The Westfield Leader Newspaper

OUR 108th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 16- 98 FIFTY CENTS 232- 4407

The Westfield Leader The Westfield Leader — Serving the Town Since 1890 —

Thursday, April 16, 1998 USPS 680020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N. J.

Published Every Thursday

CONSTRUCTION ON VACANT LOTS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY JUNE

Contracts Signed forWoman's Club Lots; Local Couple to Buy Clubhouse Building By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Contracts have been signed for the two lots adjoining 318 South Euclid Avenue, the site of the Woman's Club of Westfield clubhouse.

Speaking on behalf of the Woman's Club, attorney Robert Kraus, of the Scotch Plains law firm Leib, Kraus, Grispin & Roth, told The Westfield Leader that a bid has also been accepted for the Colonial Revival home which served as the clubhouse.

When asked who signed the two contracts and who bid on the house,

Mr. Kraus stated that, at this point in time, these facts remain as confidential information.

He did acknowledge, however, that the two buyers for the adjoining properties that front on Tremont Avenue were contractors and have proposed to build a new Colonial- style house on each lot.

Mr. Kraus added that these houses would be well suited to the neighborhood. As of now, the closing date for both these contracts is

Friday, May 29. Mr. Kraus stated that there was a bid made on the Colonial Revival house from a Westfield couple, who plan to renovate and reside in it. He noted that "the Woman's Club was doing the right thing" by selling the properties, and that the money from these transactions would "find its way back to the community."

In an earlier interview with The Leader, Mr. Kraus concluded that construction on the adjoining lots would begin by June or July.

Before the lots were open for bids, the Woman's Club of Westfield had to go before the Westfield Planning Board and formally ask for permission to subdivide the lots.

Because many neighbors objected to dividing the property, the Planning Board and the Woman's Club compromised by approving conditions for the granting of the subdivision.

One of the conditions was that the existing home must remain a singleCONTINUED

ON PAGE 12

NJ Transit Slates Dedication Event Today At Newly Renovated Westfield Train Station

NJ Transit, state and local officials will join today, Thursday, April 16, to dedicate the improvements at the Westfield Train Station and the newly installed set of 18 tile murals of Westfield history, located in the new underpass serving commuters and the community. The ceremonies will start at 10: 30 a. m. and the public is invited.

The murals were designed, produced and installed by Stacey Farley, a native of Westfield. She was selected by NJ Transit and Westfield community representatives after a competition among 16 artists.

She was assisted by and drew upon the archives of the Westfield Historical Society, the postcard collection of Stan and Jody Lipson, and the Town of Westfield.

The $6 million project, which included the artwork, brings the Westfield station into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and will make train operations safer, more convenient and faster. Highlevel covered platforms, elevators and a new, higher, wider and more userfriendly underpass are principal improvements.

To assure that the proposed improvements would be compatible with the century- old station buildings on the north and south sides of the tracks and the best interests of the municipality, former Mayor Bud C. Boothe involved the Westfield Historical Society, the town's Architectural Review Board and the Westfield Historic Preservation Board in the planning process.

Although the buildings are owned by the Town of Westfield, NJ Transit

has the responsibility for matters related to train operations. The submission by Ms. Farley was based upon historic scenes of Westfield, particularly those showing transportation themes.

According to Mr. Boothe, the railroad has been pivotal to the development and growth of Westfield. It has kept the same alignment for over 150 years, as part of the former Central Railroad of New Jersey line west to Plainfield, Somerville and beyond.

Although the railroad first reached the small township in 1830 from Elizabeth, it was not until the bridge was completed across Newark Bay and ferry service established from Manhattan to Jersey City that daily commuting into the city from Westfield became feasible.

The township and the number of commuters increased to the point that at the turn- of- the- century one of every eight residents (including women and children) boarded a train in Westfield every day. While this ratio no longer applies, Westfield with 5,000 daily riders is the busiest station on the Raritan Valley line (originally the Central Railroad of New Jersey) and one of the busiest in the state.

Accordingly, Ms. Farley's proposal to feature transportation and development of Westfield in her tile work is well founded in history and the traditions of the community.

