SCOTCH FLAWS PUBLIC LIBRARY 1927 BARTLE AVENUE — Serving Scotch Plains and Fanwood Since 1959 — SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. 07076 _J in —i <xi THE TIMES of i >tch Plains - Fanwood OIR 38th YEAR -ISSUE USK4HM» Periodical - Potfaft Paid at Scoh* Halm, NJ. Thursday, April 17,1997 Every Tkunday 232-4407 FIFTY CENTS SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD VOTERS SUPPORT 1997-1998 SCHOOL BUDGET REFLECTING 2.64 PERCENT INCREASE Mr. Ruggiero, Mrs. Larkin, Mr. Russo Win Race for School Board; Mrs. Dettmar Loses Sixth Term Bid as Voters Give Nod to Newcomer By SUZETTE STALKER that the last time a school budget was Specially Written for The Times dents who currently have children defeated in Scotch Plains-Fanwood enrolled in school ought to have a Scotch Plains chose a combination was in 1994. greater say in how the district is ad- of experience and "new blood" Tues- A total of eight candidates had ministered. day by electing incumbents August sought the three available seats held Mr. Russo, who practices law in A. Ruggiero and Theresa Larkin, by Mrs. Dettmar, Mr. Ruggiero and Scotch Plains and has lived in the along with newcomer Thomas Russo, Mrs. Larkin, all from Scotch Plains. township for more than 30 years, has to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board Besides the three incumbents, they served on the Scotch Plains-Fanwood of Education. Board Vice President included newcomers Frances Public Schools Citizens Budget Com- Lillian M. Dettmar lost her bid for a Gonzalez, Jean McAllister, Kristen mittee, the Strategic Planning Team sixth term on the board. Croag Paparella, Norman J. Ross and and the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Sixty-seven percent of the voters Mr. Russo. There were no Fanwood School Funding Task Force. He also in Scotch Plains and Fanwood sup- vacancies this year. is counsel to the Scotch Plains-Fan- ported the $36,935,929 tax levy for According to unofficial tallies, Mr. wood High School Alumni Associa- the school budget with a vote of 1,965 Russo garnered the most votes, with tion. to 955. The total $41.8 million spend- 1,019; Mrs. Larkin received 970 and Mr. Ruggiero, who was elected to ing plan represents a 2.64 percent Mr. Ruggiero captured 964. Of the his sixth term, had argued the impor- i ncrease over last year's figure. In the other candidates, Mrs. Dettmar re- tance of having experienced repre- August A. Ruggiero township, property owners will see a Thomas Russo Theresa Larkin ceived 819; Mrs. McAllister, 782; sentatives on the board, particularly Mrs. Larkin, who was elected to 1.64 percent increase in the school Mrs. Gonzalez, 464; Mrs. Paparella, as the district faces such challenges portion of their tax bills, while her second term, also had advocated 413 and Mr. Ross, 336. The final as maintaining quality education in responsible use of tax dollars as part Fanwoodians will see a 2.47 percent results, including absentee ballots, the face of reduced non-restricted Council Pays Tribute increase. of her campaign platform. She addi- were expected to be certified by Union aimcaiustate aid. tionally stressed the need to maintain The Scotch Plains-Fanwood bud- County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi's Of- The professor of mathematics and current class sizes and to keep the get was among 14 out of 19 school fice by early next week. physics at Essex County College in linesofcommunicationopenbetween To Groups and Causes spending plans in Union County to _ '. » . ., _ r-v—--•——•• —"—v ~«"~e~ ••• linesofcommunication open between During his campaign, Mr. Russo Newark has heen a member of the the school board and th-• e public• ••. be approved by voters. In Scotch had called for the need to bring a By SUZETTE STALKER Baptist Church is located in Scotch board since the 1970s and has been Last year, she represented the board Specially Written for The Times Plains, voters supported the budget fresfr«hh perspective to the board, and elected board President five times., during contrac negotiations with the Plains, it has long been part of the by a vote of 1,429 to 536. In Fan- sa The Fanwood Borough Council Fanwood community as well. She 'dthat,felectedhewouldservendhewouldsereno He focused his campaign on the need Scotch Plains-FanwooPlainsFanwood Education more terter AA thouthou hhee orr fiscalfiscal saluted several organizations and also commended the Girl Scout Coun- *•? ?"