The Westfield Leader Newspaper

OUR 111th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 06111 FIFTY CENTS (908) 2324407 Thursday, October 19, 2000 USPS 680020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N. J. Published Every Thursday

Since 1890

Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus

INDEX

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

Education ...... Page 8 Obituary ........ Page 10 Political.......... Page 3

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

Town Leaf Collection Starts Nov. 6; Curbside or OnCall Pickup Available

By LAWRENCE HENRY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Westfield’s annual leaf collection program will start Monday, November 6, the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) announced this week. The DPW’s announcement said, “Collection will be simultaneously on the north and south sides on November 6 and continue through December 8.”

The DPW expects to make two full passes through the entire town.

In general, residents may rake leaves to the curb. The DPW asks residents to place leaves in narrow rows along the curb or shoulder of the street, leaving a space for drainage. Before raking leaves, residents should call the Leaf Hotline at (908) 7894120 to find out

when collection will take place. According to Councilwoman Claire Lazarowitz, the BRAKES (Bikers, Runners and Kids are Entitled to Safety) organization asked the Town Council “to make leaf collection time safer for children, pedestrians, bikers, and runners.” To that end, BRAKES wanted the DPW to try to limit the amount of time leaves remained on the streets, and, in particular, to avoid piling up leaves near schools.

Mrs. Lazarowitz, who chairs the council’s public works committee, said the DPW will require residents near schools to bag leaves, not leave them in piles. The DPW’s own announcement says, “Residents of streets bordering or in close proximity to

elementary schools and Roosevelt Intermediate School will be required to bag their leaves to insure safety for the school children.”

“Around schools,” Mrs. Lazarowitz said, “sometimes leaf piles are so high, you can’t even see the small children. Children play in those leaf piles.”

Bags will be available for free at schools, fire stations, and at the Public Works Center at 959 North Avenue.

The DPW will also perform oncall leaf pickups within 24 hours for residents who are willing to bag their own leaves. Bags may be left at curbside. Please use the Leaf Hotline number to schedule an oncall pickup.

The Conservation Center will be open during leaf season Monday through Friday from 8: 30 a. m. to 3: 30 p. m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Residents may dispose of leaves and clear plastic bags at the Center.

State Releases ReScored ESPA Tests

By LAWRENCE HENRY

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

After releasing preliminary results of the stateadministered Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (ESPA) last month, the New Jersey Department of Education “pulled back” the test results, according to Westfield Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Janie P. Edmonds.

At the Tuesday meeting of the Westfield Board of Education, Dr. Edmonds explained that the state then rescored the Language Arts portion of the test, and rereleased the scores.

Westfield’s results were uniformly high, showing 85 percent or more of students passing all portions of the test. In the math and science sections, the district’s schools rated in the 90 percent range. A drop of about five points from last year was seen in the rescored Language Arts section.

“We will look at that,” promised Superintendent of Schools Dr. William J. Foley.

The revised scores will be mailed to parents this week, along with a fourpage letter from Dr. Foley. The letter echoes some of the things Dr. Foley said at the September 14 board meeting, when he criticized the state testing procedures.

“I am troubled by the way the testing system is being carried out in New Jersey,” Dr. Foley wrote in the letter. In particular, “The test scores do not tell us anything about a child’s progress. Your child could score in the high proficient levels on all tests and actually have grown very little academically. The test score ratings are arbitrary…”

And finally, the subject that vexed the board at Tuesday’s meeting: “The test results provide little basis for improvement.”

As Dr. Edmonds said repeatedly in her presentation, “We are not allowed to see the questions.” Districts, in fact, are not allowed ever to see the ESPA tests or the individual ESPA results. “We’re not even supposed to read the tests over the children’s shoulders,” Dr. Edmonds stated.

The result, according to Dr. Foley’s letter, is that “There is no item analysis… in skills that might help us better target instruction.”

Teachers don’t have a chance to help children improve.

Dr. Edmonds said that, in rescoring the Language Arts part of the ESPAs, the state “lowered the bar,” both for a passing score (“ proficient”), and for a top score (“ advanced proficient”). At the passfail mark, the score between “partially proficient” (which means “not passed”) and “proficient” (which means “passed”), the rescoring resulted in 90 new Westfield students moving into the passing ranks.

The science and math sections of the test were not rescored. Dr. Foley said again, as he noted on September 14, that the science scores were so high, both statewide and in the district, as to be unusable.

Dr. Edmonds stated the board’s position, that “We really do accept the legitimate interest of the state in holding us accountable.”

