Westfield Town Council Meeting

Westfield Town Council Meeting 
Tonight: 5/21/13 at 8 pm
Westfield Municipal Building 
425 E. Broad St. 

Private Contractor Does Landscape Work on Town Property

     Contractor Tullo Landscaping appeared to be working on town property today.  The beautification of Westfield's Department of Public Works was underway this morning with Tullo workers installing plants, shrubs and small trees.  The DPW is located on the corner of North Ave. & Crossway Pl.

How much taxpayer money was used to hire a private contractor to do the work that could have been easily done by Westfield DPW employees?

Why weren't Westfield DPW employees assigned to this task? 

Is this another case of mismanagement?

Another Accident @ Intersection of Central Ave. & Clover St.

10th Accident at Central Ave. & Clover St. intersection.   Police  Report to be posted.

Note: This intersection was identified as a "hot spot" by a Westfield Town Council Citizen's Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
     Westfield's expert traffic safety engineer Gordon Meth recommended a pedestrian activated traffic light at this intersection in his July 26, 2005 report to the Town.
     Since the Spring of 2010, when all the lines, signs, flashing lights, and roadway markings were installed with the infamous pedestrian activated HAWK light, approximately 113 feet south of the intersection,  there have been 10 accidents involving vehicles being "rear ended" as they wait or attempt to make a left turn onto Clover St. from Central Ave.
     In the 8 years prior to the reconfiguration of Central Ave. and the installation of the HAWK light with all the "Times Square" flashing lights warning motorists of the pedestrian crossing at the cul-de-sac'd intersection of Central & Cambridge, (where the Hawk light was installed) there were 7 accidents involving vehicles attempting to make a left turn onto Clover St.
     The number of accidents at this location has steadily increased while Mayor Skibitsky and council members ignored their own expert's recommendations for a resolution to the issue identified in the expert's 2005 report citing "Left Turns" onto Clover St. as a safety issue.

The two page accident report shows that the accident involved a vehicle waiting to make a left turn onto Clover St from Central Ave.  The drivers D.O.B.'s and numerical addresses were redacted by TFoTM.

Council Meeting & More....Westfield's New Big Rig: Mobile Strategic Operations Center

Town Hall

     Sitting through Tuesday evening's town council meeting was entertaining at times.  A number of residents from neighboring towns approached the microphone to voice their displeasure and concern over Westfield passing several ordinances allowing the future construction of affordable housing.  
     Residents from Cranford, Garwood, as well as Westfield, peppered Mayor Skibitsky and his fellow town council members with questions that, for the most part, were answered as best as they could be.  Mayor Skibitsky often deferred to his town attorney when he had no answer often looking to and asking Russ Finestein to bail him out  
     Other times, when Mayor Skibitsky appeared befuddled, Councilman Jim Foerst seized the opportunity to interject his infinite wisdom in an attempt to answer the unanswerable.  That is when the meeting became somewhat entertaining.  
     When Councilman Foerst answered a resident's question as to whether or not the housing units/apartments/condos or whatever is to be built, would have basements, Councilman Foerst couldn't decide between "yes" and "no" and finally settled on "parking" which brought laughter from the audience.  

     As a councilman who often portrays an image of certainty in his response to questions, Foerst's wavering appeared to have caught his own self by surprise,  Unpredictable questions are not as predictable as tax appeals, a process Councilman Foerst knows well.  At one point, while being asked a question by an attorney representing a concerned resident, Foerst's response sounded "adversarial" as described by the representing attorney.  Jim Foerst sound adversarial?  Never.
     The council chambers cleared out after the town council voted to approve the ordinances related to the future construction of affordable housing and the microphone was once again open for public comment.
     Mayor Skibitsky was asked a series of questions surrounding the manner in which Westfield recently came into the possession of a Mobile Strategic Operations Center otherwise referred to as a Mobile Command Center, for the Westfield Police Department.  
     Mayor Skibitsky became visibly "adversarial" when asked the following, "Did anything of value change hands between the vendor and Westfield prior to the bid specifications being advertised or the first reading of special ordinance 2180? First reading was on March 5, 2013?"       

     Skibitsky clearly wanted no part of answering the question, or any of the other 15 questions that were asked.  Whatever happened to the transparency for which the Mayor is allegedly such a proponent?   
     Mayor Skibitsky lacked the transparency one would expect from a Mayor that had voted in the affirmative to allow nearly $300,000 to be spent on redundant "public safety equipment" using public tax dollars.
     Election 2013 is shaping up to be one for the Westfield history books.  A mayor seeking a third consecutive term is unprecedented.  However, the lack of transparency by a mayor, seeking re-election or with possibly something to hide, is not.

Town Council Meeting Runs Late, Councilman Foerst, the Self Proclaimed "Volunteer".......Gripes

Dear Councilman Foerst,

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."

