Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, February 16, 2012 OUR 122nd YEAR – ISSUE NO. 07-2012 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS WF to Set Sewer Charge, Public Decorum Spirals on Other Matters By LAUREN S. BARR million, and the town’s bill from the dents would be billed would be forth- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority coming in the next two weeks. WESTFIELD – In order to help fi- (RVSA) is $3.6 million for 2012. He Just before closing the conference nance the municipal budget for 2012, said residents will not bear the entire session, Mayor Skibitsky announced Finance Committee Chairman Sam cost of the RVSA bill and that he that he had met with Union County Della Fera announced at Tuesday “expect(s) that it will not be popular.” Freeholders on Thursday to discuss the night’s council meeting that Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky asked if there Central Avenue pedestrian crossing and will need to implement a sewer utility was some idea of how many employ- issues on North Avenue. He then dis- charge to residents. ees would have to be laid off if the town tributed a report by the engineering “Our goal has been to preserve the chose not to bill for the sewer utility, to firm Pennoni Associates commissioned quality of life that Westfield residents which Councilman Della Fera replied by the freeholders, along with a council have come to expect,” Councilman that it would mean 40 to 50 employees. resolution supporting the current loca- Della Fera said. He cited a $5-million The mayor said the town already has tion of the pedestrian crossing signal. drop in non-tax revenue over the last gone from 250 employees to 200 over Approximately 10 minutes later, the four years, decreases in state aid and the past few years. He told the council, council began its regular public meet- the state’s 2-percent cap requirement “I know this isn’t going to be the most ing, where Mayor Skibitsky gave a as issues that make the budget process popular thing to do, but I think it’s the presentation on the history of the Cen- difficult. right thing to do.” tral Avenue pedestrian crossing signal Councilman Della Fera said that the Town Administrator Jim Gildea said and highlights of the report from town has a budget gap of over $1 that information on how much resi- Pennoni. The report concludes that, “consid- ering the roadway characteristics, the relative newness of HAWK signals to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and New Jersey drivers, and taking into account the Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader IMAGINING A BRIGHTER FUTURE…Representatives of Imagine, Inc., a year-round grief support center set to open results of the signal warrant analyses this spring for children, teenagers and adults coping with loss due to death and illness, visit the offices of The Westfield Leader performed, our recommendation is to last Friday to discuss the new Westfield-based program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Keith Hertell, chairman of replace current mid-block HAWK sig- Imagine’s board of trustees; Mary Robinson, executive director, and Community Editor Suzette Stalker. nal with a ‘standard’ signal installation at Central Avenue and Clover Street.” The report states that the installation of a standard signal would require addi- WF BOE Proposes $94.65 Mil. tional work, “without necessarily pro- viding any measurable improvement in intersection safety.” After the presentation, the council Budget With $87.2 Mil. Tax Levy passed a resolution not to endorse By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL $277,420 where this year’s equals budget increase. Mr. Yaniro also stated Pennoni’s recommendation to replace Specially Written for The Westfield Leader $794,270. This, Mr. Yaniro stated, in his presentation that the special the light, thus leaving the current WESTFIELD – Members of the included upgrades to computer education line has increased by HAWK signal in place. The borough’s Westfield Board of Education (BOE) equipment that was seven years old $454,541. Betsey Burgdorf for The Westfield Leader CLEAN FUTURE…Approximately 30 protesters gather at the Westfield train action will be forwarded to Union and audience members heard a brief or older. In addition, school supplies Mr. Yaniro pointed out that pension station February 8 to protest New Jersey pulling out of the Regional Greenhouse County. Borough Clerk Claire Gray presentation given last week by and equipment have increased by and health benefits have decreased by Gas Initiative (RGGI). See story page 3. told The Westfield Leader that the Vincent Yaniro, business administra- $1,942 and athletics has a $20,126 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 