A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, August 12, 1999 Page 11
OUR 108th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 32-99 FIFTY CENTS 232-4407
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Arts................Page 19 Business ........ Page 15 Classifieds..... Page 17
Editorial ........ Page 4 Mountainside Page 3 Obituary ........ Page 8
Religious ....... Page 9 Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 11
CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
Bids Expected On Projects At Washington
By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
Bids have yet to be received by the Westfield Board of Education for two of the three projects at Washington Elementary School in Westfield which were outlined in the $11.7 million bond referendum for school improvements as approved by voters in December.
Mechanical renovations which will upgrade Univent digital controls, automatic thermostat temperature
controls that regulate the exchange of air and heat, are estimated to cost $50,000. Although the school board anticipated to award the bid this month, no bids were received, according to Board Secretary and Business Administrator Robert A. Berman.
The estimated timeline for the mechanical work was September 1999 to February 2000. All work will be done after 3 p.m.
Another bid which was not received but was also anticipated last month was for lavatory renovations to the first floor near the school’s multipurpose room. The timeline for the project is August to October 1999. The estimated price tag is $150,000.
However, things will be moving right along for computer cabling and integration for Washington’s classrooms and library. Approximately 121 workstation connections will be completed between September and October 1999 at a cost of $54,993, according to board officials.
Elcom Services Group of Edison and Pennsylvania will head up the project.
Washington Elementary School Drought Called Worst
In History of Jersey, Mid-Atlantic States
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
By DEBORAH MADISON
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
It is being called the worst drought ever in four states, according to meteorologists and weather experts. President Bill Clinton has appointed a special task force to coordinate the relief efforts in the four hardest hit states, which include Rhode Island, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
According to Associated Press Wire Reports, President Clinton said, “The
current drought threatens to cripple businesses and communities that depend on farm economies.”
The President has vowed to send assistance to those businesses and farms. He called the assistance to drought-stricken farmers, “our duty as a national community.”
Long-range forecasts by meteorologists call for normal rainfall for the drought-stricken areas for the rest of the year. However, normal precipitation will not eliminate the 18-inch shortage for this year, according to James Baker, the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Mandatory Water Restrictions in Place as Drought Ensues; Police to Issue Warnings, Then Summonses
By DEBORAH MADISON
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
Due to the continued lack of rainfall and the declining reservoir levels, Governor Christine Todd Whitman declared a drought warning on August and mandatory water restrictions this past Thursday by an executive order distributed to all county and local police departments affected by the drought.
The mandatory restrictions apply primarily to outdoor water use and
prohibit the watering of lawns, the non-commercial washing of motor vehicles and the draining or refilling of pools.
In addition to the mandatory restrictions, residents are urged to use washing machines and dishwashers only when full. All leaky toilets, pipes and taps should be repaired. In addition, water conserving shower heads and faucet aerators should be installed to reduce water use. Also, water should not be run unnecessarily while shaving and brushing teeth.
The water restrictions also apply to users who draw their water from private wells, as many major waterways throughout the state are at historic low flows, which affect groundwater supplies to these wells.
If the water shortage worsens, the state could impose additional restrictions that could further limit residential and commercial use.
According to the mandatory water restrictions released by the Governor’s Office, the following restrictions and exceptions apply:
The watering of grassed areas is prohibited, except for newly-seeded or newly-sod areas, which may be
watered for 20 days from the date of planting, from 8 to 9 p.m. or from midnight to 6 a.m., with watering not to exceed 45 minutes per day, for any one area. Watering of newly-sod areas with sprinklers within one hour after planting is permitted.
Grassed areas may be watered after application of fertilizer, pesti
cide or herbicide within the same time limitations as newly-sodded areas.
Companies engaging in the installation or repair of lawn irrigation systems may test a customer’s newly-installed or newly-repaired sprinkler system for a maximum
William A. Burke for The Westfield Leader
RENOVATING SYCAMORE...Work is underway on the renovation project at Sycamore Field on Central Avenue. The field will receive new sod and a irrigation system among other improvements.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Drought Creates Dry Conditions Which Benefit Recent Construction Work at Sycamore Field By RUSSELL R. WATKINS
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
Those looking for a bright side to Westfield’s current water woes should look no further than the renovation project at Sycamore Field on Central Avenue.
