Summit Patch: Latest Articles

Alpha Graphics Leaving Summit

2010-03-10T15:08:54-05:00

Changing times and lack of convenient parking for customers are some of the main reasons the printing and designing franchise branch will be moving to New Providence.

By Jackeline Leon

6:00am

Alpha Graphics, the design and printing franchise branch which has been in Summit since 1989, will be moving its business to New Providence next month. Owner, Michael Tan said the rent was too high and customers often would have difficulty finding convenient parking nearby.

"I was surprised how important it was for our customers to find parking," Tan said. "I've had some customers get frustrated looking for a place to park and just leave." He said typically, customers will come to the store to pick up large quantities of boxes and parking several blocks away or more can be very inconvenient.

"We're moving to a light industrial park in New Providence where parking is free and the rent is significantly less," Tan added.

Tan, who has been the branch's owner since 2002, said he will miss Summit despite the advantages the move will provide for the store and clients.

"We are sincerely going to miss Summit and we hope this change will not affect our current business relationships and in fact, we hope the change will be able to foster new relationships."

He explained that many of his customers are not in New Jersey. "So far, many of our accounts are looking forward to this change," Tan said. "Accessibility really has a lot to do with it."

He noted that business overall has shifted over time to online.

"After the Short Hills Mall came in a few years ago, we took a bit of a hit but it's more than that," Tan said. "Nowadays, business has changed. Everyone does things online."

Alpha Graphics also has locations in Morristown, Mountainside, Parsippany, Westfield and Basking Ridge.

Lanel Jewelry Gone for Good

2010-03-10T15:51:01-05:00

Store front covered in brown paper. Store moving to Route 22 in Union.

By Heather Collura

March 10, 2010

Lanel Jewelry & Antiques has closed its Summit location.

Nanette Kryston, chair of Summit Downtown Inc., confirmed the local jewelry store closed its door as of March 1.

"It's gone for good," she said.

The owners, she said, are moving to a new location on Route 22 in Union.

"It was a glorified pawn shop," Kryston said.

As of now, the SDI chair said it is unknown what might replace Lanel on the corner of Springfield Avenue and Maple Street.

Lanel was the victim of a robbery in mid-August 2009 when an armed gunman reportedly robbed the store in broad daylight. It is still unknown what was stolen from the store but the owner was reportedly locked in the bathroom during the robbery. It is unknown if a suspect was ever apprehended.

Another jewelry store robbery was reported in early October but it is unknown if it was Lanel or another Springfield Avenue store. Items valuing $73,000 were reported stolen.

To Sidewalk or Not to Sidewalk, That is the Question

2010-03-10T18:59:30-05:00

Third public meeting held to discuss three options for possible sidewalks on Woodland Avenue.

By Heather Collura

March 10, 2010

No decision has been made yet as to a proposal to build sidewalks on Woodland Avenue after a third public meeting to discuss the matter Tuesday night.

City Engineer Andy Hipolit detailed the three plans on the table: no sidewalk, sidewalks on the west side of the street from Bedford Road to Wade Drive, or the east side of the road from Hillcrest Avenue to Wallace Road.

The Department of Community Services has received a grant from the Department of Transportation to improve drainage on Woodland Avenue and repair curbs. DCS Director Beth Kinney said sidewalks were not initially part of the plan until several residents requested it.

The reason sidewalks are being considered, she said, is because Woodland Avenue is a designated Safe Route to School for students in the Washington School.

Hipolit said regardless of which side of the road sidewalks are installed, the cost breakdown is 50-50 between the residents on that side of the road and the city. Hipolit estimates the cost is between $24-$25 per linear foot but depending on the bid prices the city receives it could be lower.

The proposal also includes narrowing the road to 24 feet wide, which it already is in some spots, to allow for traffic calming, Hipolit said, and so sidewalks can mostly be built on what is now existing pavement and not grass. This would help save mature trees along Woodland Avenue and so as to not interfere with telephone poles. City ordinances state, however, that roads 24 feet wide and under are to be no parking zones. Kinney said the portions of Woodland Avenue that currently are 24 feet wide are not accurately signed but will be soon.