Abraham Lincoln

4th Ward Councilman James "Jimbob" Foerst

     Some believe that Westfield is not "Green Acres" after tonight's town council vote on ordinances concerning affordable housing.
     Councilman Jim Foerst responded to concerned and angry residents of Westfield, Garwood, and Cranford that had approached the microphone asking questions and expressing feelings of dismay about affordable housing zones being established adjacent to their neighborhoods.
     4th Ward Westfield Councilman Jim Foerst's response to residents insinuating that Westfield was responsible for the decision to build affordable housing......"It's not like the Town of Westfield is putting a pitchfork in the ground."
     When Councilman Foerst was asked whether or not the affordable housing units would have basements, possibly causing stormwater issues with water tables etc., Foerst responded, "No" then "Yes" then "No" then "Parking".  Perhaps Councilman Foerst should have deferred to former town attorney Robert Cochren who was present and most likely a bit more familiar with answering the question.  TFoTM loves it when Councilman Foerst attempts to impress with his "Know It All" attitude and then falls flat.    
     TFoTM wonders if Foerst meant to say "shovel" as in "shovel ready projects," a term often used regarding municipal capital improvement projects or private contractors ready to start construction.
     Perhaps Councilman Foerst was dreaming about working as a farmhand on a jackass farm.  He sure does know how to shovel the .......sh!t/manure.

     Due to the Westfield Town Council meeting running late, TFoTM will post coverage of tonight's meeting, tomorrow evening.

Westfield Town Council Meeting Tonight
8:00 pm.  
Tuesday, May 7, 1013
425 E. Broad St., Westfield, N.J.
Town Council/Courtroom Chambers

Westfield's $250,000 MSOC Unveiled at Street Fair

Interior of MSOC

     While potholes around town go unfilled and school children cross some streets without crossing guards that once provided safety and supervision, the Westfield Police Department unveiled the Town Council's most recent purchase that was approved through a special resolution weeks ago.  The $250,000 trailer was parked on E. Broad St yesterday during the annual Spring Fling street fair.
     Hey Westfielders, at least the MSOC (Mobile Strategic Operations Command/Center) will allow Westfield residents to charge mobile phones during power outages.
     The newest additions to the police department' fleet and not shown in photos: Ford F350 pickup with mobile generator and CSI response vehicle.
     The MSOC, deemed a luxury by a retired police chief from a neighboring town, is a drain on the taxpayer at a time when purchases need to be prioritized.  The Union County Police Department located on North Ave. in Westfield has two Mobile Command Centers available to police departments upon request.  Union County Police Headquarters also provides a county dispatch center in the event a municipality needs a backup to it's own communications center.  During campaigning for re-election, Councilman Frank Arena stated, "We need to get more bang for our buck" when describing the amount of money Westfield pays in county tax dollars each year.
     Why not rely on the County to provide the services that the Westfield Town Council claims this $250,000 purchase will provide?  Don't forget the Polaris ATV that was purchased with the MSOC coming to a park near you.
     Next up: An RRMU (rescue response marine unit) for immediate response and rescue on all Westfield waterways.    

Westfield Police Lieutenant Christopher Battiloro
Picture by Alternative Press http://www.thealternativepress.com/towns/westfield/articles/westfield-pd-unveils-mobile-command-center-at-spr

Westfield Police Chief David Wayman (third from left in blue shirt) shows off his new toy.

TFoTM Handicaps Westfield Police Department's Race for the Rank of Captain

     At last weeks Westfield Town Council meeting, council members voted to change the table of organization of the police department as specified by town code.  The town code targeted by Westfield Police Chief David Wayman for change, specifies the number of sworn police officers employed by the town and how many will serve in each rank of the police department.  In the upcoming weeks, Police Chief Wayman will be promoting several officers within the department and Wayman is looking to decrease the number of lieutenant positions by one while increasing the number of sergeant positions by one. 

     Sources have confirmed that Patrolman Walsh, currently working in the Records Bureau and ranked #2 on the Sergeant promotional list, is allegedly the reason for Chief Wayman's request to amend the Westfield Town Code section governing police. 

     Walsh has assumed the duties of the department's IT (information technology) officer which was previously held by Lt. Scott Rodger who was promoted to Captain recently.  Due to the time and training invested in Patrolman Walsh to take over the position, it appears the rank of sergeant is being created to fill a need while eliminating the rank of lieutenant in the Records Bureau once held by Rodgers and before him, ex-chief John Parizeau. 

     Time will tell what the Town will do should Walsh score high enough on a future lieutenant's exam and need to be promoted once again within the Records Bureau, similar to the scenario that existed when Parizeau was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant in the 1990's under the tenure of then police chief Anthony Scutti.

In the spirit of this weekend's Ketucky Derby TFoTM handicaps the race for Captain.

Odds to become the next Westfield Police Department Captain

Lieutenant. Edward Maguire  20-1

     Maguire is one of the remaining hold overs from disgraced ex-Westfield Police Chief Barney Tracy's "good ole' boy" network.  Maguire's allegiance to Barney Tracy during the Town's defense of Tracy amidst allegations of misconduct has most likely soured any chance Lt. Maguire has of being elevated to Captain.  Lt. Maguire is alleged to have tested well during the search for ex-police chief Barney Tracy's replacement that resulted in John M. Parizeau mysteriously being appointed police chief.  Chief Parizeau  elevated then-Lieutenant Wayman to Captain essentially closing the door on Lt. Maguire's future advancement. 

Lieutenant Mathew Cassidy  10-1

     A "Cops Cop" as described by a current police officer and respected by other rank and file officers, Cassidy is a reliable and knowledgeable soldier in current Westfield Police Chief Wayman's army of officers.  Cassidy, who rose through the ranks on his own initiative and hard work and not through political hand shaking, remains a long shot in a non-civil service department where "who you know" outweighs "what you know."   