“The dry weather has actually made it easier for the contractors to do their job because the dirt is so light it’s easy to move around,” said Recreation Commission Director Glenn S. Burrell.
Bill Brennan, job supervisor for Con-Serve Gulla Construction, the New York construction company contracted by Westfield to renovate the site, said he expects to be done with the construction phase of the project by the end of the month.
Poor field conditions prompted the overhaul of the 1.5-acre park which is dominated by a soccer field and used primarily by the Westfield Soccer Association.
“There were times it would rain and the field would be out of commission for a couple of days,” Mr. Burrell said.
The entire park is being leveled and will receive new topsoil, sod, and an irrigation system within the next month. A small playground area bordering Sycamore Avenue will have its existing equipment cleaned and surrounded by concrete curbs and a wood-chip carpet. Concrete benches and a crushed-stone path around the far side of the field will round out the improvements.
Mr. Burrell said the overhaul will create a better, more usable field.
Residents, he said, should expect a “cleaner, friendlier, and more usable environment,” when the park opens next spring.
The project will cost $120,000, most of which will be paid for with Westfield municipal funds. A total of $25,000 will come from Union County’s Pocket Park program, a matching funds program established by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1998 designed to help municipalities renovate existing parks and acquire dwindling open space.
To date, the program has provided $3.2 million to county municipalities. In 1998, Westfield received $117,500 which it used to renovate the former Lincoln School playground as well as Tamaques, Gumbert and Brightwood Parks.
This year, in addition to the Sycamore Field project, the town will use Pocket Park money to make small improvements at Mindowaskin Park, renovate buildings at Tamaques Park and create a Paul Robeson Memorial Park at Waterson Street and Rahway Avenue.
Despite plenty of funding and the odd cooperation of Mother Nature, the Sycamore Field project has not been problem-free. According to Mr. Burrell, controversy over nearby water lines may stall the project for eight to 12 weeks.
Records show two water lines in the area, one directly beneath the park, the other across the street. The new irrigation system was supposed to tap the line under the park, but Mr.
Burrell said Elizabethtown Water Company recently indicated that the line may not work.
If that proves true, the irrigation system would have to use the line across the street, but only after the water company conducted its own wet tap.
According to Mr. Burrell, that could delay the project for up to two months.
Town Engineer Edward A. Gottko believes the controversy can be resolved quickly.
“There’s been a little bit of confusion,” he said, “but we’re working on it.”
Mr. Burrell believes a delay might actually benefit the park. Dry weather
has allowed construction to proceed with ease, but it would quickly ruin any new sod, he said. Because sod needs time to set, Mr. Burrell said the field will not be ready for use until spring regardless of the weather conditions.
Some residents wanted new playground equipment installed as part of the project, but Mr. Burrell said that funding and space limitations made that impossible. Under the current plan, existing equipment will be refurbished and cleaned.
Additional new equipment has not been ruled out. Mr. Burrell said that a capital budget submission to the Town Council could provide
Town Eyeing New Jitney Service for Commuters; Would Include Four Shuttles, Charge $1 Per Trip
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
By PAUL J. PEYTON
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
Municipal officials last week announced that the town is working on a plan with the County of Union to launch a jitney bus service in the downtown area starting this fall.
Under preliminary plans for the program, transportation would be provided for commuters and senior citizens alike to and from the train station from 35 designated locations on both the north and south sides of town, between 6 and 9 a.m. and 5 and 8 p.m.
The shuttles, which will be provided by Union County’s Para-transit program, will provide transportation at $1 per ride.
Officials have said the Paratransit program is already utilized during daily workday hours to transport seniors and the disabled around the county. Thus, the shuttle vehicles would not be available to Westfield during those hours.
The program, which Mayor Thomas C. Jardim said is expected to cost $63,000 annually, will involve four designated routes.
The proposed routes are as follows: Route 1, North and South Euclid Avenue and East Broad Street, South Chestnut and East Broad Streets, Gallows Hill Road and East Broad Street, Wychwood Road and Woodland Avenue, Mountain Avenue and North Chestnut Street, and the intersection of Mountain and Dudley Avenues.
