The Westfield Leader Newspaper

OUR 110th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 42110 FIFTY CENTS (908) 2324407 Thursday, June 22, 2000 USPS 680020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N. J. Published Every Thursday

Since 1890

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Congratulations to All Graduates!

Four Mondays In June: Community 2000

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Westfield District Math Teaching Debate Recaps National ‘Math Wars’ Controversy

Editor’s Note: This is the second of two stories about the Westfield School District’s plan to adopt a new elementary school math curriculum.

* * * * *

By LAWRENCE HENRY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Westfield school district mathematics consultant Regina Kiczek believes in “progressive, standardsbased” math education. Ms. Kiczek

has recommended that Westfield elementary schools adopt Everyday Math, published by the University of Chicago School Math Project.

The schools currently use AddisonWesley Math. Everyday Math has been “piloted” in a test program that compares it to Math Trailblazers, a program developed by the University of Illinois.

Ms. Kiczek has been affiliated with an experiment in math education at Rutgers University for a dozen years. Indeed, it is the subject of her doctoral thesis, which she will present and defend in October.

The Experiment

The experiment, funded by the National Science Foundation and the New Jersey Department of Education, was conducted under the direction of Dr. Carolyn Maher, director of the Robert B. Davis Math Education Institute of the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

Experimenters identified 18 students from the Kenilworth school district with poor test scores in their elementary years. They met with those students for the rest of their school careers, teaching them mathematics according to progressive models, in 612 sessions per year.

Ms. Kiczek spoke with some pride about the six students remaining at the end of their senior years in high school. At a final session, she said, the experimenters presented those students and a group of graduate mathematics students with a problem in statistics and probability.

The Kenilworth students, said Ms. Kiczek, met with each other in a

group and worked out a correct solution to the problem. The graduate mathematics students couldn’t do it, she said.

The RutgersKenilworth experiment has been videotaped by the HarvardSmithsonian Astrophysics Laboratory.

Mathematically Correct?

There is an opposing view to progressive math education, summarized in dozens of articles and reviews on the Web site www. mathematicallycorrect. com. The site was developed by four Californiabased people who came to the fore during the “math wars” in California’s public schools in the early 1990s.

The Mathematically Correct Web site developers got a grant five years ago to review math education curricula. The site reviews eight second grade and fifth grade math curricula.

At second grade, according to the reviews, Everyday Math earned a “C.” At fifth grade, it got a “Cminus” AddisonWesley Math was rated “B+” at second grade, “Bminus” at fifth.

Of the eight programs reviewed, one, SRAMcGrawHill Math: Explorations and Applications, got an “A” for its second grade materials and an “Aminus” for fifth grade.

Math Wars

In an interview with The Westfield Leader, Massachusetts Deputy Commissioner of Education Sandra Stotsky, a research associate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explained some of the issues in

INDEX

A& E.............. Page 22 Classifieds ..... Page 21 Editorial ........ Page 4

Obituary ........ Page 10 Political ......... Page 2 Religious ....... Page 11

Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 13

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Consultant Talks of Two Decks in Town

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The Town Council will meet again with its parking consultant, Southfield, Mich.based Rich and Associates, on Tuesday, June 27, to continue discussion on a downtown parking management plan, the center of which is construction of one or two parking decks.

The council has to make a final determination on whether to build decks and, if they do decide to build multilevel structures, where they would go.

At last week’s council meeting, Rick Rich of Rich and Associates explained that, in his judgment, Westfield needs two parking structures to handle a shortage of both long and shortterm parking spaces.

Earlier this year, the consultant proposed decks ranging in construction cost from $10 to $16 million.

The largest of the structures, a 732space facility, would be built on the Westfield Train Station’s South Avenue parking lot, Lot 3A, and would handle both commuter and downtown employee parking spots.

The deck would result in a net gain of 462 spaces, 200 of which would be for downtown employees; 64 for visitor, customer and shortterm spots, with 198 spaces geared for commuters.

A second deck has been proposed for Lot 1 off Prospect Street with a capacity of 400 spaces for employee and customervisitor parking.

Mr. Rich said the overall downCONTINUED

ON PAGE 12

Third in Series of Roundtable Discussion Deals With Issue Of Raising Community Children of Tolerance, Values, Purpose

By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Times

“Raising Children of Tolerance, Values & Purpose” was the theme of the roundtable discussion held Monday, June 19 at the Westfield Municipal Building.