The plan which includes sidewalks on the east side of the road would be done in two phases since the city would need a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection because Canoe Brook Country Club has a drainage ditch where the city would be building sidewalks, Hipolit said. The permit could take anywhere from 6 months to a year to get.

Several residents expressed concerns Tuesday night about the homeowners' responsibility to maintain and clear sidewalks24 hours after th end of a snowstorm and about the inconvenience of not being able to park along Woodland Avenue anymore in order to carry in groceries or allow service workers such as gardeners, painters and movers to park in front of the home.

But Hipolit said many other streets in Summit are no parking zones and residents park their cars or service workers' vans and trucks on side streets or on other parts of the road that do allow parking.

"We would not be creating something on your street that is abnormal to Summit," Hipolit said.

Marybeth Robb, a resident on Woodland Avenue, expressed concerned over the plan to build sidewalks on the east side of the road because families who live on the west side would have to cross Woodland Avenue to get on the sidewalk and then cross again to get to Washington school, which is west of the road.

But residents also expressed concerns about the effect sidewalks would have on the character of the neighborhood.

"It's a beautiful road. That's why we bought our house there," said resident Mary Schwartz. "I just don't want to see that ruined."

The residents in favor of sidewalks says they do not let their children walk to school currently because it is so unsafe. One resident said that while many parents raised children on Woodland Avenue in the past without issue, today people drive SUVs, talk on cell phones while driving and go entirely too fast, especially on Woodland Avenue.

While the sidewalk would not technically go all the way to Washington School, several parents said they would "take what I can get."

Lee Webber, a resident at 200 Woodland Avenue, asked Hipolit about the cost differential between the two sides of the street.

The east side, he said, would cost twice as more because it's twice as much sidewalk.

"The city needs to be fiscally responsible. Let's see the city live within its means," Webber said. "... I can't even understand why we're still talking about this."

Stolen Summit Vehicle Allegedly Involved in Manhunt

2010-03-10T12:19:01-05:00

Police arrested two East Orange boys in North Caldwell after an all-night manhunt.

By Mike Pignataro

March 10, 2010

The nine-hour manhunt for two juveniles—one missing since July—suspected of stealing a car from Summit and breaking into others Tuesday night in North Caldwell, ended Wednesday morning when the two 16-year-olds were caught trying to flag down motorists on Mountain Avenue.

According to Chief Mark Deuer, the police were notified Wednesday morning at about 7 a.m. of two black males who were trying to catch a ride as they walked along Mountain Avenue in North Caldwell. A short time later, they were apprehended without incident at the bottom of the county road near Route 23 in Cedar Grove, Deuer said.

"It went smooth," the chief said. "They saw them on the side of the road and about four or five [police] cars pulled up and they were arrested without incident."

The juveniles, who were from East Orange, have been remanded to the Juvenile Detention Center in Newark after each were charged with receiving stolen property for a Cadillac Escalade they allegedly stole in Summit on Monday, multiple counts of theft from alleged car break-ins in North Caldwell and hindering apprehension, Deuer said.

In addition, when the suspects were run through the police system, it was revealed that one of the juveniles was reported missing on July 7, 2009, according to Deuer, who said the police are still trying to locate their parents.

"The problem is they're not telling us who their parents are," Deuer said. "They are really not cooperating. Without parental consent, we cannot talk to them."

The juveniles are accused of stealing the Escalade on Monday from a garage at a Summit residence. The incident was reported to Summit police that night at 9 p.m., according to Deuer, who said the keys were left by the owner inside the vehicle.

On Tuesday night, the juveniles are accused of breaking into at least five vehicles in the northern section of North Caldwell in the vicinity of Birch Avenue, Spruce Road and Pine Place off of Mountain Avenue, Deuer said.

According to Deuer, who said the department had received several calls of car alarms going off in that area, a resident of Pine Place witnessed the juveniles sitting inside the Escalade in the cul-de-sac of the dead-end street at about 10 p.m.

"The resident approached the vehicle and asked what they were doing," Deuer said. "They told the resident they were going to see a friend named Josh who lives on that street. Knowing that there was no one by that name who lived on that street, the resident found it suspicious and called the police."

