The Westfield Leader Newspaper

OUR 110th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 31110 FIFTY CENTS (908) 2324407 Thursday, April 6, 2000 USPS 680020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N. J. Published Every Thursday

Since 1890

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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus

INDEX

A& E............... Page 20 Business ........ Page 18 Classifieds ..... Page 19

County .......... Page 2 Editorial ........ Page 4 Obituary ........ Page 10

Religious ....... Page 11 Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 13

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Planning Bd. Turns Down

Subdivision By INGRID McKINLEY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Taking a strong stance against granting variances for proposed subdivisions in residential neighborhoods, the Westfield Planning Board unanimously denied a proposed plan on Scotch Plains Avenue after a long and well presented case on behalf of clients Toby Two Realty of Westfield.

The developers, brothers Don, and John Sisto, who live in Westfield, recently purchased the property in hopes of creating two lots. Their hopes, however, were dashed by an unanimous denial by the Planning Board, whose members cited concern that this development will hurt the neighborhood and town in the long term.

The property, located at 128 Scotch Plains Avenue, currently has an existing dwelling set off center on the property.

The proposed plan would create two lots, with one lot being substandard in size and side yard setback, in accordance with town ordinances as set by the Master Plan. The case, presented by Peter Wolfson of Dillon, Bitar & Luther of Morristown, was well researched and efficiently presented.

Mr. Wolfson and Peter Steck, a planner from Maplewood, presented a case seeking numerous variances, including a proposed side yard between the two lots of 12 feet versus the standard 20 feet set by the town for new construction.

At the center of this discussion was a bay window, which the applicant felt need not be removed due to its architectural significance to the home.

Town Engineer and Board Member Kenneth B. Marsh disagreed. “A bay window is more appropriate with a view,” which would not exist with a home only 12 feet away, he commented.

The board was greatly concerned about the effect of ‘shoehorning in’ another home as well as the possibility of future subdivisions as owners of large lots, located in the neighborhood, would be racing to the board,

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Rec. Board Mulls Lack of Parks Maintenance Dept.; Discusses Poor Condition of Schools’ Gyms

By DEBORAH MADISON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

For a third consecutive year, the Westfield Town Council has turned down a request from the Recreation Commission to fund a separate parks and fields department, reported Recreation Commission Director, Dr. Seymour Koslowsky at Monday night’s Recreation Commission meeting.

Recreation Director Glenn S. Burrell stated that he submitted proposals to the Town Council in both 1998 and 1999, requesting a full time parks maintenance department,

which the Recreation Commission feels is sorely needed.

Currently, the town’s Department of Public Works is responsible for this maintenance.

Town Administrator, Thomas Shannon told The Westfield Leader, that the Town Council has put aside this plan in favor of another more economical solution for the parks and fields.

“Our plan, which we instituted several weeks ago, is to give the Recreation Commission control over

manpower of our Department of Public Works,” Mr. Shannon explained. According to Mr. Shannon, this method is more economical and is looking very promising so far.

Also of concern at Monday night’s meeting were the state of many of the town’s school gymnasiums, described by Recreation Commission member Thomas Cusimano as being in “deplorable condition” and greatly in need of repair.

“The high school girl’s gym is an embarrassment and the floors are dangerous,” Mr. Cusimano told the

commission. “I understand the need for technology upgrades, but they are being done at the expense of neglecting the school’s infrastructures, which can’t be indefinitely ignored,” he added.

Mr. Burrell pointed out that there are many different interests in town, with conflicting goals and only enough money to fund a limited number of upgrades.

In other business, Donnell Carr, a former Town Councilman and Chairman of the Paul Robeson Centennial Committee of Westfield presented revised conceptual plans for the Paul Robeson Children’s Park to be located at the corners of Rahway Avenue and Watterson Street on a parcel of townowned property that is adjacent to the Holy Trinity Interparochial School.

The parcel of land, which is approximately 6,000 square feet, is believed to be the homestead site of the Robeson family from 1907 to 1910.