Ms. Farley is a graduate of Westfield High School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, with a major in art and the University of

Illinois with a master's degree in fine art. She has also studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Her numerous projects in tile and murals include the Peekskill train station, the Perkings Memorial Tower at Bear Mountain, the New York Throughway travel plaza at Sloatsburg, the Texas Seaport Museum, the Litchfield Historical Society and various private locations.

Ms. Farley made several trips back to her home town and reviewed countless photographs and drawings with the Town Archivist and former Town Historian Ralph Jones and Dr. Stanley Lipson, author of a recent book reproducing postcards of Westfield.

Along with Linda Maggio, Director of the Westfield United Fund, and Mr. Boothe, decisions were made as to which photographs would be used.

'Spring Fling' Celebration Set for Sunday in Downtown

The Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the fourth annual "Spring Fling" Street Fair in downtown Westfield this Sunday, April 19, from noon until 6 p. m.

The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic for the activities: East Broad Street from North Avenue to Central Avenue; all of Quimby Street; Elm Street from North Avenue to the Texaco Station, and Prospect Street from North Avenue to Ferris Place.

Parking is prohibited in the Spring Fling area all day Sunday, and police will close those streets at 6 a. m. Downtown businesses in the area should make sure employees do not park in the activity area or in the municipal lots surrounding the area where the events will be taking place.

Downtown residents are reminded that they may not park on those streets during Spring Fling, but may park in municipal lots that have access from the closed streets if their cars are parked by 8 a. m. and remain in the lots until 7: 30 p. m.

Pets are prohibited in the Spring Fling area. This rule is for the safety of attendees of all ages, including children in strollers, people in wheelchairs, and people who use canes, and also for the safety of the animals.

For the safety of pedestrians, skateboarding, and roller- blading will not be permitted in the Spring Fling area.

Spring Fling attendees are encouraged to park in the train station lot on South Avenue. This will provide the closest access to the activity area, with easy access to North Avenue through the new underpass going under the tracks, recently opened by NJ Transit.

For further information, please call the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce at (908) 233- 3021.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Zoning Board Delays Decision on Proposed

Sign for Dealership By RUSSELL R. WATKINS

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The Westfield Board of Adjustment on Monday delayed approval of a new sign for Thomas Lincoln- Mercury on South Avenue.

Board members were reluctant to approve the proposed 40- square- foot, internally illuminated sign. They opted instead to view an existing sign at a Ford dealership on River Road in

Summit, which is identical to the one proposed for the Westfield site, before making a final decision.

The proposed sign would replace a 1970s- era, 28- square- foot sign and would stand 12 feet high. Thomas Lincoln- Mercury had originally proposed a 75- square- foot sign when it first appeared before the board two months ago. The

William A. Burke for The Westfield Leader

THE SEARCH IS ON... Youngsters search for Easter eggs during the 63rd annual Easter Egg Hunt which was sponsored by the Lions Club of Westfield. Over 1,200 plastic eggs were hidden throughout Mindowaskin Park including the gazebo.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader

HONORING HER GRANDFATHER... Susan Robeson, center, granddaughter of performing artist and human rights advocate Paul Robeson, is shown here before she spoke at an April 9 luncheon at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield in honor of her grandfather. Also pictured are Presbyterian Church Senior Minister Reverend Dr. William Ross Forbes, left, and Lloyd L. Brown, a veteran journalist and author of "The Young Paul Robeson," who also attended the luncheon.

William A. Burke for The Westfield Leader

TOWN'S TRIBUTE... Elected officials and members of the Paul Robeson Centennial Committee of Westfield stand next to the temporary street sign named in memory of performing artist and human rights activist Paul Robeson. Robeson, who resided in Westfield from 1907- 1910, is being honored this month and throughout the year on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The Paul Robeson Corner sign was placed at Downer Street and Osborn Avenue, outside of Saint Luke's African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church where Robeson's father, the Reverend William Drew Robeson, was once minister.