But frustration at the state’s secretive testing procedures spilled over into general discussion from the board.

Board Member Eileen Satkin said, “We need to know the actual skills” that are being tested. She said it was not acceptable that “this information is not being shared” from the state to the district.

Board Vice President Arlene Gardner objected to the state’s withholding of test information, saying, “I don’t see seriously how we can hold anybody accountable” based in such skimpy data.

“Why are we spending so much administrative time on this if (the tests) are not giving us information?” asked Board Member Kimberly Rhodes. “Why are we getting parents so concerned?”

Board Member Annemarie Puleio commented that the state mandates ESPA testing, then “We can’t even find out what questions the kids got wrong.” The State Department of Motor Vehicles, she said, mandates testing cars for emissions and safety. “At least they tell us what’s wrong with our cars.”

Mrs. Puleio also asked why parents didn’t have the right to see the questions, and brought up the posCONTINUED

ON PAGE 12

Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader HANGING ON FOR HALLOWEEN… Scarecrows constructed for a competition at Williams Nursery in Westfield attracted the eyes of shoppers and passersby with their unique and clever themes. Pictured, above, this Harry Potter scarecrow hangs on until the results of the contest are revealed.

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader SAWING WITH ALL OF THEIR MIGHT… The MillerCory House Museum in Westfield celebrated its annual Fall Festival with such events as craft making, playing Colonial games, demonstrations of Colonial skills, spinning, soap making and touring of the historyrich farmhouse. Pictured, above, Keith Peterson, 6, practices sawing logs with a costumed docent while his mother looks on. By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

It has been eight years since Norman Sevell of Westfield Lumber & Home Center signed a contract with Village Supermarkets of Springfield to allow Village to buy his business site at 628710 North Avenue to build a ShopRite supermarket.

The Town of Westfield fought the idea, while the Borough of Garwood embraced it. In the end, Garwood won, and the supermarket will be constructed only on the Garwood portion of the property.

“It was one thing after another, one lawsuit after another — and here we are,” said Michael Sevell, the senior Sevell’s son.

“( Garwood) wanted it for a long time,” explained Robert Newell, a member of the Westfield Planning Board. “The traffic issue was not as important to them as it is to us. Traffic will be affected.”

The courts found that the traffic impact would not be enough as to deny Village Supermarkets’ application, according to Garwood’s Municipal Engineer Victor Vinegra.

He confirmed that Village holds a permit to begin work on the parking lot and site infrastructure.

“You do see some equipment there,” said Mr. Vinegra. “They have permission to start cleaning up the site.” He said building permits, which, for Garwood properties, are granted through the Township of Cranford, should be issued any day.

Mr. Vinegra emphasized that Village has been “pretty cooperative,” agreeing to make changes to its original site proposal that are more in keeping with Garwood’s downtown redevelopment program. For example, Village agreed to make some aesthetic improvements to the front of the site (e. g. brick pavers). As the municipal engineer pointed out, these improvements are not required, but will make the area look more attractive.

Last spring, the Westfield Planning Board approved the Sevell request to tear down its old lumber building on one end of its property and build a new structure on the Westfield side of the property.

“It’s good news,” said Mr. Newell. “We thought we may lose Westfield Lumber. We’re happy to see Westfield Lumber decide to maintain its business there. It’s an asset to the community, that kind of service.”

The volume of traffic that Westfield officials expect from the ShopRite presents a challenge.

“We should not be ostriches with our heads in the sand regarding traffic management in Westfield,” stated Councilman Neil F. Sullivan. He praised Councilman Matt Albano’s “appropriate push” for some traffic management in the North Avenue/ Broad Street area.

Mr. Sullivan would like to see a proposal from the RBA Group, a consultant hired by the Township of Westfield, to address traffic speed

North Avenue ShopRite Gets the GoAhead From Garwood After Eight Years of Wrangling

and safety on East Broad Street. In a separate proposal, said Mr. Sullivan, RBA “could help the town develop a trafficcalming method for the entire

grid between East Broad Street and North Avenue, including the anticipated impact of a ShopRite development.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Chief Tracy Seeks to Create Community Policing Bureau

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

New Westfield Police Chief Bernard Tracy told the Town Council Tuesday night that he is developing a plan to create a combined bureau of community policing and youth aid in the town.

The new combined unit would replace the current Juvenile Bureau. Juvenile investigations would be turned over to investigators who currently only handle adult cases. Officers would be assigned to schools on a rotating basis so all officers develop a relationship with school children.

