VFW & American Legion to Hold Memorial Day Ceremonies

The American Legion and VFW will honor South Plainfield veterans at Memorial Day ceremonies this Monday.

The ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m. at the VFW on Front Street and will be followed by a wreath laying at Veteran's Park and each of the town's cemeteries.  There will be a final ceremony at the American Legion on Oak Tree Road at 11:00 a.m., followed by refreshments.

The community is invited to attend.

Zoning Board Derails Library Move

It's unlikely that Montrose Avenue will be the site of the Borough's new library.

In a unanimous decision last night, the Zoning Board of Adjustment denied granting a use variance to the library, which halts the controversial move from the facility's current home on Plainfield Avenue.

Zoning Board members cited safety as a top reason for their decision, pointing to lack of sidewalks, lack of an effective evacuation plan, and the isolated nature of the location.  They also noted how the library would be sharing the building with a light industrial tenant and how the site lacked appropriate ingress and egress as reasons for their decision.

The library had been asked to supply the board with a traffic study, but its attorney, Walter K. Abrams, said his client decided not to honor that request.

The denial represents the latest setback in the library's seven-year battle to move to another facility.  Former Councilman Robert Cusick first suggested building a new library in 2003 when running for re-election.

Five years later, voters turned down the plan during Democracy Week, which prompted the Library Board of Trustees to look for other solutions.  In March the board voted 7-1 to sign a ten-year lease for the Montrose Avenue site.  That lease was contingent upon getting a variance, however, as the property sits in a light industrial zone, which does not permit libraries.  

Board President Eric Aronowitz has been quoted in other news sources as saying the Library Board would appeal a denial, but Abrams did not suggest last night whether his client planned to go that route.

Bus Company Scandal Subject of Courier News Editorial

To read more from the Courier News on the bus-company scandal, click here.  Borough officials have obtained a grant for $111,000 to cover the engineering and testing costs, but the cost of the actual clean-up is still uncertain, as is whether grant money will be available for those costs. 

Zoning Board to Consider Library Site

The Zoning Board of Adjustment on Thursday will consider whether to grant a use variance for the library's planned move to Montrose Avenue.  In March the board voted 7-1 to lease a facility there rather than stay in the current location on Plainfield Avenue.

The proposed site is zoned for light industrial and commercial uses, and the zoning prohibits libraries unless the applicant obtains a use variance.

This is the board's second hearing on the application.  Last month it asked for more information from the applicant, including a traffic study.

Graf, Decker-Lorys, and Hughes to be Inducted into Hall of Fame

SPHS alumni John Graf, Jr., Ellen Decker-Lorys, and Cheryl Huges have been selected to join the school's Hall of Fame.

All three will be honored at a luncheon in June and will deliver speeches to graduating seniors receving scholarships and awards that same evening.   The Hall of Fame was established to honor graduates for achievements in business, government, academia, community service, and the humanities.

According to organizers, "acknowledging these successful graduates recognizes them as leaders in their fields and also provides current high school students with positive role models from their own community."

SPHS Moves Up in GMC Softball Tourney

SPHS girls softball advanced in the GMC tournament Saturday by beating John F. Kennedy (Edison).  To find out more, click here.

SPHS Baseball Rolls Over Opponents

SPHS baseball players are heading to the sectional semifinals.  Click here to read about it.

Former SP Wrestler Profiled

To see the profile on former South Plainfield wrestler Patrick Hunter by the Courier News,click here.

Courier News Reports on Council's Tax Cut

To read the Courier News and Home News Tribune story on taxes going down in South Plainfield, click here.

Residents to Pay Less Under Introduced 2010 Budget

The average resident's tax bill for 2010 will drop by about $185 under a spending plan introduced at Monday night's Borough Council meeting.

The new budget marks the first calendar-year budget for the Borough, which switched away from a fiscal year last summer.

According to Councilman Ray Rusnak, who chairs the Council's Adminstration and Finance committee, nine positions are being eliminated under the plan, with possibly more to come.

Despite the reduced bills, Mayor Charles Butrico took issue with the notion that taxes are going down, stating that the tax levy increased over a million dollars since the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. 

