Cranford Patch: Latest Articles

Christie Cuts Would Kick Library System Back to the 'Stone Age'

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:41:00 -0400

Proposed cuts threaten research databases, interlibrary loan system, circulation materials and town funding.

By Whitney Rhodes

6:41am

Gov. Chris Christie's proposal won't just effect town and school budgets. The Cranford Public Library is feeling the heat with Wednesday's proposed elimination of its reference database and interlibrary loan funding, as well as a 50 percent cut to state aid.

CPL is also facing a bill that looks to get rid of the annual minimum requirement for municipal funding. This would make the library's share of municipal funds completely up to the Cranford Township Committee.

Submitted to the New Jersey Assembly on Tuesday, the bill A255 calls for the elimination of the 1/3 mil requirement. This requirement establishes a certain annual minimum funding level for a town's public library. Towns can fund above the minimum, which is not uncommon, but they cannot fund below it. The level is determined by looking at the value of all the real estate in a township and then allocating a certain percentage of that value to the local public library.

"The actual amount deemed necessary by the municipal governing body could, in fact, prove woefully inadequate for running a first-class town library, so the elimination of the 1/3 protection is an extremely scary prospect," said Cranford Public Library Director John Malar. "Similar bills were introduced at least twice within the last couple of years, but they never got anywhere."

Christie's budget proposal calls for the elimination of all (that's $1.4 million) of the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative, a program administered by the State Library that makes valuable commercial reference databases, like ReferenceUSA, Business Source Premiere and Academic Search Premiere, available to academic and local libraries throughout the state and to the New Jersey business community.

"Most libraries cannot afford to pay for these databases on their own, so this would be a huge blow to public libraries and their patrons," said Malar.

The State Library would also lose all (that's almost $4.3 million) in network aid. If so, JerseyCat, the statewide online library catalog would likely cease to exist, putting an end to a statewide interlibrary loan system.

Cranford is currently part of a network called Infolink that consists of Union, Middlesex, Hudson and Essex counties. This cooperative would disband, eliminating patron loans from the other library branches and discounted education opportunities for employees at member libraries.

"It would, in effect, place us back in the Stone Age," said Malar. "Instead of searching hundreds of libraries at once for an item a patron wants, we would be forced to search library catalogs one by one. It would also eliminate the statewide service that we rely on to deliver and receive interlibrary loan items."

Cranford patrons would see a decrease in new materials for loan at the library due to Christie's proposed 50 percent cut to direct state aid.

"We use all our state aid money to buy books and other circulating materials," said Malar. "It would be a huge blow to us."

In addition, the governor has proposed that the State Library and its affiliate, Thomas Edison College, be merged with the State Museum and governed by Rutgers University.

Malar and his staff are unsure how to react to the governor's proposal. They are waiting for the New Jersey Library Association, the main advocacy group in the state on behalf of libraries, to advise.

"These are the most serious threats we have ever faced for New Jersey libraries," said an NJLA spokesperson.

This is a developing story. Check Cranford Patch again for the latest.

Cranford Loses $750K in State Aid

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:33:43 -0400

The state releases the specifics on aid cuts to municipalities Thursday afternoon.

By Whitney Rhodes

March 18, 2010

The state Department of Community Affairs announced Thursday afternoon that Cranford will lose close to $750,000 in state aid this year.

These reductions are relatively close to what the municipalities had been expecting. The township was anticipating a 15 to 20 percent drop in state aid. The actual drop, from $3,646,401 last year to $2,900,712 this year, is 20.44 percent. The aid this year will include $176,502 in consolidated municipal property tax relief and $2,724,210 in total energy tax receipts.

"The budget that the governor outlined is not a surprise," said Mayor Mark Smith. "Taxes cannot continue to increase, and spending must be reduced. The strategy is to force reductions in spending at the local level. The changes in education funding and municipal funding will do that, but the cuts will be painful. It will be virtually impossible to maintain the current levels of spending given the restrictions imposed by levy caps."