Lieutenant John Ricerca  5-2

     Ricerca is TFoTM's poster boy for "Who you know" and not "What you know." Known as a political player within police department circles, and a "hack" in the political arena, Ricerca had attained the rank of lieutenant after surreptitiously circumventing the collective bargaining agreement between the Town of Westfield and his police union.   Subsequently, Ricerca filed a grievance that essentially warned the Town of undesirable consequences if he were not promoted from sergeant to lieutenant.  Ricerca didn"t even rank in the top 3 candidates to be promoted to lieutenant when the initial promotional list was posted.  There are those that smelled "set up" and alleged collusion when Ricerca filed the grievance.  Ricerca has had political connections to Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky.

Note:  Some may question the favorable odds given for Lt. Ricerca given his work related grievance against the Town to attain the rank of lieutenant.  Answer:  Politics

Lieutenant Christopher Battiloro  2-1

     His dedication and work ethic towards the profession and the limited or no disciplinary actions against him make him the front runner for Captain.  Battiloro, a college (Clemson) educated  cop, was removed from patrol as a Watch Commander and reassigned to assume the responsibilities of executive command level leadership in the absence of a retiring captain.  Such a position is typically reserved for a candidate being considered for future promotion.  Battiloro was tasked with the investigation of finding out who in the Westfield Police Department was an alleged leak to The Fact of The Matter.  Ultimately, the investigation stalled and was eventually discontinued wasting taxpayer dollars that funded it.  

Sergeant Joseph Costanzo  (No odds/taken off the board)
     Stranger things have happened and if Wayman could, he would.

Honarable Mention:
Lieutenant William Keleher  (1990's)
Lieutenant James Schneider (2000's)
Lieutenant Kevin Maloney   (2000's)
Lieutenant Nicholas Norton (2010...)

     Westfield Police Chief Wayman has a calculated decision ahead of him, if one has not already been made.  One thing will still remain the same after the next round of promotions no matter who is promoted, and that is the access TFoTM has to information that is disseminated here.  

This is the wording of Special Ordinance 2180 that was voted on and approved by the Westfield Town Council for the purchase of a mobile command center for the Westfield Police Department.

 "Bond Ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery in, by and for the Town of Westfield, in the County of Union, State of New Jersey, to appropriate the sum of $360,000 to pay the cost thereof, to make a down payment, to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds."  

Mayor Andy "Slickbitsky"

Taxpayer Funded Purchase: Mindful Municipal Management or Wasteful Spending

UPDATE: A source has confirmed that Westfield Police Department officials will spend the next two weeks training with a representative, arriving today, from Power Innovations International of Utah, on the operation of Westfield's MSOC (Mobile Special Operations Center)  TFoTM has also learned that a 6-wheeled Polaris ATV was purchased with taxpayer funds.  Only question remaining is: Will Officer Nicole Tango-Stivale and Officer Paul Ferry (aka "The Skoal Bandit") be assisting in the Polaris training   It was this duo that starred in a YouTube video titled "A Getaway Short" that detailed the Westfield Police Departments need for an ATV to patrol parks such as Tamaques and Brightwood.



    With local roads needing repair, and in some cases reconstruction, the Westfield Town Council recently voted to spend nearly $300,000 of Westfield tax dollars on a mobile command center.  3rd Ward Councilman and candidate for Mayor David Haas ultimately voted "No" on the expenditure of tax dollars to fund this purchase.  Also, consider that Houlihan/Sid Fay fields at the end of Rahway Ave. will need replacement in the near future and the Town Council has cut school crossing guards from intersections where children have had assistance in the past.
     Local politicians, including most recently 4th Ward candidate for Town Council Keith Loughlin, have publicly stated, "I'll be focusing on controlling municipal spending."  TFoTM asks, "When?"
     The mobile command center was approved for purchase and is currently sitting on South Ave. in the driveway of a local business adjacent to the old Thomas Lincoln/Mercury dealership.  The trailer still displays a Utah license plate while the towing Ford F350 pickup truck has no license plate displayed.  This vehicle, presumably now owned by the Town of Westfield, was delivered rather expeditiously considering that the special bond ordinance to approve its purchase was just recently passed leading some to speculate if the vehicle had been purchased prior to the bond vote, making the vote just a formality.  New Jersey has strict municipal purchasing laws that must be adhered to.
     Mayor Skibitsky is touting "Making Public Safety a Priority" while "Managing Your Tax Dollars Efficiently" in one of his recent campaign donation solicitations.  Mayor Skibitsky and members of the current Westfield Town Council have reduced the staffing levels at both the police department and fire department in recent years causing delays in response time in the police department and hampering the fire fighting abilities of the fire department on initial response to residential and commercial structure fires.
     Hmmm, perhaps $300,000 could have been allocated to hire public safety personnel in departments depleted of manpower or at least repair some the many failing streets in town among other municipal "priorities."
   
The cost of a public safety hire........approximately $65,000
The cost to mill and pave a 400 ft long x 30 ft wide dilapidated street.... approximately $30,000 to $35,000

The cost to the taxpayer when Town Council members approved

to purchase Chief Dave Wayman a new toy....approximately $300,000
Voting out incumbent Skibitsky and his fellow council members seeking re-election....PRICELESS!