Route 2, the intersections of Prospect Street with Dudley Avenue,
Stanmore Place, Brightwood Avenue and Oak Tree Pass; Barchester Way and Lawrence Avenue and the corners of Lawrence with Roanoke Road, Hillside Avenue and Dudley Avenue.
Routes 3, Central Avenue at South Avenue, Park Street, Grove Street, Clifton Street and Clover Street, and the intersection of Summit Avenue and Clover Street, Montauk Drive, Clifton Street, Grove Street and Park Street.
Route 4, West Broad Street at the intersections of Scotch Plains Avenue and Lamberts Mill Road; the corner of Lamberts Mill Road and Shackamaxon Drive, Willow Grove Road and Rahway Avenue, and the intersections of Rahway Avenue and Faulkner Drive, Montauk Drive, Clifton Street, Shackamaxon Drive and West Broad Street.
“We need 133 rides to break even at a buck a trip,” explained Mayor Jardim at the August 3 Town Council conference meeting, when the program was announced.
Riders would be able to purchase weekly, 10-trip or yearly passes. The cost would be $10 per week, $40 a month or $480 for the year. Once the program is in place, tickets will be available at the Town Clerk’s Office and at the South Avenue train station kiosk.
The Town Council introduced an ordinance for the ticket fees Tuesday night. The governing body is scheduled to adopt the ordinance at its Tuesday, September 14 meeting.
Town Administrator Edward A. Gottko explained that the council allocated $50,000 in the 1999 municipal budget for some sort of jitney
program. He said the Town Council would need to approve a line item of $13,000 in the 2000 municipal budget if it decided to continue the program.
He emphasized to the press and council members that, “This is not cast in stone. This is only the preliminary discussion.”
United Fund of Westfield Executive Director Linda Maggio said Westfield definitely needs some of transportation in town for both train commuters and for seniors.
The original proposal for a jitney came out of the council’s discussion on the waiting lists for commuter parking spaces in town. The longest list is at the South Avenue train station lot.
Currently, a total of 615 residents
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
Three-Year Term Proposal Pulled As Debate Ensues
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader
A MAJOR FACELIFT...Work continues to transform the old one-story Wyckoff’s restaurant building on North Avenue into a three-story building. Paine Webber, currently located on East Broad Street, will lease the top two floors. Retail space will be located on the bottom floor.
By PAUL J. PEYTON
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader
The issue of term lengths for the Mayor and Town Council will not appear as a ballot question before Westfield voters...at least not this November.
Following an hour-plus debate on the dais Tuesday night, a resolution calling for a non-binding referendum to change terms from two to three years was pulled by its sponsor, Democratic Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman.
Council members had until Friday, August 20 to file a resolution for a referendum with the office of the Union County Clerk. The council does not meet again until September.
Democrats have said they moved to the three-year proposal after Westfield Republican Committee Chairman Robert Cockren indicated that the four-year cycle, as originally proposed, would place elections in years favorable to Democrats in terms of national and state fundraising efforts.
In an attempt to gain bi-partisan support of his resolution, Mr. Goldman said he was willing to withdraw it and begin discussion on an ordinance that would petition the State Legislature to amend Westfield Mayoral and council terms to three years. Two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature would be needed to pass such an action.
A provision in that ordinance would require that the bill, once signed by the Governor, would have to go before Westfield voters, who would ultimately determine its fate.
Republican Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan, Jr. indicated that the Democrats’ main opposition to the present two-year terms was that the Town Council cannot accomplish much work during the fall campaign season.
“It’s up to the nine of us; it’s up to the people who support us; it’s up to the people who come to the Council Chambers, to keep the politics out (of Town Council business),” he said.
Before a vote could be taken on Mr. Goldman’s resolution, Councilman Sullivan made a motion to amend Mr. Goldman’s resolution by replacing it with an ordinance that was similar to the one proposed by Mr. Goldman.
Mr. Sullivan’s proposal calls for two questions to go before voters once the Legislature and Governor have acted on the request.
The first question would be on the three-year term proposal, with the second inquiry asking voters to de
cide whether Westfield should change to a “non-partisan” setup with elections to be held in May.
While party labels would not be used by candidates in this format, the lengths of terms would remain at two years. Mr. Sullivan noted, however, that election campaigns, currently nearly seven months long, would be cut to 60 days.
