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Politics & Government

Westfield Council Meeting Gets Personal

Persistent critic Greg Kasko accuses Mayor Skibitsky of having vendetta against him.

Claims, counterclaims and personal attacks were the highlights of a Westfield Council meeting Tuesday night in which nothing was done to soothe the feelings about a traffic light and lack of crossing guards that residents argue are putting drivers and children in harm's way on a daily basis.

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, in which residents each get 10 minutes to sound off on a hot-button issue, Greg Kasko and Maria Carluccio continued fighting to move the traffic light 100 yards, from Adina Enculescu's Central Avenue lawn to the corner of Clover and Central avenues.

Kasko, of Everson Place, is a retired Westfield police officer who is running as an independent candidate for council from the third ward in the November election. During the contentious debate Tuesday night, the 38-year township resident and regular attendee at council meetings for the past 18 months, accused Mayor Andrew Skitbitsky of having a personal vendetta against him.

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“[Skibitsky] has done nothing but attack me,” Kasko said. “I wish to implement change in our town operations."

The dispute between the two became particularly heated at the August meeting. Kasko spoke during the public-comment portion of the meeting and asked questions of the the mayor. After that portion of the meeting, Kasko returned to his seat and, on two occasions, asked questions from the audience.

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At that point, Skybitsky asked, "Do I need to have you removed? "No," Kasko replied, before getting up and leaving the meeting. 

As the meeting continued Tuesday night, Carluccio, who lives on Central Avenue, alleged that accidents occur "almost every day" near the traffic light on Enculescu's lawn — which is in the middle of the block — including a three-car accident that she said she witnessed on Monday. She tried to reinforce her point by reading parts of a report that quoted a retired Westfield police officer, who worked in traffic safety, as saying that the light was not in the right spot. Neighbors have been fighting for the last year to have the light moved.

Skibitsky tried to steer Carluccio to direct her complaints to voice her complaints to the township traffic-safety department, but an agitated Caluccio said neither she nor other angry residents know how to channel their displeasure with their elected officials.

Matt Sontz, the Democratic nominee for the third-ward council seat, was critical about the removal of the crossing guard at Central and Sycamore avenues. Last year, the council voted to remove 9 of Westfield's 59 crossing guards in order to save $10,000 paid to each guard.  Sontz urged council members to err on the side of safety for children, rather than on savings. Council reinstated only one guard, at Central and Sycamore, following a petition from a group of residents led by Sontz.

“I think the council should reassess their judgment in this matter,” Sontz said.

Once the residents voiced their concerns, Skibitsky thanked the community for assisting with the 9/11 memorial on Sunday and addressed other matters. 

In other news:

  • Council reviewed a report on the bills and claims in the amount of $339, 571.11.
  • The finance policy committee authorized nine resolutions: the refund of cash for street opening permit-117 Hardwick Avenue, the refund of unused parking permit fee, the Chief Financial Officer to cancel outstanding checks, the CFO to draw a warrant to the order of New Jersey Department of Health for Dog Licenses for the month of August, the CFO to refund Recreation Department Fees, the execution of an agreement with the Morris County Pricing Council to renew membership, setting the compensation of the Ward commission, the submission of the application for the Westfield Municipal Alliance grant and to award contract for police department equipment.
  • The code review and town property committee passed the resolution to declare Sept. 16, 2011 as “POW/MIA Remembrance Day”, and a resolution to approve a sidewalk café license.
  • The public-works committee also awarding contracts for 2011 downtown road improvements and 2011 improvements on other roads in town.           

 

Editor's note: This story has been edited from its original form and has been clarified to accurately reflect the dispute between Greg Kasko and Mayor Skibitsky during the August meeting.

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