Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, January 30, 2014 OUR 124th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 05-2014 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS WF Council Awards Contracts; Discusses Rec. Comm. Projects By DOMINIC A. LAGANO tal Protection (DEP) regulations. placement at Houlihan Field and re- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader The council also passed a resolu- furbishment of the tennis courts at WESTFIELD — At its regular tion appointing another member to Tamaques Park. meeting Tuesday evening, the Westfield’s Special Police Support Mr. Arena first spoke about Westfield Town Council passed reso- Services Division, commonly re- Houlihan Field stating, “Believe it or lutions awarding contracts to two ferred to as “specials.” not, it’s been 10 years since that turf businesses recommended by the The resolution appointed Greg went down and so we have bids com- council’s Public Works Committee. Baschkoff to the air traffic advisory ing out for the new turf. The turf Rich Tree Service of South Plain- board. The resolution stipulates the quality has come a long way in 10 field was awarded the contract for position’s term will expire on De- years. The turf we have down there tree removal services in town, while cember 31, 2014. did pretty well, but the new turf is H.L. Petroleum of Linden was During the conference session of even better.” awarded a contract for professional the meeting, the council discussed a Mr. Arena explained that Houlihan engineering services. variety of infrastructure improve- Field is used “all the time” with soc- According to Town Administrator ments in the town. cer and lacrosse being the primary Jim Gildea, the company will assist Councilman Frank Arena, the sports played there. The project will the town with complying with New council’s liaison to the Recreation be partially subsidized by a grant Jersey Department of Environmen- Commission, discussed field turf re- from Union County as well a trust from the Recreation Commission. Mr. Arena anticipates the contrac- tors’ bids to be out by February with Dominic A. Lagano for The Westfield Leader the Recreation Commission award- DWC REORGANIZATION…The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) held its first board of directors’ meeting of ing a contract sometime in March. 2014 on Monday at which time appointments were announced. Pictured, left to right, are: DWC Chairman Dominick The work of replacing the field would Verdic, Recording Secretary Lisa Bertone, DWC Executive Director Sherry Cronin and Frank Isoldi, business operator. begin by mid-July and be completed by the end of August. He also stated the Recreation Commission is re- searching reusing parts of the old turf DWC Holds Reorg. Meeting; field with the Board of Education at some of their facilities. Mr. Arena also stated the Recre- ation Commission is beginning pre- Names New Board Member liminary discussions about resurfac- By DOMINIC A. LAGANO resident member of the board and pointed by the mayor and council for ing and possibly expanding the ten- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader James Gildea, town administrator, a three-year term in 2010. nis courts at Tamaques Park. WESTFIELD — The Downtown also will continue to serve as a liaison “Jaime was a great board member “They’ve seen better days,” said Westfield Corporation (DWC), man- to the town council. and supporter of the DWC,” stated Mr. Arena. “Tamaques is the home agement entity of the Special Im- Sherry Cronin, executive director Ms. Cronin. “Even though he was court of the [Westfield High School] provement District (SID), held its of the DWC, announced that Jaime busy running his successful Xocolatz tennis teams. What we’re trying to do first board of directors’ meeting of Chaves’ term as a board member ex- restaurant, he often helped with pro- there is they have to be widened a bit 2014 this past Monday evening. pired on December 31, 2013. Mr. motional events especially. I expect so they are the official size. We also The meeting included the DWC’s Chaves held one of the two business that he will continue to do so, perhaps Betsey Burgdorf for The Westfield Leader want to try and put in additional courts annual reorganization assembly in operator positions on the board since in one or more of our committees.” WISHING THEY HAD FLOWN SOUTH...Ducks who forgot to fly south for the so the varsity and JV (junior varsity) order to name the board’s officers for April 2008 and filled the unexpired Ms. Cronin stated that the board winter enjoy the frigid water in Mindowaskin Park in Westfield on Tuesday. can have their matches at the same the new year. During the meeting, it term of David Martone. He was reap- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 time. So that’s another project.” was determined by