When asked, CFO/Administrator Glenn Cullen explained that it's not possible to compare the old fiscal year budget to the current budget, which operates on a calendar year.  This is especially true because the Council had a six-month "transition-year budget" stuck in between the two.  The transitional budget ran from July1, 2009 to December 31, 2010.  Cullen said that the introduced budget establishes a new "baseline."

As part of the introduction, Council President Matt Anesh appointed a three-member committee to examine the budget and look for further reductions.  In addition to himself, Anesh appointed Rusnak and Councilwoman Chrissy Buteas, a Democrat, to the panel. 

The introduction passed 5-1, with all four Republicans and Democratic Councilman Franky Salerno voting yes, and Buteas voting no.  The final adoption will take place in about a month.

South Plainfield Teachers Among Highest Paid in County

A Star Ledger report shows South Plainfield's teachers are among the top paid in Middlesex County, with a median salary totaling $63,741. 

Teacher salaries for South Plainfield rank fifth highest out of the county's 25 school districts, with teachers in New Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, and the Middlesex County Vocational district earning more and teachers in the other 20 districts earning less.

The median salary in the County averages $57,487, with New Brunswick having the highest-paid teachers ($71,697 is the median) and Milltown having the lowest ($43,696 is the median).

Other information in the report shows that South Plainfield averages fewer teachers with a masters degree than most.  The report states that 228 teachers have bachelors degrees, 76 have a masters, and one has a doctorate.  As a percentage, slightly less than a quarter have a masters, which places the district in the bottom five towns.  Across the county, 35.6% of teachers have masters degrees.

For more details, click here

BOE Considers Fate of Embattled Superintendent

School-board members met behind closed doors Wednesday night to consider the fate of Superintendent of Schools Jose Negron.

Because Negron's contract ends June 30, 2011, the board has until June 30 this year to notify him whether it will renew him.  By law, the board must give him a year's notice if it chooses to let him go.

Negron has been the subject of intense criticism, especially over the handling of this year's schools budget.  In addition, school employees have questioned his management style, with several offering complaints about district operations at BOE meetings.

Negron has also provoked the ire of at least one board member, Debbie Boyle.  At last month's budget meeting when Negron publicly offered to take a pay freeze, Boyle shot back, asking whether he meant for the coming year or only if the board offered him a new contract.  When Negron said it was the latter, Boyle started to question the sincerity of the gesture but was quickly cut off by Board President Jim Giannakis and the board's legal counsel.

Board members have been tight lipped about the result of their meeting, and the board itself has not publicly announced any decision.

BOE Accepts Cuts, Criticizes Council

Choosing not to appeal budget cuts imposed by the Borough Council, the Board of Education voted last night to accept a $1.25 million budget reduction.
The Board failed to consider the Council's remaining recommendations, namely, that it cut another $725,000 to bring back teachers and programs. "They had no right to make those recommendations," said Jim Giannakis, the board president, when questioned about whether these recommendations would be discussed.

The Board's decision not to appeal the Council's cuts means taxpayers will see a $15 tax cut this year instead of a $100 increase.

Despite the vote, several members of the public, as well as board members, criticized the Council's decision to rely upon $375,000 in savings from a new law requiring teachers to pay 1.5% of their salaries toward healthcare benefits.

"The NJEA is challenging [that law]," said Louise Mruz, president of the teachers' union. Mruz said the board should not be relying upon the money from the new law, but Business Administrator Richard Guarini said the state has a procedure in place requiring boards to begin deductions this month for new employees and in July for current employees.

Board members also questioned the council's suggestion to use savings from switching health plans to reduce taxes. While the move will save $250,000, one board member said he wasn't certain whether the teacher's union would be happy with the new plan, which does not include Somerset Medical Center as a provider.

In addition to criticizing the cuts, board members also criticized the council's motivation for them, with Vice President Pio Pennisi calling the council's actions "political." "It's all about November," he said.

In a show of unity, though, Mayor Charles Butrico, a Democrat, and Councilman Rob Bengivenga, a Republican, approached the microphone together to question the board about its fiscal accountability. Butrico and Bengivenga wanted to know why the board proposed awarding a custodial contract to the highest bidder rather than the lowest.

