Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 21, 2005 OUR 115th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 29-2005 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Arbitration Hearing Set In FMBA Contract Talks By PAUL J. PEYTON though “it is taking a little bit longer The town also wants to switch from Specially Written for The Westfield Leader than normal” to reach a settlement. a point of service (POS), which utilizes WESTFIELD — The town and “This is a normal, fair, honest, above a traditional health coverage plan to a Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Associa- board process. We just haven’t been preferred provider organization (PPO). tion Branch No. 30 have entered into able to get to an agreement,” he said. A PPO is a group system of health care arbitration after negotiations with a me- The town and firefighters union organized by an insurance company. diator failed to produce a settlement. will now present their cases before Mr. Gildea said a PPO would offer The FMBA’s contract with the town Mr. Mastriani who will serve as arbi- similar coverage to FMBA members expired December 31, 2003. Since trator. The first hearing is scheduled but at a lower cost to the town. that time both sides have been work- for Friday, August 12. The arbitrator The town is also seeking to lessen ing with mediator James Mastriani, will award a settlement, which will percentage increases for firefighters according to Town Administrator Jim be binding for both sides in the case. still proceeding through the salary Gildea. At least three meetings were Mr. Gildea said the FMBA mem- guide with higher percentages offered held with the mediator, town and bership rejected two proposed settle- to those at the maximum salary levels. FMBA. ments by the town. He said the last Under the current contract, a pro- “Obviously, we are not being suc- meeting between both sides this past bationary firefighter earns $29,175. cessful offering things back and forth spring was “very tense” but did not A grade 1 firefighter earns $34,655; a between the parties here. Both parties resolve the contract dispute. second grade firefighter makes have agreed that mediation is not “There was no other choice but to $39,025; a grade 3 fireman, $45,529; working,” Mr. Gildea said. go to full arbitration,” said Mr. Gildea. fourth grade, $52,038; grade 5, The latest contract proposal is for The main stumbling blocks in reach- $58,542, and maximum grade, four years. The previous accord was ing an accord remain an additional $65,4482. Lieutenants are currently for three years. step the town wants to add to the salary compensated $73,002 with captains The administrator stressed that there guide for firefighters as well as salary paid $79,557. Cassie Lo for The Westfield Leader is no animosity between the sides al- increase percentage changes. Mr. Gildea said the town wants to HALF BLOOD DONORS… Staff of the Town Book Store in Westfield stay late last Friday to commemorate the midnight add a seventh step at the top of the arrival of the latest Harry Potter installment- “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by JK Rowling. Members of the salary guide before members reach staff dressed up in costume and read portions out loud to interested, young fans. Officer Charged In Tkt. Fix the maximum salary level. The administrator noted that Westfield has a younger department Has Public Hearing Today than it has had in past years. Off-Duty Police Officer to Patrol By PAUL J. PEYTON Town Attorney Robert Cockren said “So I can understand why the new Specially Written for The Westfield Leader a police officer has the right to have a step is a little more hard to swallow WESTFIELD – A public hearing private or public hearing. He said now than it my have been in the past,” For Downtown Loitering, Vandals on the suspension of Westfield Police most officers tend to have such hear- said Mr. Gildea, noting that three or Detective Sandra Chambers, charged ings conducted in private, given the four years ago most firefighters were By BETSEY BURGDORF a quarter to put in the meter and they and effort she spent. I have been push- with fixing a parking ticket, has been fact it involves potential disciplinary at the maximum pay grade. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader won’t get a ticket,” Mr. Morgan said. ing for them to do the right thing,” Mr. scheduled for today, Thursday, July action by the police department “In no way shape or form are we WESTFIELD – The Police Ser- He stated that downtown merchants Spector concluded. 