S A SMIMO TTia Scotdi Wafcia Fmtmood fn« oponktg psr*d» For that story and contest on g or A-J. tradk and Aafd star* MMro MKI Kyfa Sport*, P«0» C-f Vol. 22, No. 18 Serving Weatfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Friday, May 4, 2007 For Westfield's Petrillo, everything is adding up Taxes to rise by $119 history of the four-year contest that Teenager won $15,000 for research into airborne pollution two New Jersey contestants received under new Wf budget resident and a senior at the Union the top spots. This year, though total THE RECORD-PRESS County Magnet High School, was When he first learned of the proj- honored last month as a runner-up in ect, Petrillo said, "it sounded really Democrats dissent municipal spending; will WESTFIELD — "Math has really the national Young Epidemiology interesting" — but not just because of over legal salaries rise by 6.1 percent, or just been my interest all my life," aaya Scholars Competition. For his the potential payday. He was over $2 million, the tax rate Justin Petrillo. Petrillo's "innate research into the concentration of air intrigued by the opportunity "to apply will rise by 5.4 percent. curiosity" with learning about the and carcinogenic pollutants in my math and science abilities to help THE RECORD-PRESS Under the budget, the relationship between numbers began Camden, Petrillo earned $16,000. other people." municipal tax rate will rise as a toddler on family trips to the gro- Top prise went to Megan Blewett In his research, conducted over the WESTFIELD — By a 7-2 from $1,027 to $1,083 cents cery store, and it has yet to cease. of Madison, who won $60,000 for her summer of 2006, Petrillo studied both vote, the Town Council on per $100 of assessed value; Recently, that curiosity — com- research on ALS, or Lou Gehrig's dis- the ambient and personal concentra- Tuesday night approved a on a home assessed at the bined with some impressive talent ease, and multiple sclerosis. With tion of a mixture of solid particles and 2007- municipal budget that town average of $181,500, and intellect — paid off in a big way. more than 700 students vying for will raise taxes on the aver- that amounts to about The 17-year-old Petrillo, a Westfield honors, it was the first time in the (Continued on page A-2) age local home by $119. $119. The total budget is $36.0 There was little discus- million, with $20.2 million sion of the spending plan set to be raised via local prior to its adoption LEARNING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS property taxes. Thanks to Tuesday, but at prior meet- rising property values, ings officials have said increases in non-tax rev- moat of the spending enues, retirements of veter- increases are mandated by an employees and the elim- the state or required by ination or reduction of a prior agreement. For exam- handful of staff positions, ple, library spending, 'which the council was able to pass is set by a state formula, a budget with a smaller tax will rise by over $250,000; increase than in 20O6. Last public employee and police year, municipal taxes rose and fire pension costs will by $145 on the average • home, or 7.8 percent. (Continued on page A-5) Please do not allow children to stand on the bench Court uphelds rejection of gas station's proposal SCOTCH PLAINS — A and unreasonable** and that Superior Court judge has "by permitting irrelevant, reportedly upheld the Board redundant and prejudicial of Adjustment's decision to comments regarding the deny a controversial appli- site's operator and site oper- cation to expand a local gas ations, causing board mem- station. bers to be unfairly preju- In April 2006, the board diced and biased against rejected an application by this application," the board Cumberland Farms to had allowed the hearings to expand and renovate the be compromised. Gulf gas station at Route 22 The complaint also ques- and Mountain Avenue, tioned the residential zon- including the addition of a ing of the property and larger canopy and new called upon the township to pumps. The proposal had amend its zoning ordinance. been vociferously opposed But, municipal attorney over the course of several Brian Levine reported to the PHOTOS BY KEN BUNIEWSKI/VIPDIGITALSOLUTIONS COM hearings by nearby resi- Township Council Tuesday Occupational therapist Scott Matthsws works with a campor during tho Lsaps and Bounds program at Turn bis Jam dents, who questioned the night, Superior Court Judge In Scotch Plains. applicants' claim that the Ross Anzaldi has now project would improve safe- affirmed the board's deci- Camp helps children with autism maintain educational progress ty and traffic flow at the sion, citing traffic and safety The two-hour day camp was met _ losed at age 