vote that all lead- Mr. Arena stated the Board of Edu- ership positions would remain the MS Council Approves cation and the Recreation Commis- same from 2013. Garwood Council Considers sion would also contribute to the cost Dominick Verdic remains the of the resurfacing and the new courts board’s chairman, with Alan De Rose Purchase of New Ambulance if the plan is approved. The commis- retaining his position of vice-chair- Hiring AFC Project Mgr. By KATE BROWNE in central New Jersey. Mr. Dierkes sion is also exploring other organiza- man. Shawn Hanna remains the By BRIAN TRUSDELL council members Jim Mathieu and Specially Written for The Westfield Leader will serve a five-year term. tions to assist with the funding such board’s treasurer, with Lisa Bertone Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Sara Todisco. Councilman Louis MOUNTAINSIDE — Members Councilman Glenn Mortimer pro- as the Westfield Boosters Associa- retaining the recording secretary po- GARWOOD – The borough coun- Petruzzelli, the AFC committee rep- of the Mountainside Borough Coun- vided the public with a report on tion and the Westfield Tennis Asso- sition. cil will explore hiring a construction resentative, endorsed the idea out of cil unanimously voted to authorize the activities of the Mountainside ciation. Sam Della Fera remains the or project manager to oversee the simple curiosity. the purchase of a new ambulance Public Library. According to Mr. “We’re looking to start that work in Westfield Town Council liaison to completion of the Athletic Field Com- With Councilman Mike Martin for the Mountainside Rescue Squad Mortimer, in 2013 the library had the fall, at the end of the season and it the board, with Stephanie Walsh serv- plex (AFC), the $3.2-million ball field absent, only Councilman Bill and approved a 2-percent increase more than 50,000 patrons who would be finished in the spring with ing as the mayor’s designee. Robert that is nearly a year behind schedule. Nierstedt voiced any opposition, sid- in membership fees at the Commu- checked out more than 53,000 CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Centrella will continue to serve as a Delayed two months at the start by ing with Mr. Guarriello and Borough nity Pool at its January 28 meeting. items. In addition, the library intro- Hurricane Sandy, the athletic field Attorney Bob Renaud. In other business, the governing duced several new programs includ- was to be finished by mid-2013, but Both Mr. Guarriello and Mr. body appointed Councilman Rob- ing a Lego Club and a Friday Film County Applying For has faced other delays due to weather, Renaud felt the recommendation ert Messler to serve as the series, as well as a new website and as well as soil disposal issues. While would provide little value, since they community’s representative on the multiple mobile applications. In ad- it now has a scheduled completion said the project is nearing comple- Union County Transportation Ad- dition, more than 6,000 people par- Grants For Bridge Repairs date of Tuesday, April 1, Borough tion and it likely would be Saturday, visory Board and confirmed the ticipated in 396 programs. In 2014, By SONIA OWCHARIW day. Under the Workforce Investment Engineer Donald Guarriello said March 15, at the earliest before any- appointment of Councilman Rene the library will focus on improving Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Act Youth Program, it will be awarded Tuesday that Sunday, June 1, was one could be hired. Dierkes to replace John Tomaine as its electronic technology. ELIZABETH — The Union in the amount not to exceed $457,000 more realistic. Mayor Pat Quattrocchi said she the borough’s representative to the The council also issued an appeal County Freeholders passed last contracts from the county for a 12- Council President Ann Palmer sug- accepted the borough’s profession- Rahway Valley Sewerage Author- for financial support to help fund the Thursday two resolutions for month period from January 1, 2014 gested the idea of a project manager, als’ opinions in the matter and Mr. ity (RVSA). annual holiday display. The council $1,000,000 grant applications for to December 31, 2014. which drew immediate support from CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 The RVSA is an autonomous cannot use public funds to set up or bridge repairs in Springfield and The program works year-round agency that owns and operates a remove the holiday decorations and Plainfield. with youth programs that may in- trunk sewer system and a wastewa- urged individuals and community The first step is applying for the clude a paid summer work experi- ter treatment facility that currently organizations to consider making a grant by the deadline of Friday, Feb- ence for youth ages 16 to 21. The four serves more than 250,000 residents donation to defray the costs, which ruary 28.