The Week in Union County

Westfield

On Jan. 22, a six-alarm fire that began at the Clyne & Murphy catering company destroyed six businesses along South Avenue West in Westfield. One firefighter was injured battling the blaze that claimed , ,  and as well as Clyne & Murphy's. Westfield Deputy Fire Chief David Kelly said the cause of the fire had been ruled "undetermined."

Friends and patrons paid tribute to locally-owned record store Sound Station by creating a makeshift memorial. An online fundraiser for the store owners had raised more than $10,000 between Monday evening and Wednesday morning.

At its public meeting held Tuesday evening, the Board of Education heard a report on the end of 2011 data on bullying from Dr. Margaret Dolan, Schools Superintendent. The Board also decided to delay its decision on moving school board elections from April to November to coincide with the general election.

A fatal car accident on North Avenue West and Tuttle Parkway claimed the life of Patricia Currie, 68, of Scotch Plains. The Westfield Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor's Office are still investigating the accident that left another pedestrian in serious condition.

On Thursday morning, Jelani Bustamonte, 23, an employee of the Westfield branch of  was arrested by FBI agents outside his Elizabeth home and charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, the United States Attorney’s Office announced Thursday afternoon.

The 65th annual Washington School play debuted Friday evening at Roosevelt Intermediate School auditorium. The musical, 'Roadsters and Jokesters' was written by father of three Eric Lipkind. The event is the largest fundraiser for the school and all proceeds are donated to the Washington School PTO to defray the cost of educational programs, purchase equipment, and fund teacher grants that enrich children’s learning.

Clark

At Monday night's meeting, board members echoed each other's opinions that T-Mobile experts never adequately proved a coverage gap and the need to build the tower. Board members also denied the application over concerns about safety, the impact on adjacent property values and the appearance of the tower, which would have been four times taller than the 35-foot height for which the property is zoned.

Longevity pay was granted to employees with a 3 percent increase on base salary after their fifth year on the job. The pay would increase by percentage every five years after that. but vetoed by Mayor Patricia Quattrocchi. The mayor's veto would have set up the council for another vote to possibly override her, but because the ordinance was passed at the last meeting of the year, the council was forced to again introduce the ordinance to the newly reorganized council. When asked if she plans to veto the ordinance again, Quattrocchi told Patch that she "has to think about it."

Springfield

It’s been a big month for the Jonathan Dayton High School’s girls basketball team. Two players celebrated career milestones of scoring 1,000 points within a week of each other. On Friday, Jan. 20,  girls' basketball star  scored her 1000th point in a 58-45 victory over New Providence to the roar of an excited crowd and a display of balloons reading “1,000.” A mere five days later, the balloons were lofted again, when Dayton Senior Jen Kuczynski scored her 1000th career point in a sound trouncing of Union Catholic, where Dayton took the game with a final score of 58-34. 

Springfield Deputy Mayor Jerry Fernandez . Fernandez’s restaurant the Spanish Pavillion was previously featured in  The show’s host, notoriously mercurial celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay upbraided the owners for squabbling with each other, offering uninspired fare and improperly maintaining their facilities. In a return visit, which aired on Friday, Ramsay was extremely positive about the restaurant. 

Cranford

Progress continued at the Mayor's Council on Rahway River Watershed Flood Control meeting Jan. 26 in Rahway, as members of the council agreed to a master plan for the bridges along the Rahway River. The plan will focus on making sure that improvements to current bridges as well as future structures take into consideration impacts on flooding. In light of a study done by the Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corps of Engineers, it was agreed that the Morris Avenue bridge, Milltown Road bridge, Route 22 bridge and Hazelwood Avenue bridge be included in upcoming improvement projects.

Superior Court Judge Lisa F. Chrystal issued her ruling late Thursday afternoon as to the Township of Cranford 's Motion to for Reconsideration or Rehearing and Cranford Development Associates LLC's Motion in Aid of Litigant's Rights regarding the issuance of Township's Soil Conservation Permit. After a lengthy recitation of the facts and legal arguments advanced by both parties, Judge Chrystal denied the Township's Motion for Reconsideration or Rehearing finding, among other things, that the additional information did not rise to the level to meet the standard for requiring reconsideration or rehearing and that the environmental issues were more appropriately addressed as part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s permitting process.

Acknowledging the importance of addressing the issue of teenage substance abuse, the has decided to table a resolution to to revive ADAPT, the Alcohol/Drug Assistance Program for Teens, until revisions are made to the policy. The during a New Year's Eve party  led school board members to consider reviving the district's drug-and-alcohol policy. was discussed earlier this month at a school board meeting when board member Michael Caulfield decided to make the motion to re-instate the policy after hearing of the arrests.

Summit

Doug Howe had to return to Summit for two reasons: to help his mother move, and to kick off the U.S. tour of his collaborative theater project, The Hotel Project. Check out this video to see the Summit High School graduates reasons for bringing a piece of interactive theater to the sheets and walls of The Grand Summit Hotel.

