The Westfield Leader Newspaper

OUR 109th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 4899 FIFTY CENTS 2324407

The Westfield Leader — Serving the Town Since 1890 —

Thursday, December 2, 1999 USPS 680020 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N. J.

Published Every Thursday

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Happy Hanukkah

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Proposed K8 Language Arts, Grants Director Positions Broached By Board of Education By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The retirement of Elizabeth Willett, Coordinator of Elementary Education and Assessment, at the end of the year has served as a catalyst for the creation of two new positions, Kindergarden to Grade 8 (K8) Language Arts Supervisor and Director of State and Federal Programs, by the Westfield Board of Education.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. William J. Foley, commenced Tuesday's regular meeting pointing to a large pile of reports compiled annually by Ms. Willett and sent to the State Department of Education. The reports include several components, such as the school district's objectives, state test results and Quality Assurance Annual Report.

Dr. Foley outlined the reasons for creating the two new positions, noting the need for supervision, examining the testing and evaluation process, exploration of other sources for funding such as state and federal grants and the need for the district to file reports and meet state requirements.

The proposed position of Director of State/ Federal Programs, Grants & Testing was briefly discussed by the board, but not in length. This individual would be responsible for seeking out additional funding and grant opportunities for the school district, and compiling reports and documents.

According to Dr. Foley, this position would also entail defining curriculum needs. A K8 Language Arts Supervisor would be more beneficial than a K12 Language Arts Supervisor, according to Dr. Foley, because the supervisor would be able to concentrate solely on the needs of articulating between the elementary and intermediate schools, instead of finding him or herself engrossed in supervision only at Westfield High School.

The Superintendent asked board members to give their opinions on

the drafted and tentative job descriptions, stating, "I'm the guy that's responsible and I'd like a little attitude in how this is structured."

Board Member Thomas Taylor told Dr. Foley that he puts the fate of these decisions in his hands, quipping, "Basically, I leave it up to you. Just don't screw up."

Despite urging by Board President Darielle Walsh and Dr. Foley to reach an accord regarding the new positions, Board Member Annmarie Puleio remained concerned about the job descriptions. She said that the new hires' involvement in the district's new Teacher Institute is unclear.

"The references are obtuse," maintained Ms. Puleio. She also felt strongly that the job description of the K8 Language Arts Supervisor must include elementary education experience. Currently, the requirements for the position do not entail this.

Dr. Foley advised Board Vice President Arlene Gardner, who also pressed for alternatives to the proposed job descriptions, that the retirement of Ms. Willett now allows the board to better articulate the position, making it K8, instead of splitting the position into a K5, 612 grade structure or pursuing a K12 structure.

When Board Member William Wallace asked Dr. Foley how similar school districts are creating such a position, the superintendent responded that several districts such as East Brunswick have maintained a K12 position.

However, Dr. Foley added that such districts may have their own traditions and staff that can make a K12 structure work versus a K8.

Board Members Carol Molnar and Eileen Satkin concurred with Ms. Puleio regarding the need for elementary education experience for the K8 Language Arts Supervisor position. Ms. Satkin added that she

would be "uneasy without elementary expertise." "In the old days, none of this would have been necessary," encouraged Dr. Foley, pointing to what he calls "high stakes testing" and new Core Curriculum Standards that have now been mandated by the state. "We need to adapt our management structure to whatever is happening in the environment."

"We need the subject area expertise," he maintained. Dr. Foley added that he envisions such a K8 supervisory position for other areas such as science. A K8 Math Supervisor position has already been created by the school district.

Assistant Superintendent Janie P. Edmonds added, "The K8 model is appropriate to get the work done that we need now."

When a group of students from Roosevelt Intermediate School who were present to observe a Board of Education seemed confused by the dia

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Revamp of TV36 Moves Closer to Reality; Council OKs Purchase of Entrance Signs

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

In what is seen as the first step in the development of a communitywide cable television station in Westfield, the Town Council has introduced an ordinance to form a television advisory board.

The 11member board, which will consist of nine atlarge members along with representatives from the Town Council and the Board of Education, resulted from an ad hoc committee that was created by Mayor Thomas C. Jardim earlier this year.

Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan, who served as council liaison

to the ad hoc committee, referred to the establishment of the TV advisory board as the "first step towards ultimately having a very robust community television within our community."

Mr. Sullivan said the town will be making a "quantum leap" in the way it communicates with its residents through the restructure of the TV36 operation, the town's local cable television access channel.