A patrol car that was in the immediate area spotted the Escalade on Birch Avenue. When the juveniles realized the street was a dead-end, they exited the vehicle and fled on foot, Deuer said.

Inside the Escalade police found a wallet, IPods, a hand-held game system and other items that were allegedly stolen from at least five vehicles in the neighborhood, Deuer said.

"We quickly set up a good perimeter to keep them in this area," Deuer said. "We got a lot of help from other agencies. Everyone was here—literally everyone."

Officers from numerous agencies, including Caldwell, West Caldwell, Little Falls, Verona, Cedar Grove, Roseland, Fairfield and Essex Fells descended on the area, according to Deuer, who said there were as many as 25 officers involved in the search at one point.

A New Jersey State Police helicopter also assisted in the search up until about 1 a.m., Deuer said. An Essex County K-9 unit also tracked the suspects for a significant distance, before losing the scent, Deuer said.

As first reported by The Caldwells Patch Tuesday night, police vehicles slowly patrolled the quiet residential roads between Mountain and Grandview avenues, flashing high-beam lights toward homes and backyards. Other officers, including Deuer, conducted what the chief called a "massive foot search" in that neighborhood.

The police also used several thermal imaging cameras, but were unable to detect where the juveniles were located.

According to Deuer, the suspects broke into a Volvo behind a residence on Mountain Avenue and laid in the vehicle for most of the night. Once daylight broke, the juveniles told police they fled through the woods—where the keys to the Escalade were later found—before being apprehended.

"Establishing that quick perimeter was a huge asset for us, because it prevented them from having an avenue to leave town," Deuer said. "It was organized chaos around here last night."

Historic DeBary Inn Re-Opens for Contemporary Clientele

2010-03-09T23:30:18-05:00

Five Summit investors restore a Victorian-era mansion with a history that's over 100 years old.

By Michelle Colandrea

March 10, 2010

Summit residents know that their city is celebrated for its one-of-a-kind shops, Zagat-rated restaurants, and renowned businesses. And as of last month, "executive inn boutique" can also be added to that list.

Last month, the DeBary Inn officially re-opened for business on Springfield Avenue, welcoming a diverse group of clientele and perpetuating a history that began in the late 1800s.

The inn was purchased in September 2009 by five Summit partners who included one of the city's most recognizable citizens, TV personality Jim Cramer of CNBC's Mad Money.

In fact, Cramer discussed the recent acquisition with Martha Stewart during a Nov. 9 appearance on The Martha Stewart Show: "(I) bought an inn," Cramer said. "It was one of those things where I think that we could do good because the town's hurting–Summit, New Jersey—and if we make a profit, that's even better."

Stewart went on to give the Summit celebrity and her viewing audience advice about entertaining overnight guests, using Cramer's latest acquisition as inspiration.

In addition to the Mad Money host, others involved in the investment include Lisa Detwiler, Ellen and Mike Haley, Lou and Wendy Helfer, Steve and Lisa Meyers, and Joe and Gail Riela.

"We're five Summit residents just looking to do a little give-back to the community and to have a little fun," said Mike Haley.

The inn can trace its history back to 1880, when it was first erected on nearby Hobart Avenue as a home to Frederick DeBary. DeBary grew up in northern France and moved to the United States as an adult to begin a wine-importing business in New York City.

Years later, in 1916, the family sold the home, the land was subdivided, and the house moved to its present location just past Summit's downtown.

Soon after, in 1923, the house began to take on its first official lodgers, and in 1977, it was purchased by Paul and Peggy Brown and became The DeBary Guest House.

At the time of the Browns' purchase, The DeBary was home to 14 senior citizens, who the Browns would board and care for in the coming years. Other guests during this era were made up of those in transition, perhaps changing jobs or towns, or needing a place to stay due to personal circumstances.

Following the Browns, the property was purchased in 2006 by Anita and Hill Rose, who had hopes to make it into a bed-and-breakfast but faced challenging setbacks in their progress due to city zoning laws.

The property was put up for sale again and in 2009, the DeBary home timeline would add its latest milestone: Summit-resident-owned executive boutique inn.

From the outside, the inn still appears to be a Victorian mansion, but don't let its façade deceive you.

"It's not like an old-style bed-and-breakfast," Haley said. "It's a little more trendy."