The Summit Planning Board unanimously decided to back the "preliminary and final major site plan approval with variances to construct a 16 unit building" on the vacant lot of an Infiniti dealership destroyed by a fire in 2004. The planning board gave the go-ahead to phase one in the development that would be built over the location of a former Infiniti dealership that burned to the ground nearly eight years ago.

Summit High School sophomore Brianna Boze took second place in the Individual Championships of the Union County Tournament for bowling yesterday at Jersey Lanes. She defeated Jen Wageman of Governor Livingston in a 215 to 133 matchup, but Boze fell to Linden's Briana Reid 213 to 169. This was Boze's second time taking home the second place plaque. "I did okay," she said. "I could've done better."

Nick Abbott became the Union County wrestling champion in the 126 lbs. weight class on Sunday. A.J. Iarussi nabbed a second place finish at 195lbs. As the Summit High School wrestling program attempts to return to its glory days of the 80s and 90s, the two juniors are clearly guys to look up to. Abbott won a hard fought county final match against Isaac Valentin of Rahway High School. A takedown in the third period sealed his 3-0 win.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood

On Thursday, the Board of Education announced the board has until Feb. 17 to decide whether or not to move school board elections from April to November. Moving the election date would mean that the district could save at least $27,000. However, the public would not longer have the opportunity to vote on the school budget unless the budget exceeds the 2 percent cap. The board will vote on this issue during a special meeting on February 9. Read about the Board's concerns and the details of how this move would affect your community .

SPF Patch's webseries, in Fanwood this week. Watch the episode for an inside look on how co-owner Brian Walter crafts their fish and chips and learn how to make your very own Fanwood Ice Tea. 

On Thursday, Patch asked SPF readers what should fill the empty retail spaces at Fanwood Crossing. Over 100 voted with readers suggesting a variety of businesses including Whole Foods, Apple Store, coffee shops, bakeries, and shops or night life that may attract a younger crowd? What do you think? Read about the latest in development and voice your opinion.

New Providence

The New Providence Board of Education joined a host of other New Jersey school districts in  from April to November on Thursday night. The decision to present a resolution was at the urging of State Board of Education officials after Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation on Jan. 17 that would allow districts to no longer seek approval for school budgets that meet the state's spending cap.

Earlier this week, we highlighted a former New Providence resident, , who lost his battle with lung cancer in May of 2010. We spoke with his wife, Cathy, and his best friends, Debbie and Jimmy Johnston, who told stories about his life, his work beautifying the town with the New Providence Department of Public Works, and his love for his family. It's been eight months since Nick died. His friends and family miss him dearly, but remain thankful to the New Providence residents who have shown constant love and support during a difficult year.

Borough Council inched closer to  on Monday night, which may allow for four consumption liquor licenses be sold to restaurants in New Providence. After second review of the proposed changes, which were made with the type of desired establishments in mind, many council members raised a number of questions and concerns regarding the type of language used throughout the ordinance, wanting to ensure certain language is clearly defined and consistent throughout. Issues addressed will be reviewed by Borough Planner Jeff Janota and the Planning Board, and changes to the draft ordinance will be brought before council at the Feb. 13 meeting.

During the Council meeting on Monday, there was a  throughout New Providence, Murray Hill and Berkeley Heights due to a severe blowout of a sub station at the corner of Mountain Avenue and Ryder Way in New Providence. Power was restored to the residences and businesses affected by the early Tuesday morning.

Berkeley Heights-Mountainside

Increasing technology, communications, and improving language arts are the top priorities in Mountainside schools, according to Joy Blom and Dr. Nancy Lubarsky. 

Ms. Blom was hired in January as the new Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, replacing Thomas Conroy, who stepped down from his position last June. 

Chief School Administrator Dr. Nancy Lubarsky was hired in November of 2011, replacing Dr. Jeanette Baubles.  

Both new administrators noted that a nurturing environment which challenges students to be active learners; along with parents and staff working together, will lead to achieving greater success. 

Ms. Blom plans to promote a balanced education to help students develop a pursuit of lifelong learning by needs assessment with teachers. She told Patch.com, "Our priority right now is to do a needs assessment in the area of curriculum (K-8). I believe with a collaborative approach by the administration and faculty we can be successful in making necessary changes that will benefit students learning."

To read the entire story, click here.

In other news, Berkeley Aquatic Club is proud to announce that 11 of its members have made the USA Swimming Scholastic All-America (SAA) team, a recognition that is given in honor of both academic and athletic accomplishments.  

This is an annual distinction awarded to high school student-athletes who maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, while also achieving the required time standard in a single event.  Eligible students must have completed 10th, 11th or 12th grade along with being a USA Swimming member athlete. USA Swimming designated 74 student-athletes from New Jersey for the 2010-2011 season, while a total of 1,759 made the team from across the nation.  

To find out more, click here.