Volume118 Number 15 THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2005 75 Cents BOE holds last pre-vote session for three open seats on the board. the health and physical education contracts with the teachers’ union By Harry Trumbore On the ballot are incumbent Deb- programs, and Lee Matyola, the and leaves while working on her of The Item bie Frank, former board member district’s supervisor of science, also third bond referendum to fund Joel Reidenberg and a newcomer were granted tenure Monday school construction. Personnel matters were at the to board politics, Scott Kamber. night. During her time on the board, top of the agenda Monday night A new three-year contract for Township resident Nancy Dries, Litterman said enrollments grew when the Board of Education held Keith Neigel, principal of Millburn currently an assistant in the devel- 46 percent at the elementary its final meeting before Tuesday’s High School, was approved Mon- opment office at Far Brook School, schools, 89 percent at the middle school board elections at the Mill- day night by board members dur- was named the district’s new pub- school level and 63 percent at the burn High School library. ing presentation of the personnel lic information officer. She will high school. At the same time, she During the meeting, Superin- report. begin next month as a replacement said the board implemented tendent of Schools Richard School officials would not for outgoing information officer sweeping changes in curriculum Brodow urged the public to vote release the financial terms of the Joan Pifer, whose family is relocat- and instruction, instituted a five- on Tuesday. contract prior to it being signed by ing to Virginia. Dries will earn a year cycle of review for curriculum Polling will take place between both parties, which was due to take salary of $34,000. and oversaw the writing of a five- 2 and 9 p.m. Residents are being place yesterday. Neigel’s current At the same meeting, board year facilities management plan asked to approve a $67.6 million salary is $173,420 a year. The prin- president Mary Litterman, who is that allowed the district to qualify budget for the 2005-06 school year. cipal also is paid an additional stepping down from the board for millions of dollars in state aid The proposed budget represents $30,000 as the district’s deputy after nine years of service, took the for construction. a growth of 3.6 percent over the superintendent. opportunity to say farewell to her “Through it all,” she said, “the budget for the current school year. Tenure was approved Monday colleagues. one constant thing has been Mill- The tax levy residents will see on night for 50 administrators, teach- A tearful Litterman became burn is one of the best school dis- their ballots Tuesday is ers, secretaries and other employ- often overwhelmed by emotion as tricts and is also one of this com- $57,753,521. Adding debt service ees. she recalled the changes affecting munity’s most valuable assets.” already incurred from previous Among the administrators the district during her tenure. She stated the current adminis- Harry Trumbore/staff photographer bond issues of more than $3.6 mil- granted tenure were principals She told the board she has tration is “the finest I have worked PICTURE PROJECT—Millburn High School senior Jennifer lion brings the total tax burden to John Alfieri of Deerfield School served with three superintendents with.” In particular, she compli- Perri, left, explains the symbolism of Edward Hopper’s $61.4 million. and George Dixon of Wyoming and one interim superintendent, mented Brodow for hiring top peo- “Nighthawks” to the audience as guidance counselor Nancy If voters approve the proposed School. Tenure was granted as well two assistant superintendents and ple and giving them latitude to Siegel looks on at Monday night’s Board of Education meet- budget, taxes on the average town- for instructional supervisors Kelly one interim, three business admin- work effectively. She also cited the ing in the school library. Jennifer is participating in the “Senior ship home assessed at $763,300 Salazar of Deerfield School and istrators, five directors of special work of assistant superintendents will increase by $372, or 5 percent. David Jasin of Glenwood School. services and four directors of tech- Project” program, which is designed to keep second semes- Three candidates are running Daniel Brundage, who oversees nology. She helped negotiate two Continued on Page D6 ter seniors academically sharp. Parking focus of talks Bate, Dahlman to run mendations made during the meet- tor Timothy P. Gordon said the By Harry Trumbore ing. Both Committeemen said they issue of feeding meters and people of The Item first will report to their colleagues, with permits