The Westfield Leader Newspaper

OUR 110th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 50110 FIFTY CENTS (908) 2324407 Thursday, August 17, 2000 USPS 680020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N. J. Published Every Thursday

Since 1890

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus

INDEX

A& E............... Page 17 Business ........ Page 14 Classifieds ..... Page 15

Editorial ........ Page 4 Education ...... Page 8 Obituary ........ Page 9

Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 11

Pediatric Doctors Juggle Booking Appointments For Students Who Delay Physical Examinations

By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

’Tis the season when parents realize time is running out to schedule their youngsters’ physical examinations in time to start school.

It happens every summer, but Scotch Plains Pediatrics took a different approach this year to avoid being bombarded with requests like they were last September.

“We got wise this year and called everyone to get in over the summer,” said office assistant Marisol Rivera. “As a result, we booked months ahead and the better part of the wells (well visits) will be over by September.”

“There are always the stragglers who don’t realize how important they

(health forms) are,” said Susan Loeser, bookkeeper at the Redeemer Lutheran School in Westfield. “We have had to lean on people.”

According to Willow Grove PreSchool Director Kathy Calello in Scotch Plains, it is a state requirement that doctorcompleted medical forms, including immunization records, be in her hands by the first day of preschool for every new student.

At Willow Grove, returning students need only submit a note from their doctor which states a child is in good health and lists any new inoculations.

Westfield and Scotch Plains public schools give parents a little bit of a break, allowing children to start school in September with the under standing that doctors’ forms will be

submitted by October 1. As children get older, the state requires public schools to update their health records in kindergarten, fourth, eighth and 11th grades. Parents are notified by mail that a physical is required.

According to Linda Termine in Scotch PlainsFanwood’s Office of Pupil Services, any physical exam conducted since January 1 of the current year is acceptable.

There is another alternative. “If parents don’t want to go to their own

physicians, the school doctor will do it,” she explained. Arrangements may be made through the individual school nurse.

In Westfield, the Chief Medical Inspector (a physician from the Summit Medical Group), makes scheduled visits to each of the district’s nine schools to conduct physicals as needed.

According to Eileen Halloran, secretary of the district’s Health Ser

Father Stuck By Syringe In Play Area of McDonald’s

By LAWRENCE HENRY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

In an accident that will send shivers down parents’ spines, Tom Kelly of Basking Ridge got stuck with a medical syringe needle in the play area of the Scotch Plains McDonald’s on Route 22. The incident happened June 15.

Mr. Kelly, the father of a threeyearold and a fiveyearold, came to the offices of The Westfield Leader

and The Times of Scotch PlainsFanwood

to tell the newspapers what happened.

“I take my children twice a month to McDonald’s to give my wife a little time off,” Mr. Kelly explained. “On the 15th of July, we got there around 8 o’clock and had our breakfast. And, of course, my kids played around” in the restaurant’s big attached play area.

“They wanted me to come in the ball pit and play with them,” Mr. Kelly said “No sooner had I gotten in than I perceived a sharp pain in my left calf.”

Mr. Kelly was wearing blue jeans. He discovered a syringe sticking into his calf like a dart through his jeans.

“It was still stuck in my leg,” he said. “I had to pull it out.”

The ball pit is an open box, about 10feet by 10feet, with a net roof, filled with plastic balls. Children jump around in it.

Steve Reedy, owner and manager of the McDonald’s, was present. He said, “We helped him (Mr. Kelly) out. He just felt it was an accident.”

Mr. Reedy said the syringe was turned over to the police. A police officer at the scene, according to Mr. Reedy, speculated that the syringe had fallen out of a diabetic’s purse while she was playing with her child.

Steve and Bernie Reedy own and operate several McDonald’s restaurants, including stores in Garwood, West Orange and Livingston.

Mr. Kelly described the syringe as being “larger than an insulin (diabetic) syringe not pencilshaped, either three or five milliliters” in capacity.

It had “a green substance in it,” he said.

Since the incident, Mr. Kelly has “undergone numerous medical tests” for HIV and hepatitis and has had tetanus and hepatitis shots. According to Mr. Kelly’s lawyer, Ray Gill of Gill & Chamas, Woodbridge, Mr. Kelly is also taking AZT, the antiAIDS medication, “as a prophylactic measure.” Mr. Kelly’s doctors have told him that HIV, the AIDS virus, will take seven weeks to show up in a test.