Noting that the station, currently known as TV36, reaches 80 percent of Westfield households, Mr. Sullivan said the council will be "called to the plate next spring to put some money behind this (ordinance)."

He noted that this funding will be accomplished by designating all franchise fees received by the town from

Comcast, the town's cable television provider, into the station's operations.

The ordinance was introduced at the town council's meeting on November 23.

Under the ordinance, the station will be designated as Westfield Community Television or WCTV. The advisory board also will recommend to the council the name of a candidate to serve as Director of Operations, a paid position to be created by the council.

Mayor Jardim said a public hearing and council adoption vote on the ordinance is scheduled for Tuesday, December 7.

He asked council members to give him the names of individuals who might like to serve on the board. He also invited residents to contact the

town of their interests of serving on the board.

The initial board will consist of three members appointed to oneyear terms, three members who will be appointed for a period of two years, and three members who will serve for terms of three years each.

The council and school board representatives will be appointed annually. Darielle Walsh, Board of Education President, has said she will appoint herself as the board's representative on the advisory panel.

Once formed, the new board will appoint a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The board will have the authority to form standing committees, the members of which will be appointed by the board's chairman.

According to the ordinance, the

Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader SANTA'S HERE... Santa Claus gets the crowd going during Westfield's official Christmas tree lighting last Sunday. Playing the role of Santa's helper was Mayor Thomas C. Jardim, shown holding his daughter, Cecile.

Cheri Rogowsky for The Westfield Leader HOLIDAY MUSIC IS THE THEME... The Westfield Community Band performs during Sunday's ceremony which attracted large crowds to northside train station.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader SENIOR POWER!... Westfield High School seniors travel down East Broad Street during the high school Home Coming Parade on November 24. The seniors later defeated the juniors in the annual Power Puff football game. Please see sports section for story.

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North Side Residents Consider Options to Modify Anticipated Impact of Garwood ShopRite Store

By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

A group of residents on the north side of Westfield have begun meeting to discuss ways to deal with the proposed ShopRite grocery store planned for North Avenue in Garwood.

The residents met on November 22 with Town Councilman Matthew P.

Albano, who represents the Second Ward. Mr. Albano's ward is located closest to the proposed store complex.

The councilman, who organized and planned the meeting, said that about 100 residents filled the Mu nicipal Building's Community Room

and that talk centered mainly on ways to deal with the traffic that could be created by construction of the new store.

Town Attorney William Jeremiah, 2nd, and Anthony J. Scutti, Westfield Police Chief, were among those in

attendance at the meeting. Councilman Albano said that as a result of the meeting, "at the very least," he is requesting that the Town Council pay for a traffic study of the "grid" area bound by Gallows Hill Road and Saint Paul Street and North

Building Department Okays Return Of Franklin Pupils to Home School

By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

Franklin Elementary School first graders, who have been temporarily housed at various schools throughout Westfield since September, are expected to return to their home school on Monday, December 6.

Robert A. Berman, Westfield Public Schools Business Administrator and Board Secretary, said students should return on Monday, but pointed out that a lot of work has to occur over the weekend for that to happen. If something goes awry, the move may have to be slightly delayed, he said.

Parents of the firstgrade students were to be notified in writing today

about the move, he said. Teachers, meanwhile, will be expected to completely pack up their temporary classrooms at the end of the week. All of their materials must be moved back to Franklin over the weekend.

Mr. Berman said plans for relocating the children back to Franklin have been ready for some time, but that he now has only three days to implement them.

Final approval from the Westfield Building Department occurred Tuesday afternoon for the students to be moved back to Franklin.

Approximately 91 students from five first grades normally housed in the socalled "new wing" of Franklin School have been bused since the beginning of the school year to Edison Intermediate School and Wilson, Washington and Tamaques Elementary Schools while a second story has been added to the onestory wing at Franklin.

The students originally were ex pected to be housed in the schools

just through September, but the large project has moved more slowly than anticipated, preventing their return. Two first grades were bused to Edison, while one first grade each was housed at Wilson, Washington and Tamaques Schools.

Mr. Berman said he has been working with town building and fire inspectors and the construction company to return the students as soon as possible.

Westfield Fire Chief Paul A. Battiloro, Jr. said his main concern has been safety and that he has worked with the contractors and schools to iron out some unspecified problems. He said he is allowing children to return, but has notified the schools that people may need to be posted to assist children in the halls in case of an emergency.

