Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, November 20, 2003 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 114th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 11-114 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] FIFTY CENTS Benson Place, S. Chestnut Bump Out to Be Removed By LAUREN S. PASS Mr. Tunis’ wife, Donna Grozuczak, Fourth Ward Democrat Coun- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader said she “cannot believe he (Mr. cilman Lawrence Goldman voiced Residents in the area of Benson Marsh) can say the position is safer.” “skepticism that (the council is) Place and South Chestnut Street South Chestnut resident Richard throwing money at a problem just were out in force at Wednesday’s Cross said that the bump out was an to make things worse.” He said regular meeting of the Westfield “intelligent solution to a non-exis- that the council should “call a halt Town Council to voice complaints tent problem.” to this project right now,” and regarding the 21-foot bump out Many of the residents who spoke “spend money wisely.” constructed at the intersection of out cited visibility problems at the He stated that more roads could Benson and South Chestnut. have been paved with the $245,000 This April, traffic consultants being spent on the project. Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA) pre- “The bump out has to go. Mayor Gregory McDermott said sented recommendations to the coun- The operation was a success, that the council has a “responsibil- cil for traffic calming measures in but the patient died.” ity to the rest of the town” and questioned if the council was “on the ShopRite grid, which included Harold Star, Benson Place resident making the intersection of Benson notice that this is a dangerous inter- Place and South Chestnut Street a T. section.” The Town Engineering depart- newly changed intersection. Town Attorney Robert Cockren ment drew up the plans and specs, St. Marks Avenue resident David stated that it was his opinion that the which were then reviewed by WSA, Owens said that there should have council is not “on notice” that the but not by Bob Jurasin who was on been a meeting with the residents after intersection is “dangerous.” Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader hand Wednesday night. the actual plans were drawn up. Ultimately, the governing body HIGH WINDS…Severe winds hit the area on November 13, knocking down trees all over Westfield. The tree, pictured Town Engineer Kenneth Marsh Benson Place residents Barbara decided that the intersection would above, fell down on Glen Avenue, tearing up the sidewalk and a resident’s driveway. stated that the two affected drive- and Harold Star, whose properties be put back the way it was, and the ways now “have better sight.” He are also affected, said that the new rest of the traffic calming project said that the driveways could be bump out is dangerous. would move forward. flared wider to give the “The bump out has to go,” said Mr. In other business, Orenda Circle Wolfgang Puck Express Restaurant homeowners more room to ma- Star, adding that this was a case residents addressed the council re- neuver. He also said that the bump where “the operation was a success, garding drainage issues. Residents out could be tapered down, but he but the patient died.” are experiencing flooding problems Testimony to Continue on Nov. 24 wanted to be “careful not to change Several Arlington Street residents during heavy rain storms which they the nature of the improvement.” cited increased traffic on their street say are caused by pipes which were By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL options” for the space before voting chise owner of Wendy’s Restaurants. Eric Tunis, whose home was af- since the construction of the bump out. installed in the Mountainside road- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader on the application. Mr. Magnes testified last month fected by the bump out, stated that On the dais, discussion took place way up the hill from their properties. Testimony continued last Monday Mr. Berlandt explained last month that the Wolfgang Puck Express res- it is now unsafe to pull out of his with Second Ward Republican Mat- Peter Athenson spoke of flood- evening concerning the proposal to that plans submitted included a pro- taurants were relatively new and that driveway. He added that he was not thew Albano, who stated that it was ing problems from water cascad- turn the vacant bank at One Elm posal to take the existing parking lot of within the last few months there were notified about the project until the “not too late” and that the council ing down the hill behind his home, the building and put in a patio with a four opening in Nashville, Tenn., Street into a Wolfgang Puck Express night before construction began. should have the bump out removed. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Restaurant. gazebo and trees, shrubs and potted CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Because of the late hour and addi- plants. He stated that this would “dress tional testimony needed, a decision up an ugly parking lot.” This, he testi- by the Westfield Planning Board re- fied, would be a public place for people garding the approval or disapproval to sit and relax during their time in the Board of Education Unanimously Passes of the new proposed restaurant has downtown area of Westfield. been postponed until Monday, No- Mr. Berlandt also testified last vember 24 at 8 p.m. month that according to his records, The applicants, Limited Liability the building has been in operation as First Westfield High School Parking Policy Company (LLC), are requesting to a bank as early as the 1900s and convert the building to a Wolfgang banks that have occupied the space By ED COONEY students will be allowed to park on, as The next step in the process, ac- Foley, also dealt with enrollment at Puck Express Restaurant on the first include the National State Bank of Specially Written for The Westfield Leader determined by the township, include cording to Board of Education Presi- the intermediate level and highlighted floor with commercial offices on the Elizabeth, Corestates Bank and First The Westfield Board of Education Dorian Road, Rahway Avenue, Dorian dent Arlene Gardner, will be to “no- the marked discrepancy in enrollment second floor. The first meeting re- Union Bank. He added that when he unanimously ratified the first Pupil Court, Dorian Place, Trinity Place, tify (WHS Principal) Dr. (Robert) between Edison and Roosevelt Inter- garding the appeal occurred on Sep- bought the building it had been va- Parking Policy in the school district’s Codding Road, and Shackamaxon Petix, notify the town council, and mediate Schools. This year, Roosevelt tember 15. cant for three or four years. history at their Tuesday meeting. Drive. Parking will not be available post our policy online.” School houses 83 students more than Testimony was heard on Monday On Monday evening, he noted that Finding ample parking for on all areas of the listed roads, and The board’s policy is meant to Edison Intermediate School. evening from Douglas Coleman, ar- one of the reasons that it has been Westfield High School (WHS) stu- some of those roads will be subject to work in concert with any ordinances The problem will peak in the 2005- chitect for the project. He testified vacant for so long is that it has been dents with driver’s licenses has be- alternate side of the street parking. passed by the Westfield Town Coun- 2006 school year, when Roosevelt that there were some changes made labeled as “outdated” by many pro- come a problem of increasing mag- Eligible students and their parents cil in regard to handing out permits will house a projected 770 students to the design plans of the project spective bank operators because of nitude in Westfield for the last few will have to sign a Senior Parking and enforcing parking laws. to Edison’s 634. since the last meeting. the lack of drive-thru windows. years. With the new policy, the board Contract outlining their respective re- The board also discussed the pro- Dr. Foley was quick to note that the Mr. Coleman also noted that, un- Also testifying at the Monday hopes to accommodate the students sponsibilities. The contract refers to jected increase in enrollment at the district does not lack the facilities to like the original plans that were sub- evening hearing was Leon Magnes, without inconveniencing Westfield the Senior Parking Privilege Code of elementary level over the next seven house all its intermediate level students. mitted, the new design has no en- who is and will be opening a number of residents any more than is necessary. Conduct, which, among other things, years. This year’s enrollment is 2,707, “The real problem for us is distri- trance on North Avenue, has an en- Wolfgang Puck Express franchise The plan calls for seniors living demands that students granted the up from 2,656 last year. The number bution,” he said. closed trash container, a second stair- chains in the New York and New Jersey outside of a zone determined by the privilege, “leave school only during of pupils is expected to peak in the Dr. Foley’s presentation was meant case added for the second floor of- area, including the proposed Westfield board to receive parking permits that assigned lunch periods,” and demon- 2006-2007 school year, when there only to lay the facts bare. Solutions fices and the posting of only two location and the newly opened will allow them to park on specific strate both “neighborly conduct and will be approximately 2,811 pupils will be discussed at later meetings, signs, one at each door.