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Council rethinks garage sales fee
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Local garage sale fees may soon be restored to their original rates, following a recent township council decision to raise them by 150 percent.
The cost to obtain a garage sale permit in Bloomfield soared from $10 to $25 this spring as one way to fill certain budget gaps, officials said at the time.
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Cops seek robbery suspects
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Police say they are searching for four young males who attempted to rob a man walking down Grove Street on June 22.
Lt. Rich Wallace said four black males approached a man while walking near 131 Grove St. at 11:10 p.m. and stated "give us your money."
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Kearny offers Digesere superintendent's position
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Schools Superintendent Frank Digesere may soon be packing his bags and moving back to his hometown, according to Kearny school officials.
Digesere has been offered the superintendent’s position in Kearny, but he said he is unsure if he will take the job or retire. A tentative contract was approved during the Kearny Board of Education’s June 22 meeting but is contingent on salary negotiations and approval from the county superintendent, according to Kearny officials.
Digesere said he has yet to sit down with the district to iron out further details: "I don’t now what’s going to happen," he said.
Digesere has a long history of service to Kearny.
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Taxes are going up again
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Taxes are going up once more as part of a $61.9 million municipal budget approved by the township council via a split vote June 22.
The municipal tax levy calls for $46.4 million in property tax revenue — a 3.4 percent increase over last year’s $45 million levy. This means a Bloomfield residence with a $140,700 assessed value will have to pay an additional $103.67 towards the municipal levy. (This only comprises the township portion of the combined tax levy; it excludes the school- and county-mandated portions.)
The council also signed off on $2.9 million in capital improvements
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'Room service'
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
A passionate public convinced the township council to reject an ordinance that would have cut Bloomfield’s open space preservation tax in half this past Monday night.
"The Open Space Trust Fund should not be tampered with," said Councilman Nick Joanow the following day. "It’s part of the overall amenity of the overall community. It’s just not a tagalong feature, it’s a distinct part of the green movement and sustainability."
Out in force, pro-environmental residents spoke strongly against the proposal. Susan Hebert, president of the Bloomfield Open Space Trust Fund Committee, claimed other towns have done the opposite, raising fees to accrue more open space funds.
"I appreciate your concern for the taxpayer but it’s not the way to accomplish this," she said.
Despite admitting he was pressed for money amidst a down economy, resident Jerry Broyer said he would rather see extra money go to open space, not his pocket.
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Foley Field restoration efforts gain yardage
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
The township council and board of education (BOE) have both unanimously approved separate resolutions supporting joint efforts to revitalize Foley Field.
Under the current plan, the two entities would enter into a 25-year agreement, with Bloomfield leasing the property from the schools. From there, the stadium’s 75 year-old stands would either be refurbished or demolished.
The terms of an agreement remain subject to review by attorneys from both sides. The proposed lease vastly exceeds five years, which requires special permission from the New Jersey Department of Education. Joint resolutions from the BOE and the township allow access to funding not normally available to the BOE, e.g. municipal, county and state Green Acres Open Space funds.
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All swine and dandy?
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
The first reported cases of swine flu have been diagnosed in Bloomfield, according to the township health department.
Five individuals were recently stricken by the illness but have fully recovered, said Donna Williams, the township’s public health nurse supervisor. In each case, symptoms were reported in either late May or the first few days of June, she said.
"Those that have had it have recuperated fast and are now well," said Williams. "They are feeling better."
The first victim, a two year-old girl, came down with swine flu, or H1N1, on May 20, according to Health Officer Mike Fitzpatrick. The four subsequent cases (classified as "probable") involved two males, ages 15 and 21, and two women, age 28 and 39, Fitzpatrick and Williams said. The 15 year-old is a Bloomfield High School student, Williams said.
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'Memorial Day Debacle'
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Several township veterans, including a few who were disabled, had their cars towed from a private lot that they used prior to the Bloomfield Memorial Day parade.
Dubbed the "Memorial Day Debacle" by Eugene Darke, the episode did have a happy ending when the towing company, realizing what they had done, agreed to return the vehicles free of charge.
"The day is to honor the veterans of the country, not tow their cars," said Darke.
According to Steve Anderson, manager for Coast to Coast Towing of Irvington, the tow truck operator did not know the cars were owned by veterans. Many of the vehicles were not actually towed to Irvington; instead, Anderson said, they were relocated to a side street to be towed later.
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Student wins gold, bronze at Meet of Champions
By Matt Choquette
of Bloomfield Life
For only the second time in Bloomfield history, a track and field state champion walks the hallways of the high school.