“It’s a long wait,” Mr. Kelly said. The McDonald’s on Route 22 in Scotch Plains is a huge restaurant popular with families from the sur rounding towns for its large play

area. One local school, L’Academy Montessori of Scotch Plains, takes its entire student body to the restaurant for outings.

Mr. Gill said the syringe had been handed over to the Scotch Plains Board of Health by the Scotch Plains police, and that tests had come up negative on the contents for AIDS or hepatitis.

“We haven’t filed a lawsuit yet, but it’s coming,” Mr. Gill said.

“We have reason to believe,” Mr. Gill said, “that this particular facility has had problems in the past with this ball pit, and that there were no maintenance procedures in effect.” He claimed there was “a total lack of supervision of the children going in it.”

Mr. Gill explained that he would base his suit on national requirements for the maintenance of play equipment, as provided by the manufacturer of the equipment in use at the McDonald’s. He would claim that the Scotch Plains McDonald’s uses the play area to attract business.

“They even book birthday parties there.” If a business does that, said Mr. Gill, there is “a correlative duty to supervise.”

Other complaints about the McDonald’s emerged from an investigation by the Attorney’s Information Exchange Group, Mr. Gill said.

Brian Johnson for The Westfield Leader

FASHION AT ITS BEST… Sunrise Assisted Living in Westfield held its first annual Sunrise Fashion Gala last Saturday for patrons, their family members and friends. Adorned in 1920s garb, models strolled down the facility’s winding staircase. Pictured, above, Sunrise resident Anne Ribis is escorted by Miguel Murteira. See related story on Page 10.

Local Observers Say Land Swaps Can Promote Town Objectives By LAWRENCE HENRY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Last week, the Westfield Planning Board approved a land swap between the town and developer Ralph Rapuano. In the swap, the town gave Mr. Rapuano a piece of townowned land near Grove Street; Mr. Rapuano gave the town a wooded piece of land at the end of Columbus Avenue.

Land swaps don’t happen every day, but it is not an unusual way for a town to strike a deal with a developer, according to local observers.

Town Councilman and former Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment member, Neil F. Sullivan, for example, remembered that the town engineered a swap “about a year ago” for a piece of land on Sedgewick Street.

“There were a number of owners involved, as well as some town property,” Mr. Sullivan recalled. “We moved the location of a paper street and swapped it with the location of a piece of property, some publicly and some privately owned, to provide a better location for a sewer line.”

In Mr. Sullivan’s view, publicprivate land swaps must serve municipal objectives, usually involving the preservation of a zoning plan.

“In this case, on Columbus Avenue,” said Mr. Sullivan, “there were several planning objectives. Number one, it will allow development to be done in a pattern consistent with the neighborhood. Number two, it gives the town control over a piece of property that will ensure that we can have a buffer between Grove Street, which is a professional zone, and the Columbus Avenue area, which is a residential zone.”

Attorney William Butler of Scotch Plains, who practices before local planning boards including Westfield, said, of such land exchanges, “It can be done as long as there’s equal value to the swap. There’s no legal impedi ment to it.”

Mr. Butler said, “There are rules about how towns can dispose of property. This is covered in a body of (state) law that relates to public property.”

Westfield architect Robert Algarin said he was more familiar, in general, with such deals being made in big cities, where developers must often meet certain “mitigation” standards before going ahead with projects.

But, he said, “In general, this kind of thing is okay.” He pointed out that the deal was worked out in public,

and that it satisfied the neighbors. “If it’s done in a public forum, it’s a legitimate function of government to do something like that,” Mr. Algarin stated.

Councilman Sullivan, a Republican, actually sketched out the proposed deal on a blackboard. Town Attorney William S. Jeremiah, 2nd and Mayor Thomas C. Jardim, a Democrat, had negotiated the swap based on Mr. Rapuano’s proposals.

Councilman Sullivan was satisfied. “It works for me,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Brian Johnson for The Westfield Leader TENDING TO VICTIM... Westfield police and rescue squad personnel transport Albert DiGiovanni of Cranford to Overlook Hospital. Mr. DiGiovanni was hit by a car on East Broad Street near the Rialto Theatre Saturday night.

County Has Final Say For Medical Building On Springfield Avenue

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Union County officials have yet to receive an application for a medical building proposed for the 500 block of Springfield Avenue, seemingly putting construction plans on hold.