UPDATE:  A source has confirmed that the mobile command center has been in Westfield for "Several weeks if not months" since its arrival from Utah for an exhibition at the Westfield Armory.  Mayor Skibitsky and the Westfield Town Council gave the approval for purchasing the mobile command center only recently, or was it a "done deal" sealed earlier than the public council vote?.  The mobile command center has since been removed from the parking lot of Print Tech on South Ave. to an unknown location after the posting of this story.   

 
   

Town Council Votes on Police Chief's Request

On Tuesday night, at the Westfield Town Council meeting, council members voted to amend The town code chapter (18) regarding police. Westfield Police Chief Dave Wayman is allegedly seeking to reduce the number of Lieutenants allowed by town code by one position and increase the number of Sergeants by one position.  While the savings is a couple thousand dollars, there is more to this story when analyzed from within.  The Westfield police department has seen a reduction in manpower during Mayor Skibitsky's tenure causing some affiliated with the PD asking why there is a need for another supervisory position.  TFoTM will handicap the candidates.   More details to be posted.

Return to Sender

     A letter came in the mail last week.  Not my mail, but a neighbors mailbox.  The letter was from Westfield Mayor Skibitsky and addressed "Dear Neighbor".  I'm guessing that my "Dear Neighbor" got lost in the mail or is on the way and will arrive in the near future.  I wonder if all 30,300 + "Dear Neighbors" of Mayor Skibitsky will be receiving their "Dear Neighbor" letter.  After all, Mayor Skibitsky states in his letter "It has been an honor and a pleasure serving you as your Mayor."  Serving who?  The recipients of the "Dear Neighbor" letter, or all Westfielders?
     Does anyone know if channel 13 PBS Kids, still broadcasts reruns of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood?  Maybe at tomorrow night's town council meeting Skibitsky and Acting Mayor JoAnn Neylan will skip into council chambers holding hands and singing Mr. Rogers "Won't You Be My Neighbor."  After all, Skibitsky has some brainwashed that it's a beautiful day in this neighborhood. Heck, would you be mine, could you be mine?  It is a catchy tune.
     Mayor Skibitsky brags that he is proud of the Council's accomplishments under his leadership and offers a "sampling" of promises fulfilled.  What about the promises unfulfilled?  He claims to of managed Westfield tax dollars efficiently, made public safety a priority, and used technology to improve communication, transparency and services.  Finally, he claims to of encouraged resident outreach, well at least resident outreach that he reaches out to.  At times you would think he has alligator arms.
     If Mayor Skibitsky has made public safety a priority then why has he and his council reduced the number of fire fighters and police officers to a level 20% lower than what previous mayors had employed?  Skibitsky claims that "Westfield is in safe hands."  Based on what?  No secret that the number of residential and commercial structure fires that have burned out of control until enough fire fighters were on scene to combat each blaze (since Skibitsky's reduction in staffing at the fire department) would indicate that the "safe hands" belonged to an unemployed Smokey the Bear.
     When Westfield fire fighters are forced to wait for mutual aid from neighboring towns to fight a residential structure fire once fought by Westfield fire fighters alone, public safety is jeopardized and obviously no longer a priority as Mayor Skibitsky suggests.
     It seems Mayor Skibitsky attempts to defend the reduction in staffing at the fire department by stating "Westfield is fortunate to be one of only 25% of communities in New Jersey with a paid professional fire department" as if we should all be thanking our lucky stars.  Westfield's commitment to maintaining a professional fire department existed long before Skibitsky ever set foot in this town, however Skibitsky is the only Westfield mayor responsible for the steady reduction in manpower at the fire department.
     When the town is re-evaluated by the insurance industry and our premiums go up, will Mayor Skibitsky continue to remind us how much money he has saved in the budget?  As a politician, Skibitsky looks good by staying inside the restrictions set by Trenton, however as someone who is supposed to be looking out for you, the Westfielder, he is juggling figures by removing from the budget items such as sewage which is now billed separately to the tax paying land owner. You are not served better by a government who announces financial savings but allows your streets to remain in disrepair and increases the danger to your home.
     Allowing a police department to drop 20% is not "Making Public Safety a Priority."  When response times to calls for service increase, there is a decrease in service.  This has been the case as recently as last year.  Less cops on the beat leads to diminished law enforcement services.
     Skibitsky states that he has encouraged resident outreach and that as Mayor he knows listening is just as important as speaking.  Will Mayor Skibitsky's political handlers let him know that listening in no way guarantees understanding.
     Mayor Skibitsky closes out his "Dear Neighbor" letter with a request for a contribution "in any amount you can afford" to his campaign coffer.  Make the check out to "Skibitsky for Mayor" he says.  I'll be sure to get right on that.  In fact, I'm inclined to sign the check "Dear Neighbor" and wait for it to be returned for lack of a signature.
     That brings us back to the "Dear Neighbor" pat on the back, grease job, buddy buddy opening to Skibitsky's solicitation.  Skibitsky is not a Mayor of the people of Westfield.  He is the Mayor of his own following.  If not, why didn't every household receive a "Dear Neighbor" letter from Skibitsky?

