The Westfield Serving the Town Since 1890 Leader USPS 680020 Published OUR 109th YEAR ISSUE NO. 42-99 Periodical Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. Thursday, October 21, 1999 Every Thursday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS Village Supermarkets May Still Face Roadblocks in Bid to Build ShopRite By KIM KINTER earmarked for what is known as Plaza was still considering the matter late planning board meetings in which Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Properties and part of the Westfield Wednesday as to whether to chal- the proposed project was discussed. The construction of a large Lumber and Home Center property lenge the remaining areas of the Of eight Garwood Planning Board ShopRite supermarket on North Av- that is located in the Borough of Garwood zoning ordinance in ques- meetings, only two of the meetings enue in Garwood finally moved for- Garwood. tion. had audible tapes. Professional court ward a step last week, but attorneys In concluding his decision last Similarly, William Butler, a stenographers were not present at representing those objecting to the week, however, Judge Beglin opened Westfield attorney representing any of the meetings to directly record project still may put up some more the door to attorneys to further hold Garwood resident John Weidel, said proceedings. roadblocks. up the project. The judge gave the on Wednesday he was still consider- While Judge Beglin said when he Superior Court Judge Edward W. attorneys who represent three resi- ing whether or not to challenge addi- released his decision that the plan- Beglin, Jr. ruled from the bench in dents opposing the plan one week tional elements of the zoning ordi- ning boards method of meeting the Union County Courthouse in until today to decide whether to nance and may not make a decision record keeping left something to be Elizabeth on October 14 that the further challenge specific aspects of until today. desired, he said there was adequate Garwood Planning Board had been the boroughs zoning ordinance that Both attorneys have raised objec- information available through other right in granting approval in 1995 to Judge Beglin had not considered tions to Garwoods zoning ordinance means and that the lax record keep- ROADBLOCK State Superior Court Judge Edward W. Beglin, Jr. ruled last week that the Garwood Planning Board was correct in approving the develop- Village Supermarkets of Springfield when he handed down his ruling last that pertained to the North Avenue ing was insufficient grounds for re- ment of Westfield Lumber and Home Center property in Garwood for a to construct a grocery store on North week. project, but the Judge bifurcated, or versal. ShopRite supermarket. The ruling does not pertain to the portion of the property Avenue. Brian Fahey, a Westfield attorney divided, some of the points of the Mr. Butler has ordered a copy of which lies in Westfield. Two attorneys are expected to file an appeal of Judge It is estimated that the store will be who represents Dr. and Mrs. Ulf ordinance and considered only some Judge Beglins October 14 decision Beglins decision. about 60,000 square feet in size. It is Dowling also of Westfield, said he of the elements in question. The judge and wants to review that before mak- subsequently ruled in the boroughs ing a decision on an appeal. He de- Candidate Forums in Begin in Scotch Plains; Set favor, but told the two attorneys that clined much further comment about they if they still wanted to argue the possibility of an appeal except to against the remaining points of the say that he thought the judges deci- zoning ordinance that the men needed sion was well reasoned. For Westfield, Mountainside and Fanwood to notify the judge by today. But despite any further roadblocks In addition, both attorneys also the opposition might throw in the By HORACE R. CORBIN spective Council Chambers. The issues discussed covered taxes, held by the Republicans seeking re- have 45 days to appeal Judge Beglins way, those in favor of the project view Specially Written for The Westfield Leader The Candidate Forums will be aired budgets, open space referendum, di- election. In Mountainside, two Re- decision in favor of the ShopRite the judges decision as good news. The week of televised Candidate several times in the evenings on local rect election of the Mayor referen- publican Councilmen are seeking re- plan to the state New Jersey Superior Garwood Mayor Michael Crincola, Forums 1999 sponsored by The access television stations prior to the dum, grant monies, flood preven- election. They are opposed by one Court-Appellate Division. who also sat on the Garwood Plan- Westfield Leader and The Times of elections on Tuesday, November 2. tion, improved services, business dis- Democrat. While Mr. Fahey said he had the ning Board when the hearings were Scotch