The program was the third in a series of four Monday night roundtables cosponsored by the township and The Westfield Foundation through Kean University’s Gateway Institute for Regional Development.

Monday’s panel consisted of the following community members: Westfield High School Student Assistance Counselor Maureen Mazzarese, Executive Director, Youth & Family Counseling Services Milt Faith, Westfield Police Depart ment Detective Ronald Allen and

Gwen Cleaves, parent. Other panelists were: The Reverend Dimitrios Antokas of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, David Mueller of the Westfield Y, Principal of Redeemer Lutheran School Roger Borchin, former Westfield Councilman Donnell Carr, and Town Attorney William S. Jeremiah.

During the course of discussion, panelists concurred that, while the primary responsibility of raising a child falls to parents, the idea of a “village” supporting those parents and their children along the way is a healthy one.

“You can’t do it on your own,” stated Mr. Jeremiah. “Parents can benefit greatly from tapping the resources in the community — the

Westfield Y, churches, schools. Village equals the resources in town.” “Children are raised by parents,” added Ms. Mazzarese, “but they need to live in a community where they can be safe. There are lots of ways to provide nourishment and care. They

need to feel part of something bigger.” Noted Mrs. Cleaves, “Ideally, it’s the parents’ job. They’ll do a much better job if the community supports them.”

Mr. Borchin had a different take on the notion of being part of a village.

“The pressures of family today can be overwhelming,” he said. “That (sometimes) makes it difficult to be part of a village.”

Guided by questions from the program facilitator, Dr. Lois C. Richardson of Gateway, panelists also debated the issue of quality time with children versus quantity of time.

Said Mr. Faith, “A child has to feel someone is there for him... and the father is just important as the mother.”

The question was raised about the message that is sent when sporting activities are scheduled in conflict with religious worship.

“During soccer season,” explained Reverend Antokas, “I started losing my altar boys.” The reverend tried to accommodate the children’s schedule by moving his services up 15 minutes. He expects the parents to do their part as well. Ideally, he would prefer to see sporting events scheduled for later in the day on Sundays.

Dr. Richardson asked Mr. Carr if parents are responsible for the actions of their children.

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader LEISURELY AFTERNOON… A cozy lawn chair, a good book, and a tall tree providing shade from the warm sun creates the perfect afternoon for this Westfielder.

Courtesy of Nancy Priest

KEEP MINDOWASKIN BEAUTIFUL… Maintaining the beauty of Mindowaskin Park in Westfield, even on such a dreary day, was a priority for this resident as she weeded among a small gathering of yellow daffodils.

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Council Feud Ends With Appointment Of New Prosecutor

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Already exceeding a deadline to make a timely appointment, Mayor Thomas C. Jardim and the Town Council put aside political differences Tuesday night and named local attorney Brenda Coppola Cuba as the town’s new prosecutor.

She completes the unexpired term of Rafael J. Betancourt, who resigned earlier this month. That term ends on Sunday, December 31.

The appointment clears up an apparent feud brewing along party lines, with both sides championing their own candidate for the $22,000 annual post. Ms. Cuba has been a practicing attorney since 1982.

She is admitted to practice before the United States District Court in New Jersey, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and

the United States Supreme Court. A former Essex County Assistant Prosecutor, she has been in private practice in Westfield since February, after relocating her practice West Orange. She is a longtime Westfield resident.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Jardim said, “I felt it was important that we bring a qualified person (into the position) and move on to important business.”

Second Ward Councilman James J. Gruba added that he was “very pleased with her qualifications and expect her service to the town will be exemplary.”

Her predecessor, Mr. Betancourt, who held the post for eight years, announced back in April that he was quitting pursuant to his candidacy for Second Ward Councilman on the fall Republic ticket.

Mr. Betancourt’s resignation was effective June 6, the day the now former prosecutor officially became a candidate in the fall election by virtue of an uncontested Primary for the GOP nomination.

In order to begin looking for a replacement, Personnel Committee Chairwoman Janis Fried Weinstein, who represents the Fourth Ward on the council, called a meeting of the committee.

The committee also includes Mayor Jardim, Councilman Gruba and Third Ward Councilwoman Claire Lazarowitz.