The co-owner went on to explain that the entire building's infrastructure is brand new, and that the restoration included replacing the roofing, plumbing, and toilets, among other amenities.

"The renovations were so extensive that we needed to get the women in, too," said Helfer, giving credit to the wives in the group who carefully chose the colors, patterns, and decorations that would adorn the next stage of the building's life.

"Everybody had their hand in it," said Haley of the process that involved purchasing the DeBary, renovating and remodeling the structure, and finally making it their own by decorating the historic mansion.

The inn's 16 rooms and suites, each with its own private bath, are now equipped with High-Definition televisions, Chadsworth & Haig bathrobes, Martha Stewart bedding (which Cramer also discussed with the designer on her morning show), extra-plush towels, and complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the entire facility.

"You'll never run out of hot water here!" said Helfer, comparing the DeBary Inn to the old stereotype of the traditional bed-and-breakfast.

In addition to first-rate in-room amenities, a continental breakfast is served daily for guests at no additional charge.

"We just want to make it a great place," Haley said.

The inn's present-day patrons are diverse. It draws business men and women with its proximity and access to major cities in the metropolitan area, but it's also been the resting place for individuals, relatives of local residents, and couples, as well.

"We're going after the business crowd or someone's mom who's been downsized and needs a room," explained Helfer, contrasting their lodgers with those of the DeBary's past. "It's more business-oriented during the week, and on the weekends, it's more couples-oriented."

Helfer went on to explain that the owners are planning to see where the inn takes them, instead of forcing it into a peg hole.

The inn has already held its first Murder Mystery Weekend and its future holds possibilities for hosting small catered events. According to its Web site, special packages like Girlfriends Getaways and Romance Packages are available, and arrangements can be made for parties or business gatherings.

For more information about the DeBary Inn or to make a reservation, contact general manager J.P. Quidore at 908-277-0005.

Larsen Crusades Against Earmarks, Stresses Business Background in Primary Challenge to Lance

2010-03-09T10:30:26-05:00

Hunterdon County businessman one of two to challenge congressman in Republican primary.

By John Celock

March 9, 2010

In a theme common to political challengers nationwide this year, Hunterdon County businessman David Larsen said his frustration with Washington is what is behind his Republican primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County).

Larsen, the owner of a family window and doors business, said government spending, along with decisions in such areas as climate change and health care have gotten him into the race. He also notes a desire of the need to have turnover in the House to move out what he describes as professional politicians, a category where he placed Lance.

"I am fed up with the out of control government," Larsen said. "They are spending like drunken sailors."

Larsen has centered much of his platform on federal spending, crusading against earmarks - the appropriations members of Congress obtain for specific projects in their districts. He said the federal government should not be using money from a New Jersey taxpayer to fund a project in Kansas or money from a Kansas taxpayer to fund a project in New Jersey.

Specifically, Larsen is citing Lance's designation as one of three "porkers of the month" in April 2009 by the group, Citizens Against Government Waste. The group gave the designation and two other freshmen members of Congress, Rep. Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-Cal.) and Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.), for funds they obtained for their districts. The group cited that Lance, Jenkins and Hunter all had signed earmark reform pledges with the group during their 2008 campaigns.

In judging Lance, the group cited his obtaining $896,400 for energy efficient lighting in downtown Cranford, $350,000 for a hike and bike path in Bedminster and $225,000 for the Hunterdon Family Dental Center. Larsen said the federal government should not be funding these projects and instead proposed that the state government fund projects like this.

"We need to be specific on how we handle the people's money," he said. "We need to be frugal with that money. We have a state budget and the states are supposed to take care of the states. Add up all the pork and earmarks that add up year after year and it is astronamical."

Lance has been stressing his fiscal expertise and describing himself as a fiscal conservative. He has been highlighting his authorship of a state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval for state borrowing as a part of his reelection campaign platform.

Larsen said he does understand the state is facing severe fiscal challenges and Gov. Chris Christie is calling for steep cuts in the state budget, including cutting funding to local school districts and state aid to municipalities. He said in the case the state cannot pay for the project, then the project can wait until funding can be found either at the local or state level.

