SCOTCH PLAINS THE TIMES FANWOOD VOLUME 28 NUMBER 21 SCOTCH FLAINS'FANWOOD THURSDAY , MAY 25, 1978 20 CENTS Banners tell story County outlines plans for PJH flood basin Kenneth B. Marsh, Principal Hydraulic school and field. The culvert is sized so that Engineer for Union County, recently only the infrequent flows in excess of brook outlined plans for a $2,860,000 storm water capacity would pass over the weir into the detention project - a portion of which would basin. Drainage from the basin back into the involve Park Junior High land and athletic ••brook would be through an 18-inch pipe with field. The storm detention project study and flap valve to prevent backup onto the field. formulation has been underway since 1974, the existing athletic field would be re- The project came about as a result of established by the county at the lower meetings with officials of Plainfleld, Scotch elevation in the basin and would include Plains and Fanwood concerning mutual con- regulation Softball, baseball, football and cerns over regional flooding problems along soccer fields, as well as a field hockey area. the Cedar Brook, which passes through Park The gentle side slopes of the diking around Junior High School properly. the field will serve as spectator seating. The county project involves two storm The project is based on the concept of water detention basins along the Cedar storm water detention, which involves the Brook in Plainfield and Scotch Plains, and temporary storage of flood waters in an up- enlargement of the Cedar Brook culvert stream location to prevent flooding in down- across Terrill Road. One would be located on stream areas. In this case, storm water would Tract 19,. an undeveloped, wooded 35 acre be temporarily stored in the Tract 19 Deten- parcel owned by the city of Plainfield, on tion Basin to alleviate flooding along the East Third Street near Terrill Road. The Cedar Brook culvert in Plainfield and in the second detention basin would be at the PJH Park Avenue Detention Basin to alleviate athletic field. flooding along Cedar Brook in Scotch Both detention basins would be created by. Plains. excavating below existing grades and con- Storm flows up to a ten-year frequency are structing dikes around the perimeter. At expected to pass unimpeded through the six- Park, about 10 acres of "the athletic field foot by 6.5 foot box culvert control, with no would be excavated four to se^en feet below detention storage at the athletic field. This exiViing grades. Diking wouffi be required means that the fields would only be inun- around the entire perimeter to contain the dated an average of- once every ten years. high water level. Cedar Brook, which runs During storms greater than ten-year frequen- along the sourtheasterly-side of the basin, cy, flood waters will pass over the weir and be would be separated from the basin by diking. stored on the fields. Sufficient storage would An overflow weir or spillway would be con- be available to substantially reduce the peak structed at the upstream end of the basin near " flow of the 100-year storm but not enough to Representatives of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Education Association picketed at last week's Park Avenue. completely eliminate flooding since the Board of Education meeting at Shackamaxon School, They have declared an impasse in A 6,0 foot high by 6,5 foot^ wide box downstream culverts and brook would still be Inadequate. negotiations with the Board of Education, Negotiation sessions have been underway since-Oc- culvert would be constructed, at the dovRi- stream end of the weir to serve as an outlet The price tag on the Park Avenue basin tober. • control structure and access bridge between and field is set at 3620,000, while the Plain- field basin would be $1,875,000, and the culvert expansion $365,000. Plainfield has acquired a $425,000 state Green Acres grant Teachers protest negotiations pace for the Tract 19 project. Union County A large representation from the Scotch the Board is giving careful consideration.to at School One. The students live east of would fund 50 percent of the balance, and Plains-Fanwood teaching staff attended last educational aspects of the calendar, and feels Forest Road in Woodland Avenue to Mon- the other 50 percent would be jointly funded week's Board of Education meeting to the calendar is educationally sound. trose Ave. area. Opponents were Lou Jung, by benefiting municipalities. protest many areas of negotiations, Owvneth Robert Lariviere, Kathleen Meyers and To date, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Another resident, Yetta Boltax, called lack Board of Education has not received detailed Russo, president of the SPFEA, announ- of break from February to June August Ruggiero. Already high enrollments ced impasse after 15 lengthy negotiation at School One, and distaste for setting plans on the proposals affecting Park Junior psychologically damaging. She submitted a High School, Board President Leonia Reilly sessions. No offer had been made by the petition for change. president by exceptions were offered as their Board's representative