"You could save $200,000," said Butrico, who asked the board to look closer at its ability stick with the lowest bidder. "You have excellent attorneys. I'm sure you can find a way."

Board members responded by saying they had little choice but to eliminate the top three bidders based on legal technicalities. Later in the meeting, with little comment, they voted to accept the highest of the four bidders, Sodexo, Inc. Sodexo currently provides custodial services to the board, and as pointed out by Bengivenga, also employs Giannakis, the board president.

Later, Butrico criticized the board for not discussing its options regarding the contract and how it could save money: "I thought you would have at least discussed it."

While public comment came mostly from teachers and staff, Kevin Hughes, a parent whose child will enter the high school next year, asked the board to put its difficulties with the council's recommendations aside, do what's best for the children, and work to reinstate programs, including freshman sports. Hughes urged the board to reinstate the program, as well as others that were cut.

Athletic Director Mike Buggey agreed, calling upon the board to reinstate staff and programs during what he called "the emergency we are in right now." In doing so, he urged the board to use its emergency funds to offset losses in state aid.

Resident Derryck White echoed this, repeatedly asking the board to disclose the amounts in its reserve accounts and then use those funds to reinstate cuts, as suggested by the council.

Council Passes $1.25 Million Reduction

In front of a packed house at the Senior Center, the Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution tonight reducing the school-board budget by $1.25 million. 

The measure will not require additional staff or program cuts, and it will eliminate the $100 increase for the average homeowner proposed by the school board.  Instead, the school tax rate will drop about $15 versus last year.

Along with the reduction, the Council also recommended additional measures--mostly reductions to reserve accounts and use of surplus--that would allow the school board to restore several teaching positions and sports/extracurricular programs. 

Under the proposal, the board could either restore 15 teaching jobs or a combination of six teaching jobs, the adult high school, and sports/extracurricular programs.  Whether to follow these recommendations is up to the board, as only the $1.25 million reduction is binding.

A host of teachers, administrators, and members of the public spoke about the cuts, as well as whether the school board should seek a wage freeze or other concessions.

Given the disparity between the school board's proposed budget and the Council's reductions, many of those addressing the Council also questioned the credibility of the original budget prepared by Superintendent of School Jose Negron and his administration.

Grant School Principal Leo Whalen responded to suggestions that staff  "do the right thing" and make wage concessions by pointing out that staff members do the right thing every day in the schools.

Others had a different take. Resident Derryck White pointed out how those in the private sector are facing unprecedented hard times and how he himself took a wage cut before his company declared bankruptcy and he lost his job.

South Plainfield Education Association President Louise Mruz criticized several of the cuts, more specifically, those reducing the money available for teacher raises.  She also questioned using savings from payments teachers will begin making toward their healthcare in July. 

The Legislature in April passed a law requiring teachers and other school employees to contribute 1.5% of their salaries toward their healthcare, but the state teachers' union is suing to overturn the statute.  The Council chose to use the savings nonethless, since the law is currently in effect.

While Republican Councilman Ray Rusnak was credited with leading the budget review process, the plan received bipartisan support, including that of Mayor Charles Butrico, a Democrat.  In fact, several members of the public complimented the Council for developing a plan that would cut taxes and bring back staff and programs.

To read the Courier News coverage, click here.

Your View: Developing Tingley Rubber a Mistake

07080 readers almost unanimously oppose the development of a new apartment/condo complex on the site of the old Tingley Rubber factoryoff Hamilton Boulevard.  Developer Jack Morris received approval for the project in April, when the Planning Board voted to allow him to remove age restrictions that were required for the site when it was originally approved several years ago.

Of those taking part in the survey, 90% said they do not support the plan, and only six percent said they like the idea.  A small number, about two percent, were undecided.  While the survey did not ask readers why they voted as they did, reader comments to an 07080 article suggest overdevelopment is a key reason.  That same article triggered 14 comments, one of our biggest responses. 

While 07080 polls are not scientific, the one that was actually tested in the real world was right on target.  In April, 58% of readers said they intended to vote "no" on the school-board budget, with only 41% saying they'd support it.  The election result mirriored that, with the budget going down 60%-40%.