Plains/Fanwood and The The public can view their local ac- trict development, inter-government Mountainside Republican Mayor highest respect for Judge Beglin, he going on four years ago, said he was League of Women Voters started on cess channels for posting of the sched- cooperation, the former Terry Lou Richard F. Viglianti is running for said he did have problems with two very happy about the decision. I Monday night in Scotch Plains where ules for showings of these debates. Zoo property, the hedge property and re-election and is unopposed. In or three legal conclusions the judge know that nothing was done that Republican Council Candidate Frank TV-34 is the local access channel for Ash Brook development. Fanwood, four candidates are seek- reached. Im going to have to scratch should not have been done. Rossi and Democrat Council Candi- Scotch Plains, TV-35 covers Fanwood In his closing statement, Mr. Rossi ing two council seats. my head and study the law. He said These meetings were always pub- date Phillip Wiener squared off for and Mountainside and TV-36 repre- stated that he has the experience, Fanwood Councilmen William E. he would have a decision in a few licized so there was ample opportu- over an hour in debate over property sents Westfield. A detailed report of credibility and accountability to best Populus, Jr. and Louis C. Jung are weeks. nity to be heard, he added. We did taxes and municipal budget issues. these events will be published in these serve the public. Mr. Rossi expressed vying for the mayoral position. Mr. Fahey said that he still has not have any residents from Garwood The Westfield Candidate Forum newspapers next week, October 28, in that he has respect for the process State Assemblymen for the region, major questions about the wording of who were officially upset. We knew it was held Wednesday night as this the special election issue. and for the people - traits, he said, Richard H. Bagger and Alan M. the Garwood ordinance allowing the was a good thing for Garwood and newspaper went to press. The On Monday night in Scotch Plains, that have been lacking this year in Augustine, are seeking re-election construction of a commercial struc- we acted correctly. Mountainside Forum will be held both Mr. Rossi and Mr. Wiener were the existing Democratic majority. and are unopposed. ture and also questioned the fact Robert Renaud, a Cranford attor- this Thursday night, and the Fanwood well-prepared and articulate in ex- Mr. Wiener closed by saying that Voter turnout is expected to be as whether a sound decision could be ney who serves as Garwoods coun- Forum will be held tomorrow night. pressing their differing views over a Democrats closed the deals for grant low as 34 percent this year due to the made without the benefit of a written sel, said that Garwood officials are All events, which are open to the wide range of issues pertinent to the monies and other initiatives to move lack of state and national races. Both transcript of six of the eight borough CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 public, begin at 8 p.m. in their re- township. Scotch Plains ahead. He stated that political parties, the Westfield Area the Republicans had not been fiscally League of Women Voters and these responsible in their past proposals newspapers urge all citizens to vote Town Council Expected State DOT Monitors for the budgeting surplus. on November 2. What can be done? Be respon- For more information or voting sible, Mr. Wiener said. locations, please call the local mu- In Westfield, eight candidates are nicipal clerks office or read this news- To Introduce Ordinance Impact of Yield Signs vying for four council seats currently paper next week. At Westfield Circle Regulating Newsracks By PAUL J. PEYTON He said the ordinance, which is By PAUL J. PEYTON submitted to this newspaper, how- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader expected to be introduced this Tues- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader ever, continue to be critical of the The Town Council is expected to day, October 26, is not carved in If the Westfield traffic circle is free newly-enforced procedure. take final action within the next two stone. It merely identifies where the of internal congestion, traffic will One writer described the circle as a weeks to regulate the placement of boxes are currently located and the flow more efficiently. That is the NASCAR track where motorists must newsracks in the towns business dis- most likely sites for additional boxes intent behind the installation of yield bully their way for a position to get trict. in the future. signs at the South Avenue/Broad through the circle. An ordinance, which is expected A newsrack location map is in- Street traffic circle. Yet another reader wrote, it (the to be adopted by the council within cluded with the proposed ordinance.