21 at noon. against the officer. trying to penalize FMBA. It’s the geant Scott Rodger told the Down- would pass out tokens to patrons as a The DWC board aproved the fa- As of Tuesday afternoon, the po- Mr. Cockren, who said he is “not town’s job to try and control costs,” town Westfield Corporation (DWC) way for them to park for free while cade grant for Gamestop, as well as lice department, according to Joyce directly involved” in the Detective he said. Monday night that an off-duty police they shop. The token would have no the grant for Weichert Realtor. Mrs. Larocca, administrative assistant to Chambers matter, indicated that the “From a taxpayer perspective we officer would begin patrolling the value anywhere other than Westfield. Cronin stated that the object of the Town Administrator Jim Gildea and hearing officer will be a non-munici- have to try and spread costs over a downtown following reports of loi- “It is a tremendous tool for mer- project was for the entrance of the the mayor and town council, had re- pal employee who is “totally inde- number of years rather than pay all in tering and vandalism. chants to give out to customers to Weichert building to “project a resi- served both the Municipal Court/ pendent” of the town or police depart- a lump sum at certain points,” Mr. The DWC has been working in make parking more friendly down- dential feel.” The DWC Design Com- Council Chambers and the Commu- ment. Gildea explained. conjunction with Sergeant Rodger to town. Now there is an instrument to mittee is recommending a garden area, nity Room to hold the hearing. Detective Chambers’ attorney, The town has 38 firefighters in ad- control the influx of teens primarily keep the customer happy,” Mr. Mor- brick pavers and benches. She said computers and other equip- Hassan Abdellah, has said Officer dition to the fire chief and two deputy in lot 5, located behind Starbucks on gan said. Mrs. Cronin stated that the DWC ment would be brought into the hear- Chambers’ son received the ticket. chiefs. Central Avenue. The off-duty police Mr. Morgan also reported that street would be contributing to the pur- ing and thus, as of Monday, it was not The name of the hearing officer Robert Tarrantino, the FMBA’s new officer will patrol this and other down- known which room would be utilized was not released by those sources president, had no comment on the town areas. for the hearing. contacted by The Westfield Leader. ongoing contract talks. “Right now the focus is there (lot 5) Ms. Larocca said it was likely the However, Mr. Abdellah said Police because that is where the vast major- hearing will be held in the commu- Chief Bernard Tracy could not con- Westfield Man Charged ity of the kids are. Once we move nity room. duct the hearing. them, they will end up somewhere Mr. Gildea was on vacation this However, either Chief Tracy or a With Damaging Gazebo else,” Sergeant Rodger said. He stated week and was unavailable for com- police officer could present the police By SUZETTE F. STALKER that the purpose of the officer was to ment. department’s case against Detective Specially Written for The Westfield Leader keep the peace, move the crowd and Detective Chambers was suspended Chambers, Mr. Cockren said. An 18-year-old Westfield man has check for loitering in lot 5 approxi- for allegedly fixing a $20 parking Mr. Abdellah said a decision on the been charged with criminal mischief mately every half hour. ticket earlier this year. The officer has case pending against Detective Cham- for allegedly causing damage to the Sergeant Rodger also reported that been suspended with pay until the bers could be rendered after the hear- gazebo in Mindowaskin Park during the majority of juveniles have been matter is resolved. ing has concluded. an incident that was captured by a ejected from lot 5 on Friday and Sat- surveillance camera at the park. urday nights. He stated that the Town Francis Heo and a 16-year-old girl of Westfield has no curfew or rules on from Clark are alleged to have kicked loitering. “If they have no purpose for Tax Bills Will Be Late holes in columns at the local land- being there, or they are being ob- mark on the evening of June 10, ac- structive, they (teens) are asked to cording to Sergeant Scott Rodger of move,” he said. the Westfield Police Department. The patrol officer was sought by Due to State Aid Delay Betsey Burgdorf for The Westfield Leader Three other individuals – includ- the DWC because of downtown van- KEEPING THE PEACE...Westfield Police Sergeant Scott Rodger reports on the By CASSIE LO will be mailed out by Monday, July 25, ing a 16-year-old female from dalism as well as complaints from DWC hiring an off-duty police officer to disperse loitering teens and deter Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and residents have until Friday, August Cranford, a 16-year-old male and a patrons who claimed they felt unsafe vandalism.