The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

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Scotch Plains – Fanwood THE TIMES

OUR 40th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 09-99 Published Every Thursday USPS 485200

Periodical – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, N.J. Thursday, March 4, 1999

of of of of of

— Serving Scotch Plains and Fanwood Since 1959 —

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BOARD ALSO HEARS OPENING TESTIMONY FOR DAY CARE PROPOSAL

Huge Turnout Forces Delay of Hearing On Apartment Proposal for Dean Oil Site

By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Times

An overflow crowd which filled both the Council Chambers and the adjacent vestibule forced the Fanwood Planning Board to reschedule its February 24 public hearing on a controversial proposal for apartments at the former Dean Oil property.

Shortly after the board’s regular meeting began at 8 p.m., Chairman Gregory S. Cummings announced the hearing would have to be postponed after being advised by Fire Marshal Eugene Bellamy that the

massive turnout – approximately 80 people in the main room alone and perhaps 20 more outside — constituted a violation of the borough’s fire code. The permitted capacity of the Council Chambers is 50 people.

A special hearing on the application has been set for Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. at a local school, to provide ample seating and opportunity for public comment. The exact location of the hearing will be publicized in local newspapers and on Channel 35, Mr. Cummings said.

Applicants Vincent Bontempo and John D. Mollozzi, who have a con

tract option to purchase the property from its current owners, are seeking approval to construct a three-story, 36-unit residential apartment complex on the lot at LaGrande Avenue and Second Street, which is in a general commercial zone.

The applicants require a use variance because apartment units are presently not a permitted use in this zone, Mr. Cummings confirmed.

Additional bulk and use variances are required for the building because the proposed widths of two drive

ways, as well as the floor area ratio of the complex, exceeds local ordinance, while the planned parking stalls are narrower than permitted.

The site had long been used by Dean Oil as a storage and distribution facility for fuel and heating oil before the company closed its operations there in the 1980s. Tax records show the one-and-a-quarter-acre parcel is currently owned by Savers’ Shares of Morristown.

After the business there closed down, a cleanup of the property was

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Grand Jury Indicts Massage Therapist On Additional Counts

By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Times

Already charged with sexually assaulting one woman during a massage at his office last May, Richard A. Williams, 45, of Scotch Plains was recently indicted by a grand jury on three additional offenses against three other women over a period of four years.

Mr. Williams, a sports massage therapist, was indicted in June of 1998 on a second degree charge of sexual assault for allegedly touching a Plainfield woman in his Willow Avenue office.

The indictment followed a police investigation initiated by the victim’s report to the Union County Rape Crisis Center.

According to Scotch Plains Police Chief Thomas O’Brien, once that indictment appeared in the newspaper, three more women “came forward of their own volition” with similar complaints.

In late February, the grand jury returned a count of second degree sexual assault that alleges Mr. Williams “grabbed” a 28-year-old Cranford woman during a massage in March of 1997.

A count of fourth degree sexual contact was returned in connection with an incident in November of 1996, when a 26-year-old Scotch Plains woman was allegedly fondled during a massage session.

The final charge, also fourth degree sexual contact, is connected to a

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Fanwood’s Governing Body Delivers Flat $5.3 Million Budget for 1999 By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Times

Borough officials were scheduled to introduce Fanwood’s 1999 municipal budget during a special governing body meeting, having delivered a flat spending plan for the third time since 1995.

Council President and Administration and Finance Committee Chairman William E. Populus, Jr. confirmed on Monday that the $5,317,321 budget, slated for adoption next month, represents a 0 percent increase in municipal taxes from last year’s adopted budget of $5.5 million.

He said governing body members raised $43,000 to eliminate a tax hike by trimming operating costs, removing certain projects from the capital budget, and reallocating funds from old ordinances to pay for capital

improvement projects in 1999. Operating expenses include salaries and wages, which this year total $2,605,005, and costs involved in running the various municipal departments. Capital expenses run the gamut from infrastructure improvements to purchase of borough vehicles.