Mr. Berman said that he was aware of Chief Battiloro's suggestion about hall monitors, but that he understood

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Council Agrees to Lower Speed to 25 mph on Broad St.; Consultant to Conduct Study of Further Safety Measures

By PAUL J. PEYTON

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader

The Westfield Town Council agreed Tuesday to move forward on an ordinance to change the speed limit on East Broad Street from Gallows Hill Road to Euclid Avenue to 25 mph. The governing body also agreed to have a traffic calming study conducted along the thoroughfare.

The council is expected to introduce the ordinance this Tuesday, December 7, to change the Broad Street speed limit. The restriction is currently 35 mph from Springfield Avenue to Euclid Avenue, at which point the speed limit drops to 25 mph.

Once passed, the ordinance will be sent for approval to the state and

county. After a lengthy discussion, council Democrats, who had been pushing for immediate action on the speed limit change before the end of the year, agreed to have The RBA Group, based in Morristown, conduct a traf fic calming study on East Broad.

Republicans had wanted to wait until a study was conducted on Board Street traffic speeds. They also had pressed for traffic calming measures to be taken.

RBA has already been retained by the town to conduct similar studies

on several major thoroughfares in Westfield, including Rahway Avenue.

RBA will charge the town $16,000 to complete the latest study, which will include the area from Euclid Avenue to Gallows Hill Road.

According to RBA's proposal, submitted by Jack E. Molenaar, a princi pal planner with the firm, the first

step will be the creation of a task force to work with RBA. Mr. Molenaar has recommended that a representative of the county engineering department, and perhaps a member of the freeholder board, serve

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INDEX

A& E............... Page 19 Classifieds ..... Page 18 County .......... Page 2

Editorial ........ Page 4 Mountainside Page 3 Obituary ........ Page 10

Religious ....... Page 11 Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 13

Page 10 Thursday, December 2, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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WESTFIELD POLICE BLOTTER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 logue, Mr. Taylor explained to them the

importance of "articulation" in the K8 position, which would help subject matter in grades K8 flow together in a better fashion.

"Sometimes, we're speaking our own language up here," he told them.

Dr. Foley called for an informal vote on the proposed job descriptions in order to gain a feeling as to whether or not they were "heading in the right direction."

"I'm telling you what I think could work here and you have to vote," he said.

The proposed job descriptions received approval from newest board members Anne Riegel and Mr. Wallace, as well as Ms. Gardner and Ms. Walsh.

However, Ms. Satkin urged that she was "not convinced that this really is

the right move" for the district. Ms. Molnar noted that she would still like to compare the position to that of other districts.

Ms. Walsh pressed that looking at other districts would only help Ms. Molnar "build her case either way."

Mr. Taylor maintained that although he trusts the decision of Dr. Foley, he would "like more answers." Ms. Puleio said she would support the descriptions, but would not approve the job description for the K8 Language Arts Supervisor without elementary education experience.

The board will revisit the job descriptions and hold a formal first reading at a later date after further discussion of molding the positions.

School Board Examines Two Possible Supervisor Positions

WESTFIELD FIRE BLOTTER MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22

· Two hundred block of Clark Street – dryer fire.

· Three hundred block of Linden Avenue – electrical short.

· Four hundred block of North Avenue West – rescue call.

· One hundred block of Kimball Circle – unintentional alarm.

· Two hundred block of Clark Street – unintentional alarm.

· One hundred block of Greene Place – unintentional alarm.

· Tuttle Parkway – service call.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

· Four hundred block of Springfield Avenue – hazardous condition.

· Five hundred block of Dorian Road – car fire.

· Seven hundred block of Saunders Avenue – lock out.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

· Fifteen hundred block of Boulevard – automobile accident.

· Nine hundred block of Tice Place – oven fire.

· Eight hundred block of Rahway Avenue – standby at Bon Fire.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25

· Thirteen hundred block of Prospect Street – unintentional alarm.

· Eight hundred block of Forest Avenue – animal rescue.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26

· Four hundred block of Beechwood Place – system malfunction.

· One hundred block of Nomahegan Drive – automobile accident.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

· Six hundred block of Norwood Drive – furnace malfunction.

· One hundred block of Prospect Street – electrical short.

· One hundred block of Clifton Street – system malfunction.