Mr. Goldman’s resolution and proposed ordinance would set up a cycle whereby the first year would see the election of a mayor and four of the eight council members, with the remaining four council members to be elected in the second year. There would be no election in the third year of the cycle.
Mr. Sullivan’s proposed three-year referendum question would have the Mayor elected for a three-year term in 2000. To stagger council terms, those elected to office in 2000 would serve for two years, with three-year terms to begin in 2001.
“Absolutely, this (a Town Charter change) must be voted on by the people for this to take place,” Mr. Sullivan said.
Democrats said they believed Mr. Sullivan’s proposal was made to kill any chance of a referendum vote this year. Democratic Mayor Thomas C. Jardim saw the proposal as a “chess game” that had turned the process for a referendum on three-year terms into a procedural “quagmire.”
Both Mr. Goldman and Mayor Jardim said they were not prepared to vote on Mr. Sullivan’s proposal. Mr. Sullivan said he was “disappointed” that his “serious proposal” for nonpartisan elections had failed to gain a discussion at the council level.
The Mayor said he can no longer be accused of “sandbagging” his fellow council members by introducing items without prior council discus
Page 10 Thursday, August 12, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION
CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
WESTFIELD FIRE BLOTTER MONDAY, AUGUST 2
· One hundred block of Central Avenue – mulch fire.
· One hundred block of Elm Street – mulch fire.
· Five hundred block of Summit Avenue – wire down.
· Four hundred block of North Avenue West – unintentional alarm.
· Eight hundred block of Dorian Road – carbon monoxide detector activation.
· Six hundred block of Willow Grove Road – false call.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3
· Two hundred block of Clark Street – unintentional alarm.
· Nine hundred block of Bailey Court – system malfunction.
· Six hundred block of Hort Street – wire down.
· One hundred block of Elm Street – mulch fire.
· One hundred block of East Broad Street – system malfunction.
· Three hundred block of South Avenue East – structure fire.
· One hundred block of Lamberts Mill Road – mulch fire.
· Two hundred block of East Broad Street – mulch fire.
· Four hundred block of East Broad Street – good intent call.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4
· Ten hundred block of Coolidge Street – wire down.
· One hundred block of Prospect Street – refrigerant leak.
· Six hundred block of Willow Grove Road – gas leak.
· One hundred block of North Scotch Plains Avenue – carbon monoxide detector activation.
· One hundred block of East Broad Street – system malfunction.
· Four hundred block of West South Avenue – wire down.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5
· Seven hundred block of Dorian Road – system malfunction.
· Two hundred block of Avon Road – electrical short.
· Seven hundred block of Chestnut Street, Roselle – mutual aid.
· Twelve hundred block of Boulevard – system malfunction.
· Eight hundred block of Carleton Road – good intent call.
· Seven hundred block of Prospect Street – unintentional alarm.
· Three hundred block of Clark Street – unintentional alarm.
· Thirteen hundred block of Central Avenue – lock out.
· Two hundred block of Kimbal Avenue – mulch fire.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6
· Nine hundred block of Lawrence Avenue – gas leak.
· One hundred block of Central Avenue – mulch fire.
· Eight hundred block of New England Drive – unintentional alarm.
· Three hundred block of Clark Street – service call.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
· One hundred block of West Front Street, Plainfield – mutual aid.
· Seven hundred block of Crescent Parkway – smoke odor investigation.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
· Ten hundred block of Central Avenue – lock out.
· Six hundred block of South Avenue West – system malfunction.
· Two hundred block of South Avenue East – wire down/arcing.
· One hundred block of Vernon Terrace – wire arcing.
· Two hundred block of St. Paul Street – system malfunction.
· Fifteen hundred block of Rahway Avenue – unintentional alarm.
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WESTFIELD VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD BLOTTER
Statistics for July 1999 Top 10 Response Categories 1. Other/Misc. (38) 6. Respiratory (13) 2. Cardiac Pain (21) 7. Head/Neck Injury (10) 3. General Illness (21) 8. Substance Abuse (6) 4. Motor Vehicle Accident (15) 9. Heat Related (9) 5. Falls (15) 10. Diabetic Reaction (5) In-Town Emergency Calls: 132
Out-of Town Mutual Aid Calls: 13 Non Emergency Calls: 5 Total Calls: 114 Total Hours Out: 169:00 Total Volunteer Hours: 1,993
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Administration (NOAA). “This drought did not happen overnight, and it will take a long time to be alleviated,” Mr. Baker remarked.