It was announced to Mayor Jardim that the Republicans had a candidate to present for Prosecutor.

Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman said the Personnel Committee, to his knowledge, did not select a final candidate. He said Mayor Jardim had a “bunch of résumés” from which to choose.

Steering Panel Seeks Support

For Arts Ctr. By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

An exploratory committee looking into development of a 484seat community arts center in the currently unused auditorium of the Elm Street Administration Building has approached the Town Council to gain nonbinding support.

A similar request will be made to the Westfield Board of Education next week.

The building currently houses the school district administration offices. Its 15,000squarefoot, secondfloor auditorium is currently used for storage space.

The $700,000-$ 800,000 project would be funded solely through grants and donations, according to Westfield Board of Education President Darielle Walsh, a member of the Westfield Community Arts Center Steering Group.

As part of renovations being done to the building, an architectural feasibility study was completed to provide cost estimates on renovating the space for an arts center.

Mrs. Walsh said the volunteer committee is looking for an endorsement of the project from the council and school board before proceeding ahead with the feasibility study.

The committee includes town officials, among them Mayor Thomas C. Jardim and Town

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Page 12 Thursday, June 22, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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Westfield Math Teaching Debate Recaps ‘Math Wars’ Controversy

the math wars. Commissioner Stotsky has edited a new book, “What’s at Stake in the K12 Standards Wars: A Primer for Educational Policy Makers” (Peter Lang, New York).

In progressive math education, Commissioner Stotsky said, “Mathematicians see what’s going on as destructive of their discipline. Part of what’s going on in reform math is a redefinition of math.”

In particular, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standard of “equity” for elementary math education has cut off the possibility of excellent achievement at the top while making math “accessible” for the many.

Parents of elementary school students worry most about their children failing to learn basic math facts and “skills ‘n’ drills.” According to Commissioner Stotsky, they are right to worry.

Many progressive math programs, said Commissioner Stotsky, “do not encourage memorization” of standard algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. “Teachers have to supplement” these programs with practice materials of their own, she said. (The Westfield Board of Education and Ms. Kiczek are talking about supplementing Everyday Math with material emphasizing memorization of standard algorithms.)

In the “group learning” model typical of progressive programs, Commissioner Stotsky said, children “can sometimes spend a great deal of time working out their own procedures.” In the opinion of mathematicians, if children “are not deliberately taught standard algorithms, they will never discover them. The major reason why standard algorithms are standards are because they were shortcuts.”

Commissioner Stotsky also pointed out that the use of calculators in elementary grades can water down teaching effectiveness. “None of the high achieving countries in Third International Math Studies (TIMS) allowed calculators in the first five grades — certainly not on tests.”

Final Analysis

In sum, Commissioner Stotsky said, progressive math education in the elementary grades makes the transition to singlesubject math more difficult.

“In some cases, test scores will actually go down” as students reach the middle grade levels, she claimed. “If children don’t start with a solid algebra course in grade eight, they will never get to calculus.”

The new math courses’ failings in fundamentals, the Commissioner said, make it almost impossible that students will get a solid algebra course in

grade eight. After the June 6 school board meeting, a number of parents gathered in the hallway outside the meeting room to talk over mathematics education.

At that meeting, parents had asked tough questions about Everyday Math. At the same time, they expressed faith in the school board and in their local teachers.

School Board President Darielle Walsh emphasized that the board wanted to hear from parents. “That’s our job,” she said. And Superintendent Dr. William J. Foley remarked that “I’m too old to be ideological,” an assertion that parents took as good faith.

One Westfield school mother who was talking with the others in the hall said gratefully that the Westfield school district is far less volatile and politically correct than the schools she was used to in San Francisco, where she grew up.

Another noted, “The Superintendent is a really imposing figure” to some parents. “To us, he’s just Bill. But some people would be afraid to speak up.”

On his way out, with a folio under his arm, Dr. Foley joined the discussion, which soon touched a sore subject: the number of parents using math tutors in the district.

In an earlier interview with The Leader, Ms. Kiczek said that surveys have shown that not many parents used math tutors.

“That’s mainly to provide an extra edge,” she said.

Of the four mothers in the hallway, however, two did use tutors.

Dr. Foley, asked, “Why would you need a tutor for an ‘A’ student?”