The Westfield Leader was unable to determine if a construction permit has been by the Building Department as of press time.

Tiger Realty of Warren is seeking approval to build a 9,000 square foot, onestory structure. The application was approved by the Westfield Planning Board on the condition traffic safety issues, including a possible ban on left turns from the property onto Springfield Avenue, be resolved through joint meetings between Westfield town engineer, town traffic safety officials and the applicant and the Union County traffic engineer.

The Leader has learned that meeting has yet to take place. In the same vein, the Town Council last week approved a demolition permit for the removal of an existing singlefamily home and an attached garage on the site which is located around a bend on Springfield between Cardinal Drive and the entrance to eastbound Route 22.

Both Westfield and county planning officials have expressed concern over the potential traffic safety issues the building would present.

For instance, Westfield Planning Board member Robert L. Newell noted that he is concerned that many of the patients would likely come from the Westfield area and have to make potentially dangerous lefthand turns onto Springfield Avenue to return home. He noted that the doctors that will locate to the building are said to be from the Westfield area.

The building, if approved, would be located near Cardinal Drive, a

street which has witnessed a great deal of new commercial developments over the past decade.

Westfield Planning Board Chairman Martin Robins emphasized that Tiger Realty’s application falls under the jurisdiction of the County of Union, given the fact the lot abuts Springfield Avenue, a county thoroughfare.

The house had been occupied by Gemini Limousine which has since relocated up the street to a section of BG Fields restaurant building.

At the June board meeting, Mitchell Berlant, President of Tiger Realty, a Division of First New Jersey Realty, told the board he owns a similar building in Warren.

A review of the application by The Westfield Leader revealed that property taxes on the existing lot were $11,074 in 1999 and $10,749 in 1998.

Robert D. Berlant, Vice President of Tiger Realty, told The Leader the company has taken title to the property under its newlyformed division, Westfield Realty Associates, LLC.

Located next door to the Echo Lake Church of Christ, the front of the medical building will be landscaped with cherry, maple and evergreen trees, according to plans submitted by Tiger Realty’s engineer, Kenneth F. X. Schlataman of Toms River.

Westfield Planning Board Chairman Martin Robins emphasized that the final decision on the application rests with the Union County Planning Board since Springfield Avenue is a county road.

Union County spokesman Tom Plante said county planning officials anticipate they will receive Tiger Realty’s application within a week or so.

“Drainage and traffic are the reasons why the county has a say in this

Cranford Resident Struck by Car While Crossing East Broad Street

By LAWRENCE HENRY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

A Cranford resident was injured Saturday night when he was struck by a car as he attempted to cross East Broad Street near the Rialto Theatre.

Lieutenant John M. Parizeau of the Westfield Police Department said Albert DiGiovanni, 42, was hit by a 1994 Lincoln driven by Mordechi Figenblat, 46, of Dingman’s Ferry at 9: 15 p. m.

No charges were filed against the driver, who was traveling east on East Broad Street when the accident occurred, Lieutenant Parizeau confirmed.

According to the police department’s accident report, Mr. Figenblat told police the victim stepped into the path of his car and there was no time to make an evasive maneuver or to stop.

The report said Mr. DiGiovanni was trying to cross East Broad Street where there was no crosswalk.

Rialto manager Joe Wnek said he did not actually witness the accident, but saw the immediate aftermath.

“The first thing I saw,” said Mr. Wnek, “was a guy sitting on the curb with a sweatshirt wrapped

around his head, with blood coming out from under the sweatshirt.” The police report said Mr.

DiGiovanni had a laceration on top of his head.

Mr. Wnek identified Mr. DiGiovanni as a “father of three.” When contacted by The Westfield Leader and The Times of Scotch PlainsFanwood,

Mr. DiGiovanni’s father said his son “did not want to say

anything right now.” Westfield police responded to

the accident with five cars, according to Mr. Wnek. Mr. DiGiovanni was taken to Overlook Hospital in Summit by ambulance. The police towed Mr. Figenblat’s car to A& M Towing in Westfield.