Looking at the large, ripe and abundant produce at Saturday’s Farmer’s Market in Scotch Plains, there is little evidence that New Jersey farmers are in serious trouble.
However, according to farm owner John Ort of Ort Farms in Long Valley, a wholesaler at the Farmer’s Market, “many farms that rely on ponds, wells or small rivers for irrigation are only a few weeks away from total disaster when those ponds and wells run dry.”
The season will end early and produce much less quantities than normal, Mr. Ort explained.
“That is financially devastating for some small farms,” he added.
The Ort Farm draws its irrigation from the Raritan River, which is at sufficient capacity to sustain the farm’s demands, according to Mr. Ort.
Farm owner George Asprocolas of Asprocolas Acres in Robbinsville, also a seller at the Farmer’s Market, explained that the current produce being harvested is relatively healthy, but next season’s crops being planted now, such as fall pumpkins, gourds and squash will be severely affected
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
of 10 minutes per sprinkler zone and the company must display a sign which reads, “Authorized Limited Testing of Sprinkler System,” large enough to be visible from the road.
The watering of plants, trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens is prohibited by any means other than by bucket, can or hand-held hose equipped with a nozzle which will be shut off automatically when dropped.
The watering of agricultural food crops is exempted at this time. Watering of commercial sod at sod farms and nursery stock at nurseries or retail outlets may also be watered with sprinklers or by other means with certain time restrictions.
The washing of any vehicles, except ambulances and fire engines, is prohibited, except by businesses engaged exclusively in car washing. Certain restrictions apply to commercial car washes, such as using recycled water and shortening rinse cycles.
The use of water for sweeping or washing streets, driveways, sidewalks or paved areas is prohibited, except in the instance of a threat to public health determined by the municipal health department.
The serving of water in restaurants and clubs is prohibited unless specifically requested by the patron.
The use of water for flushing sewers by municipalities or private persons is prohibited, except in the instance of a threat to public health or safety.
The use of fire hydrants by fire companies for testing or for fire department drills is prohibited, except as deemed necessary in the interest of public safety.
The use of fire hydrants by municipal road departments, contractors and all others is prohibited, except as necessary for fire fighting or fire protection purposes.
The use of water for outdoorrecreational purposes is prohibited subject to the following exceptions: Golf course greens, tees and clay tennis courts may be watered with certain time limitations.
Partially-filled pools may not be drained for maintenance.
The outdoor use of any water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools is prohibited.
There has been considerable confusion and conflicting information disseminated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding specific restrictions that apply to the filling of residential pools.
Sharon Southard, a spokeswoman for the DEP told The Westfield Leader and The Times
that it is permissible to fill kiddie pools of any size and one time filling of larger pools with filters is permissible.
“Adequate water levels are required in order to enable pool filters to work properly insuring healthy water quality,” said Linda Friedman, another DEP spokeswoman. “For that rea
son, pool clubs and private pools can be topped-off, to maintain public health, but not drained and refilled.”
The DEP’s drought hotline number, (800)-4ITS-DRY, DEP spokeswoman Linda Ofori said that small kiddie pools of four-foot in diameter were allowed to be filled, but that larger pools of six feet by eight feet in diameter and more than two feet deep were not permitted to be filled.
Meanwhile, Westfield and Fanwood Police Departments all stated that kiddy pools of any size are not allowed. One police officer, who asked not to be identified, stated that technically, kiddy pools of any size are not allowed, but that they wouldn’t arrest anyone who was using one of those small fourfoot wide/six-inch deep pools. They might have to issue a warning if neighbors complained, however.
Local police departments report that they have been receiving a number of calls from residents asking for additional clarification of the restrictions.
The police are asking residents to call the DEP hotline number, (800) 448-7379, for specific answers to water restriction questions. The DEP, in turn, is referring residents to call their local police departments to clarify specific questions, which may differ from one municipality to another.
“Whichever statute is more restrictive, the DEP’s or the municipalities, that law will apply,” said Ms. Southard.
The police will look for violations on their routine patrols or answer complaints of violations, according to Scotch Plains Police Chief Thomas O’Brien.