· Twelve hundred block of Boulevard – smoke condition.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28

· Five hundred block of Fairmont Avenue – lock out.

· Seven hundred block of Standish Avenue – leaf fire.

· Two hundred block of Elizabeth Avenue – good intent call.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

board's purpose will be to recommend to the council policies that will insure the station "is used in the best possible manner to serve the needs of the community with programs which would cover community events, cultural and athletic events, and other programs which would be of interest to the community."

The board would also create and establish a system to place emergency announcements on the station. The board will plan promotional activities for the WCTV as well as apply and receive grants and donations to support the station.

The board would be responsible for producing local programming on a regular basis, to review program proposals and tapes submitted for broadcast and decide whether or not they should be aired.

The board would set quality control guidelines for programming.

Third Ward Councilman John J. Walsh said approval of the ordinance will "open a number of possibilities for the town" of an otherwise "underutilized" local cable TV access channel.

He said the establishment of the TV advisory board will help in the creation of programming that enhance "a robust of public faith" while increasing the broadcast of local entertainment programs offered in the town.

First Ward Councilman Gregory S. McDermott, noting that volunteers will be sought for all aspects of the newly revised station, urged the board to seek out Westfield High School students to volunteer their time. Currently, TV36 is located at the high school and uses students in all aspects of production as part of their academic studies.

In other business, the council unanimously approved a resolution to purchase 10 "Town of Westfield" entrance signs at a total purchase price of $20,737.

Seven signs will be located at strategic borders with surrounding communities. An additional three signs will be

Revamp of TV36 Moves Closer to Becoming Reality

placed in storage. The signs will be purchased from Hastings Designs of Pittstown.

Michael La Place, Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation, said the signs will be placed at the following locations: Mountain Avenue at the Mountainside border; one sign each at the Scotch Plains and Garwood borders on both North and South Avenues, for a total of four signs; Central Avenue at the Clark border, and Springfield Avenue near the Echo Lake Country Club at the Springfield border.

Mayor Jardim said the new signs will "demonstrate who we are and what we are all about well into the next century."

The council also reappointed Town Engineer Kenneth B. Marsh for a threeyear term. Mr. Marsh, who also serves as Director of Public Works, has been employed by the town for six years.

During the public comments segment of the meeting, North Chestnut Street resident Anthony M. LaPorta asked the council for its support of legislation pending in the state Senate which would enable towns to restrict the hours of operation of disposal companies collecting garbage in their communities.

Assembly Bill No. 1853 is sponsored Assemblyman Richard H. Bagger, who served as town mayor in 1991, and has passed the Assembly by a vote of 740, according to Mr. Laporta. Mr. LaPorta chaired the council's Solid Waste Committee when he was on council in 1993 and 1994.

The Assembly bill has been assigned to the state Senate's Community Affairs Committee.

The legislation follows an ordinance enacted by the council a number of years ago that was aimed at restricting hours of operation of haulers who were picking up trash in Westfield during the early morning hours.

The town, however, lost a legal challenge brought by several of the haulers. Mr. Laporta noted that the court ruled the state and not municipalities have jurisdiction in this issue.

While noting most haulers who operate in Westfield are now collecting at later hours, Mr. Laporta said passage of the legislation by the Assembly "is a positive move and I hope you (the council) can all support it."

Mayor Jardim responded that he believes the legislation is "worth supporting."

Third Ward Councilman John J. Walsh, who ran on the Democratic ticket headed by Mr. Laporta, the mayoral candidate, in 1994, said residents were "constantly complaining" to him about early morning pickups during his council campaigns.

On another matter, John Cannizzaro of Fourth Avenue commented on a recent meeting, hosted by Second Ward Councilman Matthew P. Albano. The meeting was held in the aftermath of the recent court victory by Village Super Markets to build a ShopRite Supermarket on the Westfield border in Garwood.

Mr. Cannizzaro asked the council to consider a legal challenge of the recent Superior Court decision that found the Garwood Planning Board's 1995 approval of the ShopRite store was correct.

Mr. Cannizzaro also asked the council to give their support to Assembly Bill No. 301 which addresses proposed developments that may impact surrounding communities.

The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Bagger in January 1998, would establish cross acceptance of master plans by bordering communities. The bill also would setup a review of major applications in bordering towns which may be impacted by them in terms of increased traffic and other environmental concerns.