The proposed plan includes a twoto threefoot semicircular seating wall, children’s playground equipment, benches and extensive landscaping. The preliminary plan also proposes a bustrelief or plaque of Paul Robeson interacting with children, as he was so often depicted in historical photographs.

The playground equipment, according to Mr. Carr, would be designed for preschool and kindergarten aged children. According to Mr. Carr, Holy Trinity Interparochial School has committed to funding the cost of the playground equipment.

The proposal was originally estimated to cost $75,000 according to Mr. Carr, which is above the $20,000 of Union County Pocket Park and town funds set aside for the project.

According to the revised plans, Mr. Carr told the Recreation Commission that most of the work could be accomplished with the funds allotted and a contribution of time and manpower from the town’s DepartCONTINUED

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Pool Memberships Sold Up Until May 1 Cycle

By KIM KINTER AND INGRID MC KINLEY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The second phase of the sale of Westfield Memorial Pool memberships for the 2000 summer season ended prematurely Tuesday when all 1,800 available spots were sold.

No more pool memberships will be available for sale again until Monday, May 1, when memberships will be open to everyone, including those

who live outside of Westfield. Again, openings for 1,800 individuals will be available.

Beginning April 3 and continuing though this month, pool memberships were open to all Westfield residents, whether or not they were pool members in 1999.

Signups were to be taken until 80 percent of pool capacity, or 7,200 individuals, was achieved. Because 5,400 members from last year had signed up during March, there was room in April for 1,800 more individuals.

The 1,800 capacity, however, was reached by 8: 15 p. m. Tuesday.

Assistant Recreation Director James Gildea said that on the first day of the signup on Monday, about 1,550 were registered, leaving only some 260 spots available through Tuesday.

The first person to sign up for membership on Monday arrived at 5: 30 a. m., Mr. Gildea said. A second person arrived at 6: 45 a. m. and by 8: 30 a. m., a line of more than 150

people wound around the building and down the sidewalk of East Broad Street.

The line became much shorter by 11: 30 a. m., however, according to Mr. Gildea.

He said that about 60 percent of the registrants on Monday and Tuesday were new residents in Westfield who were unable to get into the pool last year.

The Recreation Commission changed its signup process this year after membership sold out last summer for the first time in the 30year history of the pool.

Recreation Commission members felt this new arrangement was a way to guarantee each “wave” of membership a fair opportunity to purchase pool passes.

During the month of March, pool members from last year were given first crack at memberships for 2000. Accepted memberships were cut off once 60 percent, or 5,400 of the pool’s capacity of 9,000, was reached. The maximum of 5,400 was reached March 28.

April was designated for Westfield residents who were not previous members and for previous members who did not sign up in March. May has been designated for outoftown signups and for all Westfield residents.

Despite a townwide mailing by the Recreation Department, advertising and information that appeared

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Fanwood Police Find Resolution In String of Westfield Burglaries

By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Fanwood Borough Police have filed additional charges against two men recently arrested in connection with several Westfield burglaries.

Jeremiah Shoemaker, 25, and Michael Galasso, 37, who both told police they were homeless and who both recently stayed in the Plainfield YMCA, have been charged with burglary and theft in connection with the breakin of a South Avenue home in Fanwood, said Detective Eugene Chin of the Fanwood Police Department.

The men, who were arrested March 21 and 22, are also charged in connection with some burglaries in Westfield. They are being held in the Union County Jail in Elizabeth.

Detective Chin said that when the men were apprehended they gave statements in which they admitted to burglarizing the Fanwood home.

During the burglary, jewelry and cash totaling less than $50,000 were

taken, he said. The detective said the department is continuing to investigate several other recent Fanwood burglaries to determine if the men had any involvement.

Scotch Plains Police who also were looking into the possibility that one or both of the men were involved in several township burglaries were unable to make any connection.

The new year has brought a number of house burglaries in the Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood communities.