Westfield Town Council to Hold Hearing Tuesday Night on $22.9 Million Budget By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The Westfield Town Council, which had a rare Tuesday night off this week, is set to vote on the town's

municipal spending plan of $22,923,211 this Tuesday night, April 21. Members of the council will vote on the budget during a special meeting at 8 p. m. prior to the council's conference session.

If approved, the municipal spending plan would increase taxes by $52.50 on the average assessed home in town of $175,000 in 1998 — a difference of three cents per $100 of assessed valuation over 1997. A cent, or tax point, is equal to $180,000 in spending in the Westfield budget.

During an hour- long closed door session last month on the night the budget was introduced on first reading, the council managed to reduce the burden on taxpayers by an additional tax point.

A total of $11,318,088 will be raised through local property taxes to support the budget — an increase of $552,141 over 1997. The spending plan itself is increasing by $649,670.

The tax levy cut was accomplished by dipping further into the sale of town assets — everything from land sold the past few years to revenues from the police department's sale of bicycles and used police cruisers – for a total of $180,000. This increased the amount used in the budget from this revenue source to $561,000.

Although this number is about half of what was utilized in the 1997 budget, it is $561,000 over what Town Administrator Edward A. Gottko had put down in the budget he presented to the council in January.

Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan, Jr., pulled his support for the budget — voting to abstain instead — stating that money from the sale of assets should not be used for operational expenses, but rather for long- term projects on the capital side Deadlines Told

For Submittals To The Leader

Those persons preparing press releases for submission to The Leader are reminded that copy should be e- mailed or faxed by 4 p. m. on the Friday prior to publication. The Leader's e- mail address is press@ goleader. com. The fax number is 908- 232- 0473.

Releases, pictures and letters to the editor can also be dropped off at our office located at 50 Elm Street or through our mail slot. To ensure that submittals reach our office prior to deadline, we encourage e- mail or faxed materials.

Sports stories which occur prior to the weekend must be in by the Friday deadline. Weekend sports events must be submitted by noon on the Monday prior to the publication date. Obituaries will be accepted up to 5 p. m. on Tuesdays.

All copy must be typed, doublespaced, upper and lower case, no more than 500 words in length, and include a daytime telephone number where the submitter can be reached.

For events which are planned months in advance, we encourage submission of stories as early as possible prior to the event.

Please note that in addition to making our deadlines, the publication of submittals may be delayed due to space considerations. All submittals are subject to being cut due to length, edited for style and clarification at the discretion of the editor.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader

HISTORIC SCENES... Westfield native Stacey Farley and Dale Wong, of Ceramic Tile Design, Inc., lay in one of the 18 murals in the new Westfield Train Station pedestrian tunnel depicting Westfield's history. Ms. Farley was contracted with by NJ Transit to create the scenes which align the tunnel. A formal dedication ceremony will be held today, Thursday, April 16, at 10: 30 a. m. to mark the completion of NJ Transit's $6.2 million rehabilitation of the station, the largest on the Raritan Valley commuter line.

Polling Places, Hours Told for School Board

Election on Budget

Polling places for this Tuesday's Westfield Board of Education election will be open from 2 to 9 p. m., according to Town Clerk Joy C. Vreeland.

Voters will be asked to cast their ballots on the amount proposed to be raised through local property taxes in support of the budget.

That amount, $45,177,689 — if approved by voters — would increase taxes on the average assessed home in Westfield by $122 a year. The total school budget for the 1998- 1999 school year is $52,178,496.

Running unopposed in the school board race are incumbents Ginger Hardwick and Board Vice President Darielle M. Walsh, and former board member Eileen Satkin.

Polling places are as follows: First Ward, District Nos. 1 and 2, Roosevelt Intermediate School gymnasium; District Nos. 3, 5 and 7, Franklin Elementary School auditorium, and District Nos. 4 and 6, Westfield Memorial Library, Program Room.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Page 12 Thursday, April 16, 1998 The Westfield Leader The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

family residence for at least five years, in an effort to prevent a developer from bulldozing the house.

Another stipulation was that any new homes built on the property would have to "fit in" with the surrounding homes in the neighborhood.