Fireworks Attacker Indicted for Attempted Murder

The 24-year-old who attacked DPW employee Dave Donatelli at the fireworks in Spring Lake Park on Labor Day is being indicted for attempted murder.  Read about  it here.

SP Sisters Take Public Speaking Awards

Sisters Ariya and Angali Blow, who reside in South Plainfield and attend Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, each received s "The Award of Excellence" at the New Jersey Orators, Inc. public speaking competition.  To find out more, click here

Council proposal will drop BOE tax rate, restore jobs and programs

Calling it a “win for everyone,” Councilman Ray Rusnak, today announced a budget plan that will reduce taxes slightly for the average homeowner, as well as allow the local school board to restore programs and teachers if it chooses.

Under the proposal, the Council would cut the school tax levy by $1.25 million, which would result in taxpayers receiving a $15 tax decrease this year. Voters in April rejected a schools budget that would have hiked taxes by about $100 for the average home.

The proposal will also include recommendations that the board cut another $725,000, which can be used to restore some of the cuts the board made when announcing the budget, including extracurricular activities, teachers, the adult high school, and sports programs.

“These reductions won’t cause a single teacher to lose a job, and they won’t eliminate a single educational or sports program,” said Matt Anesh, who serves as council president. “Just the opposite, we’re recommending ways to possibly bring back teachers and reinstate programs.”

The plan was recommended by the council’s administration and finance committee, chaired by Rusnak, and it will go before the entire council Monday night.

Councilman Tim McConville, whose three children attend Riley School, likes the plan: “It brings down taxes and allows the board to restore programs for the kids, so I’ll be supporting it.”

If approved, the board would be bound by the $1.25 million budget cut, although it could appeal the cut to the Commissioner of Education. The council’s line-item reductions and recommendations to bring back programs are not binding however.

“The board can disagree with how we got to the $1.25 million and can choose to disregard our other recommendations, but we hope they’ll look closely at them,” said Anesh. “They benefit the children.”

Anesh credited Rusnak, Administrator/CFO Glenn Cullen, and Borough Auditor Bob Swisher with scouring the budget for savings and finding cuts that would not affect education.

“Voters overwhelmingly defeated the budget, so we knew we had to reduce the tax rate,” Anesh said. “But we also wanted to find cuts that wouldn’t hurt the students.”

Councilman Rob Bengivenga, who also sits on the administration and finance committee, agreed: “We originally wanted to bring the tax rate flat without negatively affecting education. I’m happy to say we were able to do much more. We found additional reductions that can be used save some jobs and vital programs, like the adult high school, school safety, and sports.”

Bengivenga also praised Rusnak, who spearheaded the review and held at least a half-dozen meetings before the final proposal was developed.

“Ray made sure everyone was part of the process and got their say,” Bengivenga said. “He made that clear from the start”

The proposed reductions include cutting $250,000 from the amount budgeted for raises and reducing several reserve accounts. A review of the board’s books also showed additional surplus, which was not available when the board originally proposed its spending plan.

In addition, retirements that were announced after the budget was adopted by the board provided some additional places to cut cost, because the newly hired employees will be hired at a little over half the salary as the person retiring.

(Reader Submitted).

Update:  According to an article in the Courier News, the proposal appears to have bipartisan support, with Mayor Charles Butrico commenting favorably upon the plan.  To read the article click here

BOE Axes Teachers, Staff

Nearly three dozen staff members lost their jobs last night, after the school board voted 8-1 to approve staff cuts recommended by Superintendent of School Jose Negron.

The lone dissenter, Debbie Boyle, begged her fellow board members to wait until next week and hear the recommendations of the Borough Council before making the cuts, but they moved ahead anyhow.

Voters soundly defeated the budget in April, which means it is now in the hands of the Borough Council. While Negron said last night that the council has the option of leaving the budget alone and not making any cuts, most members of the public acknowledged how that prospect is nearly nonexistent. 

The twelve teacher cuts and remaining cuts were originally announced in March when the school board adopted its budget:

• Director of Building and Grounds
• School Resource Officer
• 4 full-time secretaries
• 10 teacher aides
• a computer technician
• a guidance counselor
• a student assistance counselor
• a nurse
• 4 high school teachers
• 2 middle school teachers
• 6 elementary teachers
• a school psychologist

Negron also recommended eliminating the district's technology director and adult-education director, cuts that were not on the table previously.