One of the mothers said, “I think there’s some grade inflation going on.”

The other said she had no confidence in what her child had learned in math class.

Roger Borchin, Principal of Redeemer Lutheran School in Westfield, reflected on current math standards in an interview with The Leader.

Redeemer Lutheran uses a progressive curriculum, with faults, Mr. Borchin acknowledged.

“I think good teachers will do what good teachers always do,” he said. “They’re going to find a way.”

Westfield’s public schools appear to be “finding a way” with a compromise solution on progressive math education in the elementary grades. In this solution, the district would buy a progressive curriculum, then supplement it as necessary to make up gaps in basic knowledge and skills.

The school board itself faces limited choice. Among NCTMapproved curricula, progressive math is all there is.

town parking plan includes reassigning 147 existing surface parking spaces from permit to shortterm spots.

With increased enforcement of the town’s twohour street parking rules which include a nonmeter feeding provision, the consultant estimated additional onstreet spots would be freed up for shoppers. These spaces are currently being used on a longterm basis by employees who work in the downtown, Mr. Rich charged.

In terms of parking for shoppers, Town Administrator Thomas P. Shannon, said getting shoppers to available spaces “easily and successfully” is important to the viability of downtown Westfield.

The Rich and Associates parking plan, Mr. Rich acknowledged, was aimed at finding an additional 200 spots for employees. Rich and Associates has proposed that these spaces be constructed in Lot 3A on South Avenue. This plan would be aimed at freeing up onstreet parking for shoppers.

Upon a question from Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman, Mr. Rich said the only way to force employees to use the South Avenue lot, particularly on weekends, is to enforce parking regulations.

Second Ward Matthew P. Albano inquired as to whether there is a primary group of people whose parking problems needed to be addressed first.

“In order to help the shortterm (parkers), you’ve got to help the employee,” Mr. Rich explained. He recommended building the South Avenue deck first in order to transfer employees from the north side to the south side of town.

Mr. Albano said he is not convinced employees will park at the South Avenue lot especially at night due to safety issues. He said he favors building a deck on the north side first.

Mayor Thomas C. Jardim said he sees a perception among some council members to build one deck on the north side first, see how it works, and then begin looking for a site for a second facility.

Mr. Rich said a north side deck would clear up some but not all parking shortages as demand will only increase in future years.

The parking plan includes parking rate increases from 25 to 50 cents per hour in some lots including Lot 2 at the North Avenue train station or Lot 7 on Central Avenue.

During the meeting, First Ward Councilman Gregory S. McDermott proposed Lot 5 between Elmer and Central Avenue as a location for an employee deck. The lot is located behind the Rialto Theatre on East Broad Street and Central Avenue stores including

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Parking Consultant Discusses Two Separate Decks for Town

Starbucks Coffee and Banana Republic. Mr. Rich said he felt this could not be accomplished due to ingress and egress problems.

Mr. Rich told the council that in his view a parking management plan alone would not create the added capacity the town needs.

Building two parking structures would result in an annual deficit of $500,000 by the second year of the operation of the decks. That number includes all towngenerated parking revenue including permits and meters. By the 13th year, he said, the revenue collected would off set operation costs.

One of the largest costs would be debt payments generated from the issuing of bonds. That number would be around $1 million per year.

Mr. Rich estimated that permits for a South Avenue deck would rise from an initial charge of $50 a month to $66 within 10 years. Permit holders for the north side deck would be charged $70 per month.

Town Administrator Thomas P. Shannon estimated that impact on the local tax rate would be up to 1.5 cents for one deck and three cents for two facilities for the first five years of operation. A penny in the tax rate equates to around $17.50 annually to a home assessed in Westfield at $174,000.

Mr. McDermott suggested that jitney buses might help reduce needed capacity in the downtown.

First Ward Councilman Carl A. Salisbury suggested that during construction of the South Avenue lot, commuters using this lot could park at public school lots during the summer and at the Memorial Pool/ Park complex when that facility is closed. He said commuters could be transported by jitney buses to the train station.

Mr. Shannon told council members that downtowns like Westfield are fragile. He said parking is considered to be one of three “fatal flaws” of a successful downtown.

“Right now we can’t redevelop our downtown. That is an inherently bad situation,” he explained.

Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan said the town’s land use act should be amended so that any developer building in the downtown would be required to pay for additional parking capacity that is needed.

Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Shannon questioned whether the council was ready to name a location for a deck or decks. Governing body members were not firm in that regard.

Some council members stated that they wanted to see financial data for a plans for decks or just one structure before making any firm decisions.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Community Forum

“Initially, parents are fully responsible for teaching proper behavior,” he replied. “That responsibility, over time, transfers to the child. The most important thing about being a parent is acting how we would desire them (children) to behave.”

According to Mr. Mueller, “Part of what kids need is connection, to know there are adults who value them. Kids are thirsty to have a connection with people.”

A fair amount of time was spent discussing the importance of teaching values to children and who is responsible for that piece of their education.

Mayor Thomas C. Jardim asked, “Why don’t we have in school a specific class on ethics or values? Should we have that?”

Mr. Faith recognized the concerns that parents might have with the school teaching ethics. “Part of the problem is that parents are afraid the school is going to take over,” he said.

Mr. Jeremiah said the problem could be overcome by hashing out the particulars among the Board of Education and parents and answering the question, “Whose values are you teaching?”

“It’s OK,” he said, “as long as you don’t cross the line into religion.”

“I hear the word ‘teaching, ’” stated Mr. Allen. “We ought to be living, living life the right way is ethics in itself.”

The idea that children learn from what they see was shared by the panelists.

From the audience, one Westfield resident lamented the decline in attendance over the course of the program. While there were 35 people at the first roundtable on June 5, just 20 people attended the June 19 session.

The fourth Monday night roundtable will take place June 26 at 7 p. m. The topic is “The Need for Spiritual Fulfillment.”

All are welcome to attend. Like the other sessions, the June 26 discussion will be broadcast live on TV Channel 36.

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Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader SPLASH WATERFALL… In an effort to beat the heat, two Westfield youngsters braced themselves for the cool stream of water overhead at the Memorial Pool in town. Man Dies Following

Collision Between Car and Motorcycle

By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

WESTFIELD — A Clark man died Tuesday after his motorcycle and a car collided on Springfield Avenue near the entrance to the Echo Lake Country Club, according to Westfield police.

Attila Kovacs, 30, was airlifted from Gumbert Park, where he had been transported by the Westfield Rescue Squad, to Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown. He died at the hospital, police said.

Westfield Police Lieutenant John M. Parizeau said the collision occurred at about 4: 10 p. m.

The motorcyclist was traveling on Springfield Avenue toward East Broad

Street when a vehicle driven by a 17yearold Westfield resident was attempting to exit the country club and turn toward Route 22, police said. As the driver pulled out, the motorcycle collided with the front right section of the vehicle.

The motorcyclist was thrown into the other lane of traffic, where he then was struck by a vehicle driven by Miles Scott, 34, of Plainfield, police said.

Lieutenant Parizeau said an investigation into the collision is continuing. He noted, however, that witnesses said that there may have been a third car in front of the motorcycle and that the motorcyclist may have been attempting to pass the car on the left when the collision occurred.

“The information I have is that (Ms. Cuba’s background) is favorable and I think she will do a good job,” Mr. Goldman commented.

He declined to discuss the individuals not selected, other than to say it “had nothing to do with their qualifications.” He said all of the candidates are involved in the Westfield community.

However, since a successor was not appointed prior to Mr. Betancourt’s exit, Union County Prosecutor Thomas V. Manahan was forced to name Union County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Cybulski as temporary Westfield prosecutor.

Appointed for three weeks, she started during the June 13 night court session. Ms. Cybulski is presently assigned to the adult trial court in Union County.

The County Prosecutor addressed a sharply worded letter regarding the failure to appoint a new Prosecutor to Town Attorney William S. Jeremiah, 2nd, who had contacted both Mr. Manahan and Union County Superior Court Assignment Judge Edward W. Beglin, Jr. to inform them of the town’s vacancy in the prosecutor’s office.

While Mr. Jeremiah declined to provide a copy of the letter upon request from The Westfield Leader, the paper was able to obtain a copy through other sources.

“I would like you (Mr. Jeremiah) to convey to those charged with the appointment process that I find it unacceptable that no appointment was made of a successor to the former municipal prosecutor so as to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Municipal Court.