The total state aid distributed to municipalities across New Jersey for fiscal year 2011 is nearly $1.5 billion. The budget for state aid this year has been reduced almost $359 million from last year's total aid appropriation.

Other municipalities in Union County lost about the same percentage as Cranford. Westfield suffered one of the higher reductions amongst county municipalities similar to Cranford — the town lost $941,470, a 23.45 percent decrease from the year before.

According to a DCA release accompanying the numbers: "this budget and the changes in state policy it represents require that municipal officials immediately and actively examine a wide range of actions to control and reduce costs and take actions such as:

Considering not only how services are provided, but the need for them;
Sharing services with neighboring governments, schools, and county agencies;
Reviewing all employee contracts and benefits policies for consistency with the economy and government financial conditions; and,
Taking advantage of all opportunities to reduce costs before exercising their local authority to increase property taxes."

"I believe that this is the first in a series of difficult but necessary steps required to put New Jersey back on the road to fiscal health," said Smith. "The Township Committee will do everything it can to preserve services and keep taxes under control."

This story is developing. Check Cranford Patch again for more updates.

Lacrosse Team Gets Into Game Shape

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:25:00 -0400

Cranford's lacrosse team takes its first step towards the season opener.

By Mike Curci

March 18, 2010

The boys' lacrosse team took advantage of the perfect 70-degree weather Wednesday afternoon to test their skills in an early season scrimmage against Columbia High School of South Orange-Maplewood.

The teams decided not to keep score while playing their full rosters, which gave the coaches a chance to assess their talent and to begin getting their players into game shape.

"As you can see, we need a little conditioning work," said head coach Al Reinoso, who started the program six years ago and has led them to three conference championships. "Each guy only had a quarter or two of work, so we have to get in better shape."

"Today was the first time we got everybody together as a unit," said senior Steve DiGiovanni. "We tested our skills, what we need to work on. We need a little more work with patience on the offense and the defense needs to be one step ahead of the opposing team's offense."

This early in the season, it's not about minutes played and goals scored as much as it is about overall conditioning and improving their skills.

"Like I told the guys at the end of the varsity portion of the scrimmage, it's great because we need to know where we need to work," said Reinoso. "We need to find our weaknesses, and this first scrimmage really exposes weaknesses. We need work in every basic aspect or fundamental of the game right now, from communicating on defense and knowing where you're supposed to be, off ball on defense, all the way on out to the offensive sets and knowing how to run it, learning how to get free and stuff like that."

"We need a couple of guys to stay after, even when practice is over and work on our bodies and everything," DiGiovanni said. "We need to get up and down the field faster. We did good shooting-wise, people would go to the goal and other people would move, and I think we capitalized on some of them."

Reinoso knows it's also a time to keep his troops focused and positive as they get their game legs under them.

"I told them the biggest thing today is don't get too down on yourselves," Reinoso said. "We didn't do a bad job. We just see what we have to do and we see who needs to work a little harder than others."

The Cougars are coming off their third conference championship, finishing 16-5 a year ago. They lost in the county tournament semi-finals and the state quarterfinals in a successful campaign. That kind of success creates higher expectations each year, according to Reinoso.

"Especially the older guys, the returning starters, the returning veterans, they expect that level, but we have our work cut out for us, there's no doubt," he said.

All together, the varsity and junior varsity have a combined 30 athletes, and another 20 freshmen will play a separate schedule.

"This is the most since the second year," Reinoso said. "2006 we had around the same amount. Numbers-wise it's great. The program is starting to pick up."

There were a few players who caught the coaches' eyes already.

"Steve DiGiovanni looked real good. Michael Sheehan was vastly improved and looked real sharp out there. As a matter of fact, the other coaches commented about him. Will Bender was pretty good. He did a decent job on the faceoffs, a decent job on the down 'D', clearing the ball a little bit. Everybody else was right where you would be the second week of the season."