During the meeting, Boyle, who chairs the board's negotiating committee, reiterated her call for a wage freeze.  She asked each bargaining unit, as well as contractors and members of the administration, to freeze their salaries for one year, which she said would result in a significant cost savings.  To date she's received no response.

Resident Shares in $1.59 Settlement with County

A South Plainfield resident is one of two former sheriff's officers to share in a $1.59 million bias-suit settlement, according to the New Jersey Law Journal.

Angel Jazikoff, 42, of South Plainfield, and Joan Ivan, 38, of Edison both sued the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, saying they endured sexual harassment and sexual discrimination at the hands of the department and its superior officers.

The settlement awards $752,500 to Jazikoff and Ivan,with the exact split undisclosed.  The remaining $837,500 is for legal fees.

Jazikoff and Ivan said they were subjected to sexually suggestive remarks, propositions, and discrimination in their assignments and overtime.  Named in the suit were Sheriff Joseph Spicuzzo, former Undersheriff Joseph Falcone, Lieutenant Donald Blount, and Sgt. Bruce Allen.  As part of the allegations, Ivan accused one county officer of groping her, and Jazikoff claimed another exposed himself to her.

Neither Jazikoff nor Ivan still work for the department.  Jazikoff left in 2006 when she went on disability due to a hand injury, and Ivan was discharged in 2003 after failing to qualify on the firing range.

Former South Plainfield Borough Attorney Patrick Bradshaw represented the county and Spicuzzo.  The Middlesex County freeholders approved the settlement on April 19th.

Plainfield Superintendent Allegedly Helped Students Gain Illegal Entry into SP Schools

The embattled schools superintendent from Plainfield was arrested today for allegedly helping out-of-town students gain illegal entry into South Plainfield schools. Joining him were two employees, who were charged with a variety of related crimes.  According to reports, the superintendent let two of his employees use his South Plainfield address, which is illegal.

The allegations have been a recent topic of discussion on local message boards, where posters have repeatedly asked what the school board was doing about the situation.

Read about the charges here.

Teachers Pack Council Meeting

Nearly a hundred South Plainfield teachers-union members attended tonight's Borough Council meeting, hoping to urge the Council to keep in tact the same budget voters soundly defeated last week.

Councilman Ray Rusnak, along with the mayor, explained the budget-review process that's taking place, pointing out that no decisions have been made yet regarding cuts.  Rusnak, who chairs the Council's administration and finance committee, said he, CFO Glenn Cullen and the Borough's auditor have been meeting with school officials to review the budget and have asked for documents that would allow them to conduct a thorough review.

Union President Louise Mruz, whose members attended the meeting wearing green "stand united" t-shirts, asked when a decision would be made on the budget and was told that the council would be holding a special meeting for Monday, May 10th to decide on cuts and make recommendations for line-item reductions.

While little discussion about the actual budget took place, Board member Debbie Boyle later reminded the audience that she had asked all the district's unions, administrators, and contractors to take a pay freeze, yet to date nobody has responded to her request.

Fire Department Gets $65,000 Grant

South Plainfield's volunteer fire department will receive $65,000 for new radios thanks to a federal grant geared toward bettering communications for first responders.

Congressman Leonard Lance announced the grant on award on Friday.  South Plainfield is one of two towns in central Jersey to receive the funding; the other is Bound Brook.

Chief Larry Del Negro, who prepared the grant application, said the funds will go toward purchasing ten 800-megahertz radios for inside the department's fire trucks.

Del Negro called to process for obtaining the grant "extremely competitive," with thousands of fire departments across the country applying for funds.  He thanked not only his own volunteers and officers for helping in the process, but also gave credit to Police Sgt. Jim Foran, who has been working to integrate the department's new radio system into the central dispatch system.

Del Negro said the radios will help make safer the "dangerous" tasks performed by his firefighters.  He added that firefighters will be able to communicate on assigned radio frequencies not just in South Plainfield, but that they will now have clear communication anywhere in Middlesex County.