Mr. Kraus assured the board at the March 2 meeting that the club intended to sell the house as a singlefamily residence to a new owner who would upgrade and preserve it.

The Woman's Club purchased the property 43 years ago from the Burr A. Towl family. The Towl family had bought the house in 1920.

Mr. Towl served as Mayor of Westfield from 1929 to 1930, when the house was called "The Little White House." Mr. Towl's son, Burr A. Towl, Jr., had also served as Mayor.

According to a press release issued by the Woman's Club, the old Colo nial Revival house was renovated

after the club purchased the property in 1955. Local building authorities helped to convert the family home into a clubhouse.

The rooms were used to offer members and the general public a comfortable space to entertain at wedding receptions, showers, parties, recitals and events sponsored by the club.

The Woman's Club has been involved in many charitable endeavors, and has awarded scholarships to Westfield High School seniors since 1949.

According to Mr. Kraus, the Woman's Club has had a significant decline in membership in recent years. The club is said to have had approximately 600 members at one point. Now the organization has barely 100 participants, most of whom are retired.

Contracts Have Been Signed For Woman's Club Lots

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Zoning Bd. Delays Decision On Proposed Dealership Sign

board rejected that proposal. The dealership came back the following month with a proposal for a 40- square- foot sign — the smallest permitted by Ford as part of its dealership modernization campaign.

The board postponed its decision after asking owner John Lauraicella if Ford would be willing to custom make a smaller sign which would more readily comply with Westfield zoning ordinances.

Making his third appearance before the board on Monday, Mr. Lauraicella told members "unfortunately, due to the way its engineered, it (the sign) can't be chopped up anymore."

Some members were inclined to approve the 40- square- foot sign. Board member William J. Palatucci called it a "modern, clean- looking sign," although others still expressed reservations.

Mr. Lauraicella suggested that board members look at the Ford dealership sign on River Road in Summit, which is identical to the one proposed for Thomas Lincoln- Mercury. Board members agreed and will take up the matter again next month.

In other business, the board approved Eugene and Louise Dedea's request to expand their kitchen, bathroom and mud room – a small room or entryway where wet or muddy footwear and clothing can be removed.

The expansion will be built on the rear of the house which is located at 421 North Scotch Plains Avenue.

The board granted a variance because the Dedeas' rear property borders designated open space and so would pose no inconvenience to neighbors.

Lawrence and Carol Smith, of 534 First Street, also received permission to erect a first floor bedroom and bathroom. The Smiths, who have been Westfield residents for 37 years, sought the expansion after a fire devastated the rear of their house.

The board approved their request and, due to the fire damage, allowed construction to begin immediately.

Among the cases not heard but which will be carried over to the board's Monday, May 11 meeting are that of C. F. G. R., which is seeking permission to remove several existing buildings and construct a 56- unit mixed town house and apartment complex on the corner of Central Avenue and Cacciola Place. C. F. G. R. is seeking to merge five lots into one.

In addition, the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, located at 1 East Broad Street, is seeking expansion of a non- conforming use, as regulated under the town's land use ordinance, by erecting an elevator and stairs tower.

Also to be heard next month is an appeal by Needle Point Homes to erect a one- family dwelling at 525 Elm Street. Variances are needed for side yard setbacks which, in the application, are several feet under the town's requirement of 10 feet in the neighborhood.

WESTFIELD POLICE BLOTTER

WELCOME, SPRING… Members of the Garden Club of Westfield recently completed their spring planting of pansies in the wooden planters located on the corners of Elm and East Broad Streets. Pictured, left to right, are: front row, Irene Illaria, Mary Pope, Mary Pearsall, Jean Sawtelle and Ruth Paul, and back row, Jane Curtis, Rita Mahoney, Carol Mucci, Nita McHugh and Ottilie Griesemer. Not pictured are members Martie Myers and Lecia DeHaven.

WESTFIELD FIRE BLOTTER TUESDAY, APRIL 7

· Bruce Killelea, 48, of North Arlington was arrested on Dorian Road and charged with driving with a revoked license, according to police. He was released on his own recognizance.