The legislation is currently sitting in the Assembly Government and Housing Committee.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Building Department OK's Return of Pupils to Franklin

North Side Residents Discuss Garwood ShopRite Impact

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader PROGRESS REPORT… Construction crews continue work on the second story being built at Franklin Elementary School in Westfield, as the five firstfloor first grades that have been temporarily housed at four other town schools prepare to move back. The first graders are to be returned Monday, December 6, pending notification of parents and the moving of the five classrooms back into the first floor of Franklin. Construction will continue on the second story once the children return.

Avenue and East Broad Street, which Mr. Albano believes will be most affected by increased traffic due to the proposed store.

The councilman added that he will "seriously request that they (Town Council) move quickly to conduct a study. This is something that we want to stay in front of."

A subcommittee of interested residents who attended the meeting is also being formed to develop plans and set goals, he said. That subcommittee has not yet met.

Mr. Albano first contacted his constituents in a letter during his recent reelection campaign, in which he revealed that a Union County Superior Court decision was handed down in October in favor of construction of the ShopRite on North Avenue in Garwood.

Construction of the proposed ShopRite had been in litigation for years when two residents claimed that Garwood Planning Board officials had not correctly followed procedures and that their decision allowing the construction of the store was invalid.

The two Westfield attorneys representing the residents have until midDecember to file an appeal of the Superior Court decision in state Appellate Court. One attorney, William Butler, said his client still has not made a decision about whether to file an appeal, while the other, Brian Fahey, did not return telephone calls.

Mr. Albano said that he wrote in the letter to his constituents that, essentially,

he "felt strongly that while we can't stop ShopRite, we can take action to improve" the quality of life and preserve property value in the area around the store.

He admitted, however, that there were several residents at the meeting who did question whether there was anything legal that the town could do to halt the construction of the store. Mr. Jeremiah told the group that there was nothing that could be done by the town, Mr. Albano said.

David Owens, a Saint Mark's Avenue resident who attended the meeting, told Mr. Albano he believed there may be some legal recourse and that he was planning to investigate the matter.

Contacted at home by The Westfield Leader, Mr. Owens said, "Ideally, we would like to not have it (the store) at all." But, he acknowledged, the group was at the very early stages of development and it was unclear what exactly its goals would be.

Mr. Owens, however, said he is planning to contact Al Norman, a Massachusetts resident who operates the organization SprawlBusters and has been successful in fighting the construction of such large stores as WalMart and Home Depot in various municipalities throughout the country.

A Web site, www. sprawlbusters. com, contains information about the organization. Mr. Owens has referred the residents to it for information.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22

· An Alden Avenue resident reported that her vehicle was burglarized while parked on Elm Street and that a Notebook model computer and software for the unit were removed.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23

· An incident of theft by deception was reported, in which approximately $11,683 was stolen as a result of credit card fraud, police confirmed.

· A shoplifting incident occurred at a North Avenue department store, in which an individual took three leather handbags from the store. The suspect was described as 6 feet tall, darkskinned, in his late 20s to early 30s, with a possible mustache. He was wearing a baseball cap and a black shirt at the time the incident occurred. Police said the suspect fled the store parking lot in a 1981, beige, fourdoor Chevrolet.

· A camcorder was reported stolen from the Choir Room of St. Paul's Episcopal Church on East Broad Street.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

· An Elm Street resident reported that someone smashed the side door of his

home in an apparent burglary attempt. The individual is believed to have been frightened by the victim's dog, however, and fled the scene.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26

· Separate burglary attempts were reported at two restaurants on South Avenue, West, according to police. In the first incident, a wall in the restaurant was damaged after someone apparently attempted to break through the sheet rock on the building. The second case involved a door window being broken on a delicatessen.

· A Willow Grove resident claimed he was assaulted by three men on Cacciola Place, who also broke a window on his vehicle as he fled the scene. The suspects were described as black males about 20 years old.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

· Pastor Sanchez, 44, of West New York was charged with driving while intoxicated on South Avenue near Livingston Street. He was released on his own recognizance.

they would be necessary only if fire alarms were malfunctioning. He said several recent checks of the alarms indicate they are in working order.

Meanwhile, Anthony Scelsa, Westfield Construction Official, met with Mr. Berman Tuesday afternoon and looked at the site to make sure it was safe for the return of the students. Mr. Berman said Mr. Scelsa looked for such things as clear exits and the removal of construction equipment and building supplies from areas where children traverse.