Page 10 Thursday, August 17, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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Brian Johnson for The Westfield Leader

CARING COORDINATORS… Putting together the first Sunrise Fashion Gala at Sunrise Assisted Living in Westfield took a great deal of skill from caring organizers. Pictured, left to right, are: Vice President of Sunrise Bill Moore, Care Manager Marie Nelson, Dining Service Coordinator Sam Rock and Program Coordinator Meredith LeVind. Seniors, Staff Recall Days Past

At Nostalgic Fashion Show By BRIAN JOHNSON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIELD — In the true sense of nostalgic fashion, the first annual Sunrise Fashion Gala, held at the beautiful Sunrise Assisted Living of Westfield Complex at 240 Springfield Avenue, was an evening of comraderie and glamour for both patrons and family. The evening of festive attire worn by the patrons recalled an era past of beauty and formality.

The event was hosted by Marie Nelson, a care manager at Sunrise for the past three years and one of the original staffmembersinvolvedsince its grand opening in 1997. Ms. Nelson, a resident of Cranford for 12 years, proclaimed her involvement, “because I love the residents and I love senior citizens.”

“When we had our grand opening, it was such a beautiful event that I said two years later, I would have this annual fashion show, not only for the residents here but for the staff just as much. I’m very proud to be working here. We work as team members here, and it’s a wonderful place,” she added.

“This is a great opportunity for me to come out and see the residents enjoy themselves and it’s wonderful,” said SunriseRegionalVicePresident William Moore.

Among those attending was 1924 alumni and women’s basketball star from Westfield High School, Gladys Gleason, a member of the Westfield High School Hall of Fame. As a senior, this star lead her team to winning the state championship.

The models, adorned in the fashion garb from the 1920’s, made their entrance from the decorative winding staircase in the foyer to the receiving guests located in the beautiful dinning hall.

Ms. Nelson capped off the evening by bringing to attention her theme of the evening’s fashion show, “this joy that I have, the world did not give it to me, and the world can not take it away.”

She then thanked all of those involved sang an old, memorable gospel number dedicated to all of the employees titled, “May the Work I’ve Done Be For Me” written by Mahalia Jackson.

his speech to the family,

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader

OUR SCALY FRIEND – Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside recently held a special discussion about turtles and reptiles. To enhance the presentation, the facility allowed the guests to meet and greet the turtles and snakes. Trailside, which is located in the Watchung Reservation, is the perfect outdoor classroom in which children and adults enjoy learning about the environment and the natural world. Pictured, above, a snake is presented to the crowd for their viewing pleasure. By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

SCOTCH PLAINS -Township firefighters swiftly extinguished a blaze which broke out in a onestory, wood

frame home at 2121 Elizabeth Avenue last Thursday evening.

Noone wasathomeat thetimeofthe fire, which has been ruled accidental, according to Scotch Plains Fire Chief Jonathan P. Ellis.

He said the blaze, which was put out within 10 minutes, was called in by a neighbor at 7: 19 p. m. The house is owned by a Westfield resident and occupied by a tenant.

Chief Ellis said the fire started near a couch in the room, which also contained a television. He noted that several appliances hadbeenplugged intooneoutletin the room,althoughitwas notknownifthis was the source of the blaze.

Thechief revealedthat22firefighters respondedtothe scene,alongwiththree

and another vehicle containing specialized equipment.

Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad personnel also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported and there was no damage to any neighboring homes, the Chief said. No evacuations were necessary, he added.

Firedamagewas confinedtotheroom where the blaze began, although other parts of the house sustained damage from heat and smoke, Chief Ellis confirmed. He noted that the house, however, was deemed“repairable.”Thetenant, meanwhile, was said to be staying with his mother.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Pediatric Physicians

vices Office, “a goodly number” of students take advantage of the inschool exam.

She said the medical inspector’s can be a timesaver for the student who needs a physical to play sports and whose parents cannot arrange for an appointment with their privatephysician.Ms.Halloran

“It is a savings on the parents’ part.” Westfield Pediatrics serves parents who plan ahead for well appointments and those who wait until the 11th hour to try to squeeze their child in to see a doctor. Given the office’s high volume of patients, however, a child may need to see a different doctor in order to meet the necessary time frame.

Linda Gallo, Office Manager for Dr. Arnold Roth in Fanwood, admitted some parents are “not too good” at scheduling in advance. “A lot of people want Saturdays,” she said, which presents a special problem during the summer when just one doctor is on duty in her office.

Because physicals take a lot of time, Ms. Gallo encourages patients to schedule their children’s appointments for weekdays (whenever possible), when both doctors are present.