· Michael Bartolomeo, 18, and Jeremi Thomson, 19, both of Westfield, were charged with burglary and theft in connection with a February 24 incident in which an air compressor was stolen from a vehicle on Tamaques Way, authorities said. Both suspects were released on a summons.

· Police reported that Gregory Prunty, 23, of Westfield was arrested on Clark Street and charged with driving with a revoked license. It was his second offense, authorities said. He was released after posting $775 bail.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

· A South Avenue automobile dealership reported the theft of a vehicle from the lot by an individual who had presented false identification as part of a lease scam.

· A vehicle on the lot of a South Avenue dealership was damaged after someone apparently attempted to remove the radio.

· The occupant of a Carleton Road apartment reported the theft of a computer and software valued at $10,000, along with a videocassette recorder.

· A Summit Avenue resident reported that someone entered his parked vehicle

and removed a cellular telephone.

· A woman reported that her jacket containing her wallet was stolen from the Prospect Street firm where she is employed.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

· A Hazel Avenue resident reported that someone threw eggs at her home and on her 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

· A cellular telephone was reported stolen from a vehicle which was parked on East Broad Street.

· Police reported that a stereo, videocassette recorder, speakers and some luggage were stolen from a third- floor apartment on Rahway Avenue. The total value of the stolen items was $1,500.

· A cellular telephone was reported stolen from a vehicle on Lawrence Avenue.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

· A Windsor Avenue resident reported that all four tires on her vehicle were punctured with a sharp object while the car was parked in front of her house.

MONDAY, APRIL 13

· Alejandro Meza, 23, of Plainfield was arrested on South Avenue and charged with being an unlicensed driver, according to police. He was being held on $225 bail.

· Police reported that a windshield was smashed on a vehicle which was parked in an alleyway on Elm Street.

MONDAY, APRIL 6

· Eleven hundred block of South Avenue, West – system malfunction.

· Eleven hundred block of South Avenue, West – unintentional alarm.

· One hundred block of South Chestnut Street – power line down.

· Seven hundred block of North Avenue, West – gas odor investigation.

· Four hundred block of North Avenue, West – spill in roadway.

· Five hundred block of North Chestnut Street – power line down.

· One hundred block of Elmer Street – water evacuation.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

· Two hundred block of East Dudley Avenue – automobile accident.

· Five hundred block of East Broad Street – unintentional alarm.

· Three hundred block of North Avenue, West – emergency medical call.

· Five hundred block of North Avenue, East – power line down.

· One hundred block of Summit Court – propane tank leaking.

· Seven hundred block of Shackamaxon Drive – carbon monoxide detector activation.

· Seven hundred block of St. Marks Avenue – carbon monoxide detector activation.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

· Fourteen hundred block of Central Avenue – good intent call.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

· Seven hundred block of Prospect Street – spill in roadway.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10

· Five hundred block of Alden Avenue – structure fire.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11

· Eight hundred block of Dorian Road – electrical hazard.

· Eleven hundred block of Boynton Avenue – unintentional alarm.

· Eight hundred block of South Avenue, West – unintentional alarm.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

· Eleven hundred block of Boynton Avenue – system malfunction.

· Two hundred block of East Broad Street – system malfunction.

· Eleven hundred block of Boynton Avenue – system malfunction.

Information Offered On School Election

On Tuesday, April 21, from 2 to 9 p. m. the polls will be open for the public to vote in the school election. On the ballot is the 1998- 1999 school budget, as well as the names of three candidates for uncontested seats on the Board of Education.

For information on the school budget, please call the Office of School/ Community Relations at (908) 789- 4463, or check the Westfield web site at www. westfieldnj. com.

Residents are also invited to watch Channel 36 for an explanation of the budget by Board Finance Chairman Keith S. Hertell. This will be aired today, Thursday, April 16, at 4: 40 and 8: 50 p. m.; tomorrow, Friday, April 17, at 10: 20 a. m.; Saturday, April 18, at 3: 20 and 11: 20 p. m.; Sunday, April 19, at 1: 20 and 9: 20 p. m.; Monday, April 20, at 5: 15 and 8: 15 p. m., and Tuesday, April 21, at 5: 15 p. m.