* T-- '' ^ ff responsibilitresponsibility anand improvimprov-- AssociatioAssociation anand iis boarboard LiaisoLiaison tto causes during its regular meeting last cil for its positive influence on the J^^ 'nieducationwhilestrengtheningties the district's Parent-TeacheTh r AAsso- Thursday, which was broadcast live lives of girls, noting that participa- tendent for Business and Board Sec- for their years of service, the father of between the board and the commu- retary, Richard J. Marshall, confirmed ciation Council and the Municipal overCable Channel 35. Officials sub- tion in the organization "really set me two young sons maintained that resi- nity. sequently discussed various agenda off on the right path." Councilwoman items, including concerns over li- Karen M. Schurtz, aGirl Scout leader, ability for property damage caused echoed the Mayor's sentiments con- by fallen trees, as well as flooding cerning the impact scouting has had Scotch Plains Officials Discuss Potential problems on Vinton Circle. on her own life. Proclamations were issued desig- Officials continued to discuss po- nating Sunday, April 20, through Sat- tential liability for property damage urday, April 26, as Organ and Tissue caused by trees or branches which Impact of Revised Welfare Regulations Donor Awareness Week and Interna- fall from borough-owned land, in re- tional Building Safety Week; Thurs- sponse to several incidents which By JEANNE WHITNEY Officials said that neighboring Thomas Perucci, Chairman of the Mr. Perucci told the council, "Main- day, May 1, as National Day of Prayer, recently occurred in the municipal- Specially Written for The Timn towns might agree to share welfare World War II Commemorative Com- tenance-wise, this will save the town Sunday, June 1, through Saturday, ity. Council President Bruce H. Walsh The Scotch Plains Township Coun- services in order to avoid centraliza- mittee, said township fire department a lot of money." June 7 as Hunger Awareness Week reminded residents to report any prob- Mr. Perucci said the township cur- cil heard from township Welfare Di- tion. Ms. Santo said the state now equipment cannot reach the top of the and Saturday, May 10, through Sat- lems, particularly with trees which rector Maria Santo, Tuesday, about requires 20 hours of community ser- rently uses the Town of Westfield's urday, May 17, as Fanwood Civic are i n borough ri grit of way s, to mem - v ice per incnth for food stampreeipt- • existing flagpole for maintenance nor fire equipment to reach nearly 100 bers of the Shade Tree Commission. changes in state and federal welfare can flags be raised to fly at full mast. Bcautification Week, for which the laws that could take responsibilities ents on top of the 28 hours of service feet to the top of the pole. Scotch Plains-Fanwood Garden Club He noted that unless the borough from local offices and hand them to required for welfare grants. David Floyd of the American Steel The council said it will decide on a was commended forplanting flowers has been notified about trees which the county. Council members whole- "I haven't seen funding for any of Erector Company recommended lop- plan after getting several price quotes at La Grande Park. A proclamation are in need of repair, residents may heartedly agreed that taking the per- this," she said, "Where are we going ping off the top portion of the steel and confirming the height reach of was also put forth recognizing Satur- not be eligible for compensation in sonal aspect out of welfare in the to get community service jobs for tower and adding a new 40-foot pole the township fire equipment. On a day, April 19, as Clean Community the event that a tree owned by the township would spell disaster. this?" The council said it was antici- separate matter, the council said it Day. municipality causes property dam- at a cost of $6,450. The new pole will would consider funding for improve- The seventh annual Earth Day age. During a previous discussion of Officials said that some towns with pating clarification from the state. ments to Brookside Park. Officials • higher welfare bills welcome turn- In other business, the council con- withstand 160 mile-per-hour winds, Cleanup, this year featuring the slo- the issue at the council's April 2 nigner weiiarc uin» ™w»* "»•• in other business, me council tun- Mr. Floyd said. The work would take indicated a bond ordinance would be gan "Pick Up Litter, Help Fanwood agenda session, Borough Clerk ing over welfare costs to the county jd ed shortening the flagpole struc- fd th titd in order to reduce their local bud- s er one dalay and require dosing one lane necessary to fund the estimated Glitter," will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in Eleanor McGovern reported that, :- „„!«• t« TfA»c.e. their local bud- ture on tne pront street Liberty Is- oftraiffif c on Front Street, he said. conmm> rnnct u the southside parking lot of the Fan- unless a complaint had been received gets. The Scotch Plains Welfare De- land monument by at least 25 feet. partment spends und=er $40,000 per wood railroad station. Volunteers will about a tree, the borough is generally year, officials said, for disbursements be given Earth Day T-shirts, gloves not considered liable for damage. and garbage bags to pick up litter, and In a separate matter, Shaun and part-time staff.