                                                                                                                 Yours Truly,

                                                                                                                  Just a Neighbor

The Carnival....aka "Circus" Comes to Town

Councilman Keith Loughlin

     In a recent "Letter to the Editor" found in a local newspaper, Westfield Fourth Ward Councilman Keith Loughlin expressed how "honored" he is to serve as Councilman.  He states "We accomplished many tasks working together" referencing the paving of roads, the stoppage of a proposed cell tower, and "reducing the size of our municipal payroll by 20 percent while avoiding layoffs and preserving essential services."  Loughlin does admit, "there is more work to be done."  TFoTM couldn't agree more with Councilman Loughlin on that last statement.
     What Councilman Loughlin does not tell the public is that the municipal payroll has been reduced by employees retiring and the Town Council not filling the positions held by those that have left.  In some cases, the payroll has been reduced by cutting full-time positions in half to part-time.  Only a politician can twist a negative into a positive and Loughlin does this by reminding us that he and his fellow council members have saved money "while avoiding layoffs and preserving essential services."
     When reducing the payroll of public safety departments, the Town Council and Councilman Loughlin have not preserved essential services, they have reduced the effectiveness of those essential services.  Anyone familiar with the staffing levels of the Westfield Police and Fire Departments knows that the "20%" reduction in payroll is a result of a combination of top tier salaried officers retiring and allowing the reduction of manpower not to be replenished.
     In the case of the police department, today we have 10 less police officers.  Most noticeably, the patrol division that is tasked with answering emergency calls and considered to be the front line force of any police department, has been hit hard.
     The fire department has seen a reduction in manpower by the Town Council and Councilman Loughlin to the point that mutual aid from surrounding towns is heavily relied on these days to fight fires.  This reduction in manpower has jeopardized essential services such as search and rescue, venting a structure to combat the fire, and dispatching "essential" manpower to the scene to properly fight a structure fire immediately without waiting for mutual aid.
     Councilman Loughlin and some members of the Westfield Town Council have stated that Westfield's paid fire fighters are joined by volunteers to provide the necessary fire fighting services in Westfield, along with mutual aid services.  More and more fires are burning longer causing more property damage as a result of the reduction in fire fighting manpower in Westfield.
     A volunteer fire chief from a town (another NJ county) of similar size and demographics as Westfield offered this observation: "When a town relies on volunteers to fight a fire, property damage will skyrocket."  "It has nothing to do with the knowledge and training of the volunteer, and everything to do with response time."
     Councilman Loughlin will be kicking off his campaign for re-election with an event he is calling "Keith's Carnival" to be held on a Saturday this month.  For an admission of $25 (kids free) there will be carnival games, food, prizes, entertainment, and more.  The $25 "Admission" sounds like a campaign donation.  It's no wonder fellow Westfield Councilman Frank Arena called campaigning "silly season."  Perhaps Mayor Skibitsky can come in costume and pose as one of "Keith's Carnival Clowns."
     I would much rather spend an extra $25 on my property tax bill to provide the "essential services" Councilman Loughlin and the Westfield Town Council state they have "preserved" when in fact, they have cut.  The fact of the matter is, you can't put a price on "essential services" that save lives.  

Video: Former Westfield Resident Alleges Police Misconduct

     The following video is of Westfield TV36 footage aired publicly.  At the March 19, 2013 Westfield Town Council meeting, former resident Erin Kelly approached the microphone to address the Town Council on the issue of police misconduct.  After explaining to Mayor Skibitsky that the Westfield Police Department would not entertain her complaint, Skibitsky and Westfield Town Administrator Jim Gildea facilitate a meeting on the spot with Police Chief David Wayman.  Why would town officials direct her to speak with the police chief when her initial complaint was rebuffed by the police department?  More questions will be posed by TFoTM as this story unfolds and more information becomes available.

Retaliation, Retribution, Revenge

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2013/03/princeton_cop_to_get_87500_in.html#incart_river_default

Former Resident Alleges Misconduct by Westfield Police Officers

     At tonight's Westfield Town Council meeting, a former resident approached the microphone during open public comment to express to the Mayor and Council her concern about filing a complaint with the Westfield Police Department.  Based on the audio recording provided to TFoTM, an attempt has been made to transcribe what the woman addressed the Town Council about. 

     The following text is what was extracted from the audio recording and is inaudible at times.  Based on what was heard first hand at the meeting and after listening to the audio playback of the woman's comments, it appears she wanted to file a complaint.  New Jersey Attorney General guidelines are specific about fielding complaints from citizens even if the complaint involves officer misconduct within the department the citizen is filing the complaint with.  Go to the following Internet link and scroll down to page 16 to view N.J. Attorney General's Internal Affairs guidelines on "Accepting Reports of Officer Misconduct"  http://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcj/agguide/internalaffairs2000v1_2.pdf

The former Westfield resident approached the microphone and began to speak identifying herself by name and current address.  She then allegedly stated the following:

"T have some circumstances that I ....(inaudible).........I have personal relationship with at least five police officers, one is a former college classmate, one is ........(inaudible)..........cousin um, um,......(inaudible)..............Um, I have respect for them as officers and I care about them as people and, um, there seems to be a barrier that I perceive in filing a complaint and I perceive that barrier to be because of our relationship and I feel I have no other options and I've also been advised by a former colleague who is a prosecutor, to file charges against these officers with the State of New Jersey with the Attorney General's Office and.............(inaudible)...........I would appreciate it.....(inaudible)...............I would appreciate it.

