EKTRA'. 000000 ■'CAR-RT LOT«C026 P-1 P1B SP PUBLIC UBBAR*/ SPFLD PUBLIC LIBRARY 2484 PUAIWnELDAVE - , S PLAINFIELD NJ 070B0-3531 r. South Plainfield VOL 18, NO. 28 Member New Jersey Press Association 60 CENTS www.spobserver.eom MARCH 11, 2016 -IX Mayor Matt Anesh readies to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the newly renovated public library. Members o f the Library Board o f Trustees, Borough Council members and local dignitaries join in the celebration. Library Ribbon Cutting Celebrates New Facility; Members o f the Tiger Tech Robotics Drive Team at the Mt. Olive MARIFRC Dis­ trict event (L-R): Ahnaf R., Juan '3C" Carlos-drive captain, Johny K. and Ravi P. Festivities H onor Cat in the Hat Author The official ribbon cutting for the cial stortfome event, which was hosted tertained in the main adult area during Zero to Full Speed for the new public library held last Saturday by the South Plainfield Public Library the afternoon. was just the beginning of an all-day and Friends of the library, drew' a huge South Plainfield Hi,storical Society' Tiger Tech Robotics Team celebration. A large crowd was on crowd of both voung and old. President Dorothv Miele offered an imtu wimess t ^ cyri the ■_ tuibrmauve. legute on tltc In just two short years, the South Pi-oneers of Montvale, scored 135 ^8c?^?ffielronF^^rof1Sie‘nTO#■ps o f the newlv .^ffliesrreacfeguest reacfcrs were projeaed on a large. ^ the South Plainfield Librarv Plainfield High School Tiger Tech points over the Red Alliance Team’s renovated building. screen so the children could follow Names o f three lucky people were Robotics Team has gone from a staiuip 128 points. The ribbon cutting was attended along with the stories. Special readers, drawn to participate in the Blizzard of iMid-Atlantic Robotics (MAR)/FIRST® As the team looks toward another by Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan some in costumes, read several popular Dollars contest, sponsored by Unity Robotics Competition (FRC) Rookie MAR D istria Competition April 1-3 Jr., Mayor Matt Anesh, members of Dr. Seuss books. Bank. The first contestant was Coun­ Team with so much to learn about engi­ at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, the Borough Council, Library Board Library Director Linda Hansen cilman Ray Rusnak, who donated his neering, teamwork and a variety of au­ this win puts the team in line for o f Trustee President Darlene Cullen introduced the readers and led the chil­ winnings to the Friends of the Librar)'. thentic technical skills, full speed onto an invitation to the MAR District and Library Board members, Library dren in songs in between btxtk readings. There was a steady flow of visitors to a winning alliance team at the 2016 Championship at Lehigh University Direaor Linda Hansen and employees Children and parents enjoyed birth­ the library all day, some visiting for the Mt. Olive MAR/FRC District event. April 13-16. of the library. day cake and each child received a bal­ first time. They were able to tour the In a very exciting and close final During the team’s rookie season last The newly renovated library is almost loon and bag of goodies as they departed. facility, enjoy the day’s festivities and third match, Team # 5624 Tiger Tech year, founding members began without double the size of the previous space and Members o f the Plainfieids’ Chap­ browse for books, CDs or magazines. Robotics of South Plainfield, together knowing what to expect, what position features a much larger children’s section. ter of UNICO dedicated a book If you haven’t paid a visit to the with Blue Alliance Members, Team to take or how much time to commit, After cutting the ribbon, children shelf, which will display books newly renovated facility, consider tak­ # 1257-Parallel Universe of Scotch as they helped develop a culture and gathered in the multipurpo.se room to about Italy, some written in Italian. ing a tour to discover what your local Plains and Team #1676-The Pascack (Cmtinued m pa^e 10) celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The spe- The Silver Linings string quartet en­ library has to offer. HISTORY 90Years& Counting:A CelebrationofSouthPlainfield Many dignitaries are expected to attend. Also, if any resident or long­ time business owner would like to talk about the early days o f South ® * Balloons • Face Painting • Tattoos • Mem' Plainfield, they are welcome to speak. Photos from the early days of South Plainfield are already on display on the walls at Borough Hall, courtesy of the South Plainfield Historical Society, and residents are invited to take a few minutes to view them. Historical Society members and members of the 90th Anniversary Com­ mittee will be reading