In Scotch Plains and Fanwood, police are unconcerned about the number of burglaries, saying that there were no more than usual.

In Westfield, however, there has been an increase in burglaries compared to the same period a year ago.

Lieutenant John M. Parizeau said that from January 1 through March 31 this year there were 23 burglaries, compared to five during the same time in 1999.

This year during that period there were six business burglaries and 17 residential burglaries, including three attempted burglaries.

In 1999 during the period, there were two business burglaries and two residential burglaries, including one attempt.

Lieutenant Parizeau pointed out that when statistics are in for the entire year of 2000, there may actually be no more burglaries than the previous year, but that the incidents have been up so far this year.

Of the 23 burglaries so far this year, 14 occurred in March and six near the end of February.

With the arrest of Shoemaker and Galasso, Lieutenant Parizeau said that several of the burglaries, particularly those on the south side, were solved. But, he added, that several have occurred since the two men’s arrest.

Lieutenant Parizeau said that the police department will continue to watch the situation for any trends or signs to connect them together as they did with the recent string on the south side.

Westfield police had been inves

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Administrator Says Tax Impact To Fund Deck Would Be Nominal

By DEBORAH MADISON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

In a telephone interview with The Westfield Leader, Westfield Town Administrator Thomas P. Shannon reviewed the construction costs for the parking decks proposed for downtown Westfield.

According to Mr. Shannon, the proposed deck or decks would have a nominal tax impact on taxpayers, as most costs would be offset by current parking revenue.

Depending on the option chosen, one moderately sized deck or two smaller decks, taxpayers may see between a one and five tax increase per $100 of assessed value to cover the costs, which translate into $18 per year and $90 per year leveraged over a fiveyear period, respectively.

Addressing the Town Council and several dozen residents at last weeks Town Council meeting, Mr. Shannon gave a breakdown of cost estimates for one moderately sized deck

on the south side lot, also called Lot 3A and for a second smaller deck on the Prospect Street lot adjacent to Trader Joe’s, also called Lot 1, extended.

Estimates for a larger deck were given in the most recent report issued by Rich and Associates, a consulting firm hired to develop the a “Comprehensive Parking Plan,” for the town, however, Mr. Shannon told The Leader, that the town is more likely to consider a smaller scale than the largest deck in the report.

According to Mr. Shannon, a small to moderate sized deck on Lot 3, similar in size to the deck proposed by Rich and Associates for Lot 1, would accommodate approximately 800 cars and would be ground level plus three supported levels, with an overall height of approximately 35 feet.

According to Mr. Shannon, this deck would cost somewhere between $10 and $13 million to construct.

This would translate into a bond debt of approximately $1.1 million a year over 20 years. Adding to that yearly debt the operating costs for other parking services, such as meter maintenance and parking employees, a cost of $400,000 per year would result in a total yearly debt of $1.5 million for all parkingrelated costs.

However, projected meter, ticket and permit increases are estimated to take in revenue between $1.2 and $1.5 million per year, which will offset these costs. At most, a $300,000 shortfall is projected, which would result in a 0 to two cent tax increase per $100 of assessed value, or $18 per year for an average house.

The overall cost for a second deck at Prospect Street, which would also be small to moderate in size, is estimated at $9.3 million.

The projected costs for constructing two small decks, consecutively,

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader JUST HANGING AROUND… Sherri Carter holds onto her daughter, Stephanie, 2, as she tries to use the monkey bars at Mindowaskin Park in Westfield.

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader AND THE LINE GOES ON… Swarms of Westfielders lined up on Monday to get a chance to register for Westfield Memorial Pool membership. The second phase of the sale of Westfield Memorial Pool memberships for the 2000 summer season ended prematurely Tuesday when all 1,800 available spots were sold. No more pool memberships will be available for sale again until Monday, May 1, when memberships will be open to everyone, including those who live outside of Westfield.

