Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, February 8, 2018 OUR 128th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 06-2018 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Westfield Teen, Service Dog Removed From School Bus By SARAH MCGRAIL school bus on January 3 with her “Special Services have gone out of Specially Written for The Westfield Leader service dog, Logan, but was told she their way to do everything they can, WESTFIELD — A Westfield was not allowed to travel with the in violation of federal and state law schoolgirl and her service dog were dog. Ms. Reiss said she got on the bus and human decency, to bar my daugh- removed by police from a school to explain to the bus driver that she ter from going to school with her bus, a mother claimed at Tuesday’s had resolved the issue with the school service dog,” Ms. Reiss said. board of education meeting. district but, after half an hour, the bus Avigail, 18, told board members, But Board President Gretchan company called the police. “The feeling of waking up in the Ohlig said the district and the bus “The police removed my daughter morning, walking outside and think- company had a responsibility to en- and the service dog from the bus that ing you can go to school but then sure that other children on the bus morning,” Ms. Reiss told the board. being told you can’t, being stopped were not allergic to dogs. “It took me a full week to persuade and then watching all the other chil- Fraidy Reiss, of Edgar Road, said the district to drive my daughter and dren on the school bus being taken off her daughter, Avigail, boarded the her service dog to school. in front of you and basically being told you’re doing something wrong somehow, of course that makes me feel bad. It’s not fair. It’s not fair to me and to anyone else in my position.” Ms. Reiss said the district had been aware that her daughter would be getting a service dog since May, but she had not been informed that any special paperwork would be required. “Avigail, I am very sorry you were Courtesy of Borough of Fanwood put in that situation. You are abso- EXCHANGING IDEAS...Members of the Mayors Task Force of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC) recently met in lutely entitled to the same education Westfield to discuss their goals and ideas for the Raritan Valley Line. Please see story on Page 3. that everyone in this district gets, and I apologize if you felt otherwise,” Ms. Ohlig responded. Responding to Ms. Reiss, Ms. Ohlig Planning Bd. OKs Fairfield Cir. said, “A second bus had to come and I’m sure that was disturbing for you and really upsetting for your daughter that a second bus had to take all the Subdivision, Tear Down, 5-4 other children and the police had to get involved.” By MICHAEL BONACCORSO Ten neighboring residents provided “We comply with lot width, we com- Ms. Ohlig explained that the bus Specially Written for The Westfield Leader commentary against a subdivision ap- ply with lot size. We comply with all Paul Lachenauer for The Westfield Leader SUPER BOWL SUNDAY...The Westfield Neighborhood Council hosted a Super served multiple children from around WESTFIELD — The planning proval before the decision was ren- bulk standards and side-yard setbacks,” Bowl party on Sunday. Among those in attendance were Mayor Shelley Brindle, the area and, before a service dog board, in a 5-to-4 decision Monday dered. said the applicant’s attorney, Stephen center (in back), Councilpersons Dawn Mackey and David Contract, second and could travel on the bus, their parents night, approved applicant D. Villane “It breaks my heart to see another old Hehl. third from right, and Michael Dardia, left (in back) along with Neighborhood had to be contacted to check there Construction to demolish a single-fam- house in a neighborhood torn down,” Mr. Hehl said a hardship the appli- Council members Ahisha Quallis, Mary Withers and Carol Mercer. were no allergies or phobias to dogs. ily dwelling at 621 Fairfield Circle, said resident Donna Perch during pub- cant faces or need for variance relief is “We have an obligation to all the allowing for a subdivision of the prop- lic commentary. According to state tax because the lot is on a curved road. children who ride that bus, as does the erty. The two new building lots each records, the home dates back to 1908. “More often than not,” lots on curved bus company,” she said. will contain a new single-family home. The residents who provided com- roads are narrower towards the street or Six Arrested After Refusing Avigail Reiss first traveled to Cor- The applicant was granted a variance mentary stated they were in favor of one have less “lot frontage” and are wider