In 2000, it was alumnus javelin thrower Christian Francisco, who happens to be the current Bengals’ track and field head coach. This time, it is Francisco’s pupil, senior jumper Stefon Williams.
Williams dismantled his competition in the long jump finals of last Thursday’s NJSIAA Meet of Champions at South Plainfield High School, leaping 23 feet flat, about four inches past the silver medalist.
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Working on a dream
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Following years of neglect and failed budget initiatives, Foley Field may yet be restored to its former glory — provided the district and the township can work out a long-term lease agreement.
Under the current plan (introduced by Superintendent Frank Digesere last week), the two entities would enter into a 25-year agreement, with Bloomfield leasing the property from the schools. From there, the stadium’s 75 year-old stands would either be refurbished or demolished.
The terms of an agreement remain subject to review by attorneys from both sides.
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For math teacher, it just doesn't add up
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
After being informed he would be fired for allegedly striking a student, a high school math teacher is going public about his ordeal.
Richard Esposito, a Bloomfield High School (BHS) math teacher, recently learned he would be terminated at the end of the school year for allegedly hitting a student while trying to break up a fight in the hallway. While school officials allegedly told Esposito they caught the incident on tape, he claims the tape shows no signs of wrongdoing.
"There was no evidence of me attacking the student," Esposito told Bloomfield Life. "It’s totally illegal to fire a teacher when I never hit anyone."
School officials are mum on the situation.
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Murder suspect pleads not guilty
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
A Bloomfield resident accused of murdering his girlfriend in March entered a not guilty plea via his public defender at the Middlesex County Courthouse on Tuesday.
Frank P. Rendfrey, 34, was arrested May 21, in Newark and charged in the death of his 28-year-old girlfriend, Angela Paranzino, 28, of Old Bridge, Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan and Old Bridge Police Director Thomas H. Collow said in a joint statement. He allegedly strangled her to death in her apartment on March 12, and tried to make it look like a drug overdoes.
Rendfrey was not at the hearing but his not guilty plea was submitted by Richard Barker, the deputy public defender in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office, said prosecutor spokesman James O’Neill.
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Dale Mincey/Bloomfield Life
PRESIDENTIAL ENTHUSIASM
Michael Malanga reads the words of Abraham Lincoln on Monday evening during the Bloomfield Civic Band's performance of Aaron Copeland's "A Lincoln Portrait" at a concert on The Green.
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Three charged with distribution
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Three township men were arrested in connection with an alleged prescription drug ring between Essex and Warren counties, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anthony Giammona, 57, Ronald P. Richie, 45, both of 520 Delevan Ave., and Richard Faranda, 57, of 65 James St., were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, a third degree offense, a Warren County Prosecutor’s spokesperson said. The three residents were committed to the Warren County Correctional Center in lieu of bail, which had been set at $25,000 without a 10-percent option.
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BHS selects new varsity soccer coach
By Matt Choquette
of Bloomfield Life
When choosing a new coach to take over a soccer program, it might be a good idea to make a decision based on past merit and success within the sport.
That’s exactly what Bloomfield High did during its search for the new boys varsity soccer headman. The result was the recent hiring of Bill Mills, who coached the Bengals’ freshman soccer team four years ago.
Mills, a native of Kearny, which the new coach calls a ‘big soccer town,’ has a rather lengthy resume when it comes to winning soccer games. He has been coaching and teaching in the Bloomfield area for the last 12 years after studying toward a finance degree at UNC-Greensboro.
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Smiles, tears, no raindrops
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
They weren’t taking any chances this year.
With rain in the forecast all day June 18 — the date of Bloomfield High School’s (BHS’s) 155th commencement — the call was made early on to move the ceremony indoors to the BHS gymnasium. The decision erred on the side of caution, with memories of the 2007 commencement still relatively vivid.
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BHS here we come!
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
It was the day at Bloomfield Middle School (BMS).
The school held a graduation of sorts last Wednesday, June 17, with 475 eighth grade students receiving their ceremonial promotion certificates (a ticket), allowing them to move on to their new school.
Bloomfield High School, here we come.
Family and friends gathered at the middle school at 10 a.m. to watch and celebrate the milestone event. The class was so large that two ceremonies were held simultaneously — one in the gym, the other in the auditorium.
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BOE debates, then approves new BMS assistant principal
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
The board of education (BOE) has approved a new assistant principal position for Bloomfield Middle School (BMS), despite objections from some board members who claim the school does not need another administrator.
During a rather heated debate, three board members openly criticized Superintendent Frank Digesere’s and his administration’s endorsement of a third assistant principal’s position for BMS on June 9. Although school officials claim the new post will help raise test scores and improve the district overall, some BOE members felt it would only lead to higher taxes.