“We’ve had numerous complaints from residents turning in their neighbors for watering their lawns,” reported Chief O’Brien. “These were either people who claimed not to know about the restrictions, or from automatic sprinkler systems belonging to people away on vacation.”
“We (the police) will wait until we are able to reach those homeowners, giving them an opportunity to comply, before issuing a summons,” he added.
Sergeant Howard Jarvis of the Fanwood Police Department, and Deputy Chief John Wheatley of the Westfield Police Department stated that they will also issue warnings first, giving residents an opportunity to comply, before issuing a summons.
None of the Police Departments contacted had received information regarding the amount of the fines that would be imposed, as of Monday.
The restrictions will remain in effect until the Governor’s Office issues another order declaring that the state of water emergency no longer exists in the affected areas.
Residents may also find more information at the DEP’s Drought internet site at: www.state.NJ.US/ dep/watersupply.
Firm Restrictions in Place To Compensate for Drought
by the drought, and next summer’s produce could also be harmed if the drought continues.
“No amount of irrigation can replace mother-nature,” Mr. Asprocolas stated.
“About 75 percent of the streams are at or about record lows in the Mid-Atlantic area. If we continue not to get very much rainfall it could conceivably become the largest drought of the century,” said Janice Ward, of the U.S. Geological Survey, according to Associated Press reports.
The last time the Mid-Atlantic region suffered a serious drought was in the late 1970s, while the worst U.S. drought in recent history parched 35 states in the Midwest, Northern Plains and Rocky Mountain States between 1984-1988.
The drought follows a recordbreaking July heat wave blamed for more than 265 deaths across the country. Meteorologists have blamed the drought on a jet stream that has remained north of the mid-Atlantic all summer. They have predicted that dry conditions will continue until late August.
Drought Considered Worst In New Jersey’s History
WESTFIELD POLICE BLOTTER WEDNESDAY, JULY 28
A woman reported that the right front tire on her 1990 Lincoln was slashed with a sharp object while parked in the 200 block of North Avenue, East.
A Mountain Avenue resident reported an incident of burglary and harassment involving a man who allegedly placed an object into the victim’s car through a rear window while the vehicle was parked in the driveway. Two similar incidents were reported involving the same parties on July 30 and again on August 2.
The suspect, James Paciunas, 47, of Roselle, has been charged with two counts of defiant trespass and was issued a summons, according to police. He remained incarcerated at press time in another county on an unrelated matter.
A Canterbury Road resident reported the theft of her son’s bicycle from in front of an East Broad Street eatery.
THURSDAY, JULY 29
Several items were reported stolen from a vehicle at the intersection of Central Avenue and Park Street. Taken were keys, a cellular telephone, and the registration and insurance card for the vehicle, which is owned by a Westfield landscaping company. The missing items were valued altogether at approximately $200.
· A plastic flower pot and decorative lawn ornament were reported smashed in the 200 block of West Dudley Avenue.
FRIDAY, JULY 30
A Shadowlawn Drive resident reported the theft of her pocketbook from her vehicle.
SATURDAY, JULY 31
A Short Hills resident told police that he believed his wallet was stolen while he was at an East Broad Street establishment the previous day.
A resident of Red Bank reported that he was sitting on the steps of a Genesee Trail home when he was assaulted by an individual known to him, authorities said. No one has been charged in connection with the incident.
MONDAY, AUGUST 2
A representative of an Elm Street supermarket reported that an employee left the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise. No charges have been filed yet in connection with the incident, police said.
A Highland Avenue resident reported the theft of his “Trek” brand bicycle from the northside Westfield Train Station.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3
A 1999 Lincoln owned by a Westfield limousine company sustained
scratches to the driver’s side door while parked on Springfield Avenue.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4
Kathy Ravaioli, 39, of Clark was arrested and charged with theft, forgery and fraudulently obtaining prescription drugs, according to police. Authorities said the suspect is employed by a South Avenue physician. She was released on a summons.
A section of Edison Intermediate School on Rahway Avenue was defaced with graffiti, according to police. There are currently no suspects in the case.
The front door of a North Avenue residence was damaged. A hammer was used to break the door window, while the door itself was broken by being slammed several times, police said.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5
A Long Branch resident reported that someone let the air out of all four tires on her vehicle and left deep scratches on the roof and trunk. The incident occurred on First Street.