This is the second federal grant the department received in as many years.  Last year the department received almost $138,000 to purchase hand-held radios.  Del Negro said the new radio system "will meet the needs of the South Plainfield Fire Department not only today, but for years to come."

SPHS Athletes Muglia, Longo & Papa Honored

(reader submitted)

Katie Muglia, Philip Longo, and Dylan Papa were honored Friday as UNICO Plainfields Chapter's 2010 Brian Piccolo award winners.  

The award recognizes high school athletes who also excel in academics. Joining the three winners in the picture below are Councilman Rob Bengivenga, Debbie Boyle of the South Plainfield Board of Education,  former BOE member Bob Jones, and Anthony Bengivenga, President of the UNICO Plainfields Chapter.  

The award is named after Brian Piccolo, who was a professional football player for the Chicago Bears for four years. Brian died from embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of testicular cancer, which was first diagnosed after it had spread to his chest cavity. He was the subject of the 1971 TV movie Brian's Song. Piccolo was portrayed in the original film by James Caan and by Sean Maher in the 2001 remake.

Anesh: BOE reductions should not increase class size or cut programs

(reader submitted)

In the wake of last week’s budget vote, Council President Matt Anesh has asked the Borough’s Administration and Finance Committee to review the defeated budget and make recommendations to the full council on ways trim costs. 

In announcing the move, Anesh challenged the committee to find reductions that won’t hurt education by increasing class size or cutting programs.

“We need to hold the line on taxes,” he said, “but it’s also vital that we come up with reductions that won’t have a negative effect on education.” 

Councilman Ray Rusnak, who chairs the committee, said he’s already met with school officials and will be working on a plan. 

“We’re working to come up with reductions that bring down taxes but won’t hurt the students,” said Rusnak.

At its last meeting, the Council voted to appoint Suplee, Clooney & Company, the Borough’s auditor, to analyze the budget and work with the committee to develop recommendations. 

According to Rusnak, he’s asked the auditors to look for savings that won’t affect the classroom:  “We already have some ideas, and so far, none of them will mean cutting more teachers or programs.  That’s our goal.”

 Anesh said he also wants the committee to work with the board.  “It makes sense to work together, because the board’s has to live with the budget after we decide how much to cut.” 

 “These are hard decisions,” explained Anesh, who has twin boys attending Riley School.  “Residents sent a clear message when they voted, and the Council has a responsibility to listen to that message, but we also need to make sure what we do keeps the needs of the children in mind.”

Reporter Says Contamination Story's Accurate; Borough Officials Agree

A Courier News reporter says he's standing by a story he wrote about how contamination is forcing further delay of the New Market Avenue extension.

A local South Plainfield weekly newspaper criticized the story, which appeared recently in the Courier and its sister paper, the Home News Tribune.  The article pointed to low-level contaminants discovered on the site of the proposed roadway as the cause of additional construction delay, with completion possibly extending into the summer.

"I stand by our story." said Courier News writer Jeff Grant.  Grant's article acknowledged the project is also being slowed by work being done by Verizon at the site, but he says the contamination is also to blame.

A front-page article in the South Plainfield Observer attacked Grant's story as "not accurate" and disputed whether contamination was forcing further delay. The Observer headline blames the delay solely on Verizon and Comcast's decision to put their lines underground instead of on poles.

But Borough officials contacted by 07080 side with Grant, saying that contamination will set the project back and delay the opening until at least July.  By contrast, the Verizon and Comcast work should only take several weeks, something the Observer article concedes.

Officials say the contaminants were found along the road bed, near the proposed intersection with Spicer Avenue, an area that was originally thought to be free from pollutants.

Grant's story cites two official Borough sources, Democratic Mayor Charles Butrico and Republican Councilman Rob Bengivenga, with both acknowledging the contamination and the need for clean-up.  The Observer only interviewed Butrico.

The New Market extension has a checkered political history.  Butrico originally proposed the project as part of a plan to re-route trucks off Hamilton Boulevard.  Republicans initially questioned the plan, pointing to the possibility of contamination along the route, which Butrico at the time denied.  While Republicans campaigned against the new route in 2008, they chose not to block it a year later to avoid making the truck route a political football.