“The remedial steps necessitated by that inaction should not be viewed in the future as an acceptable alternative to the timely discharge of a public duty,” Mr. Manahan stated in the twopage letter.

The municipal Prosecutor is an annual appointment, such as is the case with the Public Defender and Town Attorney. The Municipal Judge is a fiveyear appointment.

Per town ordinance, the Prosecutor is appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the governing body. Mr. Jeremiah explained that consent requires support of a majority of the council, or five votes. Republicans hold a 53 edge on the council. Mayor Jardim is the fourth Democrat vote.

The matter of Mr. Betancourt’s replacement came to a head late in the evening on June 14, when council members discussed the issue for the first time as a whole in private session.

When contacted prior to last week’s meeting, Mayor Jardim said he was putting forth the name of Chris Patella, who the Mayor said is a Westfield resident. Mr. Patella, Mr. Jardim noted, is a former municipal judge in Bayonne and prosecutor in Union Township.

Republicans questioned whether Mr. Patella actually resided in town.

A heated exchange was overheard across the hallway from the conference room between Councilwoman Weinstein, Mayor Jardim and Councilman Goldman.

Although the candidate Republicans wanted as prosecutor has not been made public, Mr. Goldman was over

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Council Feud Concludes With Prosecutor Appointment

heard charging Mrs. Weinstein with “lobbying” for an attorney with her employer, the Westfieldbased law firm of Johnstone, Skok, Loughlin & Lane.

The firm is located across the street from the Municipal Building on East Broad Street. Sources have confirmed Vincent Loughlin as the name put forth by the Republicans.

Mr. Loughlin has practiced law for 25 years in town and currently serves as Mountainside Planning Board Attorney. His name was reportedly put forth two weeks prior to the June 6 deadline.

Responding to Mr. Goldman’s charge, Councilwoman Weinstein was overheard stating in private session that Mayor Jardim had failed to act on the appointment, despite having been given notice of the pending vacancy six weeks in advance.

A state ethics committee reportedly cleared Mrs. Weinstein of any impropriety as a Councilwoman if Mr. Loughlin was to be appointed. Had Mr. Loughlin been named, Councilwoman Weinstein would have had to abstain from the appointment vote, as well as votes concerning bills and claims submitted by his law firm.

Steering Panel Seeks Support For Arts Center in Town

Administrator Thomas B. Shannon; members of the school board, the Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC), the Westfield Area and Union County Chambers of Commerce, the Westfield Historical Society, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

In addition to the community arts center, the Westfield Historical Society has indicated it would like to make the building its new home, according to its President, Don Mokrauer, a member of the committee.

The society would like to also have a permanent home for its artifacts, photographs and slides by formulating the auditorium for dual use as an arts center and museum.

The society had been planning to move into the Reeves House on Mountain Avenue in the future. The home, currently occupied by Edgar Reeves, has been maintained for years by the town per an arrangement between the town and the Reeves family.

However, the society has indicated the expense of turning the house into a museum is now cost prohibitive due to the significant upgrades necessary for the heating and plumbing systems, not to mention making the building compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

In preparation for the museum, Mr. Mokrauer said the Society “has amassed significant funds which we are prepared to dedicate” for the arts center project.

He said the Society would like to use the arts center for lectures, performances and presentations.

Also, the DWC is eyeing the space for use as a conference center. DWC Executive Director Michael LaPlace said the building

is a town asset that is located within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants.

“It (the arts center) will just be another jewel in Westfield’s crown,” Mr. LaPlace told the council.

First Ward Councilman Gregory S. McDermott, a member of the DWC board, said the arts center would serve as a new home for small concerts and for town affairs.

In terms of the cost of the arts center, the town has made a $415,000 grant request through the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund. Mrs. Walsh said the town also plans to approach the Westfield Foundation for financial support.

“This structure, which served as the site of the town’s high school, stands as a strong symbol of Westfield’s 206year history,” according to the application submitted to the state.

The Elm Street Building dates to 1914. An elevator installed earlier this year has made the second floor auditorium accessible to all persons per ADA requirements.

Mayor Jardim called the concept of a town arts center “a proposal that is so good you wonder why it hasn’t been done before.”

Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman said the decision on whether to build an arts center “is almost a no brainer” for the town. He called the auditorium an “underutilized asset.”

Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan urged the committee to “be bold and not timid” as they further their proposal.

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