Chief Tracy noted that in the early 1970s, the town had three detectives assigned to juvenile crime, which was very high at the time. He said there are the same number of investigators assigned to juvenile crime cases, despite the fact that the juvenile crime rate is onetenth of what it was in the 1970s.

“It’s a goal to introduce all of my officers into the community and into the schools; have school resource officers and have these people be part of our community,” he told the council.

“I want to create a better partnership between my police department and all of Westfield, from the youngest child to our senior citizens,” Chief Tracy indicated.

He also said he wants to increase production of his police officers, such as the writing of tickets and making arrests to communicating with the

public, “and be very fair and constructive in doing it.” He said the goal of issuing speeding tickets is not to increase revenue but to change people’s behavior.

“I think my officers should be part of the community. I think a Westfield police officer is a Westfield police officer and I think he should know that. “I don’t think that by distancing yourself from the public and from the merchants you are doing your job.”

He said the department needs to formulate a “clear and concise policy” that is goaloriented that officers would follow. Chief Tracy said he objected to the enforcement of the jaywalking ordinance after 25 years of not enforcing the statute, stating that any such decision must be backed up by a goaloriented plan and a “clear and precise policy statement.”

The new chief also said his sergeants need to become “micro managers” by evaluating the department’s goals and needs. He said police supervisors need ongoing training. Currently, training ends when an officer moves up to the rank of sergeant.

Chief Tracy also said he wants good people and communication skills to be a major quality the department requires in its recruitment efforts.

In other business, the Council agreed to scale down the rate increase for commuter and downtown employee parking permits.

Under the proposed rates, fees for all permits lots, with the exception of

Waterson Street, will increase from $30 a month to $50 per month for persons paying semiannually. Persons paying annually will pay $45. Those rates would be effective January 1, 2001.

Rates of $65 and $58.50, that had been scheduled to go in effect next year, will now be effective January 1, 2004, Town Administrator Thomas Shannon told The Westfield Leader.

The Council intends to amend its parking fee ordinance, unveiled last week, to scale the fee hikes back.

“The Council feels this is a winwin in softening the rate increase,” Mr. Shannon stated.

He indicated that the Council may have to approve placing a “small infusion” of tax revenue into future municipal budgets to offset projected deficits for the operation of a parking deck planned for lots 1 and 8 at Elm and Prospect Streets.

Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence Goldman said he was concerned of increasing rates in one full swoop, in seeking a phasedin rate increase.

Mr. Shannon said the town will stay with the plan to double shortterm meter rates from 25 cents to 50 cents per hour. However, longterm meter, eightand 12hours in length, will be kept at a quarter an hour.

The parking fee increases are necessitated to crease a usersupported parking deck of between 600800 spaces. The cost of the deck has been projected at $8.7 and $11.5 million. Construction would begin in early 2002 and be completed by the holiday shopping season that year under a tight schedule projected by Mr. Shannon.

Councilman Goldman indicated he believes the town as a whole should support the deck in part.

In terms of Westfield’s permitted parking stalls, Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan indicated that

LeaderTimes to CoSponsor Forums For Fanwood And Westfield Candidates

The Westfield Leader and the Westfield Area League of Women Voters will cosponsor a Westfield Mayoral and Town Council candidates’ forum on Thursday, October 26, at 8 p. m. in the auditorium of Roosevelt Intermediate School, 301 Clark Street in Westfield.

The Times of Scotch PlainsFanwood and the

League of Women Voters will cosponsor a candidates forum for Borough Council candidates tomorrow, Friday, October 20, at 8 p. m. in Fanwood.

The forum will be held in the Borough Council Chambers of the Fanwood Municipal Building, located at 75 North Martine Avenue. Fred Rossi, a reporter with

The Times, will moderate.

Page 12 Thursday, October 19, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Horace R. Corbin for The Westfield Leader THE GREAT DEBATE… Scotch Plains Mayor Martin L. Marks, left, and mayoral hopeful Geri M. Samuel shook hands on the evening of the Scotch Plains Debate hosted by The Times of Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Times reporter Fred Rossi, back, addressed the questions to the candidates during the forum. Scotch Plains Mayor Marks, Geri Samuel Defend

Opposing Views On Taxes During Debate By FRED ROSSI

Specially Written for The Westfeild Leader

SCOTCH PLAINS -During their debate last week, Republican Martin L. Marks and Democrat Geri M. Samuel, the candidates in Scotch Plains’ firstever mayoral election, agreed more than they disagreed, but still forcefully defended their opposing approaches to municipal property taxes, which has been a major campaign issue, both in this year’s campaign and in last year’s special election.