Fortunately, area parents who have yet to schedule a physical exam for their child( ren) need not panic. A number of local doctors’ offices are still booking physicals just two to three weeks from now.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

matter,” Mr. Plante said. Traffic signals are located along Springfield Avenue at Mill Lane opposite BG Fields restaurant and at the Park Place condominiums, located just before the entrance to eastbound Route 22 on Springfield/ Westfield border.

“It (the medical building application) creates some really interesting situations,” Mr. Newell stated.

Mr. Newell said the board considered banning left turns on to Springfield Avenue but believed that motorists would simply proceed up the street and complete uturns into the Park Place parking

Final Decision on Proposal For Medical Building Rests With County Officials

lot thus creating a potential traffic backup at that location.

In his testimony before the Planning Board, Tiger Realty’s traffic engineer Gary Dean stated County Engineer Richard Muller had indicated that such a prohibiting left turns “would merely displace traffic to other locations,” according to the Planning Board resolution.

Mr. Dean said as a medical office, traffic entering and exiting the lot would be staggered,” with a relatively insignificant number of cars entering and existing the property.

Mr. Robins disagreed with interpretation, stating that left turns

should not be allowed. In an effort to improve accessibility to the site and the visibility of the driveway, the applicant will reduce the slope of the driveway.

Inaddition, theapplicanthasagreed to relocate the driveway 500 feet to the south in order to enhance visibility for motorists entering and existing the new building’s parking lot.

On the issue of lighting, Mr. Newell said Tiger Realty, as a condition for approval, has agreed to install screening, fencing or landscaping at the northern end of the property to reduce lighting glare onto neighboring properties including the condo development. friends and patrons of the Sunrise

after the show, Mr. Moore likened his involvement with the evening’s festivities as “lucky” and went on to

say how good the opportunity was to “enjoy the family and the camaraderie that all of you bring together by being a part of this home.”

Fire Causes Damage To Township Home

Compensation to Downtown Coordinator Sparks More Discussion Among Boro Council

By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

SCOTCH PLAINS -Members of Fanwood’sgoverningbodyaddressed

several key issues at their regular meeting last Thursday, including re newed debates over financial com pensation that was made to the Coor dinator for the Fanwood Downtown Revitalization Committee (FDRC).

Clayton S. Pierce was reimbursed by the council for certain expenses he incurred in the course of conducting research and interviews related to downtown revitalization on a volun teer basis between January and April. He was named to the paid position of FDRC Coordinator in April.

Councilwoman Cynthia Swindlehurst recently questioned the decision to reimburse a volunteer, saying it could set an expensive pre cedent for the borough. She also ex pressed concern over some expendi tures which have appeared on Mr. Pierce’s bills since April, which she felt were either unnecessary or lacked sufficient verification.

Councilman and Administration and Finance Committee Chairman Stuart S. Kline told The Times of ScotchPlainsFanwoodlastweekthat elected officials felt “an ethical and moral responsibility” to compensate Mr. Pierce for the many hours he logged as a volunteer at the direction of Mayor Louis C. Jung and the Bor ough Council, and with the approval of the FDRC.

“This was not a typical volunteer situation,” Mr. Kline remarked.

During the public portion of the meeting, Tom Plante, President of the Fanwood Democratic Club and a member of the Fanwood CulturalArts Committee, charged that the govern ing body had employed a “double standard” in dealing with compensa tion for individuals.

He argued that while Mr. Pierce was promptly compensated for his services, payments had been delayed to several entertainers who had per formed at functions at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center in Fanwood earlier this year.

Councilman Thomas P. Ryan, Jr., who heads the Recreation and Com munity ServicesCommitteethatover sees culturalartsprograms,responded that payments were delayed because invoices had not initially been sub mitted by the entertainers for their services.

“There’s no double standard, just a simple standard,” he said, explaining thatsuch documentationmustbecom pleted in order for individuals to be paid.

Mr. Plante also alleged that Coun cilman Kline had “gone behind” Ms. Swindlehurst’s back in signing off on a bill for $500 in telephone expenses which had been submitted by Mr. Pierce from the time he was a volun teer, after the councilwoman had re jected it.

Ms. Swindlehurst, whose Public WorksCommitteeoverseesdowntown revitalization, said she subsequently contacted Borough Attorney Wilfred P. Coronato in an attempt to find out who has the authority to sign a bill or override a rejection.