short chronicles about the early history of South Plain- field. After the ceremony, children will be invited to sit in the mayor’s chair in front of the borough seal to have their photo taken free of charge. Festivities will include a birthday cake, balloons, Yankees great Phil Rizzuto (second from right) took part in the PAL ground- ^ face painting, tattoos and memorabilia breaking in 1963. | on display. The Borough ofSouth Plainfield will Council Meeting beginning at 1 p.m. A buffet lunch will be served. The be celebrating its 90th anniversary' in the council chambers. event is free. on Saturday. The 90th Anni­ Present day councilmen will versary' Committee has been have name cards in front of planning a year-long celebra­ their seats with the name of tion starting yy'ith Saturdav’s a member o f the first coun­ reenactment of the first Borough cil. All are welcome to attend. % 4 8 7 9 "i To subscribe to tbe South Plainfield Observer, call 908-668-0010. ■ M arch 11, 2016 Visit Vimeo.com (search “South Plainfield Observer”) to view Borough Councii, BOE and other videos. Council meetings air on Comcast Ch. 96 Mondays at 7 p.m. and BOE meetings air on Thursdays at 7 p.m. (Check Comcast community bulletin board for last minute time changes.) To m purchase a copy of a meeting in its entirety, contact the Observer. council meetings Meets twice a month on the first and third Mondays (except where noted). Borough Hail Councii Chambers • Questions? 908-226-7605 March 21, April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16, June 13 (Second Tuesday), June 27 (Fourth Monday), July 11, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 (Second Monday), Sept. 26 (Fourth Monday), Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Nov, 14, (Second Monday), Dec. 5, Dec. 19 A ll Agenda Meetings begin at 7 p.m. followed immediately by the Public Meeting, unless other­ wise noted. Meetings of the Governing Body are held in accordance with the N. J. Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.) in the Council Chambers at 2480 Plainfield Ave. planning board Meets second and fourth Tuesday of the month ('except where noted) in Borough Hall Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Questions? 908-226-7641 March 22, April 12. April 26, May 10, May 24, June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23, Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct 11, Oct 25, Nov. 29*, Dec. 13* zoning board of adjustment Meets first and third Tuesdays of the month ('except where noted) in Borough Hall Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Questions? 908-226-7641 March 15, April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, Aug, 2, Aug. 16. Sept, 6, Sept. 20, Oct 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 22, Dec. 6, Dec. 20 Fourth grade Girl Scout Nicole Paris! presents bears to the "Charlie Squad" of the South Plainfield Police Department board of education Meets Wednesdays at the high school, 200 Lake St. unless otherwise designated. Committee of the Whole meetings (begin at 6 p.m.) Girl Scouts Donate Teddy Bears to First Responders March 16, April 20, May 11, June 22, July 20, Aug. 24, Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec. 14 More than 130 South Plainfield for the project is not new, as groups adult volunteers sewed all the bears Regular Public Meeting (6:30 p.m.) ('except where noted) Girl Scouts gathered in the Holy around the United States and United together, leaving an opening in the leg March 23, April 27 (2016-2017 Budget Public Hearing), May 18, June 22 (7:30 p.m.), Savior Academy cafeteria on February Kingdom have done similar events for the girls to do the stuffing. July 20 (7:30 p.m.), Aug. 24 (7:30 p.m.), Sept, 21, Oct. 19, Nov, 16, Dec, 21 21 S)r their annual community service for years. However, this was the first The service project day was split BOE curriculum/tech/student activities project. This year, the girls made over time the South Plainfield Girl Scouts into two sessions. At the first .session Meets once a month at 4:30 p.m. in 2nd floor conference room, Roosevelt Administration 200 teddy bears to donate to local and held tire ev'ent. the older scouts in fourth through Building on Jackson Ave. state first responders. The teddy bears Planning for this community tenth grades painted faces on all the BOE buildings & grounds are kept in police cars, ambulances service project started back in No­ teddy bears. They also cut out 200 red and fire trucks. When an emergency' vember with the purchase of about hearts to be placed inside the bears. Meets second Monday of the month at 7 p.m., 2nd floor conference room, arises which involves a child, tlie first 25 yards of fleece.