Addressing her support as Mayor in 1999 of a 5.4 percent increase in local property taxes, Mrs. Samuel stated at the start of the 45minute faceoff that, “I believe we did what was fiscally responsible for the town.”

As she did 18 months ago, in the midst of the partisan wrangling over property tax levies, Mrs. Samuel, who is the middle of her initial fouryear term on the Township

further, said it was important, with or without a new bridge, to reroute truck traffic off Park Avenue and over to Terrill Road.

Talking about the downtown business district in general, both candidates agreed on the need for continued efforts at revitalizing the area beyond the aesthetic improvements currently being made.

“What we want is for the entire downtown to become a destination,” Mrs. Samuel said. Mr. Marks said “we need to sell our downtown to businesses and bring them to Scotch Plains.”

Both support the selling of the hedge property next to the Municipal Building and turning it into a commercial building. Mr. Marks noted that professional planners for years have recommended doing this, adding that such a move, coupled with a revamping of the public and private parking lots be disallowing public input at council

meetings. Residents, he said, “should not be afraid to approach their elected officials in fear that they’re going to get turned away and not be allowed to speak.”

Mr. Marks said that, under his leadership this year, “the spirit of free speech is back and alive in Scotch Plains,” something he called one of his proudest accomplishments. He also pointed to his Meet the Mayor program, which he said has allowed him to meet with residents, students and other groups in town.

Mrs. Samuel countered by blaming most of the tension in 1999 on Mr. Marks.

She also said that, “I didn’t have to start a Meet the Mayor program because I was in my office every day.” She said she often met with and spoke to residents, students, senior citizens groups and any other

Council, expressed concern about using up too much of the local government’s surplus to offset the need for tax increases.

Council Republicans had unsuccessfully backed that notion in 1999, but Mrs. Samuel said she felt too much of the surplus had been used by the GOPcontrolled Council this year when it passed a zero tax increase. She also raised concerns about the surplus not being regenerated adequately each year.

Calling it “either the height of arrogance or the height of foolishness to continue to pat yourself on the back” for the 1999 tax hike, Mr. Marks, who is in the 10th month of his oneyear appointed term as Mayor, said it was “a major blunder” not to have used more of the surplus last year to offset a tax increase.

He called last November’s special election to fill a Council vacancy, which was won by a Republican, “a direct response” to the earlier property tax increase.

Addressing Mrs. Samuel’s concern about surplus regeneration, Mr. Marks said that in recent years, the surplus had always ended up being higher than initially estimated.

The candidates’ appearance, their first joint appearance, was held before a bipartisan crowd of supporters at the Municipal Building. The event was cosponsored by the local League of Women Voters and

The Times of Scotch PlainsFanwood.

Mr. Marks and Mrs. Samuel were given two minutes to respond to direct questions, which rotated between the two candidates, with one minute allowed for a rebuttal.

The two candidates were in agreement on a number of issues, including the proposed new bridge across Route 22 that would directly link Park Avenue and Bonnie Burn Road.

“My initial response is overwhelmingly negative,” Mr. Marks said, adding that a new bridge, and the added traffic it could attract, “could spell the demise of the downtown.” He worried that Park Avenue could be turned into “a fourlane highway,” and said it was important to consult with surrounding communities, Union and Somerset County officials and the state Department of Transportation about the implications of a new bridge.

Mrs. Samuel, calling a new bridge “a bad idea,” said she, too, was concerned that “the central business district will disappear” if the project went forward. She also urged regional consultations and,

hind Park Avenue and East Second Street would result in a net gain of available parking spaces.

Talking about several open space issues, Mrs. Samuel said she supports Mr. Marks’ proposal to create a new conservation zone in Scotch Plains, in which certain designated land would be offlimits to any development, be it commercial, residential or parks. Neither candidate backed putting any ballfields at the former zoo property, which will soon be developed into a passive park.

Mrs. Samuel expressed her hope that the proposed park in the Ashbrook Reservation will move forward after state environmental studies are completed. She also said the size of the park will likely be somewhat smaller than the originallyproposed two dozen acres.

Asked which department budget he would increase significantly if he could, Mr. Marks noted that, at the start of his term in January, he had expressed his hope that 2000 would the “Year of Recreation” in Scotch Plains, and said the Department of Recreation would get a big funding boost “if there were a money tree” available.

