100 Years Ago: Remembering WWI

64 Pages·2017·17.78 MB·English

2018 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition
West field
This Is
Our 46th Annual Edition May 2018
100 Years Ago:
Remembering WWI

theJamesWardMansion

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2018 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition 2018
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2018 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition Page 3
Publisher’s Note
Advertisers’ Index
SERVING THE TOWN SINCE 1890
Advertiser Page
Arida DDS, Kenneth W. 19
This Is Westfield 2018
Ashbrook Care & Rehab 39
Bansky, Ron - Allstate 18
46TH ANNUAL EDITION Berkshire Hathaway NJ 24
A SPECIAL SECTION OF Bernstein, Jayne 26
Bramnick Esq., Jon 8
The Westfield Leader
Caffrey Tree & Landscape 25
P.O. BOX 250 Choi, Hye-Young 38
251 NORTH AVENUE WEST Christopher Academy 13
WESTFIELD, NJ 07091 Coldwell Banker East 32
HORACE CORBIN Coldwell Banker West 31
www.goleader.com Cosenza, Christine State Farm 5
[phone] Downtown Westfield Corp. 3
Welcome to the 46th Annual
[email protected] Dimopoulos, Maria 44
Edition of This Is Westfield that
EmCare 12
chronicles our great town with
Staff ERA Suburb Realty Agency 36
kindhearted people and wonderful
Fairview Cemetery 30
Horace Corbin, Publisher neighbors. Westfield is a superb
Family Investors Company 48
David Corbin, Asst. Publisher place to live and to do business.
Finestein & Malloy LLC 6
Jeff Gruman, Sales
First Congregational Church 28
Christina M. Hinke, TIW Editor We hope you enjoy the efforts of
Friends of Mindowaskin Park 15
Paul Peyton, Assignment Editor our staff and the many contributors.
Galaxy Building Contractors 41
Lauren S. Barr, Education, A&E Editor Thank you for making this edition
Gersch Orthodontics 43
Michael Bartiromo, Graphics possible for the 46th straight year
Greater Westfield Chamber 51
Suzette Stalker, Community and for the support of all our
Haley, Kimberley 2
Ben Corbin, Photography publications in town since 1890.
Isoldi, Frank 63
Robert Connelly, Business
James Ward Mansion 64
Correspondents: see www.goleader.com/staff Please take special note of the
John’s Meat Market 42
advertisers and give them a call
K-9 Resorts 27
Special Contributors when you need something. The best
KCH Contracting LLC 25
place to do business is right here at
Paul Lachenauer, Susan Myrill Dougherty, Sarah McGrail, Neal Snitow, Keller Williams Realty 10
home with your friends.
Lang, Barbara 42
Jim O’Connor, Vickie Williams, Charles Mulrooney, Roz Giuditta,
Lynch, Betty 16
Neil Vanderbilt, Sandy Antonelli, Debby Burslem, Board of Ed. Staff, DWC,
Massa, Susan 34
Town of Westfield Staff, The Public for the Organizations Directory. McEnerney, Mary 16
www.goleader.com/organizations Murphy, Ellen 46
NJ Workshop For The Arts 52
O’Brien, Marisa 39
O’Connor, Patty 35
Old City Cafe & Grill 14
Passananti, Eileen 47
Contents
Plante, Patricia 53
Presbyterian Church Westfield 29
Prominent Properties-Sotheby 21
Feature Page
Reel-Strong Heating & Cooling 37
Robert Algarin - Architect 9
War Monuments 4
Robertshaw, Brigid 39
Downtown 5
Sciarrillo, Cornell Law 20
Town Services 6
Signature Realty NJ 17
Mayor's Note 8
Sunrise Shoprite Liquors 7
Library; Train; Mindowaskin 9
Superior Interiors 5
Education 12-13
Smith, Francis M. Esq. 4
Board of Education 13
Sullivan, Beth 45
Superintendent Dolan 13
Taylor, Joyce 44
Chamber of Commerce 14
Tener, Carol 39
Schools 18
Weichert Realtors 22
Historical Society 26
Westfield Financial Planning 48
Miller-Cory 27
Westfield Foundation 14
Worship 28-29
Westfield PAL 51
Police 34
Westfield Pediatric Dental Gp. 35
Fire 35
Williams Nursery 25
Fairview Cemetery 37
Sports 40-47
Area Schools & Universities 48
Arts & Entertainment 50
Parks & Recreation 51 Get Free Shipping,
County; Rescue Squad 52
Organizations 54-59 Subscribe Now
United Fund 60
Neighbors; Congressional 60 908-232-4407
Municipal, Health Dept. 61
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About The Cover
The World War I Memorial and The Westfield Leader
Memorial Day service is pictured with
a bird’s eye view taken by Publisher
Horace Corbin through the opening www.goleader.com
of the Korean War Memorial.