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Council Introduces Budget With 2 Cent

Hike in Tax Rate By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The Town Council officially introduced its municipal budget Tuesday night that calls for a 2 cent increase in the municipal tax rate, from 67 to 69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, to support a $24,324,685 spending plan.

A total of $12,595,289 will be raised through property taxes.

This year’s increase in the municipal tax rate is the lowest since 1995, when taxes rose a cent.

Former Town Administrator Edward A. Gottko explained that the spending plan will result in an average increase of $36 for a home in town assessed at $174,000, with a market value of $325,000.

The council last week agreed to reduce the appropriations side of the budget by $146,000, per state legislation to reduce the Police and Firemen’s System, thus bringing the projected tax levy increase down from 3 cents to 2.2 cents. Auditors told officials to put the increase at 2 cents.

The town also got word that the state will amend the budget to account for a $119,000 business and property tax adjustment. Mr. Gottko said, however, that it is not known if this change will impact the tax rate. That decision rests with the Union County Board of Taxation, which sets the tax rates.

Among the highlights in this year’s budget on the capital expense side are $80,000 in repairs for the North

Avenue Fire Headquarters, $75,000 as part of a multiyear plan to refurbish bureaus in the police department, $220,000 for a residential sidewalk repair and replacement program, and $125,000 for professional services to move ahead with the redevelopment project for Memorial Park. The latter does not include the pool expansion project.

Another $222,000 is included to move ahead with the repair of the Mindowaskin Park overlook.

On the operational side of the budget, the Westfield Memorial Library received $1,177,094, $20,000 below what the library Board of Trustees had requested but $24,000 over last year and $61,000 over the amount mandated through state statute.

Mayor Thomas C. Jardim joined First Ward Councilman Carl A. Salisbury in voting against the budget introduction. Mr. Salisbury said he had some “philosophical concerns” over the budget.

The councilman had previously indicated he would not support a budget which did not at least deliver a flat tax rate this year. He had been seeking a reduction of 2 cents in the tax rate.

Mayor Jardim indicated he had concerns on the amount of surplus used in the budget.

A total of $2.3 million was used out of the $3.1 million in surplus funds this year, along with $570,000 from the municipal assets account –

Page 12 Thursday, April 6, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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Union County Honors Women of Excellence

By MARYLOU MORANO

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

An entrepreneur, a sheriff’s officer, an advocate for the disabled and nine other outstanding Union County Women have been honored as Women of Excellence by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women.

The eighth annual dinner recognizing the women was held on March 31 at the Westwood in Garwood.

Among the recipients all chosen because of their contributions and achievements — were several women from Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood.

Willetta BaCote of Fanwood was honored for her advocacy for the rights and needs of all people. Ms. BaCote is the program coordinator for three projects run by the Plainfield Board of Education Every Person Influences Children (EPIC), Teens Effective As Mothers (TEAM) and Individuals Making Positive Appropriate Choices Training (IMPACT). She is also involved with the Plainfield Health Center and the United Way of Union County.

Coowner and manager of Freshwater’s Restaurant in Plainfield, Sharon Freshwater was honored for entrepreneurship. Ms. Freshwater has expanded the restaurant from a small takeout shop to a highly acclaimed restaurant.

Noted for its soul food cuisine, Freshwater’s Restaurant has received recognition from The New York Daily News and a four star rating from The StarLedger. Ms. Freshwater mentors others in the soul food restaurant business and she is a volunteer with AGAPE Foundation — an agency that helps children living with AIDS.

Fanwood resident Patricia A. Plante was recognized for her volunteer spirit.

A highly successful Westfield realtor, Ms. Plante is an active volunteer with numerous community groups from the Brownies to the Union County Committee on Shared Services. She has also organized drives for local food banks, refugees from Kosovo and lowincome women entering the workforce.

Lenore Scurry of Westfield was also honored for volunteerism. Ms. Scully is an OnAir Chairwoman for the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon for the United Negro College Fund, and as chair, she has

raised millions of dollars for education. She was the first African American president of “Soroptimist,” an agency that raises money to help battered women. Ms. Scully also serves as the financial secretary for The Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick.

