Resident Questions Council on Authority of Crossing Guards

Town Adminstrator says Title 39 allows guards to "alleviate" traffic backup.

If that headline sounds vaguely familiar it's because Westfield resident Greg Kasko spoke before the Westfield Board of Education on Thursday, Jan. 4 to question who is giving crossing guards the authority to wave vehicles through stop signs once children have safely crossed through an intersection. Kasko, a father of two children who regularly walk to school, said he was speaking out of concern for their safety following an incident in which two children were struck by a car outside Edison Intermediate School. At the time, Kasko was told by Board President Richard Mattessich that while he believed crossing guards did not have the authority to direct traffic, guards are employed by the Town of Westfield and he would need to check with Town…

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Tammy Schmidt

10:53 am on Friday, March 29, 2013

The one at Dudley and Clark is a retired traffic cop and the one at Westfield ave is a retired firemen..I think they would know a thing or two about directing traffic. I'd like to see any of you people get out there and try do deal with that..especially at a four way intersection, dealing with kids...CARPOOLERS in their fancy SUV's and teenage drivers..who else is going to go out there in the …   more ›

Town Seeks Grants to Hire Firefighters, Police Officers

The Town of Westfield is seeking federal grants to hire up-to four new firefighters and two police officers.

The Town of Westfield has applied for federal grants to hire new firefighters and police officers, Town Administrator Jim Gildea said at Tuesday evening's Town Council meeting.  Two of the Westfield Fire Department's ranking officers are expected to retire this year. Fourth Ward Councilman Keith Loughlin, vice-chair of the public safety committee, confirmed that one lieutenant and one battalion chief will be leaving the department in 2012. "Their positions will not be immediately replaced," he said in an email. "We have applied for a federal grant (the SAFER Grant: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) in order to fund the salaries and benefits of (up to) four new firefighters for two years at no cost to the Westfield taxpayer…

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Westfield Votes 2011

LoGrippo to Get Full Year's Pay for Half Year's Work

Appointed third ward councilman to receive full dollar.

Looks like Councilman Mark LoGrippo could go wild in the Dollar Store if he wanted to at the end of his six-month term. Town officials confirmed that the new third ward councilman, who was appointed by the Town Council to fill an unexpired term last month, will claim a full year’s salary. That’s right, LoGrippo will receive a full dollar for his term. Town Administrator Jim Gildea said that under past town precedent LoGrippo will receive a dollar check sometime during his term of office, instead of a prorated check for fifty cents. Gildea said he did not know when LoGrippo will receive the check, noting that Mayor Andy Skibitsky and the other eight council members who have served in 2011 have already received their paychecks for the year. …

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Town Looks to Expand Recycling Center

Town seeks $25,000 grant for project costs.

Residents could see a possible expansion of the town’s recycling center. The Town Council voted Tuesday morning to seek a $25,000 grant from the Sustainable Jersey program for expansion of the recycling center from 2,500 square feet to 17,000 square feet. The program will also include expansion of the brush and grass section of the conservation center from 15,000 square feet to 27,000 square feet. Town Administrator Jim Gildea told Council members at the rare 8 a.m. session, that the program will include changes to how the recycling center is used. He said new lanes will be installed to access the recycling center from Lamberts Mill Road and moving the recycling portion of the conservation center closer to the road to allow for traffic for…

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Haas Supports Moving Stoplight; Resident Declares War on Mayor

Town Council's lone Democrat changes to supporting moving controversial stoplight's movement to intersection.

Councilman Dave Haas became the first Town Council member to publicly support the potential moving of the pedestrian activated stoplight on Central Avenue near the intersection with Clover Street. Haas made his announcement during an emotionally charged meeting Tuesday night that saw one stoplight moving advocate declare war on Mayor Andy Skibitsky. Haas, who voted for the policies which led to the light’s creation, said that he cannot support the light’s current placement until he receives answers from engineering experts on safety of the midblock location. “Now I am saying that I believe, that unless I hear from an engineer, that the best location for the light is at the corner,” Haas said. The pedestrian activated light, placed as part …

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Central and Clover Light Evaluation Continues

Town administrator said police have started process after 90 days have passed.

