance at Thursday’s council meet- the holiday festival. ment, was held on Sunday. BELLY UP TO THE BAR...Last Friday night's rain-soaked streets saw Santas ing, which would approve a Garwood “This year’s Christmas tree light- “I hope to see a big turnout for our and Mrs. Claus huddled under umbrellas heading to the Thirsty Turtle in istrator Jamie Cryan had noted some Cranford. One of the Santas (when asked what his name was replied, "K-r-i-s, as of the positives of the Garden State parks and recreation committee to ing was literally the best ever,” second annual Menorah lighting,” in Kringle") said this is the 7th year for the Cranford version of Santa Con. The JIF in that it provided a “more robust replace the existing recreation com- Mayor Todisco said. said Mayor Todisco. This event will bar even featured elves and a Grinch who seemed happy to be there. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 mission structure. The mayor said the Christmas tree take place on Monday, December Councilwoman Jennifer lighting had the largest turnout, with 23, at 6 p.m., in celebration of Ha- Blumenstock stated she wanted to numerous “compliments” paid to the nukkah. provide residents with “assurance” event’s structure. The event included Councilman Russell Graham Board of Education Recognizes the committee structure will be additional snacks, face painting, vol- openly asked Garwood’s Police implemented to expand program- unteer-participation information Chief James Wright to look at pedes- ming options while allowing more tables and performances by the Y trian safety on Brookside Place. Honor Students, Board Members residents to volunteer. The commit- Dance Academy and the Girl Scouts. Councilman Graham said pedestrian tee structure will not replace or “I look forward to Santa coming safety came to his attention when his By MICHAEL BONACCORSO two students in grades 5 through 8 guished in academics, they are all eliminate any recreation programs back to Garwood on the fire truck wife was almost struck three sepa- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader received Honor Society certificates well rounded,” Principal Emmons for children or seniors, stated Coun- this Saturday,” Mayor Todisco said. rate times while walking alongside GARWOOD – Superintendent at the meeting. Lincoln School Prin- said. cilwoman Blumenstock. Garwood’s volunteer fire depart- the road or trying to cross the road. Teresa Quigley, Ed.D., and Board of cipal Mary Emmons said eligible stu- The Honor Society students are “It’s important to emphasize that,” Education President Christine dents maintained straight A’s in each “diligent academically,” yet they also said Mayor Todisco, addressing Guerriero recognized Lincoln School subject. are athletes, artists, and many are Councilwoman Blumenstock’s as- See Online Bonus => www.goleader.com/free students who attained Marking Pe- “Nothing less than an A, not one B interested in theatre arts, stated Prin- sertion suggesting the recreation riod 1 Honor Society at Tuesday’s plus, (is) allowed. Quite remarkable. cipal Emmons. committee will enhance program- Community -- Brownie Troop in Union County Wrestling; Blue board of education meeting. Forty- These students are not only distin- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 ming options. 40455 Leads Tree-Decorating. Devil Boy Cagers Have Depth and Mayor Todisco said the commit- Sports -- Blue Devils Team to Beat Experience This Year. tee structure has been implemented successfully in other capacities, al- Place your Holiday Greeting in the Leader/Times newspaper. lowing residents to be heard. Go to => https://www.goleader.com/christmas/ Garwood will begin participating Wish your friends Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in a new “electronic waste” recy- cling program addressing what is (No charge. The list will be published next week.) referred to as “e-waste,” stated Councilwoman Blumenstock. E- waste refers to electronic devices that drastically harm the environ- ment if disposed of in regular gar- bage, Councilwoman Blumenstock explained. Councilwoman Blumenstock said Garwood will be paid by the recy- cling company that is collecting the electronic waste. The recycling op- portunity allows for Garwood to profit, while residents can dispose of unwanted items in an environ- mentally-friendly way. Such items include televisions, cameras, computers, cell phones and other common electronic devices. Residents can drop off their un- wanted electronic items at Borough Hall on the third Saturday in Janu- ary, April, July and October. Additional drainage, new curbs and new sidewalks have been com- Courtesy of Nikki McAuliffe/Downtown Westfield Corp. pleted as the New Street project has WELCOME HOME...Members of the 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Regiment, been finished, Mayor Todisco said. New Jersey Army National Guard made their return home from Jordan with a “The sidewalks had previously not police escort to the Westfield National Guard Armory Thursday night. A crowd existed. I’ve heard from residents of supporters at East Broad and Elm Streets in Downtown Westfield waved United about how happy they are to have a States Flags and held up signs to welcome the troops back home. ‘new’ New Street,” the mayor re- marked. PAGE INDEX The Garwood Christmas tree Regional ........ 2-3 Education ...... 13 lighting was a success, Mayor Editorial ........ 4-5 Sports ............ 9-12 Todisco said. Police ............ 12 Real Estate .... 9-11 “I want to take a moment to thank Community ... 5-7, 12 Classifieds ..... 12 all the volunteers on the Garwood Obituary ........ 7 A&E .............. 13-14 Celebrations Committee for really Frank D. Isoldi • 908.787.5990 • [email protected] 209 Central Avenue, Westfield NJ 07090 @frankdisoldi • @homeswestfield • theisoldicollection.com 908.233.5555 ©2019 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Westfield Leader only Page 8 Thursday, December 19, 2019 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A Watchung Communications, Inc. Publication Sparking the Mind Series at the JCC An opportunity to learn, to discuss and to be a part of a stimulating community. For adults of all ages. Great Art Exhibits You May Have Missed with Barbara Tomlinson 1391 Martine Ave The Extraordinary Saga of Sergei Shchukin: Tuesday, January 14 and 21 • 11:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.