Holly E. Wetscher of Westfield received a Woman of Excellence Award for her work in Healthcare. Through her writing, advocacy, and public education effort, Ms. Wetscher has been a role model for the severely disabled.

She has been a Rehabilitation Counselor for United Palsy and she currently serves on the Union County Advisory Board on the Disabled and was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Alliance for the Disabled in Action.

Other Women receiving awards were: Joanne M. Caruso of Cranford for Community Service, Marcia Cohen of Summit for Arts and Humanities, Anne Evans Estabrook of Cranford for Business, Dr. Denise C. Lagos of Chatham for Education, Freeholder Deborah Scanlon of Union for Government and Sergeant Nancy Zimmerman of Kenilworth for Law Enforcement.

“These women we are honoring come from all walks of life and all parts of Union County, but they all share one thing in common a concern about their communities,” commented Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “All have demonstrated a commitment to building better, stronger communities.”

“The recipients of these awards become important role models for women across Union County,” said Freeholder Linda d. Stender, the Board of Chosen Freeholders liaison to the Commission and herself a former Woman of Excellence Award recipient.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders created the Union County Commission on the Status of Women in 1976. It is currently chaired by Carolyn Vollero of Cranford.

The Commission studies and addresses the needs and issues critical to the quality of life of Union County women. In addition to the annual Women of Excellence Award Dinner, the commission develops and presents special programs of interest to women, advises the Board of Chosen Freeholders on issues concerning women, and acts as a liaison between the freeholders and the community.

McDermott Favors Jitney Bus Service in Westfield

WESTFIELD — Saying the Westfield Town Council should be more proactive in developing parking solutions for residents in addition to the proposed parking deck, First Ward Councilman Gregory S. McDermott has proposed the implementation of a bus or jitney service for commuter and shoppers.

“Concerns over the parking deck’s size and location have been an issue in Westfield for the past 20 years, and it’s important to have a healthy dialogue regarding where the final site will be located,” said Mr. McDermott. “But the deck should be viewed as only one piece of the ultimate parking solution, and a long range one at that. Any decision on the parking deck will take some time to implement, and the construction will take at least 15 months. I am proposing immediate solutions in order to help commuters and downtown shoppers, not tomorrow, but today,” he added.

Mr. McDermott said the Town Council should consider purchasing a bus with an influx of aid from the state thanks to legislation that would reduce the town’s pension payment obligations for the Police and

Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS).

He said after Governor Christine Todd Whitman signs the bill, as expected, Westfield would be in line for $146,615 in additional aid. Mr. McDermott also suggested implementing a jitney service modeled after Maplewood’s, which charges $1 per trip.

“For that price, I think people would be trilled to have a fast, convenient form of transportation around town,” he said. “I think we need to be more flexible in our thinking when it comes to providing parking options for our residents. The parking deck is something Westfield needs but it is only right that we take a slow, deliberative approach to building one. In the interim, a bus or jitney service could certainly help to meet the needs our commuters and shoppers,” Mr. McDermott stated.

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seeking variances to create smaller lots and profiting from current Westfield property value boom.

Troubling the board members is the fact that by granting the requested variances and allowing this subdivision, in a neighborhood already with a large percentage of lots substandard in size, the board would be further encouraging this action.

Board Member Robert Newell was vocal in his dissent about the proposed plan. He questioned Mr. Steck, as a planner, if he supported an increase in dramatic nonconformity as was being presented.

The board felt any hardships the case presented were self imposed by the applicant and could not be weighed heavily in determining the case.

Mr. Wolfson, along with the Sistos, were very accommodating to the board, agreeing to change the design of the new home being planned so that the board could have something to review.

The board mulled over the possibility of presenting all this before the Architectural Review Board, but the subdivision was unanimously denied, making the point moot.