parking at metered for Committee seats then prepare a statement to be spots have been raised by the Township authorities this week released at the latest at the Town- DMDA. Merchants say permit are addressing the issue of parking ship Committee meeting scheduled holders who park at the meters are Alan Kral, chairman of the said. “In December I told my col- and traffic safety from a number of for Tuesday night. taking convenient spots away from By Eveline Speedie Republican Committee, said leagues I was disinclined to run. of The Item different angles. “We’re developing a policy shoppers, Gordon said, and permit McNett made the decision to This would be my fifth term. We Municipal and business officials statement,” Baer said Tuesday holders often claim their designat- “step down” after four terms in get tired. I work fulltime and this met in a closed session Tuesday evening. He said he and Bate ed areas are too far away. Local Republicans met last office. is also a fulltime job, reaping issues morning and a Board of Educa- wanted to hear from the different Gordon observed that everyone Thursday night to vote on nomi- “She said she would have run if for public discussion. It’s time for tion-sponsored transportation organizations because the issues of wants a guaranteed parking spot nees for the Township Committee the Party needed her,” he stated. some fresh faces, some fresh safety committee is scheduled to parking, traffic and safety affect close to his or her destination. this year and the result is there’s a “She would have made herself ideas.” meet tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the each other. “We want to be com- “Sometimes they have to walk,” he new kid on the block. available. But Jeff came forward Dahlman is that fresh face. His Education Center. prehensive in how we address said. Two positions are coming and she stepped down. She knew reason for seeking election to the Township Committeemen those issues,” he said. Arthur Fredman, president of vacant on the Committee. Long- at some point she would move on. Committee stems from a strong Daniel J. Baer and Salvatore J. Bate “Dan has taken the issue of the DMDA, said last week he time member Mary McNett and She enjoyed serving and would commitment to this community. said they met with representatives parking to another level,” Bate said. hopes the Township Committee her fellow Republican Salvatore J. have run if we did not have a sec- “I want to ensure that our new of the Downtown Millburn Devel- According to Bate, Tuesday’s will back his organization with a Bate are up for re-election this ond candidate.” young families as well as our long- opment Alliance (DMDA), Cham- discussion touched on such topics joint letter addressing the issue of year. Bate and Dahlman were nom- time residents enjoy our continued ber of Commerce and police and as meter feeding and meter rates. meter feeding by office workers. McNett decided not to pursue inated by acclimation, Kral said. good government, sound fiscal municipal employees Tuesday to The inclusion of business and law “It’s something we all know re-election to her seat. Bate won There was no balloting according management and quality of life so get a clearer picture of the issues enforcement representatives, he about, but others might need a the support last week of the local to the chairman. that everyone has the same oppor- affecting the downtown business added, was a positive step toward reminder,” Fredman said. party members in his bid for a McNett made a brief speech tunities that my family has enjoyed area. addressing long standing problems. According to the township return to the Committee. New- Thursday night and Monday told for the past 25 years,” he said. Baer and Bate, members of the “We’re really working as a team municipal court, meter feeding is comer Jeffrey Dahlman has also The Item she had been thinking A principal in a small invest- Traffic and Safety subcommittee of to solve everyone’s issues and con- prohibited. A business person with stepped forward to add his name for several months about not run- ment group that pursues the the Public Safety Committee, cerns,” Bate said. to the ballot and he, too, is run- ning again. would not discuss specific recom- Township Business Administra- Continued on Page D6 ning with his party’s approval. “I had a feeling it was time,” she Continued on Page D6 Persingers attend Pope’s funeral AT THE POPE’S FUNERAL— intensely emotional events I will Township residents Julia and By Patricia Harris not forget.” Joseph Persinger attend the of The Item As Julia Persinger related, after April 8 funeral of Pope John standing in line at the basilica for Paul II in St. Peter’s Square. At the urging of their pastor at three and a half hours and only St.