A Summit resident reported that her wallet was stolen from her place of employment on Cardinal Drive. Someone used the victim’s credit cards to charge approximately $2,000 in purchases.
A Fairmont Avenue resident reported the theft of her cellular telephone from her motor vehicle.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6
An Elizabeth resident reported that he was assaulted by another passenger on a NJ Transit bus, which he exited at Brightwood Avenue and Prospect Street. There are no suspects in the case.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
Harlan Rothman, 23, of Westfield was charged on Dudley Avenue with driving while intoxicated, according to police. Rothman was released on his own recognizance.
MONDAY, AUGUST 9
Robert Lamendola, 44, of Plainfield was charged with defiant trespass after he was allegedly discovered on the premises of the Westfield Senior Citizens Housing Complex on Boynton Avenue. Police said Lamendola had been told earlier not to come to the facility. He was issued a summons.
A Bloomfield resident reported that her motor vehicle was burglarized and her handbag, which contained her checkbook, was taken. The incident took place while the vehicle was parked behind a South Avenue pharmacy.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
the necessary funds. “It’s fairly realistic to assume that there will be some additional playground equipment installed there in the not too distant future,” he said.
However, even without the new equipment, Mr. Burrell believes the refurbished field will attract new visitors to the park.
Rebecca Wampler, a Realtor with Burgdorff Realtors in Westfield, said parks generally improve property
Dry Conditions at Sycamore Make Construction Easier
values by creating an aura of openness and serenity.
“In the case of Sycamore Field, it’s not something that’s going to drastically change the value, but anything that improves and beautifies the neighborhood helps,” she said.
A new park and slightly higher property values for a few Westfield residents may be two good things to come out of an unusually hot summer.
www.goleader.com!
are waiting for permits at the 469space lot. That list was updated this summer when the town sent out a mailing to 1,200 persons whose names were on a waiting list maintained by the Town Clerk’s office. South Avenue lot permit holders currently pay $30 a month and $360 a year to park in the lot.
The South Avenue parking lot waiting list was reduced after several hundred people either failed to contact the town to stay on the list
or the letters were returned marked as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service.
“It’s a balancing act,” said Acting Town Clerk Bernard A. Heeney, Jr.
He explained that the town has had a tradition of overselling the lot to ensure the lot is at full capacity. The town is also in the process of reviewing proposals from consultants interested in planning a 300to 400-space parking deck.
Jitney Service Could Include Four Shuttles, $1 Fee Per Trip Garden Club Names Winners
Of Patriotic Show Awards
WESTFIELD — The Garden Club of Westfield recently presented “America the Beautiful,” a Memorial Day Salute Standard Placement Patriotic Flower Show, at four area homes on May 6.
Members of the Garden Club of Westfield, as well as the general public, were allowed to submit entries.
The National Council Top Exhibitor Awards were presented to the top exhibits in the categories of Design, Horticulture, Educational and Youth.
In the Design division, Ruth Paul, a member of the Garden Club of Westfield and Chairwoman of the flower show, won the Designer’s Choice Award for her blue ribbon exhibit. She also took home the Tricolor Award.
The Holiday Excellence Award, given to the exhibit judged to be the finest in the entire Design Division, was presented to Eva Wiley, also a member of the Garden Club of Westfield.
The Award of Horticultural Excellence was given to Ruth Metz, another member of the Garden Club of Westfield, for her Moth Orchid. The Arboreal Award went to Nancy Julian from the Basking Ridge Garden Club, for her lilac double white.
Three Awards of Merit were also presented. Joanne Sullebarger, a member of the Garden Club of Westfield, won the Award of Merit for Tulipa “May Wonder.” Kay Cross, a member of the Rake & Hoe Garden Club, won Awards of Merit for both her Lenten Rose and her Hedera
Helix, varigated-ivy. Barbara Sandford, a member of the Garden Club of Westfield, won the Educational Award for her exhibit on scenic New Jersey. The Youth Award for Design for Juniors was presented to Brittany Lanam, a member of the Rake and Hoe Garden Club Youth. Brittany also won the Youth Award for Horticulture.