The operations end of this year’s spending plan was reduced by $13,900 from the preliminary total, while the capital budget was sliced by $227,000. Several projects, such as engineering preparaton for work to be done on North Avenue, and resurfacing of Waldon Road and Old South Avenue, were removed from capital expenditures and will be funded instead with moneys left over from earlier ordinances.

Sanitary sewer repair costs, proposed at $50,000, were also pulled

from the 1999 capital budget since there are still funds available from earlier allocations for this work.

An initial allocation of $250,000 for expansion of a park building was reduced to $150,000. Mr. Populus said the governing body plans to apply for the remaining $100,000 needed to complete the project through Union County’s 1999 Project Pocket Park Program.

Last year, Fanwood received $125,000 through the matching grant program for pending creation of a pocket park on Watson Road. At the present time, the most likely building expansion location appears to be

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Test Results Called ‘Consistent’ By BOE; Band to Get Uniforms By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN

Specially Written for The Times

During the February 25 Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education meeting, curriculum supervisors called the recently-released scores for the eighth-grade Early Warning Test (EWT) and eleventh grade High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) “consistent” in comparison to those of prior years, though there is room for improvement.

With respect to the fourth-grade Elementary School Performance Assessment (ESPA), administrators are frustrated by the lack of information supplied by the state regarding 1998 test results.

Scores on the Reading portion of the EWT, administered in March

1998, particularly troubled Board Vice President Theresa Larkin, who said, “I’m concerned with what’s going on here.” She pointed to a downward trend in reading scores. The reading proficiency level at Terrill Middle School for Level I was 52 percent; at Park Middle School, it was 66 percent.

Mrs. Larkin indicated that the District Factor Group (DFG) score for reading was 73 percent. The DFG ranks the state’s school districts socioeconomically from lowest to highest, A to J. Scotch Plains-Fanwood is in D F G I.

The State Department of Education says the EWT is “to be used as a

primary indicator for identifying those students who need instructional intervention in the three content areas of reading, mathematics and writing.” The department identifies Level I students as those with “clear competence in the critical thinking (or higher order thinking) skills.”

Level II students indicate “minimal competence,” and may or may

Final Petitions Filed For Local BOE Seats By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Times

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education has announced the roster of candidates for its three available seats this year.

Dr. Donald E. Sheldon of Acacia Road in Scotch Plains; Morris H. Gillet of Raritan Road in Scotch Plains; Edward J. Saridaki, Jr. of William Street in Scotch Plains; Dominick Bratti of Aberdeen Road in Scotch Plains; and Ava McNamara of Arrowwood Drive in Scotch Plains are all competing for the two seats available to Scotch Plains residents.

Mr. Gillet and Mr. Saridaki currently hold the two Scotch Plains seats.

Mr. Gillet is now in his second term on the board. Mr. Saridaki is serving his first term on the board.

For the single seat available to Fanwood residents, Jessica V. Simpson of Midway Avenue in Fanwood and Victoria Manduca of Arlene Court in Fanwood have filed petitions.

Mrs. Simpson is the incumbent for the Fanwood seat.

Mrs. Simpson is also in her second full term, having first been named to fill a vacancy on the school board in 1992. She was elected to her first full term the following year, and reelected in 1996.

Mrs. Simpson, who resides in the School One area, was the board’s Vice President last year.

Mrs. Manduca, who resides in the

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Fanwood Survey Nets First Place During DECA State Competition By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Times

A survey tapping Fanwood residents’ opinions on ways to enhance communication and strengthen the downtown captured a first place award for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School DECA Chapter at the marketing association’s annual state competition.

It was just one of 51 prizes won by the local chapter, which has also

made a strong showing in previous competitions. Held in Cherry Hill from February 22 to 24, the event drew 1200 DECA students from throughout New Jersey, including 70 from the Scotch Plains-Fanwood unit.

Students vied for awards in approximately 30 categories related to their marketing classes or on-the-job training. Based on their performance at the state level, 32 members of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter are

now eligible to participate in the national competition in Orlando, Florida during the last week of April.