2018 marks the centennial of the News, Sports, Community,
end of World War I. Business and Services
Page 4 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition 2018
2018 Marks Centennial of the End of
WWI: Westfield Honors Our Soldiers
9/11 Memorial WWII Memorial
Memorial Day ceremony held at WWI Memorial
2018 marks the centennial since the end of are inscribed for posterity around the circular
World War I. Westfield’s World War I Monu- relief image of a soldier from World War I.
ment at North Avenue and East Broad Street The Town also memorializes its soldiers in
honors those whose lives were lost serving our the plaza with a World War II memorial; an
country in the Great War that ended 1918. 1898-1902 War Plaque in memory of veter-
Atop a 57-foot granite shaft extended from ans who served in the Spanish-American
the WWI memorial, an 11-foot bronze statue War, the Philippine Insurrection and the China Vietnam War Memorial Korean War Memorial
of Clio, the Greek muse of history, casts a Relief Expedition; a Korean War memorial,
perennial gaze over the town from her pedes- and a Vietnam War Memorial. The 9/11
tal. On one side of the base, the names of those Memorial Park honors Westfield residents
18 men whose lives were lost during the war whose lives were lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
1898-1902 War Plaque WWI Plaque
The Law Office of
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Clio Stands Tall Above the WWI Memorial
Photo by Neal Snitow
2018 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition Page 5
Downtown Westfield Corporation
Promoting and Preserving Downtown
By Sherry Cronin, Executive Director, Downtown Westfield Corporation
The Downtown Westfield Corporation signage or awnings or to restore historic
(DWC), a New Jersey and nationally des- storefronts. Almost 200 facades have been
ignated Main Street Community since 1993, improved utilizing the Design Committee’s
is dedicated to promoting Downtown design services and the DWC’s Facade
Westfield as a preferred destination. The Renovation Incentive Grant program.
DWC is also the management entity of ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Westfield’s Special Improvement District Strengthening the Economic Base
and is solely supported by the downtown The Economic Development Commit-
property owners. tee focuses its attention on attracting and
The DWC is committed to strengthen- retaining businesses and providing market
ing the downtown Special Improvement and demographic data to prospective new
District as the center of community life and businesses. The committee’s work includes
preserving the rich architectural legacy of the publication of literature about operat-
the downtown area. ing a business in Westfield and administra-
The DWC utilizes the Main Street Four- tion of surveys and studies on issues such
Point Approach methodology (Design, as parking, shopper preferences and tenant
Economic Development, Organization mix in the district. Downtown Westfield 5K & Pizza Extravaganza
and Promotions) for strengthening the ORGANIZATION Photo by Paul Lachenauer
local economy and protecting the historic Sharing a Vision 2018 DWC Volunteer Board of Direc- These events and activities bring thou-
buildings. Promoting Westfield as a preferred tors: Patricia Hanigan, Chairperson & sands of people to shop, dine and enjoy
DESIGN destination Business Operator; Alan DeRose, Vice- downtown. The DWC plans, executes and
Enhancing with Design DWC Staff: Sherry Cronin, Executive Chairman & Property Owner; Gary S. promotes popular events, such as these, in
The Design Committee partners with Director; Beth Brenner, Assistant Execu- Goodman, Treasurer & Property Owner; the downtown and markets Westfield as a
building owners and tenants to improve tive Director; and Jamie Lemberg, Digital Miriam Silver Verga, Secretary & Busi- preferred destination.
