Board Member Friedman Encourages Residents to Vote 'YES' on Bond Referendum

Dear Editor,

The Westfield Board of Education is in the process of repairing the roofs of our 11 buildings with funding provided by a bond referendum that was passed by voters in December 2012.   Since that time, the State of NJ has made available to school districts, additional aid that can be used to cover a portion of the cost of projects like the replacement of roofs.  The roofs that are scheduled to be repaired next summer are eligible for this additional aid (approximately $2.7 million over the life of the bonds) but ONLY if the voters of Westfield pass a “replacement” referendum on November 5th, 2013.  This is not additional funding but in fact a replacement of a portion of the funding that was approved by taxpayers in December 2012.  This is the legally required procedure to obtain these state aid funds.

I will be voting YES on this referendum so that the Westfield residents will benefit from this state aid, which will help to reduce the tax levy used to support our school roof projects. If the November 5th school bond referendum is not approved, the previously passed referendum (December 2012) will remain in effect. The roofs will still be repaired -- but without state aid and at no reduction in taxes. If you are not going to be in town on November 5th, you can apply for an absentee ballot by mail.  The application must be RECEIVED by the County Clerk not later than 7 days prior to the election (October 29).  For a link to the application and for more information on the proposed referendum, please go to the district’s website at www.westfieldnjk12.org/novbond.

Thank you.

Mark Friedman
Finance Chairman
Westfield Board of Education