“We are in desperate need” of additional space for recreation programs, he added. Mrs. Samuel pointed out that in 1999, during her mayoral term, the township had secured $100,000 in pocket park grants from Union County that was used to renovate Kramer Manor Park and had also begun the process of developing the Ashbrook Reservation park.

“The year of recreation really started in 1999,” she said.

Both candidates also agreed that a local ban on the use of handheld cell phones while driving a car might be a good idea. Two New Jersey towns— Marlboro and Carteret— have recently passed similar ordinances. They also both supported legislation being considered in the State Legislature that would mandate helmets for youngsters riding the new scooters that have recently become popular.

Given the high level of agreement between the them on many issues, Mr. Marks and Mrs. Samuel also sought to draw other distinctions, besides property taxes, between them. Mr. Marks said one such distinction was “how Mrs. Samuel and I approached open government. In 1999, we had a problem here in Scotch Plains,” he said.

“The spirit of free speech was often times curtailed,” he stated, accusing Mrs. Samuel, during her term as Mayor, of ruling fellow council members out of order and

organizations that invited her. “I was here. I was available. Nobody was afraid to come and talk to me,” Mrs. Samuel said.

She said her top accomplishment as Mayor was, “even with all the contentiousness, keeping the business of the township moving forward and doing what was best for the town.”

Before the mayoral candidates squared off, the two candidates for the Township Council seat being vacated by Republican Councilman William F. McClintock answered questions for 30 minutes and essentially echoed the positions of their mayoral running mates.

Democrat Peter Tripet backed the 1999 property tax increase, saying it “was the right move to make.” The Democrats “didn’t squander” the surplus and “didn’t go for a onetime tax gimmick.” He said last year’s tax hike led to the zero tax increase passed earlier this year.

Republican Paulette Coronato, citing the high township surpluses of the past few years, disagreed with the 1999 decision, calling the 5.4 percent tax increase “one of the highest… in the last nine years. When you have a high surplus, that’s the people’s money,” she said.

Talking about downtown revitalization, both were open to selling the hedge property and turning it into a commercial building, although Mrs. Coronato said she had reservations, including the effects of a new building on the parking situation in the area. Mr. Tripet said a new building “could be a key component to attract new businesses to town,” but said more public input is needed on the matter. Mrs. Coronato said she “would acDouglas

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SPF BOE Slates Major Effort To Communicate Dec. 12 Bond

Issue Specifics to Voters

Author Lecture Tickets Available on Oct. 26

WESTFIELD – Tickets to a lecture by Elizabeth Norman of Westfield, author of “We Band of Angels,” on Tuesday, November 14, from 7: 30 to 9 p. m. at the Westfield Memorial Library will be available next Thursday, October 26.

Interested individuals may pick up the tickets at the Circulation Desk during regular library hours. The tickets are free, but seating is limited. tually try to recruit new business”

to the downtown district, especially momandpop type of stores so that “we offer something unique that other towns don’t.”

Mr. Tripet, saying that “if we build it, they will come,” said more commercial buildings in the downtown business district would result in more tax ratables that could ease the burden on residential property taxpayers. Both candidates said more public input and regional consultations were needed before any final decision could be made about the proposed Route 22 bridge.

Mrs. Coronato and Mr. Tripet backed the new conservation zone being proposed and also said more parks and open space were needed in town. Mrs. Coronato said there was a need for recreational activities, especially for teenagers.

She said it might be a good idea for the Scotch PlainsFanwood Board of Education to sponsor regular dances and sports activities for teens. Mr. Tripet said that “preservation of open space will be a top priority” if he was elected to the Council.

Mr. Tripet emphasized his roots in the township and said he had “the time and energy to work extremely hard for Scotch Plains.” He said he would also support more senior housing and work to attract more businesses to the downtown business district.

Mrs. Coronato pointed out her years of experience “working in different levels of government,” and said she is “prepared to take on the role of Council member.” Saying that Mr. Tripet did not have the experience to serve, she said that “last year, we found out how much inexperience can cost the taxpayers.”

By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Eager to see a $35.7 million bond referendum approved by local voters on December 12, Scotch PlainsFanwood school administrators and the Board of Education have launched a concerted effort to educate the public about the bond over the next nine weeks.

Public Information Coordinator Kathleen L. Meyer says the board will send out three direct mailings to about 12,000 households in Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Preliminary bond information was mailed to residents this week in Perspective, the district newsletter.