He did say there are certain projects which the federal government can fund, including those for safety and health benefits. In this category he cited funds obtained by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Hoboken) for flood control in Cranford and former Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-New Providence) for flood control in Somerset County. He said Jenkins' request for $2 million for the reconstruction of Kasold Drive in Lawrence, Kan. should not have been funded by New Jersey residents.

Larsen described the earmarks as "electoral affirmative action," noting that he sees legislators obtaining the funds to help sure up their standing with voters. He characterized Lance as a career politician, citing the incumbent's 17 years in the state legislature and time as an aide to former Gov. Tom Kean in the 1980s. Lance also practiced law in private practice in his career. He said that Lance and other career politicians take a belief that they rotate electoral positions among each other.

"They believe that it's my turn," Larsen said. "Like when Ted Kennedy ran for president and he could not answer why he ran. There should be turnover in Congress every two years."

In a theme common to Lance's conservative detractors, Larsen said he is against the incumbent's vote in favor of the Cap & Trade climate change legislation. He said the legislation would have placed a tax burden on industry in order to reduce carbon emissions. He said he would rather have the issues tackled by stressing that businesses have a "moral imperative" to reduce carbon emissions.

"I believe that we have enough laws on the books," Larsen said. "Cap & Trade is a mass energy tax. It will mean higher prices for the consumers."

Lance said in his reelection announced last month that he is now against the Cap & Trade bill and would not vote in favor of it if it came before the House again. He said his reversal on the legislation comes after President Obama failed to achieve agreements from Russia, China and India for similar carbon reduction legislation during the international climate change summit in Denmark in December.

Larsen said he is in favor of reducing the costs of health care and prescription drugs, but does not favor the currents proposals being considered by the Democratic controlled Congress. He said he wants to address the costs of insurance premiums and covering the lapse in coverage when people lose a job or change jobs.

In the area of prescription drugs, Larsen wants to open up competition in the marketplace to reduce drug prices. This includes allowing more access to prescriptions in Canada.

"The real costs of prescription drugs is much less," he said. "We can open up the borders and Canada has inexpensive drugs. Competition is good."

Larsen is joined by Westfield resident Bruce Baker in opposing Lance in the primary. Baker is also challenging the moderate incumbent from the right, bringing up the Cap & Trade issue as a part of his platform.

Lance has been stressing that he considers himself a fiscal conservative. During his reelection announcement, he was joined by several prominent conservative leaders including Ferguson, state Sen. Michael Doherty (R-Warren County) and Bridgewater Mayor Patricia Flannery.

Former congressional aide Ed Postonak and businessman Zenon Christodolou are the only announced candidates on the Democratic side. Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr has been mentioned as a potential candidate but is considered unlikely to make the race.

Larsen said that he will go through the Republican county convention process, which awards county party lines for the primary. The party line gives preferential ballot placement to party backed candidates. Lance is considered a favorite to win the four party conventions due to his strong support from party leaders. The Union County convention is scheduled for March 27 in Springfield.

Larsen declined to say if he intends to run a slate for county clerk, sheriff and freeholder in Union County in order to obtain a better ballot slot. He did note that he considers himself the outsider candidate and noted that he does not look at being a party backed candidate as a positive.

"One of the problems we have here is the entrenched politicians," Larsen said. "If you see who is surrounding Leonard Lance it is career politicians or ex politicians. I am surrounding myself with business owners and housewives. The voters. People who are living life and the current reality."

Woodland Avenue Sidewalks Remain Contentious

2010-03-09T15:36:04-05:00

Homeowners on Woodland Avenue spoke about the need for sidewalks on the busy street during public comment at last week council meeting.

By Maggy Patrick

March 9, 2010

A public meeting will be held tonight at 7 to discuss the possible installation of sidewalks to Woodland Avenue betweem Bedford Road and the Canoe Brook Country Club. The meeting will be held in the council chambers at city hall.

The installation of sidewalks has been extremely contentious the last several months with the residents of Woodland Avenue divided between the enhanced safety for children walking to school if sidewalks are installed and those who feel sidewalks would alter the character of the neighborhood and their landscapes.

Marybeth Robb of Woodland Avenue pleaded with council at the March 2 council meeting to put the issue of her street's lack of sidewalks on the agenda.