nerstone Day School, a private school relief from a 60-foot minimum lot front- larger home, whether through an addi- as the property goes further back, stated To Leave Lance’s Office in Mountainside, with her dog on age ordinance, proposing a 52.94-foot tion to an existing structure or as a community planning consultant Peter CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 lot frontage. rebuild, but not a subdivision adding G. Steck in testimony for the applicant. two additional homes where one cur- “I recognize (the developer’s) in- By PAUL J. PEYTON Jersey Democratic representative Josh rently exists. vestment return and irregular lot. The Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Gottheimer (D-5th) are both members Plans in Approval Process “I lived on Carleton Road for seven subdivision is a detriment to the com- WESTFIELD — Police arrested six of the Problem Solvers Caucus. years. I am very familiar with the char- munity. To put two homes 10 feet from protestors, including clergy members, When asked for comment on the acter of the neighborhood. (The subdi- the property line with a zipper (drive- Monday after they refused to leave the arrests, press secretary John Byers re- For Addams Tavern vision) is not keeping with the character way) down the middle,” said resident North Avenue office of Congressman leased the following statement: “Con- of the neighborhood,” said Mayor and Maureen Tinen, stating how the devel- Leonard Lance (R-7th, Westfield). gressman Lance has great respect for By LAUREN S. BARR ment. He said the process has taken a planning board member Shelley oper did not prove how the subdivision According to police, those charged our state clergy and is happy to meet Specially Written for The Westfield Leader bit longer, but that they wanted to Brindle, stating why she did not vote for will not be a community detriment. were the Reverend Ann Ralosky, 54, with the congregation at a time that is WESTFIELD – In a piece of po- “make sure all our t’s are crossed and approval of the subdivision. Planning Board Chairman Robert senior minister at the First Congrega- mutually convenient for both parties as tentially good news for the Westfield our i’s are dotted.” Planning board member Michael Newell said 10-foot setbacks from a tional Church in Montclair and a he has done with other religious leaders foodies, Addams Tavern owner Chip Harvest Restaurant Group, the par- LaPlace said he did not support the neighboring property are allowed per Montclair resident; Rabbi Elliott and groups on numerous occasions.” Grabowski told The Westfield Leader ent company of Addams Tavern, was subdivision approval because the ap- existing ordinances and the planning Tepperman, 49, of B’nai Keshet in He said Mr. Lance’s staff offered to that, “if all goes well,” the popular able to accommodate all of the events plicant did not meet the standards of board must legally acknowledge exist- Montclair, a West Orange resident; schedule a meeting with the Congress- eatery could re-open in 90 days. scheduled at Addams, and while a demonstrating a hardship and the pro- ing ordinances. Pastor John Rogers, 29, of First Con- man, even though he does not repre- Mr. Grabowski told The Leader few employees chose to leave, Mr. posed project was “not in character of “Very emotional issue. What we can gregational Church in Montclair and a sent Montclair, in either New Jersey or that all of the drawings for the court- Grabowski said that the majority of the neighborhood and not appropriate and cannot do have been challenged in resident of Montclair; Rabbi Faith Washington. “That offer was ignored,” required work will be completed to- Addams’ employees were relocated of the neighborhood.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Dantowitz, 52, of B’nai Abraham in Mr. Byers said in an e-mail. day (Thursday) for submission to the to other Harvest restaurants. He added Livingston, a resident of Millburn; He said the protestors requested to landlord and town building depart- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Kristin Peck, 65, of Maplewood, a be arrested, saying the group had called member of the Unitarian Universalist Westfield police earlier in the day to Congregation in Summit, and Nedia notify them they were coming and Board Hears Final Report Morsy, 25, of Hillside, an organizer at research what charges would be Make the Road New Jersey, an immi- brought against them. grants’ rights group in Elizabeth. On 298-Unit Development All were charged with defiant tres- Lance’s 46th Town Hall pass. They were processed and each By MICHAEL BONACCORSO Trip generation refers to the total motor was released with a summons pending Sat.