The scrimmage was controlled, meaning the coaches were able to be on the field to instruct the players when necessary. Seniors and juniors played in the first and third quarters, with juniors and sophomores on the field in the second and fourth quarters.

The Cougars will practice the next few days and then hit the road to face Rutgers Prep for a scrimmage this Saturday.

Watch for our full boys lacrosse preview coming next week.

Potholes, Potholes Everywhere

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:10:57 -0400

DPW crews are working to repair potholes across Cranford.

By Kristin Thorne

March 18, 2010

They come in all sizes and shapes – large, circular and deep or small, jagged and shallow.

They're potholes, they're all over Cranford and local crews with the Department of Public Works are trying to keep up with all the repairs.

Mayor Mark Smith said crews are first filling in the biggest potholes – the ones that create the most hazards for drivers. Smith said approximately three DPW crews have been out on the streets this week.

"We're doing the best we can to get them [the roads] back in decent shape," Smith said.

The town has been receiving calls from residents notifying officials of potholes across the area. But no accidents have been reported due to the potholes, according to Lt. Joseph Van Bergen in the traffic division of the Cranford Police Department.

"When we do find one [a pothole] when they're that big we notify DPW immediately," Van Bergen said.

Mayor Smith said the town is still trying to figure out how much it has to spend on pothole repairs. He said the rain and wind storm last weekend required a lot of overtime pay for police, fire and DPW crews. During the two-day storm, the police and fire departments responded to 132 emergency calls, ranging from infrastructure problems to residents with sewage issues. Smith said town officials will have to take the overtime pay into account when figuring out how much to dedicate to street repair.

Cranford also has to keep in mind snowstorms that may come this November or December.

"Most people figure winter is over but the 2010 budget encompasses the end of the year," Smith said.

Meanwhile, police are urging residents to use caution on some of the roads with many potholes, like North Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Eastman Street.

See a nasty pothole in Cranford? You can report it to town officials by calling 908-709-7200. Snap a photo and send it along with the location details to whitney@patch.com.

Education Commissioner Defends Hefty Cut in State Aid to Cranford, Other Districts

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:09:03 -0400

The school district's state aid cuts were much steeper than expected.

March 18, 2010

State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler on Wednesday defended the governor's significant cut to New Jersey school districts' state aid, telling reporters that previous Democratic administrations and the loss of $1 billion in federal stimulus funds are partly to blame for the reduction.

Cranford will lose nearly $2.5 million in state aid, but could also receive $4.2 million in other aid. Gov. Chris Christie presented his budget address Tuesday afternoon, indicating that school districts would not lose more than 5 percent of their total budget.

In a conference call with reporters, Schundler said that districts had been told to anticipate this reduction in aid.

"Districts had the understanding that it would be 15 percent and it is a number that is less than that," Schundler said.

But the Cranford School District and others were operating under the impression that the 15 percent cut would be out of the aid they receive, not out of their total operating budgets.

Up until now, the district had been preparing its budget with the expectation that it would lose 1o to 15 percent of its expected state aid. Now that $2.5 million has been cut, the district will have to refigure many of its plans. Instead on Wednesday, the school district learned that it would actually lose 5 percent of its total operating budget of nearly $52 million. That slashed state formula aid by $2.5 million, dropping the amount they'll receive to just $751,837. The money goes toward general education expenses. This figure excludes about $4.2 million in specialized state aid used for debt service, Social Security payroll taxes, etc.

Schundler pointed to the loss of federal stimulus money as one reason state aid was cut so much. The education commissioner noted that funds from last year's stimulus package were used to partially pay for state aid payments at that time. The federal aid was meant as a one-time payment to states.

On Wednesday, Schundler said that the state legislature can avert layoffs at the school district level by implementing Christie's package of public employee reforms in a quick time frame. The package includes changing the pension and health benefits packages for teachers, including requiring co-pays and larger payments for pensions. The co-pays will apply to school personnel who retire after the changes are made, but not to those who leave their jobs before the proposals are enacted.