Robb, along with two other Summit residents, said that while the use of sidewalks obviously promotes safety, especially when children and parents are walking to local schools, the addition to one on Woodland Avenue could also encourage residents to walk and linger into the downtown area–creating more business and easing the city's parking problems.

Robb was followed by Washington School PTO President Maureen Palin, who voiced her support of sidewalks on Woodland Avenue to the council.

"A child up on the sidewalk is safer than the child walking in the street, for obvious reasons," she said. "The Washington School PTO certainly supports the installation of sidewalks."

At-large councilman Steve Murphy, who lives on Woodland Avenue, is the one who organized the public meeting.

"We will be looking at an option to potentially install sidewalks on the east side of Woodland Avenue," he said. "We are moving to hopefully bring this to a head before council."

Robb said that some residents are concerned with how the sidewalk would be billed to homeowners. Right now, she said, half of the cost is paid for by the city, while the other half is split between the residents.

However, if the city does install a sidewalk, it would surely be only on one side of Woodland Avenue, causing those homeowners to bear the cost of something everyone on the street would benefit from.

"Usually this seems fair since usually sidewalks go in on both sides of the street," Robb said. "But in this case, when sidewalks will go on only one side, it does make the shared cost more irksome. Everyone is in agreement about that."

Patty Butler, who also lives on Woodland Avenue, mentioned that Summit has had two pedestrian fatalities in the last few years, and that a sidewalk could curb avoidable accidents.

"It's not an east side or west side of the street issue, it's a community safety issue," she said.

Girls Basketball Falls to Shabazz in NJSIAA Sectional Finals

2010-03-09T10:09:25-05:00

The Hilltoppers give a great effort, but fall to No. 1 seed Malcolm X. Shabazz, 64-37.

By Taylor Harvel

March 9, 2010

NEWARK–The Summit girls basketball team could have dreaded Monday's NJSIAA sectional final against the nationally-ranked Shabazz Bulldogs, but they didn't. Instead, Summit played with confidence, determination, and a self-belief that was inspiring to both the coaching staff and the fans.

"All morning, and even yesterday in practice, we felt like we were going to win this game," Summit head coach Brian Erickson said.

The Hilltoppers played a tremendous first half and trailed by only four points, 30-26, at halftime. An exceptional 24-2 Bulldog run in the third quarter, however, ultimately put the game out of Summit's reach, and Shabazz won by a final score of 64-37.

"We played so well in the first half. I really couldn't have asked them for more," Erickson said. "We knew what Shabazz was going to bring in the third quarter, and we just tried our best to compete."

Summit has encountered several quick and athletic teams this season, but none have played with a pace quite as fast as Shabazz. In the first quarter, however, the teams went punch-for-punch. Shabazz's Aliyyah Handford hit two early jump shots, but Summit quickly answered when Emily Cristaldi drained a three-pointer and Kate Martino hit a 12-footer to give the Hilltoppers a 5-4 lead. Later in the first, Cristaldi hit an "And-1" layup and a buzzer-beating jumper to make the score 19-12, Shabazz, at the end of the first.

In the second quarter, Cristaldi was unstoppable. The senior guard hit 3 three-pointers in just four minutes and, at the two minute mark, dished the ball to fellow senior Cassie Hall for the 15-footer. This basket cut Shabazz's lead to just one point, 25-24, and Summit fans went wild. With two seconds remaining in the half, Summit's Olivia Galuppo grabbed an offensive rebound and hit the put-back to make the halftime score 30-26, Shabazz. Emily Cristaldi had 17 points at the half.

"Emily was brilliant," Erickson said. "She did what we needed her to do. She was utterly brilliant."

Summit expected a big Shabazz run in the third quarter, and the Bulldogs delivered. Seton Hall-bound point guard Ka-Deidre Simmons's nine third-quarter points ignited a 24-2 Shabazz run that extended the team's lead to 54-28 at the end of the third.

The Hilltoppers still had a fire in their eyes, though, and in the fourth quarter, Cassie Hall scored 7 of her 10 points and crashed the boards with unwavering determination.