    

Mayor Skibitsky responded, "I'd be happy to talk to you.........(inaudible).......we do encourage any resident that believes there's been some misconduct by any of our employees.....(word inaudible)..... the proper authorities uhh, and we do encourage that we strongly encourage it, but Mr. Gildea you want to........(inaudible)...........

     Mayor Skibitsky then directed the woman to speak with Westfield Police Chief David Wayman who was seated in the front row of the council chambers.  As the woman walked away from the microphone,  Wayman met her at the back of council chambers and escorted her to another area of the building.

Go to:  http://westfield.patch.com/articles/special-ordinance-to-fund-mobile-command-center-for-westfield-passes   to read Westfield Patch coverage of former residents comments.

The following text it what appears in The Westfield Leader:

During the public comments portion

of the meeting, former resident

Erin Kelly, who was visibly shaking

during her time at the microphone,

said that there “seems to be a barrier

in filing a complaint” against

Westfield police officers. She told the

council that she is a cousin of one of

Westfield’s officers, and graduated

high school with another, and while

she did not elaborate on the nature of

her complaint, Ms. Kelly said that a

friend of hers who is a prosecutor

advised her to file a complaint with

the state Attorney General’s office.

Mayor Skibitsky stated that the

town encourages residents to bring

misconduct to the proper channels.

Mr. Gildea said that Police Chief

Dave Wayman would speak to her in

private.

Ms. Kelly, carrying a large file with

her, then went into the council conference

room with Chief Wayman

and Police Lieutenant Chris Battiloro.

"No Parking Here To Corner"........Crossing Guard Contributes to Dangers of Pedestrian Crossing

     The civilian crossing guard at the corner of Westfield Ave. & Park St./Dorian Rd. offset intersection has come under fire by this website for his questionable traffic directing skills in violation of New Jersey state motor vehicle statute 39:4-144.  While he provides a necessary function of crossing students walking to and from school each day, TFoTM asks, "Is this crossing guard above the law?"  Waving vehicles through Stop signs controlling traffic on Park St. and Dorian Rd. can contribute to motor vehicle accidents and put pedestrian safety in jeopardy.  Parking a vehicle illegally can contribute to an accident.

     This morning, at approximately 7:15 am, the crossing guard's van was parked illegally on Westfield Ave. while he stood on his post at the corner of the Westfield Ave/Dorian Rd intersection.  With no other cars parked in the area, the crossing guard had hundreds of feet of curbline to park his vehicle legally while he provided safety for crossing students.  Instead, the crossing guard parked his van in violation of the "No Parking Here To Corner" statute/town ordinance.  Why park illegally? 

Westfield Police Department Parking Enforcement issues summonses daily for offenses such as these. 

Is the crossing guard above the law?

Town Ordinance copied and pasted from the Town of Westfield website.

Sec. 13-19.1. Parking Prohibited – Regulations not exclusive.

The provisions of this article imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any

person of the duty towards other and more restricted provisions, prohibiting or limiting

the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles as set forth in section 39:4-138 of the

Revised Statutes or any other New Jersey Statute or as hereinafter provided.

(G.O. No. 917, § 2-1.)

 

Sec. 13-20. Same – At all times.

No person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any of the streets or parts thereof

described in this section.

Westfield Avenue, on the northwest side of the street, from a point beginning at the northerly curb line of Dorian Road and extending in a northerly direction along the westerly curb line of Westfield Avenue.

300,000 and Counting

     The Fact of The Matter will have received  300,000 page views later tonight.  Since TFoTM was created on December 1, 2010, it has averaged just above 355 page views per day with a one day record of over 3000 when the story of Ferarro's devastating fire was posted with pictures and video. 
     One story that opened the eyes of readers and scored credibility with them, and contempt with town officials, was the posting of a confidential memo from the desk of then Westfield Police Chief John M. Parizeau detailing the theft of time by a subordinate.  The supervisor was identified by Chief Parizeau and the crime was covered up.  It has been alleged that the suspect, a supervisor assigned to the police department's parking enforcement division, feared prosecution and the loss of his pension when the Union County Prosecutor's Office began to investigate causing the police officer to seek retirement.
     Another story posted here at TFoTM revealed a hand written note from then police Captain David Wayman, now Westfield's police chief, giving instructions to the custodial staff to keep the municipal building's handicapped bathroom door locked at all times and to not give out the key.  TFoTM learned that Wayman was using the bathroom as his own personal commode.  The fact that TFoTM was able to obtain the note signaled the Town's administration that TFoTM was not just one person but a web of sources willing to provide information to hold town officials accountable for their actions.
     When the Westfield Police Department's Internal Affairs Division investigated the rank and file of the men and women in blue, as well as civilian employees, in an attempt to identify a leak in the department, TFoTM obtained a copy of the questionnaire handed out to employees and used as an investigative tool to flush out any source of information to TFoTM.  The investigation went nowhere but wasted countless taxpayer dollars in the process.   
     This site has posted pictures, videos, documents, and other forms of evidence to bolster the claims made that Westfield's mismanagement, wasteful spending, and sometimes criminal activities occur without accountability, fiscal responsibility, or criminal prosecution. 
     TFoTM will continue to pursue the topics not reported on in local media.  TFoTM is not beholden to any political party, public official, or special interest. 
     This site has successfully fought investigations led by Westfield Police Chief David Wayman of the Westfield Police Department and a subpoena from the Union County Prosecutor's Office requesting how and from whom TFoTM receives it's information. 
     TFoTM will continue to protect the identities of those that are sources of information that have made this site a stop on the web for those wanting an alternative to local news. 
     In closing, TFoTM dedicates the The Fact of The Matter's 300,000th page view to Mayor Andrew Skibitsky.  The mayor's condescending and arrogant responses to questions asked,  and his dismissal of a taxpaying citizen/retired town employee's concerns on a November 2010 night, gave birth to The Fact of The Matter.