Sophomores Andrew Elko, An

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INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX INDEX

Community News ......... Page 16 County .......... Page 2

Editorial ........ Page 4 Mountainside Page 3 Obituary ........ Page 8

Religious ....... Page 9 Social ............ Page 6 Sports ............ Page 11

Postal Union Seeks Solution

To Problems By KIM KINTER

Specially Written for The Times

A local branch of the National Association of Letter Carriers’ union said it is trying to resolve problems with management at the Scotch Plains Post Office without having to resort to informational pickets to highlight their disagreements.

Elizabeth Mulligan, President of Branch No. 4102, said the union has been trying to work out differences through the United States Postal Service’s grievance process, but that to date, nothing had been worked out to the union’s satisfaction.

A meeting between union representatives and Scotch Plains Post Office management to discuss the disagreements is planned for tomor

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thony Gicas and James McClintock, who made up the committee for the DECA survey, received the top prize for a creative marketing research project. Lending support throughout the duration of the project were fellow chapter members, who helped draft and mail the questionnaire, then tabulated the results by hand.

Mailed to all 2700 Fanwood households in December, the survey sought to identify for borough officials residents’ feelings and concerns about the lines of communication between the municipal government, its agencies and the public, as well as their views about the business district.

It was prepared by DECA in cooperation with the Fanwood Community Assessment Committee, which last year recruited volunteer “action groups” to develop improvement strategies for guiding the borough toward the start of the next millennium.

These groups, which targeted the

For a Complete List Of DECA Winners

Please See Page 7

Suzette F. Stalker for The Times

STANDING-ROOM ONLY…Dozens of people turned out for the February 24 meeting of the Fanwood Planning Board, when a controversial application for apartments at the Dean Oil site was scheduled to be heard. It has since been postponed until Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m.

Suzette F. Stalker for The Times

LONGTIME BUSINESS…A Scotch Plains resident is seeking approval from the Fanwood Planning Board to convert the South Avenue building presently owned by Pets & Their People into a day care facility. The applicant has a purchase option with the current business owners there. School Board Okays Tentative $44.5 Mil Budget

Reflecting 2.99 Percent Hike in School Tax Levy By SUSAN M. DYCKMAN AND KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL

Specially Written for The Times

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education approved a tentative budget of $44,551,453 for the 19992000 school year at its Tuesday meeting.

Board approval followed adjustments to the superintendent’s original proposal of $44,903,849, in an effort to reduce the school tax rate increase for Scotch Plains and Fanwood residents.

The approved tentative budget reflects an $822,403, or 1.88 percent increase over 1998-1999. It calls for an overall 2.99 percent increase in the school tax levy.

The proposed spending plan falls $571,036 shy of the 3 percent cap regulated by the state.

Local property taxes fund 89.7 percent of the proposed budget; state and Federal funding contribute 9.8 percent, and miscellaneous revenues add 0.5 percent.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood schools received $3,573,690 in state aid for 1999-2000, a modest 5 percent increase over the prior year.

As in 1998, Scotch PlainsFanwood’s state funding for the coming school year did not change despite revisions to the state’s calculation of district aid, which was originally released in late January.

According to Business Administrator and Board Secretary Matthew A. Clarke, when new figures were released last Friday, 11 of Union County’s 22 school districts saw their aid increase; nine (like Scotch PlainsFanwood) experienced no change,

and two received less state support than originally anticipated.

In Scotch Plains-Fanwood, under the proposed spending plan, the school tax rate per $100 of assessed value would be $3.29, a 10 cent, or 3.13 percent increase over 1998.

This translates into an annual increase of $115 on the average assessed home, valued at $115,000, in the township.

Fanwood taxpayers would see their school tax rate per $100 of assessed value rise 1.54 percent, or six cents, to $3.96. The increase equates to $49.80 per year on an average assessed home valued at $83,000.

According to the 1997-1998 School Report Cards recently issued by the state, it costs $9,696 to educate a child in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood public school system.