their facades, through improvements to and Social Marketing. ness Operator; Jim Donofrio, Resident; The DWC staff produces professional
Shawn Hanna, Resident; Shelley Brindle, publications and web-based information
Mayor and ex officio; Jim Gildea, Town with a consistent branding strategy. The
Administrator and ex officio; and Dawn DWC also produces press releases, bro-
Mackey, Town Council Liaison. chures, and an annual Destination
PROMOTIONS Westfield Shopping and Dining Direc-
Staging Popular Events tory with an 80,000 copy and print distri-
The DWC Promotions Committee is bution. WestfieldToday.com has been
responsible for planning and implement- enhanced and is updated daily. The
ing popular events such as the “Sweet monthly e-newsletter, Westfield Today, is
Sounds Downtown” Jazz Festival; Down- currently distributed to over 20,000 email
town Westfield 5K & Pizza Extravaganza; addresses.
Customer Appreciation Days; Girls’ Day To volunteer, or learn more about the
& Night Out; Trick or Treat Downtown & DWC, located at 105 Elm Street, lower
Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival Halloween Costume Contest; and “Wel- level, visit WestfieldToday.com or contact
Photo by Beth Brenner, DWC
come Home to Westfield” holiday events. Sherry Cronin at [phone].
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Page 6 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition 2018
Westfield Town Services and permits, except where statute or mu- the Town of Westfield including street im-
nicipal ordinance has delegated that re- provements, right-of-way acquisition, storm
sponsibility to some other municipal of- water and utility system improvements, thor-
ficer. The Town Clerk also serves as coor- oughfare planning and management of de-
dinator and records manager responsible velopment contract and easement releases.
for implementing local archives and The Town Planner, Donald Sammet,
records retention programs. heads up the Planning and Zoning Divi-
Tax Assessor, Tax Collector sion, which includes the Construction Of-
And Chief Financial Officer ficial Steve Freedman and Zoning Officer
Tax Assessor Annmarie Switzer handles Kathleen Neville. The Planning and Zon-
evaluations of properties, manages property ing Division is responsible for administer-
ownership records and deeds, reviews tax ing the land use process for the Town of
appeals and works with those applying for Westfield. The department is the public
building permits or certificates of occupancy. point of entry for subdivisions, zoning
Deputy Tax Collector Henry Wang is changes, conditional uses, special use ex-
responsible for the billing, collection, re- ceptions and accessory use requests.
porting, and enforcement of taxes within
Recreation
the municipality. In addition, the Tax Of-
fice collects and reports sewer user fees. The Recreation Director is Don Bogardus
Chief Financial Officer Scott Olsen who replaced long-time director, Bruce
heads the Finance Department. The Fi- Kaufmann, in August 2017. The Westfield
nance Department develops, maintains and Recreation Department offers residents a
enforces a uniform system of accounts variety of activities, trips and events through-
including forms, standards and procedures out the year for all ages: youth, adult and
for all departments of the town govern- senior programming; sports instruction,
Westfield Municipal Building, 425 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090 ment. A central bookkeeping and account cultural arts, workshops and summer camps;
records system is maintained with sound seasonal events, outdoor concerts, movies;
Administration Town Clerk accounting principles in accordance with museum, theater and other bus trips; and
The Department of Administration di- The Town Clerk’s Office is the main the requirements of the State Division of pool membership opportunities.
rects, facilitates and assists municipal de- information hub in any municipality. With Local Government. The Finance Depart- The Recreation Department oversees
partments and agencies in the delivery of many varied duties interfacing with the ment assures that all bills are authorized schedules and manages use of the parks
services to residents, businesses and visi- public, Town Clerk Tara Rowley replaced and approved for payment. The depart- and fields in the town. The Recreation
tors. The Town Administrator is the chief long-time employee, Claire Gray, in No- ment controls all expenditures and com- Department is also responsible for the
administrative officer of the town and is vember 2017. The Town Clerk is the cus- mitments to be made on behalf of any highly successful public utility known as
responsible for the administration of town todian of the municipal seal and of all department in conformity with state law. the Westfield Memorial Pool.