Master Sergeant Crincoli Is Awarded Service Medal

Air Force Master Sergeant Theodore Crincoli, Jr. has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal.

The medal is awarded for outstanding non- combat meritorious achievement in service to the United States.

He received this second award of the medal for managing projects that installed over 50 miles of fiber optic cable, including a new high- speed computer network.

His supervision of communications designs in military construction projects totaled over $70 million.

Master Sergeant Crincoli is a plans flight superintendent assigned to the 437th Communications Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, North

Charleston, South Carolina. He is the son of Theodore Crincoli, Sr. of Westfield and Joan Crincoli of Flemington.

The Master Sergeant graduated in 1976 from Westfield High School, and received associate degrees in 1988 and 1997 from the Community College of the Air Force.

Two Spring Concerts Are Scheduled at WHS

Two concerts are scheduled at Westfield High School (WHS) in the upcoming weeks. On Wednesday, April 22, there will be a concert at 7: 30 p. m. in the auditorium, in which the Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Chorale and Madrigal Singers will perform.

Featured soloists include Peter Yu and Andy Bhasin in "Concerto for Two Violins" by Bach. The Chorale will join with the orchestra in "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

The orchestra will be playing the third and fourth movement of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5" and other works.

On Tuesday, April 28, at 7: 30 p. m. in the WHS auditorium, the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will perform. Featured works will include the First and Second Suites by Holst, along with Cajun folk songs and other selections.

The public is invited to attend these free performances.

Channel 36 to Feature 'Election Night Live'

The Westfield Board of Education will televise "Election Night Live," beginning at 9: 30 p. m. on Tuesday, April 21, on Comcast Cable TV Channel 36. Voter tallies on the 1998- 1999 school budget and the three Board of Education candidates will be broadcast live.

The show will be hosted by School Superintendent Dr. William J. Foley. School Board Finance Committee Chairman Keith S. Hertell will be his guest. They will discuss the highlights of the 1998- 1999 school budget.

Election results will be announced as they are received. This is the 12th year that school election results will be broadcast live on Cable TV. The first "Election Night Live" was televised on April 2, 1987.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of the budget. Prior to the private session, Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman had threatened to pull his support for the introduction of the budget — noting he could not support the four- tax point increase.

Through the budget process, the council managed to cut $156,000 in spending.

On the capital side of the budget, an area which has doubled over previous years, includes $600,000 for road improvements, $60,000 for improvements to Sycamore Field, $12,000 for work at Memorial Park, construction of a picnic structure at Tamaques Park and new playground equipment for the Lincoln School.

The school is currently leased to the Union County Educational Services Commission as a high school for emotionally disturbed students.

The council has included $35,000 in the spending plan for the playground project — half of which will come in a dollar- dollar match, or $17,500, from Union County as part of its new "Pocket Park Program," as announced by Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan in January.

As part of this same program, the council has included $200,000 for the acquisition and design of a "pocket park" at the former site of the Excellent Diner on North Avenue. The county match would be $100,000 for the project.

The budget also includes $7,500 for the town's continued effort to be included in the state's Neighborhood Preservation Program. The town is seeking to have a triangular section between Central Avenue and Grove Street, South and Grandview Avenues included in the program.

Mayor Thomas C. Jardim voted against the introduction of the budget, indicating that he would like further cuts on the operating side of the spending plan.

The proposed school tax levy — which goes before voters Tuesday — would increase taxes by another six cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Thus, the combined increase between the municipal and school tax would be $156 on the average home in town. Of that amount, $122 would go to support the public schools.

In terms of the county tax, under the county's recently introduced $282.15 million budget, the amount to be raised in Westfield through

local property taxes will drop by $334,606, from $14,711,656 in 1997 to $14,377,050 this year.

Westfield is among 15 towns which will see their portion of the county tax drop. The overall county tax rate is .4681 this year — down from .4872 in 1997.