Another minor subdivision, proposed at 718 East Broad Street, was postponed until the board’s next meeting in May. This is the second postponement of a hearing for the subdivision.

The applicant’s planner was not available for the presentation, which the board feels is necessary for the case.

The Chambers, filled with residents from the neighboring area of the proposed subdivision, left following the announcement of the postponement.

In other business the request by the May Department Stores, owners of Lord & Taylor, to erect a new store sign was transferred to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The store is asking to erect a logo sign on the rear façade of the existing department store.

Board Chairman Martin Robins felt the sign was not a decision the board could make and felt it should be referred to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The sign, recommended by the Downtown Westfield Corporation, is to be a means of advertising and attracting shoppers to Westfield as it will be visible from New Jersey Transit trains.

Finally, the board approved the final site plan for a proposed mixeduse project including retail, apartments and townhouses along a small section of Central and Cacciola Avenues.

The project was given preliminary approval by the board September 1. Ralph Rapuano, a Westfield developer, has proposed a retail and residential development.

Many residents in the area objected to the plan, and the Planning Board issued several conditions to Mr. Rapuano before final approval could be given.

Conditions have been met and board members said they are satisfied with the proposed project.

When the project begins, numerous buildings – including homes where people currently reside – will be demolished.

The project is still subject to the signing of a “developer’s agreement,” which is a formal agreement entered into by the town and Mr. Rapuano.

In a brief interview the day after the meeting, Mayor Thomas C. Jardim, who is a member of the board, said that part of the developer’s agreement will be the development of a relocation plan and assistance for some of the residents who will be affected by the project.

He said that the details of the agreement still need to be “hashed out.”

Westfield Planning Bd. Turns Down Subdivision

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ment of Public Works (DPW). He requested that the Recreation Commission and the town approve this contribution from the DPW. He also said that state grants could be pursued if the town gave the project its approval.

“We would like the town to champion this project and make a commitment to seeing this accomplished,” Mr. Carr expressed.

The Recreation Commission requested that Mr. Carr return with a contribution estimate from Holy Trinity as well as a more detailed cost estimate for the park’s construction to be presented at next month’s meeting.

Sod laying on Sycamore Field has resumed and all of the sod will be in place by the end of next week. The Recreation Commission decided to delay use of this field until further notice in order to insure the proper rooting of the sod, which will not be secure for several weeks. The commission will make a redetermination regarding the use of this field at its next meeting.

Mr. Burrell reported that he met with Kinsey and Associates and several neighborhood parents regarding the “seating wall” at Sycamore Park.

Several area residents objected to the newly constructed “seating wall” on the grounds that it was unsafe for children to play on or around.

Kinsey and Associates is taking the position that this type of wall has been safely used in other playgrounds

and there is nothing structurally dangerous or wrong with the wall. They have agreed that it can be removed, but it will cost an additional $4,000 to remove it.

The Recreation Commission decided to form a committee to get safety data from other towns, which have similar “seating walls.” Commission members also considered that they should allot some time to see if the wall actually poses any problems, before tearing it down.

Bids for the approved Gumbert Park building came in, ranging from $134,500 to $235,000, which is above the $115,000 estimate for the project.

The Recreation Commission will speak to the Westfield Baseball League (WBL) regarding options. Either, the building will need to be downsized, the WBL will have to commit to covering the additional costs or additional funds will have to be found.

The $20,000 in funds set aside for upgrades at Tamaques Park were also discussed.

According to the Recreation Commission, Tamaques needs a number of improvements, including the installation of backstops, picnic tables and new bleachers.

The $20,000 will only cover one of those costs, according to figures presented by Mr. Burrell. The Recreation Commission decided to allocate the funds to install the new backstops and to find other means of funding the other items.

Rec. Board Mulls Lack Of Parks Maintenance Dept.

on several local Web sites and on Channel 36, the local access channel, many people seemed uninformed about the new signup process and missed deadlines, Mr. Gildea said.

The line up Monday represented a mixture of residents who were not pool members last year, as well as those who forgot to sign up during the month of March.