affairs and for implementing policies es- minutes, books, deeds, bonds, contracts,
TV36 Municipal Court
tablished by the Town Council. The Town and archival records of the municipal cor-
Administrator is James Gildea, who has poration. The Town Clerk acts as secretary The Director of Operations of the local Judge Parag Patel of Westfield became
served in the position since 2001. Joan to the governing body, prepares meeting cable TV36 station is Ruben Rodriguez. the municipal judge this year, 2018. Judge
Thermann is Mr. Gildea’s Executive As- agendas and minutes of all meetings. The The TV36 station broadcasts on both Patel hears all non-indictable offenses and
sistant, who also serves the Mayor. The Town Clerk serves as the chief administra- Verizon and Comcast cable services. The is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week
newly hired Public Information Officer is tive officer in all elections held in the town. town shares broadcast time of the station to discuss bail, or if a situation calls for,
also part of the office of Administration. The Town Clerk’s Office is responsible for with the Westfield school system. issuance of a temporary restraining order.
The municipal court also includes Court
The town’s official website is the acceptance of applications for licenses Public Safety
Administrator Carol Salvaggio, Deputy Court
www.westfieldnj.gov. and permits and the issuance of licenses
Responsible for coordinating all safety Administrator Anne Margeotes, Municipal
and public emergencies in Westfield, the Prosecutor Yvette Gibbons and Public De-
department includes the police and fire fender Robert Bohrod. Responsibilities of
departments. Chief David Wayman is the the municipal court and violations bureau
head of the Police Department and Chief include the processing of all tickets written in
David Kelly is the head of the Fire Depart- Westfield, fielding complaints from residents
ment. Chief Wayman is also the town’s and conducting court sessions.
emergency management coordinator.
Legal Department
Health Department
Thomas Jardim is the Town Attorney
Headed by Health Officer Megan and serves as principal legal advisor to the
Avallone, the Westfield Regional Health governing body and all boards and com-
Department is the lead governmental agency missions appointed by the Town Council,
serving multiple municipalities including: with the exception of the Planning Board
Westfield, Fanwood, Mountainside, and Board of Adjustment. The town also
Garwood, New Providence, Roselle Park, retains a Labor Attorney.
and Summit. The department provides
mandated public health services, enforce-
ment, public clinics and responds to com-
plaints. The health department works with
doctors and hospitals. Inspectors are on call
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works is lo-
cated at 959 North Avenue West and con-
sists of the Engineering and Technology
Division, Division of Planning and Zoning
and the Division of Construction and Main-
tenance. The Director of Public Works is
Greg O’Neil and he heads the Construction
and Maintenance Division. Responsibili-
ties include curbside leaf collection, road
repair, snow removal, street sweeping, op-
eration of the conservation center, mainte- pictured, Jim Gildea and Tara Rowley
nance of sewers and waterways, mainte-
nance of park and field facilities and tree www.westfieldnj.gov
services. The Division is on call 24 hours a Town Administrator
day, seven days a week for emergencies. James H. Gildea
The Town Engineer is Kris McAloon, [email protected]
who heads up the Engineering and Technol- 908-789-4041
ogy Division, which includes Town Sur-
Town Clerk
veyor Paul Horta. The Engineering Divi-
Tara Rowley
sion is responsible for planning, design and
[email protected]
construction of capital improvements for
2018 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition Page 7
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Page 8 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition 2018
A Message from Mayor Shelley Brindle
transparency; improve service to residents
while increasing operating efficiencies;
improve the downtown business climate,
and cultivate community engagement. In
the coming months, you will see progress
on many of these objectives due to the
efforts of the numerous volunteers serving
on the various Town Committees and Coun-
cils focused on Technology, Media Pro-
duction, Adaptive Needs, Parking, Events,
Public Safety, the Arts and more.
This year, the most important initiative
that will begin in the spring is the develop-
ment of a new master plan for Westfield.