It got so heated that the board’s lawyer, Nick Dotoli, twice had to stop the debate to remind BOE members not to micromanage the administration’s decision.
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'Killer Instinct'
By Matt Choquette
of Bloomfield Life
There is nothing scarier than being across the net from Stephen Vahalla when he has a set ball in his sights.
For some, to kill is against the law, the commandments and human nature. For Vahalla, it is his skill, his namesake and his legacy.
The Bloomfield High senior volleyball outside hitter will graduate as the school’s all-time leader in kills with 1,148. That mark ranks seventh all-time in the state of New Jersey.
In case he would ever forget the historic feat, Bloomfield’s athletic director, Steve Jenkins, had a commemorative volleyball made with Vahalla’s name engraved to celebrate his 1,000th career kill milestone. The ball is displayed in the trophy case inside Bloomfield’s main lobby.
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School board, BEA clash over alleged protocol breach
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Lawsuits and counter-suits are flying between the township board of education (BOE) and the Bloomfield Education Association (BEA).
The BEA opened the exchange with an unfair labor practice charge against the BOE for allegedly negotiating during a public meeting. The BOE shot back with its own claim, alleging the BEA was seeking to intimidate the board in selecting negotiating committee members.
The BEA filed the charge May 13, accusing three board members — Joe Lopez, Susan Wolf and Rachel Park — of "inappropriate comments" during a March 31 public hearing on the 2009-10 school budget, according to documents Bloomfield Life obtained through an Open Public Records Act request. The BOE’s official counterclaim is dated May 15.
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Investigation of ductwork firms in pipeline
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
The state is accusing two township companies of bait-and-switch tactics and operating without officially registering their businesses, the Office of the Attorney General announced June 5.
The lawsuit claims United Air Care, Inc. and Indoor Air Care, LLC induced customers to purchase more expensive services after advertising "whole house duct cleaning" from $39.95 to $69.95. The companies also allegedly advertised and performed home heating and air conditioning installation and servicing without signing on as home improvement contractors, the agency said.
The Office of the Attorney General, through the Division of Consumer Affairs, filed the eight-count complaint June 1. To date, the state has received 61 consumer complaints, according to Jeff Lamm, Consumer Affairs spokesman.
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A melding of congregations
By Lina Khouri
for Bloomfield Life
One temple is located in Clifton, another in Bloomfield, and many of the congregants and both rabbis reside in Montclair.
After nearly 50 years of service, Beth Sholom of Clifton is shutting its doors. Ner Tamid’s Rabbi Steven Kushner said merger discussions have been underway for about six months.
As of June 1, Beth Sholom Reform Temple of Clifton is now merged with Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield. The congregations held a welcome Shabbat event June 5 to recognize the joining of the congregations. The event was one of many "coming together" events planned, said Merger Committee Chair Marge Grayson.
If all Beth Sholom members — about 85 families — join Ner Tamid, then the latter’s membership will grow to 535 families.
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Brookdale School celebrates 100th anniversary
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
This was Richard Wedaa’s first visit to Bloomfield in over 55 years.
The onetime resident flew in from California to see his alma mater, Brookdale Elementary School. A 1939 Brookdale graduate, he could not get over how well-maintained the 100 year-old building looks today.
"It was pretty old when I was still here," said Wedaa.
He picked a good time to book a cross-country flight. Clouds and the threat of rain notwithstanding, Brookdale went ahead with its centennial celebration May 29, with students past and present, teachers and administrators gathering for food, fun and a trip down memory lane.
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Bengals bounced from tournament
By Edward Kensik
for Bloomfield Life
Bloomfield High School head coach Louis Stevens has built up his boys’ volleyball team into an Essex County powerhouse.
And the county championship is number one on its goal list, with the Bengals hoping to eventually become one of the top volleyball teams in New Jersey.
Bloomfield (24-9) fulfilled its goal of winning back-to-back county titles on May 16 with a three-set win over Livingston (their third county title in the last four years), and they were looking for more.
But standing in their way of a North sectional title was fourth-seeded St. Peter’s Prep in the second round.
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(Joe) McCarthy takes the reins
By Jeff Frankel
of Bloomfield Life
Joe McCarthy has been quite busy at Bloomfield fire headquarters in recent weeks.
First came a coveted Public Safety Excellence accreditation, awarded to the Bloomfield Fire Department (BFD) in March. After an extensive three-year review, the department became the first municipal fire-fighting entity in the state to attain the distinction.
The department can thank McCarthy (no relation to Mayor Ray McCarthy) for the achievement. It was McCarthy who oversaw its crystallization from start to finish.
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