The cost breaks down as follows: Classroom Instruction, $5,393; Support Services, $787; Administrative Costs, $1,362; Operation/Plant Maintenance, $1,075; Food Service, $1; Extracurricular Costs, $183, and other, $30. Additional costs include tuition, transportation and equipment.

The state average per pupil expenditure is $9,565.

There are 4,354 students served by the district’s one high school, five elementary and two middle schools.

In preparing the budget, a variety of program initiatives were developed by administrative study groups whose members included the administrative council, members of the Board of Education and the public, and Barbara McGuane, President of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Education Association.

Dr. John R. Crews, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, highlighted some of these initiatives as set forth in the tentative 1999-2000 school budget:

Two new teachers at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School for Beginning Spanish and Special Education.

An increase in World Language staffing at the middle schools (by 1.6 positions) to allow expansion of the seventh-grade language program from three days per week to five.

Expansion of the art program at the elementary level to ensure one art teacher at each of the five schools.

Expansion of the music staff at

Page 10 Thursday, March 4, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

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ordered to remove contaminants which had seeped into the soil from underground storage tanks formerly located at the site. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection certified last year that appropriate cleanup measures had been completed.

A flyer urging public opposition to the proposal has been circulated among area residents, charging that the apartment complex, besides being a nonconforming use, represents higher-density development than is currently permitted.

Concerns have also been raised among borough residents over whether there would be adequate parking for the proposed complex, and the potential impact a multi-family building could have on the local school district, which is already faced with rising enrollment.

Mr. Cummings informed those in attendance last week that, despite rumors to the contrary, the proposed apartment building would not contain affordable housing units.

After rescheduling the Dean Oil site application, the board heard opening testimony concerning an appeal by Christine Loh of Scotch Plains, who is seeking approval of her site plan and a parking variance to open a private day care center at 133 South Avenue.

The applicant has a purchase agreement with the owners of Pets & Their People, a pet care and grooming business which is currently located at that address.

If her appeal is approved, she said she plans to completely refurbish the building’s interior.

Mrs. Loh, a state-licensed child care provider who has operated a program in her home for four years, said that although the facility would likely be able to accommodate 70 children, the actual total would probably be closer to 60.

Day care program capacity is determined by an inspector from the Division of Youth and Family Services, which regulates such facilities, and is based on total square footage of the building, according to Harriet Lerner of Rockaway.

Ms. Lerner, who operates several child care facilities and is Treasurer of the New Jersey Child Care Association, has been retained by the applicant as a consultant.

She testified, however, that she has no financial interest in the business and that neither she nor the applicant have ever been employed by one another.

Mrs. Loh testified that her center would serve youngsters ranging from infants to age 4, who would be cared for by a staff of 10, including herself. Grouped by age, the children would be provided with activities designed to encourage socialization and inquisitiveness, including playtime. The center would not offer an academic curriculum.

Ms. Lerner noted that pick-up and drop-off times would be staggered, and

Dean Oil Site Hearing Delayed Due To Crowd

case involving a 40-year-old Rahway woman who told authorities she was fondled by Mr. Williams in September of 1994 during a massage session at the Cranford Swim Club.

The three latest alleged incidents all took place during free or complimentary massage sessions with Mr. Williams.

Robert P. O’Leary of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office explained that conviction on the second degree charge could carry a 10-year state prison sentence. Conviction on the lesser charge of fourth degree sexual contact carries a jail term of up to 18 months.

Mr. Williams’ attorney, Kirk Rhodes of Scotch Plains, could not be reached for

comment. While massage therapists are not presently licensed by the state, the Professional Boards Division of New Jersey’s Law and Public Safety Department is planning to regulate massage therapy under its Board of Nursing beginning in August.

Practitioners will need to apply for a massage therapy license, complete an examination and pay a fee. If approved, therapists would receive a state license and wall certificate that they will be required to display for the public in their offices.

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Grand Jury Indicts Massage Therapist

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LaGrande Park, governing body members have said.