2Vfe. According to the site. concerns as legitimate rea- with appreciation by parents like mother of two, pediatricians need The following month, the sons to deny the application. THE RECORD-PRESS Basking Ridge resident Liza Hein. more training on differentiating property owner sued, claim- "Residents... got what SCOTCH PLAINS — Onlookers Leaps and Bounds is a relatively between children with autism or ing that the board's decision they wanted," Levine told strolling past the TumbleJam affordable alternative for parents like another developmental disorder, as was "arbitrary, capricious the council. Children's Activity Center on Park Hein, who spends over $1,000 a week critical time may be lost by a late Avenue last Friday saw just one thing for in-home therapy for her 4-year old diagnosis. "That's why early interven- aB they glanced at the large, whimsi- son, Willliam. But she had another tion is so important," she said. DPW facility remains cally decorated windows: Children important reason for the daily drives According to Matthews, Camp laughing, running, and engaged in buoyant play. in need of improvement ; But inside, watchful parents and a as long as the township team of volunteers and professional continues to demonstrate occupational therapists knew some- THE RECORD-PRESS progress towards address- thing special was taking place: about SCOTCH PLAINS — As ing the issue. 10 children who Buffer from autism a May 31 deadline to make "We want to be in con- spectrum disorder were mastering upgrades to the Public stant contact with them," some amazing feats. Works facility on Plainfield said Atkins, who will send The children's gym was playing Avenue approaches, the letters to PEOSHA every host to Camp Leaps and Bounds, a Township Council will 10 days with plan updates., week-long program designed to help begin the process of solicit- Of more immediate con- children with autism increase their ing architectural proposals cern is the need to find a socialization skills, improve sensory- for the necessary improve- temporary solution for the motor abilities and reach their indi- ments. building's roofing needs for vidual potential in a safe, fun atmos- Although the firm Potter the next year or two. "It's phere, all at about one-third the cost Architects completed a fea- the preferred approach, as of individual therapy. sibility study for upgrades opposed to putting on a new The camp was created by occupa- to the aging facility in roof on a facility with other tional therapist Scott Matthews, who 2005, Municipal Manager problems," said Atkins. runs the non-profit organization Thomas Atkins reiterated Whether the council Intensive Therapeutics Inc. at the council's conference decides to perform exten- Matthews said he knew many par- meeting Tuesday night that sive renovations to the ents of children with autism who the township does not have existing building or acquire were desperate for a structured envi- Childran partlcipatad in group sing-alonga and othar programa at tha camp. to commit to that particular a new facility, more square ronment to fill in the gaps in the firm moving forward. footage •will be needed, school year; during summer and win- to bring her son to Scotch Plains: the Leaps and Bounds tries to merge the According to Atkins, the Atkins added. ter break, the developmental strides opportunity for socialization. benefits of. the Individualized facility is the last area of "There's a lot involved in their children had made were dis- "A lot of these kids are separated Educational Plans used in schools concern that still must be getting this off the ground," rupted by summer and winter breaks. by ability (in school) but here they are 'with the social interaction found in brought into compliance said Mayor Martin Marks. He founded Leaps and Bounds as a not, and I personally as a parent feel typical classrooms, but often missing 'with regulations estab- Additionally, Atkins said summer camp three years ago, and it's good for kids to be around chil- from special education. lished by the Public he has asked Fire Chief offered the spring break program this dren of all abilities," said Hein. She "We want them to develop the Employee Occupations Jonathan Ellis for a priori- year for the first time. For about $40 said William's diagnosis falls in the social skills needed to interact with Safety and Health ty list of the department's an hour, the camp offers an environ- middle of the autism spectrum, which people," said Matthews. A sing-along Administration (PEOSHA). most important needs and ment in which the students can build includes a wide range of communica- activity emphasized this goal. Though it seems unlike- for input on an implemen- on the gains they have made.