Westfield Police Chief Wayman Emblazons Name

     Westfield Police Chief Dave Wayman was all smiles when he was introduced as Westfield Police Chief at a town council meeting.  Hearing his name is obviously not enough?  Visitors to the front entrance of the police department will now have the opportunity to "see" the police chief's name emblazoned on glass letting them know who is in charge. Employees are now reminded each time they walk through the front door that Wayman is their Chief.

     Wayman is the first police chief to have his name posted on the outside of the building.   A source speaking on the condition that TFoTM would not reveal their identity stated, "It's to remind everyone who the chief is because we still can't believe he was picked to be chief." 

     Wayman is no stranger to demanding the respect he thinks he deserves once proclaiming that a former police chief held back his (Wayman's) career.  Wayman's career has been marred with some questionable actions, including the loss of a firearm, anger management issues that have allegedly led to the harassment of academy recruits and fellow employees as well as the heavy handed treatment of suspects.  . 

    

Wayman must earn the respect of others, it doesn't just appear one day on the front door of a building. 

***TFoTM thought Wayman would have had a handicapped bathroom door with his name on it long before the doorway to the police department would be forever altered.  Go to the following TFoTM link to read story of Wayman's arrogance and selfishness:  http://07090.blogspot.com/2011/01/captains-kingdom-keys-to-his-porcelain.html 

You Scratch My Back, I'll Scratch Yours..Town Purchasing $500,000 Mobile Command Center

UPDATED: Upon delivery from the manufacturer, Mobile Command Center (Vehicle) to be housed at Westfield Fire Station 2 located on Central Ave.

     The Westfield Town Council voted on Special Ordinance #2180 tonight during the town council meeting.  The ordinance, which has been copied word for word from the Town Council's Proposed Agenda for the March 5, 2013 meeting, reads as follows: 

     "Bond Ordinance to authorize the making of various public improvements and the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery in, by and for the Town of Westfield, in the County of Union, State of New Jersey, to appropriate the sum of $360,000 to pay the cost thereof, to make a down payment, to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance such appropriation and to provide for the issuance of bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds." 

Chief Wayman and Lieutenant Chris Battiloro

     But before Special Ordinance 2180 was voted on, Westfield Police Chief Dave Wayman and Lieutenant Chris Battiloro presented each member of the Westfield Town Council, and Town Administrator Jim Gildea, with a Hurricane Sandy Service Award and commemorative pin that was given to all Westfield police officers and civilian employees of the police department to honor their service during the storm. 

     The vote by members of the Westfield Town Council, in favor of Special Ordinance 2180, was unanimous. When Mayor Skibitsky was asked if this ordinance was for the purpose of purchasing a new mobile command center for the Westfield Police Department he responded, "Yes."  See related story by clicking on the following link: http://07090.blogspot.com/2013/02/mobile-command-center-boys-toywasteful.html

Councilman Sam Della Fera

     Councilman Sam Della Fera, chairman of the Town Council Finance Committee, defended the expensive purchase and stated, "There is a need for redundancy" when questioned why Westfield needed such a vehicle that comes with a price tag of approximately $500,000.  Not more than a month ago Della Fera indicated that his finance committee had to make some "tough decisions" on bugetary matters. 

     Della Fera stated that a mobile command center vehicle could have been used during Super Storm Sandy.  TFoTM asks, "Where, why, and how?"    Councilman Della Fera was reminded that the municipal building has back up generators in the event the building loses power so that the police department and emergency services can still function.  Vehicles such as the one being purchased by Westfield are typically found in cities and other urban areas where crowd control, major events, and the need for a mobile command center outside of the central dispatch of a police headquarters is needed.   

Westfield's Money Tree has Blossomed

     Councilman Della Fera cited other examples where the mobile command center could be utilized such as the Whitney Houston funeral, active shooter events, and the visitation of the United States President (George Bush).  Della Fera also stated, "With the purchase of this equipment we will be ready."  TFoTM asks, "Ready for what?"   You mean to tell the taxpayer that Westfield wasn't ready for those events? That's the excuse for making a $500,000 purchase when local roads are disintergrating and public safety staffing has been reduced jeapordizing the safety of residents and employees of the police and fire departments?

     Councilman Della Fera also stated that Westfield Police Chief David Wayman and Westfield Fire Chief Dan Kelly determined the need for the new equipment.  With all due respect Councilman Della Ferra, what is the need that has all of a sudden appeared that will now make us "ready" in your own words?  What will be interesting is to see who will be in charge of the mobile command center, Wayman or Kelly?  Chief Wayman's history of micromanaging might come in conflict with Chief Kelly's authority as Westfield's OEM Coordinator. 