Mr. Berman admitted that there were some parents who were anxious to have the school district move their children back into Franklin. He added that they had expressed concern about the students being bused and spending day after day away from their home school.

But he said that there also was "sentiment to do it right, to get the job done right."

Mr. Berman said the original plan to move the students back to Franklin in October proved to be too optimistic. He explained that the roof was not constructed as quickly as possible and during October there was some leakage in the building when it rained. The first order of business was to get a full roof on to maintain a water tight structure, he added.

The full roof has now been installed, but much interior and exterior work

remains. When students do return to Franklin, they will only move into the first floor. Work will continue on the second floor, which will not be completely ready for occupation until the fall of 2000.

Mr. Berman added, though, that because of the school district's push to get the students back into the classrooms, the project is now ahead and may be completed by June.

Mr. Berman added that, because of the eight inches of concrete between the first and second stories, the construction crew should be able to work without bothering the students on the lower level.

The new second floor will consist of nine classrooms. There will be five regularsized classrooms, two 1,000squarefoot classrooms and two small rooms for use by small groups, Mr. Berman explained.

The project totals more than $2 million. As the largest elementary school in Westfield, Franklin enrolls more than 450 students. The additional classrooms — funded with an $11.7 million public bond referendum approved in December of 1998 — are expected to help ease overcrowding and maintain reasonable class size.

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on the committee, given the fact that East Broad is a county thoroughfare.

The second step will be a proposal by RBA of traffic calming measures to improve safety on the roadway. In addition to changing the speed limit, traffic enforcement and educating the public on traffic safety issues, physical changes could be made to East Broad.

Among traffic calming devices that may be considered are curb extensions, textured crosswalks, illuminated crosswalks, raised crosswalks, speed humps, raised intersections and corridorwide landscaping.

Republican Third Ward Councilman Neil F. Sullivan emphasized that traffic studies conducted around the country have proven that reducing speed limits is not successful unless accompanied by some sort of traffic calming techniques.

The final step by RBA will be to hold a public meeting, at which time a preliminary report will be released by the firm. Public comments will be taken and incorporated into a final report.

Mr. Sullivan asked the council for their commitment on traffic calming and speed limit enforcement by the police to go along with the proposed new speed limit.

A recent study conducted by the police department found that the average speed on the roadway is 33.5 mph. The test was conducted from 12: 15 a. m. to 11: 45 p. m. on November 18 on East Broad at Temple EmanuEl. Over 67 percent of motorists were traveling at about 36 mph.

Fourth Ward Councilman Lawrence A. Goldman noted that while the new speed limit will not improve safety along the roadway by itself, it is the first step in that direction.

Two pedestrians were struck and killed by motorists during the first two months of this year on East Broad.

Mayor Thomas C. Jardim said the calming devices, once installed, should help reduce the number of motorists who ignore the new speed limit.

In other business, the findings of a study of the number of vehicles assigned to town personnel was released by Second Ward Councilman James J. Gruba, who chairs the Finance Committee.

He said a total of 75 vehicles are currently assigned to town employees. Twentyfive are assigned to Public Works employees, 29 to the police department, five to the fire department, two vehicles to the Board of Health and one to the Recreation Department director.

Among those with assigned vehicles are the town administrator; the police chief, deputy chief and two police captains; Public Works supervisors, the fire chief and two deputy chiefs; the construction official, town engineer, tax assessor and surveyor.

These vehicles are takehome vehicles, said Mr. Gottko, since these employees are on call 24 hours a day.

Mayor Jardim asked the committee to look further into the matter of assigned cars for nonuniform personnel and report back to the full council.

On another matter, Bill Fitzpatrick, representing the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, came before the council to request that the governing body waive the fees charged for bingo events and a raffle the parish holds as fundraisers for its interparochial school.

Nonprofit groups, such as the school, are charged $10 per bingo event, fees

which are set by the state. For the 100 bingo nights conducted annually by Holy Trinity, that amounts to an extra $1,000 in municipal fees that it must pay to the town and also to the state. For raffle fees, Holy Trinity must also pay $500 to the town and another $500 to the state.

Mr. Fitzpatrick said by waiving the municipal fees, Holy Trinity would generate another $1,500 in revenue for its school.

Third Ward Councilman John J. Walsh supported the request, noting that the private school saves the town money by educating children who would otherwise have to go through the local public school system.