IE Communications, the consultant hired to help the board in its bond communications efforts, is preparing a sixpage mailer for distribution later this month. According to Mrs. Meyer, that mailout will explain the planned construction and renovation projects at each of the schools and their related costs.

“It should be a pretty complete onceover,” she said.

Closer to December 12, residents can expect to receive a questionandanswer mailer that addresses major questions posed by the public during prior weeks.

The board has scheduled two 8 p. m. bond forums, the first on Thursday, October 19, at Park Middle School; the second on Tuesday, November 14, at Terrill Middle School. These forums will offer the public opportunities to comment on and pose questions about the bond.

For these and other planned programs, IE Communications is preparing a scripted presentation and accompanying visual demonstration.

The consultant plans to work with school principals, administrators and, to some extent, Parent Teacher Association representatives and Coalition to Support the Bond designees on how to present the bond information.

A Bond Hot Line is in place, and people have been taking advantage of it, said Mrs. Meyer. The Hot Line number is (908) 8899665. Callers should leave a message stating their question or comment, name and phone number, and someone from the administrative offices, usually Mrs. Meyer, will return the call.

The district’s website, www. njcommunity. org/ spfnet/, offers more information.

The board’s community relations committee, chaired by member Thomas Russo, wrote to all civic groups in Fanwood and Scotch Plains to offer to speak to members about the bond referendum.

So far, “The Golden Agers are on the calendar,” Mrs. Meyer said.

During recent backtoschool nights, principals spoke to thousands of parents about the bond and invited them to study school floor plans, which were posted in hightraffic areas.

Principals will also be holding breakfasts with staff members to share information and answer their questions about the bond.

A second informal conversation between Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol B. Choye and the public will be held at Scotch Plains Municipal Library on Friday, October 20 at 10 a. m. Dr. Choye visited with the public at Fanwood Memorial Library earlier this month.

School officials are also reaching out to their municipal counterparts.

Business Administrator and Board Secretary Anthony DelSordi met last week with Fanwood Mayor Lou Jung, Councilwomen Karen Schurtz and Cynthia Swindlehurst, and Borough Clerk Eleanor McGovern. Mrs. Meyer expects a similar meeting with representatives from the Township of Scotch Plains.

During American Education Week, November 1317, building tours will be available at both Terrill (November 13) and Park (November 15) and at Scotch PlainsFanwood High School (November 14) for interested members of the public. Tours begin at 9 a. m.

Elementaryschool parents can expect to find bondsavvy individuals on hand at their schools that same week during afternoon and evening parentteacher conference times.

Mrs. Meyer anticipates that at most upcoming, planned district events, there will be someone from the board or administration available to answer bond questions.

“To the extent we can get people there, we will,” she said.

The only apparent gray area in the board’s communications strategy is the use of cable Channel 34 as a medium for disseminating bond information. According to Mrs. Meyer, the logistics of producing such material have not yet been worked out.

Ingrid McKinley for The Westfield Leader SHOPPING SPREE… Twins Nell and Rose Beatty, 2, of Westfield spent time choosing from a display of quality crafts during the annual Craft and Gift Boutique of the Golden Goose Craft Club at the Westfield Outdoor Tennis Club. Artisans vended their Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas creations during the fiveday event, with proceeds benefiting the Center For Hope Hospice in Linden.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ESPA Results

sibility of parents taking legal action to see the tests.

Dr. Foley urged the board to take a positive attitude.

“State testing is here to stay,” he said. He did not support the position of some education activists in Trenton, he said, who think that state testing should be dropped. “Just improve the test,” he urged.

With the results in hand, Dr. Foley said, however unsatisfactory the data, “It’s time to move on.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Town Council

he would like the system reallocated in order to assign spaces based on whether a permitholder resides on the north or south sides of town.

Mr. Shannon said a complete reallocation of the parking system, once a deck is placed into the system, would be something the town should move forward.

Officials have said this would help reduce traffic backups in areas such as the South Avenue traffic circle and also reduces the time it takes to walk from the train station to the parking lots and/ or deck.

See us on the web: www. goleader. com

Fanwood Presbyterian To Feature Music Of Bach on Sunday

FANWOOD – Vespers for the Festival of the Reformation will take place in the Sanctuary of Fanwood Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 29, at 4: 30 p. m.

Minister of Music Robert H. Gangewere, Jr. and the Sanctuary Choir of the Fanwood Presbyterian Church will present the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Marking the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death, the choir will perform “Praise the Lord, All Ye Nations,” and pieces from “Magnificat” and “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”