The councilwomansaidshelearned from the attorney that such definiadded, tions are presently unclear because the Borough Code and council by laws do not match in this regard. Ms. Swindlehurst said Mr. Coronato ad vised that either the code or the by laws would have to be amended so the twodocuments wouldreflectthesame information.

Mr. Kline, meanwhile, reiterated an apology he had made earlier to Ms. Swindlehurst, calling the matter in volving the bill “an administrative oversight” in the course of ensuring

that Mr. Pierce was compensated for his services.

Councilman Whitaker, however, strongly disputedMr.Plante’scharges, which he labeled “unfounded, unjus tified and irresponsible.” He also dis missed the allegations as a “political objective” aimed at discrediting the efforts of the current GOP adminis tration.

Republicans, including Council men Whitaker Kline and Ryan, along with Mayor Jung, currently hold the majority on the council. Mr.Whitaker and Ms. Swindlehurst, a Democrat, are among the four candidates seek ing two open seats on the council in the November General Elections.

Mr. Whitaker maintained that Mr. Pierce had “incurred hundreds of dol lars on behalf of the borough” and argued that the Coordinator’s efforts had resulted in more progress being made toward downtown revitaliza tion than had been achieved under the three previous Democratic mayoral administrations.

Ms. Swindlehurst, who was named in March to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman William E. Populus, Jr., said she did not view the situation as a political issue. She said shewassimplytrying togeta“straight answer” to her concerns regarding the reimbursement issue.

“I’m new and I don’t know all the answers and I don’t claim to,” the councilwoman commented.

During the governing body’s Wednesday, September 6 agenda ses sion, Councilman Kline is expected to present a draft of a policy to estab lish guidelines regarding compensa tion for volunteers and others.

The proposedpolicywasprompted, in part, by the conflict over payments made to Mr. Pierce. Ms. Swindlehurst said she also hoped the policy would include specific guidelines regarding approval of bills by council members.

Under other business, the council adopted on second reading an ordi nance mandated by the state Council on Affordable Housing which estab lishes a procedure concerning fees assessed to developers that are used to cover administrative costs involved in fulfilling the borough’s lowand moderateincome housing obligaand tions.

Council members also passed sev eral resolutions last week. One autho rized the borough to apply for a Re gional Efficiency Development InDuring centive Program grant from the state Department of Community Affairs.

The grant would be used for a fea sibility study to be conducted regard ing potential shared service opportu nities among Fanwood, Scotch Plains andtheScotchPlainsFanwoodBoard of Education.

Another resolution approved the awarding of a contract for $26,000 to Jersey Professional Management for the purpose of conducting research, gathering information and recomphysical mending shared service avenues among the three entities.

An additional resolution autho rized Mayor Jung to sign an amended developer’s agreement with Built Well Homes, LLC, which gives Built Well the option of locating all four of the affordable housing units it is slated to build at a development on Terrill Road.

The governing body also passed a resolution awarding a bid of $15,000 to Bravo, a Scotch Plains firm, for installation of a handicapped acces sible ramp and terrace at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center on Watson Road, formerly known as the Carriage House.

Blood Drive on Tap To Combat Shortage

AREA — New Jersey Blood Services will hold a blood drive on Saturday, August 19, from 8: 45 a. m. to 2: 15 p. m. at the First Unitarian Society, 724 Park Avenue in Plainfield.

The drive is being held to address a blood supply emer gency.

“Supplies have reached dan gerously low levels,” said Rob ert Sommerich of Fanwood, Blood Drive Chairman for the church.

“Hospitals are not receiving all the blood needed. Supplies often fall in summertime, but this year are unexpectedly low,” he stated.

Donors should be in good health, between 18 and 76 years old, and should bring identifiengines cation with them and know their Social Security numbers.

For further information, please call Mr. Sommerich at (908) 8891891, New Jersey Blood Services at (732) 2207013, or (800) NJ BLOOD (6525663).

www. goleader. com Best Scoop in Town: www. goleader. com

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader TO BE DEMOLISHED — The Westfield Town Council has approved the demolition of this onestory house on Springfield Avenue. A medical building is planned for the site.

Jon M. Bramnick

1827 East Second Street Scotch Plains, NJ

908-322-7000 20 Years of Civil Trial & Personal Injury

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Personal Injury & Negligence Law

John C Rodriguez of Counsel Clarence A. Abramson

Jon M. Bramnick Certified Trial Attorney Stephanie Ann Mitterhoff