A Mountainside Judge ruled in favor of the Westfield Board of Education today. Three complaints filed against the WBOE for erecting generator run lights, were dismissed. The use of mechanical equipment during prohibited hours, the shielding of the lights to prevent spillage onto neighboring properties, and the height of the lights in violation of town code were the basis of the complaints.
The complaints were dismissed based on a state statute that supersedes town code. There was also some uncertainty as to who is the proper defendant in the case, the WBOE or the WSA.
The Westfield Soccer Association partnered with the Westfield Board of Education to use Kehler Stadium, property owned by the WBOE, for practice during a 10 week "pilot" program which allowed the use of the stadiums artificial turf field during evening hours.
The WBOE was able to circumvent public oversight by not spending any tax payer funds to temporarily light Kehler Stadium during the 10 week "pilot."
The WSA, a "non-profit" organization, spent over $5000 to rent portable lights and make modifications to the stadium property during the "pilot" in an attempt to mitigate neighborhood complaints as well as funding the WBOE's defense costs.
Let this be a lesson. Soccer runs this town.
ReplyDeleteIsn't councilman Foerst, the Public defender for Mountainside ?
ReplyDeleteI just don't get how any sane person, can think that it is ok for multi block neighborhoods to be disturbed and inconvenienced so that 11 year olds can play soccer on weeknights at 9:30 PM
Public records show that Westfield Councilman James Foerst is the Mountainside Municipal Court's Public Defender.
DeleteFoerst had nothing to do with th Board of Education's defense at yesterday's hearing. The WBOE was defended by their own attorney Richard Kaplow. Kaplow's attorney's fees are allegedly being paid for by the Westfield Soccer Association.
I am sure that "on the record" Foerst had nothing whatsoever to do with this, however Westfield politics has become a text book example of cronyism.
DeleteThat said, I admire and respect what you and others have done for your neighbors and for the life of me can't understand how the BOE has their heads so far up their arses with regard to this "trial program" .
Who is your source for this information. If it's online post a link please.
ReplyDeleteSource of what information?
DeleteI would like the source that gave you the information about the ruling. I've had a hard time finding an official source to support the information in this article. I hope this clarifies my question.
Deletehttps://www.tapinto.net/towns/westfield/articles/judge-rules-lights-can-stay-on-westfields-kehler
DeleteI hope this helps. Is there any other information you need?
Mattessich needs to go. This guy got rid of the girls basketball coach because his daughter wasn't getting the playing time. He dug up complaints from a few jilted parents as his justification. It's the old "it's not fair" routine.
ReplyDeleteHe catered to the soccer association and over 2000 parents that have the ability to cast a vote in the next school board election. I wonder if he complained to his elementary school phys Ed teacher when he got hit playing dodgeball.
FYI, Mitch Slater lived across the street from the soccer association president Aronson. You wash my hand and I'll wash yours.
I had seen Mitch comments on another social media site that ridiculed and made little of the neighbors of Kehler Field, great leadership Mitch.
DeletePlease provide the social media site you are referring to.
DeleteSaw in the Leader yesterday that when asked of the status of this pilot program Mattessich replied that he did not know. How is that possible that he, as President does not know the status of a current ongoing trial/pilot program?
DeleteJust like he doesn't know what standards were going to be used to measure the success or failure of the pilot.
DeleteHe has no idea what the program is....he was just following WSA orders.
DeleteWSA board member Peter Frank's stated that the lighted field and stadium would benefit Westfield high school sports. This garnered the support of the Westfield high school athletic director.
ReplyDeleteFact: not one high school spring sports team utilized the lighted field.
Fact: lacrosse league could not use the lighted field due to low level lighting making it dangerous for players.
Fact: WSA players were quoted as stating "The lights are useless."
Fact: The Westfield soccer Association flushed $5000 down the toilet to rent these lights and then paid the defense of the Board of Education in court. Deep pockets.
Tom Hagen might say that those facts would make a good story, something the Westfield Leader could use. Maybe you should write them on a cocktail napkin for one of the Corbin brothers to "uncover"
DeleteThe Corbin brothers frown upon investigative reporting that might bite the hand that feeds them.
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