Schundler said this will allow for more quick retirements from teachers who do not want to pay part of their health insurance in retirement. He said quick enactment, which is not considered likely, will help stem the expected layoffs in school districts statewide.

"That will dramactically reduce the number of personnel reductions that would be achieved through a layoff," he said. "These reforms will reduce costs to the districts and create a need for early retirements."

The Cranford district will have the option to raise property taxes above the four percent state cap in order to make up for the lost school aid, but Schundler said the county superintendents will be looking to hold property tax hikes under the four percent cap and are prepared to veto spending over this amount.

Schundler said he believes that school districts can accomplish the cuts by the March 30 deadline for school budgets to be submitted for voter approval. He said he has instructed county superintendents to throughly review each school district budget and be prepared to make line item vetos in order to make further reductions before the budgets go to the voters on April 20. State law allows county superintendents to make these vetos.

The Cranford Board of Education will hold a special meeting on March 22 at Lincoln School to approve the 2010-2011 preliminary budget for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools. A public hearing will be held on the budget at Walnut Avenue School on March 29. Both meetings will start at 7 p.m.

Cranford Schools Lose $2.5 Million in State Aid

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:20:00 -0400

Cranford is looking at a 78 percent cut in state aid.

By Whitney Rhodes

March 17, 2010

The Cranford School District will lose close to 78 percent of its state aid, according to information released by the state Department of Education Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day Superintendent Gayle Carrick said she was waiting for official word on how much money the district would lose in the 2010-11 budget.

Cranford isn't the only district to lose a large portion of its state aid. Westfield will lose 90 percent, while Scotch Plains is looking at an 84 percent cut.

Check back for more details as they become available.

New Jersey Hawks Earn Bronze Medal in State Tournament

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:21:11 -0400

They defeated Montgomery 23-20 to earn the bronze medal in the state tournament.

By Mike Curci

March 17, 2010

Parents and players braved the driving rain and wind this past weekend, and the dedication paid off, as the New Jersey Hawks basketball team defeated Montgomery 23-20 to earn the bronze medal in the state tournament held at Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville.

The two-day event featured teams from all over the state. The Hawks, coached by Bob McAuliffe and Tom Wisniewski, have a number of Cranford players on their roster, who were proud to bring home the bronze to their home town.

Editor's Note: Author Mike Curci's son is on the team. Send your sports updates to whitney@patch.com.

Track Stars Shine at Nationals, Named All-American

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:14:06 -0400

Kelly Burke and Natalie Englese received high school track's highest honor.

By Mike Curci

March 17, 2010

Thanks to outstanding performances this past weekend at the Nike Indoor Nationals in Boston, the town of Cranford has two high school All-Americans to call their own.

Senior Kelly Burke and junior Natalie Englese needed to finish in the top six in their respective events to receive high school track's highest honor. It started when Burke finished second in the triple jump at 39'6.5", a personal best and a Union County record.

"Kelly has worked very hard throughout her high school career to achieve what she has achieved," said Cranford head coach Peter Kane. "Her jump of 39'6.5" is the fourth best indoor jump ever in New Jersey. She deserves every award she earns because of her work ethic and dedication. I'm very proud of her and very happy she's on our team."

"This weekend was really exciting," said Burke, who will be headed to the University of Notre Dame to continue her career. "This was the first time we've ever gone to Boston for Nationals. Usually we go to New York. It was great. I got to compete in a team event, shuttle hurdles, and then I got to do triple jump and pole vault. I went into triple jump not expecting to get into the finals. My first jump in finals, I ended up moving from fourth to second. It's just the best feeling ever. In pole vault I ended up with a personal-best by two inches from my indoor season and I ended up getting seventh. It was a really great end to my last indoor season."

