Ciarrocca Says Volunteer Crossing Guards Possible

Acting Mayor Mark Ciarrocca, in response to a resident's question, said Tuesday night that volunteer crossing guards will be considered as part of overall crossing guard study in town.

Resident Len Berman asked the Town Council during Tuesday evening's meeting if it would be possible for volunteers to fill school crossing guard posts that may be cut from the town budget. Ciarrocca announced two weeks ago that the Council finance committee, which he chairs has asked the police department to study if any of the town's 57 crossing guard posts could be eliminated.

Ciarrocca said the department is currently conducting the study and will present the results to the Council's public safety committee. In February, Councilwoman Joann Neylan, the public safety committee chairwoman, announced that her committee was conducting an overall study in the amount of crossing guards townwide. Westfield has the highest amount of crossing guards in the county.

"What the Council has asked the police department to do a study and see what crossing guard posts can be reduced safely," Ciarrocca said.

Ciarrocca, a Third Ward councilman, said the public safety interests will dictate if any crossing guard posts are cut in town. He noted that there will not be a wholesale elimination of crossing guards. A volunteer program could be explored if any positions are eliminated in the budget.

Ciarrocca said the Council will also look to work with the Board of Education and the BRAKES organization to study the creation of more walking school bus routes in the event crossing guard posts need to be cut.

The finance committee is grappling with declining town revenue and a state aid cut in Gov. Chris Christie's proposed budget. A final town budget proposal is expected in May.