Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, December 19, 2002 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 113th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 15-113 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] FIFTY CENTS WF Council Approves Risk Manager in Party Line Vote By LAUREN S. PASS National Insurance Services, AGA, cil that the RFP said that the risk Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Beckerman and Company and manager “shall be paid six percent,” Tuesday night’s council meeting Bollinger. The town is currently us- and that AGA was upset by the town began with a discussion during the ing AGA, the offices of which are in choosing a firm which did not com- conference portion regarding the Westfield. pletely comply with the RFP. He appointment of a new Risk Manage- After review it was the finance added that according to the JIF by- ment Consultant for the town and the committee’s recommendation that laws the fee shall “not exceed six question of whether the Requests For the town choose Commerce National percent.” Proposals (RFP) should be sent out Insurance Services, of Toms River. Mr. Gildea told the Council that again. Commerce offered the town a flat fee AGA’s complaint was that they did Last week the finance committee of $32,000 for the year, or 4.05 per- not address a change in the fee be- met and reviewed the RFP’s that had cent of the annual assessment. cause the RFP did not ask them to. been returned to the town. Because In the past the town has paid six He said that next years RFP will be Risk Management is considered a percent of the annual assessment and written differently, adding that this professional service it is not subject according to Town Administrator years was a “model” consultant’s to public bidding, but the town has an James Gildea no other town that agreement. ordinance on the books, which re- participates in the same Joint Insur- Town Attorney Robert Cockren quires the RFP process for such items. ance Fund (JIF) as Westfield is pay- explained that the RFP “in effect” The town received five returns from ing less than six percent. Mr. Gildea mandated the fee at six percent and the RFP, one was thrown out due to added that the town needs the JIF’s that it was not clear to all of the the fact that it arrived late. The four approval in January for Commerce bidders that they could change it. He proposals reviewed by the finance to be accepted. said that this issue raises questions if committee were from Commerce Mr. Gildea explained to the coun- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Lauren S. Pass for The Westfield Leader DEADLY ENDING…Just before nine o’clock on Tuesday morning a car, reportedly being driven by 19-year-old Sasko BOE Prepares for 2003-04 Budget; Hristov of Old Bridge, crashed after being involved in a police chase, which originated when the Garwood Police Department attempted to stop him for reckless driving. Hristov was reported to have exceeded 100 miles an hour when he drove down to the dead end of Prospect Street, up a driveway and crashed into the ravine, which borders Route 22 East. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Armory Parking Idea Rejected By CHARLOTTE LEDERMAN parking problem around the school note that “Our holiday concerts are Residents Oppose Pending Closure Specially Written for The Westfield Leader with the town council liaisons. This in full swing….[with] a combination At Tuesday night’s meeting, the conversation will continue in the fa- concert featuring the Westfield High Westfield Board of Education took cilities committee. Chorus and the eighth grade cho- Of New Street For Office Building the time to give preliminary exami- Board Secretary Bob Berman then ruses of both Roosevelt and Edison nations to several issues. went over a preliminary 2003-04 Intermediate Schools will be held By LAUREN S. PASS As the board went over the 2003- budget for the Westfield Public Tuesday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. The proposed construction of an office proposed a retail pharmacy for the 04 School Calendar, little conflict concert, performed by approximately Specially Written for The Westfield Leader building that would shut down New property on the corner of South and Schools. This discussion was pro- The public portion of Tuesday occurred over the planned start and vided in order to give the board an 180 students, will take place in the Street, with the town to be paid Central Avenues. end dates, scheduled vacations, and Westfield High School auditorium.” night’s council meeting began with a $333,000 for the vacation of the prop- He said the council felt the retail advanced look at possible expendi- presentation of awards to multiple parent conferences. tures and priorities for later discus- The board also noted the success erty. The proposal has yet to be heard would provide more traffic problems Board President Arlene Gardner, of the Girl’s Varsity soccer team, as Westfield police officers, followed by the Board of Adjustment; if it is for the intersection. Mr. Cockren sions of the budget. by presentations to outgoing council however, voiced concern that if the Superintendent of Schools Dr. The Star Ledger selected the team as not approved, the street reverts back added that residents could object to planned snow days went unused, stu- the Union County Soccer Team of members Carl Salisbury and Claire to the town. the proposed office building during Foley revealed to the board tentative Lazarowitz. Both members of the dents would end up with a five-day proposed budget priorities, such as the Year. The team’s coaches also Residents Earl Lambert, Anthony the Board of Adjustment’s pending vacation. She questioned, “can we received recognition. council were wished well in their and John Mormile spoke to the coun- hearing on the matter. the dollar totals for personnel, in- future endeavors. get them to focus if they have five cluding new teachers and a guidance Finally, the last day of school be- cil in opposition to the street closing, The residents stated that, because whole days off so close to the end of fore the holiday break is Friday, De- The second reading and public as it will block them from access to there is a proposed driveway on South counselor, coaching staff, and capi- hearing on the ordinance to vacate the year?” But the rest of the board tal projects. Mr. Berman then went cember 20. Classes will resume on Central Avenue. Elmer Street for the parking area of felt that such a situation would pose Thursday, January 2. New Street was held, and three resi- Town Attorney Robert Cockren the office building, closing New over the details of several scenarios no difficulties of that nature, rather for the Budget CAP calculation. The The board wishes everyone “a dents of South Elmer Street, which is explained to the residents that New CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 connected to New Street, spoke in the students should enjoy some pos- board will continue discussing the happy, holiday season. The board Point already has approval for a large sible extra free days during that time will meet again on January 14. See opposition. office building to be built along the budget at a later date. New Point Realty of Westfield has of year. In other news, the board wished to you next year!” train tracks, noting the company had Holiday Schedule Discussion then moved to a look at Publication Notice the uses of district fields for the The December 26, 2002 edi- 2002-03 year, based on estimated tion of The Westfield Leader and hours of field usage prepared by board Former Gov. Kean Named The Times of Scotch Plains- member Anne Riegal. Mrs. Riegal Fanwood will be mailed on Mon- illustrated to the board that the larg- day, December 23. The edition est user of these fields were town Chair of 9-11 Investigation will be composed and sent to the leagues, which comprised 38 per- printer on Saturday, December cent of total usage. Physical Educa- By JENNIFER PINTO for a comment regarding his father’s 21. tion and recess followed with 32 Specially Written for The Westfield Leader newly appointed position. The January 2, 2003 edition of percent, then high school teams and On Monday, President George W. “It is a tremendous appointment. The Leader/Times will be mailed band with 14 percent. The recreation Bush named former New Jersey Gov- He will bring integrity to the process on Monday, December 30, 2002. program is responsible for around 10 ernor Tom Kean as chairman of the and a lot of history from the past The edition will be composed percent, while other events such as independent panel to investigate the years…he will work in a non-parti- and sent to the printer on Satur- camps and the Christmas tree sale terrorist attacks of September 11, san fashion to find the answers,” said day, December 28. make up a total of 6 percent of the 2001. Assemblyman Kean. All time sensitive items for pub- fields’ use. Mr. Kean served as New Jersey Congressman Mike Ferguson also lication must be received by the The board hopes to further use this governor from 1982 to 1990 and cur- responded to Mr. Kean’s appoint- preceding Fridays, end of busi- information in making future plans rently is President of Drew University ment. ness day; December 20 and De- regarding the care and usage of the in Madison.