Pat Gillhaus, a lifelong Westfield resident, remarked, “This is ridiculous. Last year was the first year I did not become a member. I can’t believe I need to be put on the newcomer list after having been a pool member for 22 years.”

Becky Wall, accompanied by her two children, is a new resident of Westfield and commented, “I moved from Chicago. I am used to lining up early.”

Yvette Scola did not belong to the pool last year. “With my husband and I working full time, we really didn’t feel a need to become pool members last year. Now I have my little son, Cameron, and the pool is important.”

Mr. Gildea said that in the last few years, nonresident pool membership has been running between 12 and 15 percent. Even if every outoftown member signs up again this season, Mr. Gildea said, 5 percent of the final 1,800 spaces will still be available to Westfield residents.

Although the Recreation Department can take no new memberships during April, membership card holders may have their pictures taken, which are needed for the cards, during regular weekly office hours of 8: 30 a. m. to 4: 30 p. m.

The department office will also be open on Tuesday, April 18, from 7 to 9 p. m. and on Saturday, April 8, from 9 a. m. to noon.

* * * * *

Deborah Madison contributed to this story.

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Pool Membership

tigating the burglaries when they first apprehended Shoemaker.

Shoemaker was apprehended and charged by Westfield police following the report of a burglary in a Westfield Avenue home. A woman was returning home and spotted a man moving away from her front door. She asked him questions and then reported the incident to police, along with a detailed description.

The suspect, who fit the description the woman gave police, was picked up a short time later walking on North Avenue towards Scotch Plains. Property taken from the Westfield Avenue address was found on the man’s possession.

Westfield Police knew from descriptions from other burglaries that occurred on the south side of town that another man might be involved.

Westfield police sent details about the town’s burglaries and Shoemaker to area communities, and the next day Plainfield police contacted Westfield authorities about Galasso, who they were questioning and who they thought might be connected to the house breakins.

Plainfield Police Chief Edward Santiago said there had been some house burglaries in Plainfield and that police had put together a team of officers who were patrolling the area March 22 when a house alarm was activated.

After interviewing people who were near the scene of the alarm activation, police were able to piece together a description and apprehend Galasso.

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Burglaries

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including the additional parking maintenance costs, would be $1.5 million for the first deck and an additional $1.2 million for the second deck.

This would be offset by an estimated yearly revenue of $1.8 million, which includes revenue from the first deck or, at most, a $900,000 shortfall.

The projected tax burden for constructing two decks would result in an estimated tax increase of five cents, incrementally leveraged over five years, or a one cent per year increase per $100 of assessed value. The tax burden would be one cent the first year, two cents the second, and so on, which would translate into approximately $90 leverage over five years for an average house.

Construction for two decks is estimated to take five to six years and shuttle service to the train station is proposed during construction. The proposed retail space, it is estimated, would break even.

The estimated yearly parking revenue was predicated on changes being made to the current parking regulations, including raising meter, ticket and permit fees and stricter enforcement.

According to the report by Rich and Associates, the revenue projections are based on raising permit spaces north of North Avenue to $70 per month up from $30 per month, and raising shortterm meter rates from 25 cents an hour to 50 cents an hour.

Permits south of North Avenue would be increased from $40 per month to $50 per month and parking fines for overtime meters would increase from $13 to $15. Parking regulations must be diligently enforced to insure parking reallocation and projected revenues.

These proposed increases would insure that the majority of commuters and retail employees, who need longterm parking, utilize the deck, freeing up most shortterm spaces north of North Avenue for shoppers. This reallocation is the key element to making a South Side parking deck a success.

Recommended sources of funding for the decks, besides a local bond referendum, could come from the Federal Highway TEA Program or NJ Transit.

Mr. Shannon said that the town will look into other state grant and funding options.

Mr. Shannon emphasized that these are only very preliminary cost estimates and proposed sizes, based on a proposal that may change dramatically after a thorough traffic study. Other options and locations will still be considered as public discussions continue and as more information comes to light, Mr. Shannon added.