For intermediate designers, Bethany Carr won the Youth Award for Design, and Allison Grow won the Youth Award for Horticulture. Bethany and Allison are both members of the Rake and Hoe Garden Club Youth.
The Sweepstakes Award in Design, given to the exhibitor earning the most points in the Design Division, was awarded to Mrs. Paul. Craig Stock, of Craig Stock Landscape Design, won the Sweepstakes Award in Horticulture for garnering the most points in the Horticulture Division.
Elsie Seastream, a member of the Garden Club of Westfield, received the Novice Award for her design. Awards of Appreciation were given to four judges, as well as Mrs. Cross, Ms. Julian, Marilyn Litvack and Carol Iuso for their invitational door designs.
The Garden Club of Westfield is federated with the National Council of State Garden Clubs and the Garden Club of New Jersey District 5, Piedmont Plain. Proceeds from the club’s flower show will benefit civic projects and scholarships. sion, given the lateness of Mr.
Sullivan’s proposed ordinance. “This is about as late as you possibly can get with respect to amending this resolution,” Mayor Jardim said.
Councilman Sullivan noted that the three-year terms were only brought up as an agenda item at last week’s council meeting.
Mr. Goldman said he has “serious legal questions” on Mr. Sullivan’s proposal. He called the “11th hour” attempt to introduce an ordinance as a “total disruption and total disgrace” in proceeding ahead with a council vote.
Mr. Sullivan called the Democrats’ resolution a “knee jerk” reaction to Republican opposition on the fouryear proposal.
Mr. Goldman said the purpose of his recommendation for three-year terms was that more time was needed for new council members to learn how the Town Council and, more specifically, the municipal budget process works.
He said most municipalities in the state have three-year terms or longer. Mr. Goldman referred to his proposal as “good government” in that it would consider the interest of voters on the issue.
Third Ward Councilman John J. Walsh, a Democrat, said he was “surprised” by the opposition to a November referendum vote for threeyear terms.
“I don’t see this being a Democratic proposal. I don’t see this as a reason to extend our (Democrats’) terms,” he stated.
Mayor Jardim said elected government in Westfield is not a “broken body.” He viewed the three-year term idea as a way “to improve how we function as a governing body.”
He described the council as “essentially a Board of Trustees elected to run this town” by “making policy in a reasonable fashion.”
“Two-year terms, I think, more often than not, interferes with a more reasoned approach to governing,” he said.
Mayor Jardim said he does not believe a Special Town Charter Study Commission, as proposed last week by Mr. Sullivan, was necessary. Westfield’s current Town Charter was created through an act of the state Legislature in 1967 and the subsequent approval of voters.
Republican First Ward Councilman Gregory S. McDermott said he considers serving on the governing body to be a “civil duty” which is enhanced by the two-year system. He said these terms force council members to conduct door-to-door campaigns every other year in their respective wards to meet the voters. These walks, he said, help elected officials “find out what is very important to the people.”
First Ward Councilman Carl A. Salisbury, a Democrat and the newest member of the council, said, “I don’t understand how something like this could become a partisan issue because it’s not an issue.”
He said under the two-year term format, the town “risks” losing council members just as they are coming to grasp the town budget and municipal government operations.
Mayor Jardim said he believes the main opposition by the Republicans to the three-year term format was on the time frame of the resolution. He said the GOP seems to believe that the Democrats want to have a referendum this November to increase voter turnout. He said that was not the case.
Democrats need to pick up one seat this year to gain the majority for the first time in the town’s history. Republicans currently hold a 5-4 edge.
In terms of the timing of the proposed referendum, Councilman Goldman said the Republicans’ criticism that the proposal might be political was “the open irony” of the opposition. He said his proposal was made to allow council members more time to function “outside the campaign season.”
Councilmen Goldman and Sullivan agreed to pull their proposals after Mr. Goldman said both proposals would be discussed at a future Laws and Rules Committee meeting, where the issue will be further debated by council members.
Both councilmen’s proposals were withdrawn.
In other business, Town Administrator Edward A. Gottko announced his retirement effective Friday, December 31. Mr. Gottko, the town’s second administrator, replaced John F. Malloy, Jr. in 1993 upon Mr. Malloy’s retirement. Mr. Gottko was previously the Town Engineer.
Three-Year Term Proposal Pulled as Debate Ensues