Meanwhile, Englese finished third in the 400-meter with a time of 55.95, eclipsing her all-time best effort while smashing the Union County mark as well.

"Natalie has pushed herself to be able to compete at a very elite level," Kane said. "After the Meet of Champions and the Nike National meet, she knows that she can run with anyone. I'm looking forward to seeing her train and progress throughout the spring season. I don't believe there is any record that is safe from her."

"This was an awesome weekend," Englese said. "Going into the 400 as a top-eight, I made the finals, I had the eighth position, so I just gave everything I had and luckily I came out with a medal and became All-American. It was really exciting. I looked over to my coach and he was holding up number three. I was shocked. I couldn't believe I got third."

Both athletes always wanted to achieve All-American status, and they knew it would take a tremendous amount of hard work to get to stand on the national podium.

"I definitely reached my goals," said Burke. "All-American was definitely a goal of mine. The fact that I got past sixth for anything was just amazing. That I got second in triple jump was one of the most amazing feelings ever."

"I set high goals for myself," Englese said. "We wrote on a piece of paper things we wanted to accomplish. I couldn't ask for a better ending. This is such a great year with the Meet of Champions and now Nationals. It's still so unreal. I'm so happy and I hope it carries on to the spring season."

All in all, it was an amazing weekend for Kane and his staff, who headed to Beantown with six student-athletes ready to compete. Others who qualified for the Nationals were the Shuttle Hurdle Relay team of sophomores Rebecca Shiminov and Gillian Burke, freshman Bryanna Grant and Kelly Burke. They took 11th in a time of 37.21.

"The kids and coaching staff were very focused and excited for the entire weekend," said Kane. "We had a great time preparing for the competition and the kids stepped up and performed on the biggest stage in the nation. To have these results gets everyone very excited for the outdoor season ahead. We are very proud of the girls."

Sudiak: We Don't Rest on Our Laurels

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:14:55 -0400

Long-sitting incumbent seeks fifth term on Board of Education.

By Patrick Sullivan

March 17, 2010

After 12 years on the school board, Mary Catherine Sudiak still has work to do. Sudiak is seeking her fifth term on Cranford's Board of Education. She is one of three uncontested candidates.

"We don't sit on our laurels," she said. "We're always looking to improve."

This full-time mother of two–son Billy is a sophomore at Villanova University and daughter Christine is a sophomore at Cranford High School–is active in both the Cranford and Union County communities, sitting on numerous boards and volunteering for positions including, but not limited to: Trailside Museum board in Watchung, Parent-Teacher Council board, Cranford Junior Women's Club, and Boy Scout Troop 75.

"I try to stay in touch with other things in the community," she said. "Cranford is a wonderful town and I do what I can to give to it."

A number of programs that identify children's and teachers' most effective learning styles, such as the Kaleidoscope Program and Teaching for Understanding, have come to fruition over the past few years. The result is a stronger focus on personalized learning this school year, and Sudiak hopes to build on this year's momentum. Sudiak is proud of her work on the Board of Education, but is quick to stress that she can't take all, or even most of the credit.

"The Board is collaborative," she said. "It really does work together."

Sudiak says her main focus for the coming term will be a greater integration of technology into the learning process. As a former employee of Bell Labs, Sudiak understands the benefits technology can bring to the classroom. Sudiak would like to see an overhaul of the school district's Web site and new interactive features such as an administrative forum that strengthens the "school-home connection."

"Using technology for students and the community is something I'd like to do better with," she said.

She acknowledges that one of the greatest difficulties in using the latest technology is funding, and feels that the greatest challenge facing Cranford's school system is the budget. She admits to being "very nervous" about Governor Chris Christie's coming cuts to school aid. To that end, the school board has come up with budgets incorporating cuts between five and 15 percent. Sudiak feels that Cranford shouldn't endure a drastic cut, but acknowledges that the state has changed the aid criteria with little notice before.