The enlarged facility would serve as a new meeting place for the Fanwood Senior Citizens Club, and could also be used by other members of the community.

A proposed $43,000 allocation for a storage building, to be used by several municipal departments, was reduced to $23,000. Mr. Populus said only one part of the three-component project would be covered in this year’s budget.

He said several items would be purchased through an agreement with the Union County Economic Development Corporation, which he explained would

cost less than if the borough went through the traditional bonding process or state contracts.

These purchases include a new fire truck for $250,000, a dump truck for $75,000, two police cars for a total of $40,000, $16,000 for police department firearms, $13,000 for an emergency generator for the rescue squad, and $5,400 for additional equipment for Channel 35.

Borough officials also delivered flat budgets in 1995 and 1997. The municipal spending plan represents the second largest portion of residents’ tax bills. School taxes assume the lion’s share, with the county budget comprising the smallest category.

Borough Council Delivers Flat Budget for Third Time

not require instructional intervention. Level II reading proficiency at Terrill was 44 percent; at Park, 33 percent.

Students in Level III are “considered to be below the state minimum level of proficiency” and should have instructional intervention. Level III reading proficiency at Terrill was 4 percent; at Park, 0.8 percent.

Reading and Language Arts Supervisor Diane Kelly agreed that reading scores are an area of concern, but “expects improvement this year” because students are more aware of what is expected of them.

According to Ms. Kelly, teachers are working to help students understand the grading system for these tests. She said students need to “give the optimum answer” to achieve the “optimum grade.”

With respect to HSPA scores, areas of concern are numerical operations, and measurement and geometry in math; and sentence completion in writing.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School teacher Carol Senff also suggested several ways to improve students’ reading scores, including encouraging students to read outside of class and tracking students’ reading history from eighth through 12th grade.

The district has already enhanced its summer reading program by making students more accountable for what they read during summer months.

In other business, the board approved member Jean McAllister’s recommendation to strengthen the language of the district resolution opposing the mandatory structured learning experiences outlined in the state’s school-to-work agenda. The Scotch Plains-Fanwood resolution is scheduled to be voted upon by the delegate assembly of the New Jersey School Boards Association in May.

Mrs. McAllister offered evidence that the structured learning experience is not a program, but a systemic change in the state’s view of education.

The end result of her presentation and subsequent board discussion was new language that called for eliminating mandated participation in the structured learning experience for students and school districts, and allowing districts to address career awareness and education according to their own needs.

The resolution also called for the postponed implementation of the administra

Postal Workers Seek Solutions Problems

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that not all children enrolled at the center would be there simultaneously. As the youngsters arrived and departed, the number of staff members on the premises would increase and decrease accordingly, she said.

The consultant stated that the majority of children would likely be brought to the center between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m., and be picked up between 5 and 6 p.m.

Mrs. Loh anticipated that the center’s hours of operation would be between 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but said the exact schedule would be based on the needs of her clientele, most of whom she predicted would be parents working full time jobs.

The applicant’s proposal calls for a total of 17 parking spaces, including six in the front of the building for parents bringing and picking up their children; nine more, including a handicapped stall, in the rear for overflow traffic and staff, and two on the side of the facility for Mrs. Loh and an assistant.

Parking for day care centers is not mandated by the state, but if provided, the stalls must conform to borough regulations. The parking variance is required because some of the stalls proposed for the center are smaller than the prescribed 10-foot by 20-foot design.

Board members appeared primarily concerned with parking and vehicular traffic issues related to the proposed facility, since the property is located adjacent to the A & P parking lot along a heavily-traveled state highway.

They focused particular attention on the close proximity to the supermarket of a 13-foot-wide driveway running from the front to the back of the proposed day care center lot.

Board members also worried that vehicles coming to the center could wind up queuing along the side of South Avenue while other cars ahead of them discharged children.

Ms. Lerner said she expected that approximately 25 to 30 cars would come to the facility during the peak arrival and departure periods, but added that most parents — enroute to work or home — would be on the premises less than 10 minutes.