Parking Deck

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader LOOKING FOR BOOKS… Marie Murphy, left, and Aileen Rivell search through the children’s books at the book sale being held at the Westfield Memorial Library. The sale, which will continue through Saturday, is used as a fundraiser to purchase items to be used by the library. These purchases include reference books, technology for the computers and online subscription fees, as well as books on loan to the public. Over 100 volunteers man the sale over the course of the sale.

Master Gardener Set To Speak on Annuals

WESTFIELD — Master Gardener Julius Stang will discuss gardening with annual flowers during a program on Wednesday, April 12, at 10 a. m. at Westfield Memorial Library, 550 East Broad Street in Westfield.

In partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Mr. Stang will explain how to plant a garden and select the best annual plants.

Interested individuals may register at the library, which may be reached by calling (908) 7894090.

consisting mostly of land sales over a number of years – to offset the amount to be raised in taxes. Surplus funds include money appropriated but not spent in the previous year, along with unanticipated revenues such as grants.

Other revenue sources include: $600,000 in construction fees and permits, $181,000 in interest on taxes that are paid late, $750,000 in interest on investments and deposits made by the town and $641,000 for money received from residents who prepay the school portion of their property taxes.

Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan noted that this year’s budget is one of the most “aggressive” spending plans he has seen in terms of the “revenue assumptions” made. He stated that the budget also includes a number of onetime revenue items.

He said he was “disappointed” that the council was not unanimous in its vote for the budget, indicating he had promised to “swallow hard.” Mr. Sullivan has been concerned over use of the asset funds. He believes this account should not fund the operational side of the budget.

Mr. Gottko noted that, through the budget process, the council made $239,000 in spending cuts. A 5 cent hike, delivering an increase of $90 per homeowner, had originally been considered by the governing body.

The council also approved introduction of the budget for the Downtown Westfield Corporation of $299,500. That budget includes a promotion spending plan of $98,000, $20,000 for economic development and $133,000 for operational costs, including $92,500 in salaries and wages for staff.

The budget is supported through an assessment on properties within the town’s special improvement district.

Several council Republicans, led by Councilman Sullivan, sought to have a

commuter jitney service included in the budget.

The current budget includes $110,000 — $70,000 on the capital side to purchase a bus and $40,000 on the operational side of the budget for salaries, etc. – for a senior citizen bus service.

During recently concluded budget discussions, the council opted not to include additional funds for a commuter jitney.

Mr. Sullivan told The Westfield Leader that he believes a jitney needs to be included as part of a parking system. He said a parking deck on the South Avenue train station parking lot alone, as proposed by a consultant hired by the town, will not solve the commuter parking crunch.

He said a deck with 449 spaces will only yield between 150 and 200 additional stalls, way short of the 800 people currently waiting for commuter permits.

During the public participation portion of Tuesday’s council meeting, Charles Weidman of Boulevard suggested, given the lack of commuter spots, that the town issue a maximum of one permit per household, require at least three or four forms of identification and issue all permits in person to ensure that holders are Westfield residents.

Town Clerk Bernard A. Heeney noted that currently, the town accepts parking permit applications via mail and that all permits must be renewed annually.

In an effort to alleviate the lack of parking spaces during the weekend, Town Administrator Thomas P. Shannon has developed a plan to require all noncommuter permit holders to park at the South Avenue train station parking lot on weekends effective Monday, May 1.

The downtown commuter lots on North Avenue and Elm Street will be marked for twohour weekend parking.

Mr. Shannon said the parking limits will be “vigorously enforced” at the lots and parking meters, as well.

On another matter, the council approved a resolution to hire Waste Management of New Jersey, Inc. to conduct this year’s townwide spring residential cleanup program. Permits will be set at $50 per permit user for 750 pounds of materials.

Council Introduces Budget With 2 Cent Hike in Tax Rate

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