Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, December 5, 2002 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 113th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 13-113 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] FIFTY CENTS Westfield BOE Reviews New Gifted and Talented Program By CHARLOTTE LEDERMAN identification for this program, which of 145,” while “a secondary criterion Specially Written for The Westfield Leader included screening in grades two and (150) was set for extremely high “Bright shiny apples” were the five, as well as summer testing ad- verbal scores.” focus of Tuesday night’s board of ministered by psychologists trained Ms. Kielley continued, in the “fall education meeting. That was the term specifically for this task. of 2002: (the) pilot students (were) used to describe those high-achiev- Dr. Edmunds showed that based clustered in elementary and middle ing students who benefit from the on the testing scores, “the major schools.” Moreover, “All third grade gifted and talented program. criterion was set at three standard teachers and sixth grade science and The board feels strongly that, in deviations above the mean, a score CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 the words of Superintendent Dr. Wil- liam Foley, “it’s a need-small group intensive instruction” for these stu- dents. The way in which these gifted students are identified and subse- quently taught at the elementary level was what was up for review. Indeed, intense discussion amongst the board members resulted from the presentation of a program review of gifted education and differentiation of instruction, given by Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janie Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader Edmunds and newly selected Super- WESTFIELD SPIRIT…or Canadian? During Wednesday afternoon’s Homecoming Parade, which preceded the annual visor of Gifted Education, Lindsay Powder Puff football game, students represented Westfield schools and clubs. Waving to crowds that lined the streets, Kielley. these students made it clear they were fans of all things Canadian, paying homage to Canadian singer Avril Lavigne and The two women revealed to the writing on their car, “I Love Canadians.” board the exact method of student WF Council Hears Update on Clover Light; Decides to Raise Conservation Center Fees By LAUREN S. PASS Gregory McDermott and Democratic two years the center has been kept Mayor McDermott questioned how Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Councilwomen Susan Jacobson and open on weekends through Decem- much use the center gets during the During their regularly scheduled Claire Lazarowitz attended, as well ber and Saturdays in January and winter months. conference session on November 26, as multiple town employees. February. He said that there has been Mr. Marsh responded, “a fair the Westfield Town Council discussed Councilwoman Jacobson said that a $15,000 increase over the past two amount.” a home located at 550 Hillcrest Av- the seminars were “great.” years for the cost of the overtime Mr. Marsh recommended a $5 in- enue which Messercola Brothers Town Attorney Robert Cockren associated with the extra open time, crease per permit to cover the cost of Benjamin B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader Builders Company of Westfield have said that law is developing about the adding that the town would be losing the increase in overtime pay. HOLIDAY TIME...The Menorah and the Christmas tree were lit this past applied to knock down. new Open Public Records Act, and approximately that amount on the Councilwoman Jacobson said that weekend on North Avenue. The Menorah at Temple Emanu-El was also lit during a cermeony on Friday night, the first night of Hanukkah. Town Engineer Kenneth Marsh that there are things to consider to center for 2002. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 explained that though it is a large old “refine” it at the municipal level. house, it has not been declared a Mr. Gildea also announced that historic site. He further explained the bus and van for senior transporta- that Messercola Brothers originally tion will be up and running in De- Livingston St. Residents Cite Problems With Mall applied to the Westfield Planning cember. He explained that there were Board for a three-lot subdivision of some insurance issues with the county the property. van, and that the contract with the Dumpster; Vacation of New Street Addressed However, because of the zoning in Westfield/Mountainside Chapter of the neighborhood, the building com- the American Red Cross, who will be By LAUREN S. PASS reading of the ordinance they would pany is now applying for a two-lot running the service, would be ready Specially Written for The Westfield Leader be able to keep their porches. “conforming subdivision.” shortly. At the conference meeting before The ordinance was passed unani- Mr. Marsh said that this has not A conversation also took place the public meeting of the Westfield mously. come before the Planning Board yet. regarding a change in the fee for the Town Council, First Ward Demo- During the open discussion by citi- Second Ward Republican Coun- Conservation Center permit. This is- cratic Councilman Carl Salisbury zens, Nancy Furnari of Livingston cilman Matthew Albano said that he sue was discussed at the last confer- questioned a resolution on the agenda Street addressed the council regard- would rather hold off on approving ence meeting, but was tabled so that that authorizes the mayor to enter ing the Central Square Mall, behind the demolition until the Planning Mr. Marsh could compile cost infor- into an agreement to vacate New which Livingston Street dead-ends. Board approves the subdivision. mation. Street. According to Ms. Furnari, approxi- First Ward Republican Council- Mr. Marsh explained that the per- New Street connects South Elmer mately one month ago, steps were man Peter Echausse agreed. mit fee has been $50 since 1996 and Street to Central Avenue. New Point built from the back of the mall onto The issue was removed from the that approximately 3,000 permits are Realty, owned by Michael Zemsky, Livingston Street. She said that the agenda and tabled until the Planning sold annually. He explained that the is negotiating with the town to buy residents were told by the owner of Board makes a decision. cost for grass and brush disposal the property in order to build an the building; Phil Delnegro, that the In other business, Town Adminis- varies from year to year, but com- office building. steps were installed so that the mall trator James Gildea said that the prises the majority of the cost, along Councilman Salisbury questioned employees could park on Livingston League of Municipalities Conven- with overtime pay, which accumu- if the issue would come before the Street. tion in Atlantic City was productive. lates when the center is open on council again. Ms. Furnari added that within a He added that the vendors were bet- weekends. Town Attorney Robert Cockren few days of the steps being put in a ter than in previous years. Mayor Mr. Marsh added that in the last explained that there was an ordi- dumpster was then put on the street nance on the evening’s agenda call- for the mall’s use. She said that resi- ing for the town to vacate New Street. dents of the street had spoken to He added that if he does not have a Joyce LaRocca in the Town contract in hand by Tuesday, De- Administrator’s office and that she cember 17, he would recommend had told the residents that the that the council vote “no” on the dumpster would be gone in “two second reading of the ordinance. weeks.” Town Administrator James Gildea Mr. Gildea said that the construc- added that other “security measures” tion and building departments had were in place to protect the town’s been contacted and that violations interests. He said that the project will were issued. He added that the fence have to go before the Board of Ad- and steps were built unbeknownst to justment, and that the approval of the the town. ordinance would be done to “get the Ms. Furnari said that she was con- ball rolling” so that the process did cerned with the dumpster being so not have to start over in the new year. close to the homes on the street as the During the public portion of the mall has a daycare center, hair salon meeting the public hearing was held and deli, meaning that garbage from on the “porch ordinance.” This new all of the businesses were being ordinance modifies the land use ordi- dumped there. nance to allow residents to make reno- Mayor Gregory McDermott ques- Jennifer Pinto for The Westfield Leader vations to their homes and still keep tioned why the dumpster had been TRASH TALK...An illegally placed dumpster on Livingston Street was the their existing porches. It also allows biggest topic of discussion at Tuesday night’s town council meeting. Town put there, to which Mr. Gildea re- Administrator James Gildea assured residents and The Westfield Leader that for the addition of new porches. The plied that it was unknown. the dumpster would be removed on Wednesday. ordinance allows for a sliding scale Third Ward Democratic Council- based on the size of the property and man Kevin Walsh reiterated how have the dumpster removed, and that the Administrators Office on No- percentage of lot coverage. close the dumpster is to the homes, he “thought it was already gone.” vember 12, that the letter was also Two residents, Madeline Dwyer and said that he was told that no Second Ward Republican Coun- copied to the Board of Health and and Julia Walker, spoke on their sepa- permit was needed to put it there.