In addition, Mrs. Loh estimated that between 35 and 40 percent of her clients would have multiple children enrolled at the center — a factor she said would also reduce traffic circulation at the facility. Ms. Lerner said it is also common for parents to carpool.

Due to the lateness of the hour, the board opted around 11 p.m. to postpone further testimony in the case. Based on the availability of all parties concerned, the hearing on the application will continue at the board’s next regular meeting on Thursday, March 24, at 8 p.m.

Board members said they also wanted time to review a traffic study of the site, which they said they had just received that day, and to allow opportunity for public comment. tive code governing the new Cross-Content

Workplace Readiness Standards until the Core Curriculum Content Standards are proven “reliable, achievable and valued” benchmarks of academic achievement.

Finally, the re-worded resolution called for further revisions to the code that would eliminate annotation of diplomas for students with disabilities who meet alternate graduation requirements.

Board President August Ruggiero stated, “There seems to be a change in (the state’s) emphasis from academic to workplace readiness that should not be allowed to continue.”

The board also approved a $40,000 expenditure that will allow the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Marching Band to purchase new uniforms for its members, plus an additional $12,000 for the purchase of a new wrestling mat.

“This is something that’s been overlooked for a number of years,” noted Board Member Thomas Russo, who called the uniform expense a board obligation.

“The appearance of the band is important for appearances as well as the morale of all students involved in the music program,” he stated.

The board used moneys from the retirement savings account to fund the purchases.

Late in the meeting, the board approved, on second reading, a revised Safe Schools Policy which defines a safe school as “a place where students can learn and teachers can teach in a welcoming environment, free of intimidation and fear. It is a setting where the educational climate fosters a spirit of acceptance and care for every child; where behavior expectations are clearly communicated, consistently enforced, and fairly applied.”

The policy lists eight key factors for success:

Establishing clear behavior standards. Providing adequate adult presence and supervision.

· Enforcing the rules fairly and consistently.

· Supervising offenders closely and sanctioning offenders consistently.

· Cultivating parental support.

· Creating partnerships with outside agencies.

· Controlling school campus access.

· Encouraging each student to believe he/she can help make school a safer place.

areas of communication, volunteerism, long-range planning and the downtown, presented their proposals to the Borough Council on December 2.

One of the ideas put forth by the communication group was the DECA survey, which was done as a school project at no cost to the borough. The marketing students have conducted similar projects in the past.

The questionnaire generated a 19 percent response rate, which was described as unusually high for a direct mail initiative. Five hundred and twelve questionnaires were completed and returned.

Results of the survey, as well as DECA’s own recommendations, were unveiled for Mayor Maryanne S. Connelly

and members of the Assessment Committee during a special presentation on February 2.

Among the proposals most favored by respondents were greater coverage of community events on Channel 35, receipt of e-mail from the borough and a quarterly municipal newsletter, increased promotional activities by the business community, evening store hours and additional retail shops.

Reflecting on the award-winning project he helped bring to fruition, Andrew said he “learned a lot” not only about the multi-phase endeavor but also about the community itself. “Basically, what the people want is what the survey showed.”

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DECA Survey Captures First Place at State Event School Board Labels

Test Results ‘Consistent’ Fanwood TV-35 Weekly Schedule Thursday, March 4, 8:00 P.M.

Fallen Flags, a history of the Central Railroad of New Jersey

Saturday, March 6, 8:00 P.M.

Fanwood A Reporter’s Dream

Monday, March 8, 8:00 P.M.

Fallen Flags, a history of the Central Railroad of New Jersey

Wednesday, March 10, 8:00 P.M.

Next Station Stop Fanwood

Wednesday, March 10, 9:00 P.M.

The Great 1998 Labor Day Storm & Fanwood’s Honey Bees

Thursday, March 11, 8:00 P.M.

Live telecast of Fanwood’s Monthly Council Meeting row morning, March 6, she said.

Ms. Mulligan explained that problems the union believes it is having with management date to September, when a new supervisor joined the Scotch Plains Post Office.