Officials said they were concerned that waiving such a fee would set a bad precedent in town. Town Administrator Edward A. Gottko noted that Westfield generates $29,000 annually in revenues from various fees and licenses, most of which are for "games of chance."

Mr. Goldman said the council either needs to eliminate the municipal fees charged for bingo events or have a policy of not granting waivers on these charges.

First Ward Councilman Carl A. Salisbury said he was concerned about the loss of revenue and its impact on municipal budgets, including the need to raise taxes to support the annual spending plans if such waivers were granted.

Mayor Jardim suggested that the council might want to consider lowering the fee.

In other business, the council agreed with a recommendation from Mr. Gruba to raise parking meter violation fines from $10 to $13. A dollar of that increase is the result of a new state surcharge to raise funds for spinal cord research.

A survey conducted by the town determined that most communities in the area were raising fees to make up for the revenue lost due to the new state surcharge. The town will receive $8.50 for each ticket. The remainder goes to support the computer system utilized by all municipal courts in the state, as well as to fund the costs for bullet proof vests for the State Police and for emergency vehicles.

Overtime parking tickets currently generate about $11,000 in income for the town.

The council decided not to take action at this time on the appointment of the town's insurance risk manager, a hot political issue the past few years. Amalgamated Insurance Agencies (AGA), a firm coowned by former Republican Mayor Ronald Frigerio, was appointed over Democrats' objections last December.

AGA replaced Bollinger Fowler, a firm that represented the town for years.

Mr. Gottko prepared a request for proposals in an effort to generate proposals from firms that might be interested in Westfield's contract. Officials said the pact with AGA ends on Friday, December 31.

Thus, the council could be without a consultant to handle paperwork from insurance claims filed against the town for up to three weeks. The council's first public meeting of the year will be Tuesday, January 18. The administrator said the absence of the position, though, will not provide a risk to the town since it is fully insured.

The council's calendar, including the date for the reorganization meeting, has yet to be finalized by council members.

Recent Home Sales WESTFIELD

Messercola Brothers Building Co., Inc. to Raymond and Christine Dente, 935 Sedgewick Court, $603,900.

Michael and Christine Fossceca to Scott and Noreen P. Singer, 536 Forest Avenue, $380,000.

Patricia Ann Heller to Joseph H. Sydnor Ar, Fourth Trust and Louise R. Sydnor, 12 Cowperthwaite Place, $355,100.

Virginia J. Glenn, in trust as trustee of the Virginia J. Glenn Revocable Trust U/ A and Neil B. Glenn to Frank J. and Evelyn J. Schaefer, 17 Cowperthwaite Square, $280,000.

John Jefferson to Wesley Nowak and Jennifer S. Khan, 634 Downer Street,

$180,000. Jerry Simunovich to Mark P. Perretti, 624 Ripley Place, $196,500.

Lenore K. Hodes to Owain and Courtney C. Rees, 302 Landsdowne Avenue, $295,000.

Gordon S. Inamine and Rosemarie Kelly to Waldemar Garbowski and Anna DecGarbowski, 131 North Cottage Place, $200,000.

George V. and Theresa S. Lerose to Michael and Nancy K. Leahy, 240 East Dudley Avenue, $1,100,000.

Margaret M. Sheffield to Don Don Realty, L. L. C., 200 Ross Place, $350,000.

Affordable Homes of New Jersey, Inc. to Casey and Orlando D. Hurdle, 203 Livingston Street, $179,900.

Bruce P. and Linda H. Shutts to Stephen and Cheryl Hinel, 814 Cedar Terrace, $835,000.

Scott R. and Tara A. Heuschkel to Donald C. Cassett, Jr. and Donald C. and Ella Mae Cassett, Sr., 908 Everts Avenue, $190,000.

Emilie M. Kerner, trust, Barbara K. HartTrustee to Robert N. and Susan D'Arecca, 24 Cowperthwaite Square, $264,000.

Lee Edward and Lesley Gwenn Miller to Neil P. and Stacy K. Horne, 3rd, 239 Sylvania Place, $510,000.

Martha Brenkach to Lisabeta Zorrilla, 786 West Broad Street, $213,000.

Westfield Prime Properties, L. L. C. to David and Daria Mary MacDonald, 724 Clarence Street, $449,000.

Susan R. Carrigan to Mark and Irit Attias Malinsky, 111 Marion Avenue, $208,000.

Council Agrees to Lower Speed to 25 mph on Broad St.