Overall, Sudiak wants to build on prior years' successes while looking for new ways for Cranford's children to compete in the global job market.

"Cranford is blessed with excellent schools, but we can always do better," she said.

What Does Christie's Budget Proposal Mean?

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:50:05 -0400

A quick FAQ to help you understand the governor's budget proposal.

By John Celock

March 16, 2010

Gov. Chris Christie's proposed FY 2011 budget will be discussed and debated in town and school chambers over the next few months. Patch has put together this list of frequently asked questions about the governor's proposed budget as a way to help readers understand the proposals.

What is this property tax constitutional amendment?

Christie is asking the state legislature to approve an amendment to the state constitution calling for a cap of 2.5 percent in annual property tax increases. In addition he is calling for a constitutional amendment capping state budget increases at 2.5 percent.

What is the procedure to amend the state constitution?

Both the Assembly and the Senate will need to pass the amendment by a two thirds majority. The measure would then go to a statewide public referendum in the 2010 general election. Fifty percent plus one of state voters are needed to approve the amendment. The governor's signature is not needed.

What is going to happen to property tax rebates?

Christie is proposing eliminating the current property tax rebates and replacing them with property tax credits from the state. Instead of getting a check in the mail, New Jersey residents would see the credits appear on their local property tax bills.

Would the property tax credits take effect in 2010?

No, they would take effect in 2011.

What is the governor's proposal regarding state aid to local school districts?

Christie has proposed a cut of $819 million in state aid to schools. In terms of specific numbers, he is proposing that local school districts will see a state cut that is equal to no more than five percent of the total Board of Education budget.

How can local Boards of Education handle the proposed aid cut?

Local districts are required by law to present balanced budgets for voter or Board of School Estimate approval. The boards will determine budgets and tax levies based on the state aid numbers revealed by Christie. It is up to individual boards to find the money to make up for any lost state aid.

What is Christie proposing regarding collective bargaining for teachers and other public employees?

Christie has proposed legislation requiring school district employees to pay a portion of their health benefits. Currently this issue is handled by the local school district and local teachers union in contract negotiations.

What are the changes being made to public employee pensions?

Christie, with the support of state Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford), is proposing that public employees contribute more to their pensions. A bill is currently heading through the state legislature to implement this proposal. Public employee unions are against this. Christie is also proposing limiting pensions to full-time employees only.

Is Christie cutting municipal aid?

Yes, the governor is proposing a cut of $445 million.

Will there be changes to the special and extraordinary state aid to municipalities?

If Christie has his way, yes. The governor said the Department of Community Affairs was determining a new program for the special aid which will reduce the amount given out. Christie said in the future municipalities will need to demonstrate to DCA that they are cutting their budgets before being able to receive the extra aid.

What are the percentage cuts the governor is proposing to individual state departments?

Department of Agriculture: 24%

Department of Banking and Insurance: 12%

Department of Children and Families: 4%

Department of Community Affairs: 35%

Department of Corrections: 7%

Department of Environmental Protection: 2%

Department of Education: 8%

Department of Health and Senior Services: 6%

Department of Human Services: 4%

Department of Labor: 6%

Department of Law and Public Safety (State Attorney General): 7%

Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: 2%

Department of the Public Advocate: 25%

Department of State: 11%

Department of Transportation: 3%

Department of the Treasury: 39%

Are there any budget hikes proposed by Christie?

Yes, Christie is proposing increasing the budget for hospitals in New Jersey.

Where does the budget go from here?

The budget committees in the Assembly and the Senate will be holding a series of public hearings on the budget. These hearings will lead to the legislature drafting a response to Christie's budget. The governor and legislative leaders will negotiate a final budget for a legislative vote. The final budget needs to be adopted by June 30.

What happens if the budget is not adopted by June 30?

State government will shut down like it did in 2006 when then Gov. Jon Corzine and the legislature could not agree on a budget. Unlike 2006, casinos will not shut down.