The union President alleges that the supervisor has been unduly hard on some of the letter carriers, and that many of the 68 grievances the union has received since September have dealt with problems associated with the supervisor.

She could not confirm, however, whether the complaints were all made by separate individuals or whether some workers had filed multiple complaints.

The situation came to a head on Monday, when a letter carrier was escorted out of the Post Office by Scotch Plains police. Township police confirm that they were contacted by the local Post Office to remove a letter carrier, and a police report on the matter shows the individual exited the building without incident. No charges were filed.

Ms. Mulligan said the letter carrier was asking the supervisor some administrative questions regarding a sick leave matter, and that apparently the supervisor asked him to leave the building. The letter carrier misunderstood and stayed at work, and the supervisor contacted

police, she said. The supervisor, contacted by The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood, declined to comment about any problems at the Post Office, and referred all questions to the Newark office of the United States Postal Service. The Newark office oversees post offices in Northern New Jersey.

Scotch Plains Postmaster Elvoid Christmas also refused to comment, saying that the situation between the union and management was an “internal matter.”

Frank Santaro, spokesman for the district office in Newark, said the office is aware of some problems between the union and management in the Scotch Plains Post Office, but said the United States Postal Service does not comment on pending grievances.

“There are communications going on,” he said.

He added that the Scotch Plains Post Office, which has about 55 employees, has a very high customer satisfaction record, stating that this is the main goal of the United States Postal Service.

“If there are internal problems, we have a grievance process,” Mr. Santaro said. “The employees are aware of this process, and we follow that through to a resolution.”

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area of Brunner Elementary School, was a candidate for the Scotch PlainsFanwood Board of Education in 19951996.

For the Scotch Plains seats, Mr. Bratti, who resides in the area of Coles Elementary School, is an attorney and is currently serving his second term at Youth & Family Counseling Service in Westfield, where he was elected Assistant Secretary this year.

If elected to the board, Mr. Bratti would like to focus on balancing the budget for the coming year, while maintaining quality education for the students.

In a prepared statement, Dr. Sheldon, who resides in the Evergreen School area, commented: “I strongly believe in the importance of public education and the need to provide educational experiences, which will prepare our young people to come with the economic and social changes in our future.”

He added, “Based on my experience as a parent, public school teacher and administrator, a former member and President of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education, and a long-time resident of Scotch Plains, I believe that I am well-prepared to contribute to the leadership of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood regional district.”

Mr. Gillett, who resides in the Coles Elementary School area, stated, “I have worked for six years to get us (the school district) to where it is and I believe we can keep it there. We have to keep it there,” Mr. Gillett told The Times.

While considering several new mandates imposed by the state, he added that the board has “hard decisions” to make in the future and he wants to be a part of that decision-making process.

Mr. Saridaki, who resides in the Evergreen School area, stated that he would like to continue to focus on financial issues, as well as “working against statemandated programs that don’t benefit

the district.” He added that he would also like to keep recent personnel changeovers flowing smoothly. Mr. Saridaki would also like to be involved in upcoming technological and financial decisions to be made by the board.

Bringing a background of financial management to the board, Mr. Saridaki stated that he has also been instrumental in assisting the board’s new Business Administrator, Matthew Clarke.

Ms. McNamara resides in the McGinn School area. As a life-long resident of Scotch Plains, she is a mother of the three children who currently attend Brunner and McGinn schools.

One of her children is enrolled in the Learning Disability Program at Brunner and the elements of the program are a primary focus for Mrs. McNamara.

She also would like to focus on the issue of “leveling” in the middle schools and the enrollment bulge in the lower schools.

Mrs. McNamara said that she feels it is important that parents with children in the elementary school system should be represented as board members. She noted that, if elected, she would be a much-needed voice for McGinn School.

Each full school board term lasts for three years. School board elections will be held on Tuesday, April 20.

Citizens who are not registered to vote have until Monday, March 22, to become eligible to cast their ballots in this year’s school board elections.