The budget hearing will begin at 8 p. m. in the Town Council Chambers of the Westfield Municipal Building.

Town Council to Hold Budget Hearing on Tuesday Knights of Columbus

To Hold Fundraiser Today Through Sunday

The Westfield Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1711, has announced it will hold its annual "Tootsie Roll" drive to benefit handicapped citizens of the area.

Volunteers, wearing yellow and red vests, will be collecting donations at various locations throughout Westfield during business hours today, Thursday, April 16, through Sunday, April 19.

Polling Places, Hours Told for School Board

Election on Budget

Second Ward, District No. 1, Union County Clerk's Annex on North Avenue; District Nos. 2, 3 and 6, Washington Elementary School auditorium, and District Nos. 4 and 5, Wilson Elementary School auditorium.

Third Ward, District No. 1, Westfield Rescue Squad; District Nos. 2, 3 and 4, Edison Intermediate School gymnasium, and District Nos. 5, 6 and 7, Jefferson Elementary School, All Purpose Room.

Fourth Ward, District Nos. 1 and 2, McKinley Elementary School auditorium; District Nos. 3 and 4, Westfield High School lobby, and District No. 5, Jefferson School auditorium.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

STRONG IMPACT… Westfield firefighters assess the damage caused by a tree that toppled over on Raymond Street on April 5. The tree damaged a vehicle and pulled power lines down from several homes.

Boy Scout Troop No. 77 Welcomes New Scouts

Scoutmaster Bruce Mellen and Boy Scout Troop No. 77 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield inducted 15 new members at a Court of Honor held recently at the church.

Most of the new Scouts were Webelos Scouts from the Cub packs at Franklin, Jefferson and McKinley Schools who had visited the troop while completing their arrow of light requirements, and they have already started to enjoy the troop's busy spring camping and activities program.

In the induction ceremony, the new scouts subscribed to the scout oath and law and were given scout insignia and the troop's own neckerchief as part of their scout uniforms.

The new scouts include Rahul Bhasin, Daniel Cohen, Jeffrey Cornell, Marc Dowling, Jeffrey Dreseley, Michael Fantini, Brendan Granstrand, Jeremy Krell, Matthew Kukis, David Rimkus, Matthew Risburg, Greg

RECENTLY INDUCTED... Fifteen new Boy Scouts were inducted into Troop No. 77 in a Court of Honor held recently at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield. In this picture, the new Scouts have received their Troop No. 77 neckerchief as the final part of their induction ceremony. Scouts on the right are Troop Guides Joseph Kukis and John Carpenter.

Ryan, Jr., Max Thomas, John Velasco, and Thomas White.

The Court of Honor also recognized advancement to Tenderfoot Scout by Bob Greifeld and to Second Class Scout by Daniel Rea.

Addressing the scouts and scout parents, Scoutmaster Mellen described the troop's plans for camping this spring, including participation in the Watchung Council's "JAMBO '98" Scout Show in North Branch Park in May, and the troop's plans for summer camp at Sabattis Adventure Camp in the Adirondacks.

Several of the new scouts' fathers will be helping with troop operations, with James Thomas and Greg Ryan, Sr., joining the troop leadership as assistant scoutmasters, and Kevin Dresely serving on the Troop Committee as Scout Advancement Chairman.

Ryan St. Clair Among 20 Winners At Rutgers' Annual Poetry Contest

Westfield High School senior Ryan St. Clair was among the top 20 winners in the ninth annual Rutgers University- Newark Campus New Jersey High School Poetry Contest.

Young poets, hailing from 127 public and private high schools from across the state, submitted more than 2,500 poems, for a chance at becoming one of the top prize- winners. A panel of three faculty members, headed by Dr. Louie Crew, representing the Rutgers- Newark English Department, selected 20 finalists among 417 aspiring entrants.

Ryan was Rutgers' guest at a reception held on April 15 where he read his poem. The 20 winners also will receive a prize of $100 and have their poems published in a chapbook, "News From Poems 9."

The poetry contest was sponsored by the Rutgers University Newark Campus Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

FIFTY CENTS 232- 4407