Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, March 26, 2020 OUR 130th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 13-2020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Westfield Holds Virtual Residents Are Taking ‘Love Council Meeting on FB Thy Neighbor’ To Heart By FRED T. ROSSI lights outside their houses, which Kelly By CHRISTINA M. HINKE adopted, will allow municipalities to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Guevarez of Scotch Plains said symbol- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader extend grace periods for property-tax AREA – Whether it involves check- izes “the light at the end of the tunnel.” WESTFIELD – Mayor Shelley payments with a date specified by the ing on neighbors, performing random Music can often be therapeutic, and one Brindle was the sole person at the dais, state and not the town and extend the acts of kindness for strangers, arranging afternoon last week, Charles Jackson, an seated at the helm next to a container of date for which payments of taxes are online activities, assisting families in elementary-school music teacher in the Clorox disinfecting wipes, at Tuesday’s due to county, school district and the need, fostering positive thoughts or just Scotch Plains-Fanwood school district, town council meeting held via Facebook special improvement district.” looking for tips on dealing sanely with a had some of his third-grade students Live. The meeting was interrupted, He also provided information on an house suddenly filled with family mem- practice music outside for residents to however, before any action could be ordinance that was introduced that bers, people have been coming together enjoy. In Cranford, various groups got taken by herself and the council mem- amends the road moratorium that was in recent days as the area deals with the together to create “Couch Fest,” a virtual bers who called into the meeting. Mem- passed last year. The ordinance would new reality spawned by the coronavirus. online concert. bers of the public were asked to email provide for increased fees to road open- Both before and after the state was The stresses of the virus and of being questions and comments to be read ing permits mostly from utilities, he pretty much shut down in response to the confined to one’s home make escapism Ken Zierler for The Westfield Leader publicly. said, and also increases the years of CLOSED FOR COVID-19...Downtown Westfield is a ghost town during the state virus that has infected close to 3,000 a welcome activity, and Scotch Plainser Mayor Brindle recited a speech from moratorium from five to seven years, shutdown of non-essential businesses during the coronavirus COVID-19 health New Jerseyans, individuals, organiza- Mark Zacharia said he has posted a link Microsoft founder Bill Gates, stating, “further protecting the roads,” Mr. emergency. tions and local businesses have been on his Facebook page to an hour-long “It is reminding us we are all Gildea said, and requires a full repav- doing their part. performance of his magic and mental- connected…the false borders we put ing of the roads when major cuts are Before the restrictions on business ism that he recently recorded at a theater up have little value as this virus does not placed in the roads under a moratorium Westfield Resident Relates operations were put into place last week- in Pennsylvania. Instead of the $35 fee need a passport…” In the speech, she mostly from utility companies, and also end, Anna Mastroianni, the owner of that would be paid for a front-row seat at called upon people to help each other, applies to ADA (Americans With Dis- SOLE Shoes in Westfield, began col- the theater, he is asking viewers to in- “especially those who are old and sick.” abilities Act)-compliant ramps and COVID-19 Symptoms lecting posters of rainbows made by stead donate some or all of that fee to a Clerk Tara Rowley and Town Ad- sewer heads that would be done by the local children to hang in her store win- local food pantry to buy a gift card from ministrator Jim Gildea were seen at the town to be compliant with laws, Mr. By LAUREN S. BARR nurse felt he should be tested for dows. She told The Westfield Leader a local restaurant or shop. “I’m glad to town hall meeting, and Mayor Brindle Gildea said. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader COVID-19, the doctor at City MD felt that children in Italy, which has been entertain their funny bone for an hour,” said Police Chief Chris Battiloro and Mr. Gildea mentioned the recreation WESTFIELD — Westfield resident that he did not meet the criteria as he is devastated by the virus, first made simi- he said, “and if they want, they could pay Public Information Officer Kim Forde department, which started a virtual rec- and The College of New Jersey Ameri- not over 60 and had not traveled out of lar posters “in a message of hope” and it forward.” also were present at the meeting that reation department on Facebook, and can History Professor Craig Hollander the country. added a tagline: “All will be well.” Some Marc Marshall, a hypnotist from was otherwise closed to the public. was recognized nationally for its Chalk came forward on social media last week Mr. Hollander then began asking for residents have picked up on the theme, Westfield, said “many people have been Mr. Gildea started off responding to the Walk program. The department’s to tell his story in the difficulty of get- assistance in getting a test, including with a number of area homes displaying contacting me to help them deal with resident questions regarding taxes and Facebook page lists daily activities ting tested for COVID-19. reaching out to Westfield Mayor Shelley rainbow posters on their front doors with stress and anxiety.” He is offering a free budgets. He said the governing body where people can go online to view Mr. Hollander was reached by tele- Brindle. It was through other connec- a similar tagline. Children also have relaxation and meditation MP3 to any- had opted not to introduce the munici- videos for kids and adults to stay active phone by The Westfield Leader for an tions that he was finally able to receive decorated their driveways and sidewalks one interested. pal budget Tuesday night after receiv- and engaged while at home. interview on his experience. a test and discover that he was in fact with chalk artwork messages of positive With hospitals set to be overwhelmed ing word that the State Assembly was to Westfield Regional Health Depart- “To my knowledge, I had not been in positive for COVID-19. thinking and hope. with virus patients and some vital equip- meet yesterday (at press deadline) to ment Director Megan Avallone pro- contact with anyone positive (for He said that while he did eventually Silvana Cacciatore of Scotch Plains ment in short supply, Kaitlyn Johnson of consider a bill for permanent exten- vided an update to the town. She began COVID-19),” Mr. Hollander told The develop a cough, his initial symptoms told The Leader about a local children’s Westfield is working with a friend to sions of certain deadlines for municipal by saying, “This week, we had our first Leader. were stomach related along with a fe- author who donated her books to the first gather donations from local shuttered budgets. Deadlines are expected to also COVID-19 fatality in Westfield. A 91- He relayed that on March 10 he ver. “People really need to understand 50 people who responded to her social dental offices, nail salons and construc- be extended under the state’s local bud- year-old resident with several co-mor- began to feel ill and had a fever the that this is presenting differently than media post and even delivered them to tion companies of any unused personal- get and local land use laws for planning bidities. It is truly a heartbreaking re- following morning, so Mr. Hollander it’s being reported in the news,” Mr. each house. protective equipment such as face masks. boards and boards of adjustment that minder of why it is so important that we called out of work and went to his Hollander told The Leader. “I don’t Some homeowners here and else- She plans to donate them to emergency- are under time frames. This bill, if CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 primary care physician. According to think the front lines are aware of who where have again put up their holiday CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Mr. Hollander, his flu test was negative they are looking for.” He urged people and he was told it was likely a run of the who have any symptoms of illness to Second Garwood Resident mill virus. quarantine themselves. WBOE Meets Virtually, By Friday, he still had a fever and was The father of two is quarantined in his advised to go to City MD in Clark, own home, and is Facetiming his chil- Tests Positive for COVID where he waited for over an hour to be dren from a separate room. “Knock on Praises Staff and Students seen. Mr. Hollander said that while the wood, they are well,” he told The Leader. By MICHAEL BONACCORSO ting information with the Mayor Brindle told The Leader that By JENNIFER GLACKIN the board has read emails and made Specially Written for The Westfield Leader municipality’s leadership daily or as Borough of Garwood she has been getting similar requests for Specially Written for The Westfield Leader adjustments for this new learning GARWOOD – Garwood Mayor information changes.