With broad input from the community, we
will work together to lay out a five to 20
year vision for Westfield, including a plan
for our downtown, parking, residential de-
velopment, parks, recreation and more.
The planning process will provide an op-
portunity for the community to determine existing playground. These improvements the people. The police, the firemen, the
not only who we want to be, but where we will help to ensure that Mindowaskin Park Town employees, the volunteers, the
want to go and ultimately the plan for how remains one of Westfield’s proudest trea- neighbors, the teachers, the coaches the
Shelley Brindle we’re going to get there. sures for generations to come. clergy — This.Is.Westfield.
Westfield Mayor Any future vision for Westfield should While we should see visible progress on
Thank you for the privilege of serving as be inspired by our treasured past. Nothing our short-term objectives this year, I will
your Mayor during an exciting time for our embodies our rich history more than our continue to work alongside the Town Coun-
community. Having been in office for only beautiful Mindowaskin Park, which will cil to pursue our longer term goals, includ-
a few months, I’ve already seen and expe- be celebrating its 100th anniversary. On ing a renewed focus on growing non-prop-
rienced enough great things to believe that June 1,1918, New Jersey Governor Walter erty tax revenue so we can stabilize our
we are on the verge of an economic and Edge joined other dignitaries to commemo- property taxes, strengthening our relation-
cultural renaissance that will define rate Mindowaskin Park, named after one ship with Union County to get more “bang
Westfield for decades to come. Leading of the four Native-Americans who had for our buck,” and advocating for our fair
the way are the hundreds of talented volun- inherited the land and sold it to New Jersey share of peak, one-seat rides on the Raritan
teers that have stepped up to offer their in 1684. We plan on having our own cel- Valley Line that other NJ Transit rail lines
skills to serve Westfield, working along- ebration this summer, and I hope you’ll enjoy today.
side the dedicated Town employees who join us. This is an exciting time to be a resident
serve as the heartbeat of our community. To commemorate the anniversary, we in Westfield. While we all came here for
I am excited to work with our volunteers have planned enhancements to the park, various reasons...whether it be the schools,
and employees to achieve four short-term including upgraded plantings and path- the downtown or the beautiful neighbor-
objectives: enhance communication and ways, and a significant upgrade to the hoods, we stay rooted here for one reason:
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2018 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition Page 9
The Westfield Memorial Libary Offers a Virtual Lending Library
printer is out of ink? Connect to the Additionally, the library has many
library and print that document remotely. programs that are entertaining and edu-
Going on a trip c a t i o n a l .
where a Wi-Fi Whether you
connection crave entertain-
may be iffy? ment, such as
Come to the li- popular music
brary and bor- and jazz, cook-
row one of five ing, exercise or
mobile hot movies, or you
spots the li- want to expand
brary now of- your knowledge
fers. Need to of history, com-
learn a foreign puter instruction
The Westfield Memorial Library wmlnj.org or via its app, which is avail- language for or poetry, you are
strives to stay current with the changes able from i-Tunes or Google Play. e- work, or maybe certain to find
in the way our patrons access informa- books, audio-books. Electronic maga- just for fun? something tai-
tion. When you come to the library, you zines, music and movies can all be Learn it using lored to you.
expect to find materials in a variety of streamed or downloaded. You can cast Rosetta Stone The Westfield
formats, as well as a clean, well-kept movies to your television using Google, via the library’s Memorial Li-
facility. Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV. Now website. brary is located
Ten years ago the library underwent a the library can be a full part of your While you at 550 East
major renovation. Over time and high living room entertainment. are there, check Broad Street.
usage, much had become worn. Over The library also has services that out the library’s Call (908) 248-
the last several years, the meeting room bridge the gap between home and the other databases, including premier busi- 4542 or visit wmlnj.org or search
was re-carpeted and had a new ceiling library. Need to print something at the ness sites, Standard & Poor’s, @wmlnj on Facebook for more infor-
installed. Later, the rest of the first floor last minute, only to find your home Morningstar and Reference USA. mation.
was re-carpeted. All of the lounge chairs
were reupholstered in beautiful, durable
fabrics, and the study carrels and their
chairs were refinished. The carrels also
received new power strips with USB
connections to charge electronics. The
lighting was updated to LED to improve
efficiency and reduce energy costs. We
plan more work for this year as we
continue to keep the library modern and
up to date.
