www.nj.com/r*cordpr«ss Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Friday, March 17, 2006 50 cents College student is killed in pickup crash pital but was expected to be released shortly. THE RECORD-PRESS Vehicle struck a tree on Martine extension The driver of the car that collided with Hamilton's was not injured. Thnt vehicle .sus- SCOTCH PLAINS —A 21-yearotd Clark lane on the Martine Avenue extension when A 2002 graduate of the Arthur L. Johnson tained minor damage, said Donnelly. resident, Mark Costa, was killed in a car his car sideswiped a car going in the opposite High School in Clark, where he was an honor Donnelly said he could not recall other crash over the weekend on the Martine direction, said Donnelly Police are still inves- student, class president and member of the fatal car accidents On thnt area of the Martini; Avenue extension. tigating whose car swerved into the other track and field and swimming teams, Costa Avenue extension in recent years, and he said The driver and other passenger were not lane, but Donnelly said "we're leaning toward was a junior at Montclair State University. the road is not more dangerous than other seriously injured, according to Lt. Brian the victim's car moving slightly into the He lived in Clark for 17 years after spending roads in Scotch Plains. Donnelly. north-bound lane. his early childhood in Elizabeth. "We do have speeders then1 because it The accident occurred at 11:55 a,m. Hamilton's car then veered into-the right Hamilton and Branham were transported opens up to a four-lane highway," he said, but Saturday when an extended-cab Dodge pick- south-bound lane, went over the curb and nit to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New added there is no indication at this jxnnt that up truck driven by Edward Hamilton, a 21- the tree, said Donnelly. When poliod and fire- Brunswick, and Hamilton was treated and either vehicle was speeding. year old Linden resident, struck a tree, pin- fighters responded to the scene, they had to released Sunday night, said Donnelly. Funeral services for Co.-tu wen- scheduled ning Costa inside. Rahway resident Anthony pry open the car to get Costa out, he said, Branman was treated for some fractures, but for 8:45 a.m. Thursday at Walter J. Johnson Branham, 22, was in the rear seat, said Costa suffered massive head trauma and Donnelly said his condition was stable and Funeral Home in Clark, followed by a Mass at Donnelly. internal injuries and was pronounce d dead at "not life-threatening." As of Monday night, St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, also in Hamilton was traveling south in the left the scene. ' Donnelly said, Branman was still at the hos- Clark. OutlKeallsn winter season wrapping up Pair of Body in and thoughts turning to spring, the Westfield and Scotch Plains- Fanwood boys recently ended suc- cessful 2005-2006 campaigns on Central canal is the hardwood. Both teams were anchored by strong inside pres- ences, with Josh Cerckens keeping pace for Westfield and Sean Young Avenue believed leading the charge for the Raiders. For more on the teams' futures, see Sports, Page C-1. projects to be approved Fw. man THE RECORD-PRESS ByANNABOOOANOWtCZ THE RECORD-PRESS WESTFIELD — With the Planning Board granting FANWOOD — Though a con- approval last week to two appli- clusive identification has not yet cations on Central Avenue, the been made, authorities believe area may soon be seeing some the body of a man found in a revitalization, though one of the truck in a southern Florida canal projects is also causing concern is that of Kenneth Conceieao, a for some neighboring residents. former borough resident. Quite a group In the first application, board Concoicno, who lived in members on March 6 granted Fanwood from 1985 to 2000, went approval for a mixed-use build- to Florida with a I'ruMid after of guys and dolls ing to replace the existing dilapi- Christmas to find work in the Students at Roosevelt Intermediate dated structures at 430, 500 and wake of Hurricane Wilma. Fie School in Westfield will present the 510 Central. The applicant, and his friend found jobs for a classic musical Guys and Dolls this Ralph Rapuano, has worked with JCC hosts trucking company that was con- weekend. For more on that perform- the board through several meet- tracted to do cleanup for the hur- ance, plus details on tfm upcoming ings, scaling down the size of the Purim carnival ricane. fashion show fundraiser hosted by the building several times to accom- Around 6 p.m. Jan. 20, College Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains, modate the concerns of the The JCC of Central New Concoicao, who had most recent- turn