Though Summit fought back in the final quarter of play, it was not enough to overcome the Bulldogs on their home court. New Jersey's top-ranked team ended Summit's 23-win season with a 64-37 victory.

When the game ended, tears were shed as the Hilltoppers received a standing ovation from their fans. Their effort in both the NJSIAA sectional final and in their previous 26 games this season was appreciated by all. It was a particularly emotional evening for Summit seniors Michelle Burian, Emily Cristaldi, and Cassie Hall.

"We're graduating three seniors that are just irreplaceable in so many ways," Erickson said. "We'll miss their effort and their friendship."

The Hilltoppers end the year with a 23-4 season.

Police Arrest Mountainside Resident for Underage Purchase of Alcohol

2010-03-08T19:59:47-05:00

19-year-old also charged with use of fake identification to purchase alcohol.

By Heather Collura

March 9, 2010

On Feb. 23, police received a report of theft of personal belongings from a locker at the YMCA sometime between 9:50 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Total value of belongings which included articles of clothing, keys, boots, coat and Verizon cell phone was approximately $860.

On Feb. 23, police arrested Deborah Flaherty, 40 of Boonton, at Summit Police Headquarters for Contempt of Court.

On Feb. 24, police arrested Jarrell Campbell, 27 of Plainfield, at Summit Police Headquarters for Contempt of Court.

On Feb. 26, police arrested Hampton Terry, 54 of Union, at Springfield Avenue for Contempt of Court, Trespassing and Criminal Mischief.

On Feb. 26, police arrested Paul Peronard, 35 of Chatham, at Beechwood road for Contempt of Court.

On Feb. 26 police arrested Ronald Paul Pacifico II, 19 of Mountainside, at Baltusrol Road and Malvern Place for Underage Purchase of Alcohol, Careless Driving and Possession/Use of Fake ID to Purchase Alcohol.

On Feb. 26, police arrested Conrad Boylan, 28 of Chatham, at Morris Avenue and River Road for Driving While Suspended.

On Feb. 27, police arrested Melissa Diane Guerrizio, 2, of Mountainside, at Springfield Avenue for Driving While Intoxicated and Careless Driving

On Feb. 27, police arrested Erica Beatty, 32 of Neptune, Broad Street and Park Place for Driving While Suspended.

Budget Cuts Could Impact Garbage, Recycling Pickup

2010-03-09T19:23:18-05:00

Beth Kinney details what $158,000 in additional cuts to the Department of Community Services would mean for residents.

By Heather Collura

March 8, 2010

Beth Kinney, director of the Department of Community Services, detailed what an additional $158,000 in budget cuts would mean for residents.

Kinney outlined several options council has for where they want the cuts to come from, including switching from rear yard trash pickup to front-yard for a savings of $10,000 this year and then $130,000 a year after that.

But these savings come at a cost, she said. Front-yard garbage removal effects the ambiance of the community and causes inconvenience for many of the city's residents.

Phyllis Sank, a resident on Norwood Avenue, said many residents, especially seniors, will have trouble bringing their garbage cans to the curb.

"I think it's a service that speaks to the quality of life in Summit," she said.

Another option, Kinney said, would be to eliminate curbside recycling or reduce it to one pickup a month and keep the Recycling Center open for drop off on Sunday only. Eliminating curbside recycling altogether would result in $210,000 in net savings next year while reducing pickup to once a month would result in a yearly savings of $42,000. This option would also result in two layoffs in the Garbage and Trash unit.

Kinney also said these changes to the city's recycling program could effect reaching the state's mandated 50 percent recycling rate goal by 2012.

Margorie Fox, a member of the Summit environmental commission, urged council not to eliminate or reduce the recycling program in Summit.

"To do so would be a really serious step back," she said.

Another option to reach the budget goal would be to close the disposal area at the transfer station, for a savings of $153,000. This option would also result in two layoffs.

Kinney also laid out three options which would each save the taxpayers less than $3 a year. They include decreasing the city engineers contract to two days per week, decreasing the city planner's contract by .5 days per week and eliminating the part time property maintenance inspector.

Furloughs, Kinney said, are also complicated in DCS because there is no good time of year to do them since services still need to occur such as trash pickup, snow removal and cutting the grass around the city.