For those who like to access their
materials remotely, the library offers
two options: either via its website,
Friends of Mindowaskin to Hold
Centennial Celebration Events
The Friends of Mindowaskin Park will planned for the fall, among others.
be kicking off Mindowaskin Park’s cen- In anticipation of the park’s centennial
tennial year in June, followed by a full year celebration, the former Clark’s Lake has
of park-centric events. been dredged and the shoreline’s restored,
Art in the Park is set to kick off the the private gardens are being refurbished,
celebration. Westfield Art Association mem- additional lighting is to be installed, new
bers will be painting throughout the 12.5- benches will be installed, the walkway will
acre park on June 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. be widened when replaced, a new flagpole
followed by a public viewing of the finished will replace the aging flagpole, and a new
pieces to be displayed on the bandstand. pocket park area is planned. The children’s
The Friends will be bringing back Chalk the playground is to have a new pour and play
Walks during the Art in the Park so the kids surface, replacing the wood chips, new play
can show off their art skills. Sidewalk chalk equipment, and the sidewalks are to be
will be provided for children to draw, using reconfigured to make it pedestrian friendly.
the park’s walkway as their canvas. “It’s For 100 years, visitors have enjoyed
another way to bring people in to enjoy this Mindowaskin’s natural beauty. The park’s
historic piece of property,” said Debby respite is centered around the glittering pond
Burslem, president of the Friends of where visitors have been seen fishing or
Mindowaskin Park. “It’s a great way for sailing toy boats for generations. Its walk-
Rendition of the bandstand by artist Vickie Williams,
kids to step back from electronics and make ways serve as a popular walking and jog- reproduced with permission of Deborah Burslem
a memory in this special place.” ging path, its trees are home to a variety of
Other events the Friends will host in its bird species, the gardens offer a burst of summer season, and sets a stage for live 42 cast iron lamp posts, over 40 mahogany
centennial year include Westfield Legends color throughout the growing season and a theatre where Troupe of Friends perform and iron benches, the granite overlook with
on the Lawn—a car show to be held on the home for pollinators, and the bandstand works of Shakespeare at summer’s end. granite benches and urns, the bluestone and
new walks of the Mindowaskin Park grounds, hosts live musicians, including the Westfield Mindowaskin has always been a place for granite memory walk, playground equip-
a dog parade, and a centennial dedication is Community Band, who play throughout the families to stroll, to walk your dog, couples ment, bandstand renovations and repair, re-
to be married and a wonderful place to grading and drainage repair, tree trimming,
make memories for all. and restoration of the center fountain of the
ROBERT ALGARIN 225 LENOX AVENUE The Friends of Mindowaskin Park, a pond. The Friends are proud to know that
ARCHITECT WESTFIELD, NJ 07090 501(c)(3) corporation, was formally es- their efforts show in every photo taken on the
PH: 908-232-2225 tablished in 1992 as a board of volunteers bandstand, overlook and bench.
FAX: [phone] dedicated to preserving the passive nature
of the property, and to advocate for a long- To be part of the ongoing restoration,
term public/private partnership with the the Friends Board of Directors or for
Residential Commercial Certified Kitchen Designer
Town of Westfield to preserve the land and donation/naming opportunities, please
Creative problem solving through thoughtful
design and personal service enhance its natural beauty. contact [email protected].
LEED Green Associate Over their 26 years, The Friends have View artist/performer websites:
happily made many improvements to the http://westfieldcommunityband.com
www.robertalgarinarchitect.com property. Through their efforts there have http://westfieldartassociation.org
LICENSED NJ/NY/NCARB CERTIFIED been many items donated to the property and http://www.troupe-of-friends.com
the Town of Westfield. Those items include:
Page 10 This Is Westfield Our 46th Annual Edition 2018