     Along with the purchase of this half million dollar vehicle will be the expenditures associated with building a garage to park the mobile command center in.  The garage would most likely be built on the Department of Public Works site located at North Ave. and Crossway Pl.   So taxpayers, tack on another $25,000 to $35,000. 

     TFoTM asks our readers, "What do you think the Mayor and Town Council should be spending $500,000 on?"  To start, TFoTM could recommend a few streets that need paving  

     So much for Mayor Andy Skibitsky touting he and the Westfield Town Council are doing "More with Less."

Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan

     PS.....Will someone on the Town Council please remind Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan that a school needing a back up generator falls under the decisions of the Westfield Board of Education's Budget Committee.  Her attempt at tonight's council meeting to somehow justify the need of a mobile command center to power a school during a power outage is befuddling.  

     Neylan, who in defense of accusations that the Town Council's reduction of manpower in the fire department rendered their ladder truck impotent, once proclaimed that the ladder truck is used primarily for "scenic aerial views" at fire scenes in an attempt to minimize its absence from devastating fires at Ferraro's, Mountain Avenue's Hamilton House apartments, and several residential fires.  Councilwoman Neylan must think that aerial rescues, roof top fire ventilation, and an aerial water attack on a structure fire take a back seat to "scenic aerial views."

Perhaps Councilwoman Neylan and the Town Council should consider the purchase of 10 mobile command centers in the event Westfield loses power again for 9 days.  That way all 9 schools and the Board of Education building can power up to the tune of $5,000,000.   

      

Mayor Skibitsky Hits the Campaign Trail "Doing More with Less"

Mayor Andy Skibitsky

     Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky will be  seeking a third term as mayor later this year.  During his current term, Skibitsky has reminded Westfielders that he is doing "more with less" hoping to convince the taxpayer that his administration is spending "less" and cutting costs all the while providing or doing "more" with the resources they have. TFoTM asks, "more what?"

     This website has documented the reduction of public safety services by Westfield's governing body.  The town council has reduced the number of firefighters on staff and police on patrol.  It has been proven that you can't do "more with less" when you reduce the front line of protection against fire and crime.

     Mayor Skibitsky has allowed the Westfield Department of Public Works to continue to operate under questionable management.  Roads around Westfield are a disaster of potholes and disintegrating asphalt.  The asphalt around the catch basin in the picture below, has eroded away and been washed into the storm sewer system.  In another picture, the asphalt patch placed over a trench excavated by a utility company (United Water?) on Grove St. was so poorly installed that it sunk approximately 5 inches causing an immediate hazard to the motoring public. 

     Where was the Town when this patch was constructed?  Who is supposed to inspect the workmanship of the utility company patching a Westfield road?  Is anyone in the engineering department following up to make sure that Westfield roads are being repaired properly?  While Mayor Skibitsky touts saving money by reducing staff throughout town departments, he probably hopes the voters will forget that the trickle down effect will hit the taxpayer in the wallet.  In the case of potholes and faulty trench repair, the automobile owner, not the Town, gets stuck with the repair bill to their vehicle.

     So when Mayor Skibitsky and other members of the Westfield Town Council brag about doing "more with less," ask them if the can give "more" examples of how they have saved the taxpayer money and provided "more" services.  If only the Mayor could give "less" examples of where they are flushing tax dollars down the drain.  First, he would have to take off his rose colored glasses. 

176 Liberty Ave on Fire

At approximately 8 pm tonight TFoTM source reports a working structure fire at 176 Liberty Ave in Westfield.

Mobile Command Center: A Boy's Toy.....Wasteful Spending?

     The Westfield Police Department has less cops on the beat and more vehicles in it's fleet since Dave Wayman took charge of the department as patrol captain in 2006 and later as police chief in 2012.  As the old saying goes, a boy will have his toys. 

     SUV's, pick-up trucks, sedans, and a BMW are not enough to satisfy Chief Wayman.  Wayman now has his eyes on a mobile command center to round out the police department's carpool.  Outfitted with the latest in technology and electronics, mobile command centers can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Major cities and other metropolitan areas will often purchase such a vehicle due to necessity and logistics while handling large scale events. 

     Does Westfield need such a vehicle?   What event would necessitate such a vehicle......Spring Fling?  Fall Fest?  Downtown Pizza Run Extravaganza? 

 

     The Westfield municipal building has backup generators to run the police department in the event of a power failure and any large scale police response to a crime or investigation is supplemented by Union County with their own Mobile Command Center.
     So TFoTM asks:  Is the purchase of a mobile command center a necessity or a luxury?
    
    

Where's Andy?

     Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky was absent, once again, from a Westfield Town Council Meeting.  Tuesday night's absence is the second this year out of 4 meetings so far in 2013. 

     Filling in for Skibitsky in his absence was "Acting" Mayor JoAnn Neylan.  How ironic that the Academy of Motion Pictures will be awarding Oscars this upcoming Sunday evening. 

     Neylan has not been nominated for her "Best Supporting Actress" role but her performance Tuesday evening could be submitted for next year's awards in the category of "Best Short Film."  Stay tuned to TV36 for the seventeen minute drama.

SEE SKIBITSKY?