Analysis of the pedestrian activated stoplight on Central Avenue remains ongoing in the Westfield Police Department. Town officials made the announcement during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, when questioned by resident Adina Enclescu, who owns the property where the light was placed. Enclescu questioned the Council do to 90 days passing since the light became operational. Mayor Andy Skibitsky said the town would analyze the light’s placement after the 90-day period expired. Town Administrator Jim Gildea said the police department is conducting the analysis, but did not say what the time frame is for the analysis. Clarifying a question from Enclescu, he said the Council’s public safety committee is not involved in the analysis process. …

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Rec Commission Discusses Pool, Jefferson Field

Town Administrator Jim Gildea made a presentation to the Recreation Commission about the budget surplus of Memorial Pool. Also, the Commission discussed the status of the Jefferson Elementary School field.

Recreation Commission members were briefed on the Memorial Pool's financing, surplus and financial history Tuesday night. Town Administrator Jim Gildea made the presentation as part of the commission's monthly meeitng. He noted the Memorial Pool was built in 1969 for $800,000, according to Gildea’s presentation. It was created, and paid for, as a town utility rather being financed by the municipal tax dollars. That distinction is important, Gildea said, because it mean that Memorial Pool is self-sustaining; it operates every season using the revenues from the previous season. In fact, the only money ever invested into the pool by the taxpayers was the initial investment over 40 years ago. Gildea stressed that if the pool had been built as …

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Westfield Weather Central

Town Seeks Federal Reimbursement for Blizzard Costs

Gildea tallies blizzard plowing at $40,000, with most of snow budget spent in February 2010.

The town plans to seek federal reimbursement for $40,000 used to plow the streets during the late December blizzard, which left the town buried in over two-feet of snow. Town Administrator Jim Gildea said the town’s total bill for plowing the street came to just over $40,000. He said this covers the cost of Department of Public Works staffers reporting to work at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 26 to start salting the roads and working through midnight on Monday, Dec. 27 to continue plowing. “That is overtime and the furlough day,” Gildea said  Dec. 27 was originally slated to be one of five furlough days for DPW workers in 2010, with the day canceled due to the blizzard. Thirty seven our of 38 DPW workers reported to work that day, with the last …

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About Town

From WHS to Town Hall, Anniversaries are in the Air

Welcome to "About Town," a new column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what the town's talking about. Check in often, because we will be updating often. And if you see something...say something.

This is not just a week for welcomes in Westfield, but also celebrating several wedding anniveraries. From Westfield High School to town hall, anniverary season is in full swing for couples well known to many in town. In addition, a local college student is taking up a new challenge as he enters the swing of things in his freshman year. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO WESTFIELD'S 'IT' COUPLE Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, you know the love story of science teacher Chris Tafelski and Spanish teacher Bonnie Underwood Tafelski. The two met, became friends, then became an obsession for students, then proved students right by falling in love in front of their students as co-advisers of the student council. Turning into the…

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Lt. Gov. Discusses Small Business, Taxes, Education During Westfield Meetings

Guadagno holds closed-door meetings during statewide "listening tour."

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno brought her listening tour of state municipalities to Westfield Wednesday, holding closed-door briefings with municipal leaders, non-profit officials and the business community. Guadagno is criss-crossing the state on behalf of Gov. Chris Christie, meeting with local leaders to hear concerns and share information from Trenton. Interviews with those who met with Guadagno today said she listened intently to all comments and shared plans and proposals from the Christie administration. "I got the impression of a real willingness to listen and really start to address what is reasonable," said Anna Mastroianni, the owner of Sole who attended the small business roundtable. The Westfield contingent of municipal and business …

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HelloBabyCakes

10:29 am on Thursday, August 19, 2010

Definitely a Bottle Blond. I can't believe the Governor making fun of our beloved Snooki a true Jersey Guidette when he has one IN DA HOUSE   more ›