county would have paid for the changes tor, about the district’s preliminary in signals as it was a county project. $94,644,198 school budget and Indoor Sports Complex Third Ward Councilman Dave Haas $87,201,039 tax levy. The proposed ShopRite Reopens After cast the only dissenting vote on the tax levy is proposed at a 1.9 percent resolution. He said that while the pro- increase from last year. OK’d By MS Planning Bd. cess of public meetings and outreach At the February 7 meeting, Mr. Fire in Meat Department By CHRISTINA M. HINKE board member Theodore Zawslak said. that took place leading up to the place- Yaniro announced that the proposed By PAUL J. PEYTON cured the area. One ShopRite em- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Residents from Mountainside and ment of the pedestrian crossing signal tax levy would “be within the state Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ployee was treated for difficulty MOUNTAINSIDE – After six Springfield packed the council cham- “was a very good process,” he was still budgeted (2 percent) cap.” He then GARWOOD – The Garwood breathing and released at the scene. months of deliberation, the bers to address the board regarding the unsure if that was the safest location. noted that this tentative proposed ShopRite reopened Tuesday morn- A Westfield Regional Board of Mountainside Planning Board last proposed 80,000-square-foot indoor He added that if both locations were budget would be on the agenda for ing after a small fire in the meat Health representative responded to Thursday voted 6 to 1 to approve the sports complex. equally safe, he feels that the council board approval at the next BOE meet- department shut the North Avenue the scene and the business was closed application for the Triboro Sports in- Triboro Sports is proposing erecting has an obligation to those who live ing on Tuesday, February 28. supermarket late Monday. for the remainder of the day. Liz door sports complex on Sheffield Street. an indoor sports complex at 270 there and the impact it has on their In his proposal, Mr. Yaniro out- According to Garwood Police Cap- Lope, a spokesperson for Wakefern Planning Board Chairman John Sheffield Street where a vacant indus- homes. Councilman Haas also was criti- lined that the tax levy has gone up by tain James Pipala, borough police Corp., the distribution arm of Tomaine was the sole dissenter. trial building currently sits. There are cal of the council voting on such a $1,656,605 since last year’s spend- officers responded to the store Mon- ShopRite supermarkets, told The “There is inconsistency, there is an no existing variances. New variances resolution without more time for both ing plan. These increases include day on a 3:45 p.m. report of a smoke Westfield Leader that the store was inapplicable argument, and when you include a use variance, retail sales, café, members of the council and the public $312,502 for upgrades in the science condition caused by an electrical fire evacuated and closed as a precaution remove all of that away, again what is foundation area over 35 percent where to view the report. technology, engineering and math in the area of the meat department. due to smoke conditions. She said the left is the board acting to rezone this 51.3 percent is proposed, lot coverage During public comment, resident curriculum as well as increasing en- Upon police arrival, the fire was ex- store was reopened following inspec- property becomes a misuse by virtue over 75 percent where 86 percent is Frank Foley said that he went to all of rollment. It was reported that the tech- tinguished by employees with fire tions by authorities, including the of granting the ordinance, which it proposed, HVAC system location, in- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 nology line for last year’s budget was extinguishers. Captain Pipala reported health department, after any exposed has no authority to do,” Mr. Tomaine sufficient buffer area, insufficient park- that there was a heavy smoke condi- food was disposed of as ordered by said. He also said the applicant did ing spaces, parking spaces in the front tion in the store. the health inspector. not meet the positive criteria to grant yard, side yard parking, parking space Gov. Christie Supports CF The Garwood Fire Department re- Westfield Health Officer Megan the use variance. measuring 9 feet by 20 feet is required sponded along with the first aid squad Avallone told The Leader that the “The chairman understood the law,” and 9 feet by 18 feet is proposed, and an and Union County EMS. Officers on store was reopened at 10:30 a.m. said Glenn Kienz of Weiner and Lesniak accessory structure. The property also Mayor’s Stance on Birchwood scene evacuated the store and se- Tuesday morning.