To become a registered voter, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, be a United States citizen, and maintain a primary residence in the municipality in which he or she seeks to vote.

Prospective voters may register in their town, or at the office of the Union County Election Board, 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth.

Absentee ballots will also be available in the office of Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. Residents have until Tuesday, April 13, to apply for an absentee ballot by mail, and until 3 p.m. on Monday, April 19, for in-person registration.

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Final Petitions are Filed For Local BOE Seats

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School Board Approves Tentative Budget for 1999

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the elementary level to four teachers (from 3.5), which will allow creation of a general music program at the middle schools.

Introduction of an after-school test preparation course to enhance student readiness for the Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment (GEPA) and Eleventh Grade High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).

Addition of one full-time teacher to begin a literacy program for grades 1 and 2 that would supplement the existing Reading Recovery program for youngsters who require added support to hone their reading skills.

Expansion of the middle school athletic program to include boys’ and girls’ basketball and soccer teams at both Park and Terrill Middle Schools.

Additional supervisory support for new elementary teachers.

Addition of a half-time Special Education teacher at the elementary level to provide more classroom support for regular education teachers.

Creation of a new Technical Assistant position.

Increased professional development opportunities for staff that would provide more summer and after-school professional instruction to cut back on teachers’ time out of the classroom.

Dr. Crews also identified other items which contributed to growth in the proposed budget: a 3 percent increase in instructional budgets; a 10 percent increase in the athletic budget; technology equipment, and capital outlay for technology at the middle schools.

In commenting on the tentative budget, which passed 8-1, with Richard Meade opposed, board member Edward J. Saridaki, Jr. called the plan “very responsible.”

“It expands on key academic and athletic areas,” he said. “It’s realistic to expect the general population in our communities to accept it.”

“I don’t agree the budget is one to be proud of,” countered Mr. Meade. “I find it disappointing.”

The Fanwood representative called it “hypocritical” to approve the near-4 percent increase in teachers’ salaries under the recent contract settlement, then not approve the means to pay for it by endorsing the originally-presented budget.

Board member Morris H. Gillet stated, “The budget is responsible and what taxpayers will accept.” He reiterated his support for the contract settlement, saying that, “to let it go further would have done the district no good.”

Board member Lance Porter approved of the administration’s willingness to cut the budget back by $375,000. “I’m happy the focus was kept on instructional programs,” he said.

“This is not the time to debate issues that have been resolved,” stated board member Thomas Russo. “The budget includes significant and exciting initiatives. Every year it costs more for clothes, food and to maintain cars; school districts also have increases. I wish I could hold the household budget to a 1.88 percent increase.”

Board president August Ruggiero noted that the study groups came up with shortand long-range plans that included $500,000 in initiatives “even though it (the administration) kept the budget down.”

Details of the tentative budget will be released in a series of presentations by board members at Parent-Teacher Association meetings and other community groups. The first presentation is scheduled for Monday, March 8, at Park Middle School.

SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE BLOTTER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25

· It was reported that a golf ball was thrown through a window at Evergreen Elementary School.

· John C. Moseley, 52, of Scotch Plains was arrested and charged with aggravated assault upon a juvenile at the suspect’s place of residence, according to police. Moseley was released on $5,000 bond set by Judge Joseph Perfilio of the Mountainside Municipal Court.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

· The theft of a walkman radio from a locker at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School was reported.

· The theft of a laptop computer from a locker at Union Catholic High School was reported.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

· Scott Kosovan, 18, of Scotch Plains was arrested and charged with

criminal mischief to a vehicle at a convenience store on Westfield Avenue, authorities said.

Kosovan is alleged to have broken a window with a baseball bat after an argument. Pursuant to the investigation, the suspect was also charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

· Police reported that someone gained entry to the Union County Day Center on Terrill Road by opening a bathroom window. Nothing was taken from the building.

MONDAY, MARCH 1

· Segundo Velecela, 25, of Hackensack was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol pursuant to a motor vehicle stop on Route 22, police confirmed.