to Community Life, Page B-1. Planning Board. Jersey celebrated Purim with ly lived in South Plainfield, left to "He really did do a lot," to a fulfilled carnival Sunday haul mulch from Boca Raton to address board members' con- afternoon. At top, the enter- the Okct'lanta sugar cane pro- tainment included (from left) cessing plant near South Bay, cerns, said council liaison to the Professor Zee, Little Bear Planning Board, Jim Foerst. The and Big Daddy, who clowned Fla., where tho mulch would be project first called for 26 apart- around with the residents used aa fuel, according to Boca ments, but Rapuano reduced that who came out for the festlvi- Raton police officials. to 20 and finally to the current 16 tiea. At right, those residents But that was the last anyone units. Rapuano was approved for Included Chuck and Grace saw of him. C'onceicao never an application to renovate the Hollander of Scotch Plaina, reached his location, and after a existing building about two years who came dressed aa a friend from New .Jersey could not ago, but decided demolishing the hockey star and a beautiful reach him, the police were con- building and putting up a new princess. The Jewieh holiday tacted. Conceiciio'.s Cut her Roger one would be better, said Foerst. of Purim commemorates the nnti his uncle, John Conceicuo, a The new building will include story of Queen Esther, who recently retired New York City four retail or non-clinical/medical was instrumental In the deliv- police deputy inspector, immedi- office spaces on the first floor, erance of the Jewish people ately traveler] clown to Florida from Persian rulers 23 cen- and began searching for him. apartments on the second and turies ago. The holiday, a Summer camp Is third floors and an underground joyous occasion, is celebrat- "We visited the site where he parking garage with a parking ed with costumes and candy. picked up (supplies).,, we .spoke a family tradition lot in the rear as well. with people and went to all the After being asked to scale the truck stops," Roger Conceicao Located in Dingmans Ferry, Pa., project down again at a hearing said Tuesday from his home in Camp Speers-Eljabar YMCA is a last month, Rapuano revised the Columbia, Warren County. "We long way from Westfield: But for BROOKS CRANDALL/CORRESPONDENT Westfield natives Erin and Sean (Continued on page A-2) (Continued on page A-2) Sullivan and their mother Patricia Haran, it's like a second home every summer. For more on this family tra- dition, see Page B-5. School districts pass tentative budgets for 2006-2007 When voters In Westfield and Average Wf. increase is $253 Scotch Rains go to tho polls April $306 in SP, $279 in Fanwood By OREO MARX 18 to vole on their school budg- THE RECORD-PRESS ets, they will also be asked to THE RECORD-PRESS Skate with select new members of their local WESTFIELD — The Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously boards of education. Voters will SCOTCH PLAINS —The Board of Education adopted a tentative hockey team approved a tentative 2006-2007 budget that would raise taxes on the have an opportunity to find out budget March 9 that would result in tax increases of 5.25 percent for average local home by $253. where the individuals on the ballot Scotch Plains residents and 5.54 percent for Fanwood homeowners, Local residents can skate with mem- The tentative budget — which can be reduced but can not be stand at candidate nights later this said board President Linda Nelson. bers of the newly-formed Scotch increased by the board before voters go to the polls in the April 18 month. Scotch Plains and Fanwpod collect taxes at different times, causing Plains-Fanmod High School hockey school board election — calls for general fund spending of $75.2 mil- The Westfield candidates' the discrepancy in the tax increase. Residents would see increases of team from 6:45-8:45p.m. Saturday lion, plus dubt service payments of $2.4 million and special "pass- night will be held March 29 in the $306 and $279 on the average home in Scotch Plains mid Fun wood, at Rock Ice Pavilion, 125 North Ave., through" revenues of $1.9 million, for a grand total of $79.5 million. high school auditorium. Five resi- respectively, said Nelson. The deadline for adopting and sending a Dunellen. $10 admission includes dents — incumbents Anne Biegei tentative budget to the county was Tuesday. skates. Registration is not required. Of that total, $70.2 million would be raised from local taxes. Nearly and Beth Cassia and newcomers For more, email baucons35@com- $2 million of that money has been approved in prior facilities referen- Jane Clancy, Jesse Garfinket and Although state aid figures have not yet come in.