in benefits, salaries or reasons. said the Board plans to meet soon with Mr. working conditions, she said. "The Lee Reilly, Board President, reported that The Board decided to wait to see Marsh. Following that, the Board will educational climate looks grim, with no cen- interviewing of, candidates for Superinten- enrollment patterns at Coles School before evaluate the plans, with concern for the time tral administration, no offers, and riffing of dent will take place during early June, and determining number of sections in some element required for completion of such a 30 teachers," she said, hopefully, a new Superintendent will be grades. project, student safety, impact upon school Joan Miller, who heads the Professional engaged by mid-month. Dr. Perry Tyson has Approval was granted for a permanent program and facilities, etc, and arrangemen- Improvement Committee, said salary offers been named acting Superintendent in the in- lunch program next year at Brunner, Coles, ts for maintenance of the detention basin in no way reflect eost-of-living increases. terim. Evergreen, McGinn and Shackamaxon using following flooding, Miller cited no improvement in medical in- The Board voted 5-4 to allow 17 students district-owed cafeteria facilities and staff. A Scotch Plains township has endorsed the surance in 10 years, an "almost useless" den- who were originally scheduled for transfer to similar program was initiated this year at proposal. Residents along the Cedar Brook tal plan, extension of the school year by five Brunner School under redistricting to remain Evergreen, have been vocal in objection to recent erosion days and the elementary day by a half-hour, of their properties, due to the heavy flosv of cuts in sabatticals, changes in maternity water during storms, leave, etc, Ed Perry, a board member, said Parade, services & picnic represented with Gloria Vazquez, n PJH the board had been fair and just. twirler, and the Raider Band, On the calendar issue, board member Lou Color and sound will be provided by two Jung introduced a motion to clarify the highlight holiday weekend Fife and Drum Colonial Artillery Groups calendar matter. The new calendar provides with cannons, Corporal Kawalski's musical for four storm days instead of the one in the Memorial Day weekend, which signals the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American groups, and others. current calendar. If these are not used, start of all that's good about summertime, Legion. VFW and Legion members will also Is that the end? Not at all. Right after the school would close on June 15 - with 180 will be a festive one here. Last minute participate in the services. parade, the fun continues at the Annual calendar days. preparations are underway for a host of ac- The lineup is a vitual kaleidoscope of Memorial Day Picnic at LaGrande Park, The teacher unit opposes the new calendar, tivities for Monday, May 29. suburban America, as spectators watch the Delicious sausage and pepper sandwiches are seeking reinstatement of spring vacation. A The true meaning of Memorial Day will be following units pass by: Lions Club, town of- among the food offerings, singing groups, parent, Ruth Marcus, favors it. She cited brought home to local citizens at services, to fieials, Brunner School Cubs, Girl Scouts, bands, audience participation, the "Y" gym continuity of education and "too many half be conducted at the Fanwood Memorial Soccer Association, 4H Club, Italian team, square dancing, mini-bike rides, games days off now," Library at 9 am on Monday, Following that, American Club. - there's something for all ages and groups. Board Vice President Edward Spack said the parade will proceed, originating at Beauty will be rampant, with Miss Little Everyone's invited to come on down to the LaGrande Park in Fanwood, down Martin- League and Miss Union County. There's park to finish a holiday weekend in style. Park Avenues, ending at the Scotch Plains even the possibility that a Playboy Playmate Index Baptist Church in downtown Scotch Plains. may be entered, by V.LP, Honda. Fanwood Assembly time for all parading groups is set GAL players, Old Men's Softball, the YM= DEADLINE CHANGE NEXT WEEK CLASSIFIED ,,,.21 for?) am at the park. CA will represent sports in our midst. Due to the holiday weekend, The Times SOCIAL , 6 A reviewing stand will be located at the offices will not be open for the normal copy EDITORIAL,, 4 Village Green, corner of Front Street and . Fanwood's service groups, including police deadline date of Monday at noon. Copy for RELIGIOUS SERVICES , 13 Park Avenue in Scotch Plains, fire and resue personnel, will be on march, the issue of Thursday, June 1, will be SPORTS , , 15 Among groups expected to join in parade the Legion Locomotive will toot along, In- received up unt.il 10 am on Tuesday, May 30, REAL ESTATE, , 19 ranks this year arc the Scotch Plains Fire and dian Guides and Princesses will march with Police Departments and Rescue Squad, the their dads, and the schools wil be well 2, THE TIMES, MAY 25, 1978 The Scotch Plains Executive Committee for volvement and his gover- In November 1977, he ac- Road.