The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 9

I ThoGouftef-Noujs Inside: Classified, B-5 Legals, B-5 Our Towns, B-2 Obituaries, B-3 2 rvi A Local briefs By BILL BOWMAN Staff Writer The increase amounts to an $835 municipal tax bill for the owner of a home valued at $140,000, said Coun-cilwoman Senga Allan. That is a $28 increase over 1997 taxes, she said. Major cuts in the public works and police department budgets, plus $500,000 in discretionary state aid, helped bring down the tax increase, Allan said. Mayor Angelo Corradino praised the new spending plan, saying it allows for increased services without taking a large bite of taxpayer money. "When you have only a 2-cent increase and increased services, that's always a good budget," he said.

"Especially considering we were looking at a $1.8 million deficit a few months ago." A public hearing on the amended budget has been set for 7 p.m. Monday. One of the major budgeting difficulties faced by the borough this year was a 25 percent reduction in the assessed value of homes in the Clare-mont development. Homes in that area were found to be sitting on land contaminated with creosote, a known carcinogen. The Claremont reduction left a $250,000 hole in the borough budget, Corradino said.

"If we didn't have the creosote problem, we probably would have had a reduction in taxes this year," he said. Allan said $60,000 was cut from the police department budget and $80,000 from the public works budget "We do need to replace three police patrol cars," she said. "We're only going to be replacing one this year. Maybe next year we can replace the others." MANVLLLE Extra state aid and sharpened pencils led the Borough Council to introduce an amended $8 million budget Monday night that would permit a dramatic cut in the municipal tax rate. The new budget calls for a municipal tax increase of 2 cents per $200 of assessed value, down sharply from the 36-cent hike in the borough's original budget.

Also helping in the reduction effort were some increases in anticipated revenue. The Marketplace at Man-ville development on Main Street is expected to bring in an extra $100,000 than originally thought in construction code fees, Corradino said. In March, the borough expected about $128,000 in income from the sale of borough assets. That number has been increased to more than $288,000, largely due to the upcoming auction of old police department equipment, Corradino said. Center to take rejected donors WARREN WRECK Voters rule today on space tax V.

A By BILL BOWMAN Staff Writer MONTGOMERY Amanda Bartle can remember the times as a little girl when she played in the vast open fields near her friends' homes. "There's no place there for that now," she says. "I've lived here for 15 years and I've watched the town become really overcrowded." Bartle, who lives on Orchard Road, thinks it's time development in town was slowed down. To that end, Montgomery voters will have a If VOU ffO chance today to establish a 4-cent tax to boost the Polling hours for the township's efforts to buy, Open Space Tax referen-and preserve, open space, dum are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Officials estimate that the Unlike general elections, tax would raise more than there are only two polling $500,000 yearly. places. They are: The tax wouldn't raise Districts 1 2. 3. 4 and Parking lot sought for railroad station RARITAN BOROUGH Officials plan to build a commuter parking lot near the Transit station that could bring up to $9,000 in annual revenue to the borough.

The lot, to be located east of Thompson Street and south of the railroad tracks, will have 30 spaces. Commuters can rent a spot for $25 per month. In addition to the extra revenue, the move also will improve the aesthetics of the area, where an old boxcar once sat, Mayor Anthony DeCiccosaid. An increase in the number of passengers using the Raritan train station has prompted a demand for more long-term parking spots, the mayor added. NJ Transit is reimbursing the borough the full $70,000 cost of the project.

Jason Alt Boy allegedly hit by angry car owner NORTH PLAINFIELD Police are investigating an incident in which a 13-year-old boy was punched by an adult after a soccer ball got away from the youth. Police said the boy was playing with a ball in the parking lot of the Terrace View Apartments off Maple Avenue on June 22 when the ball hit a man's car. The ball slightly banged the car and did not cause serious damage, police said. The man became enraged, punched the youth and took off in his car, police said. The man has not yet been identified.

The youth refused medical attention, police said. Lynn Ducey Drug arrest made in school zone NORTH PLAINFIELD A borough man was charged Monday with possessing 12.9 grams of cocaine near the Somerset School over the weekend. Carlos Arias, 20, of 401 Rt. 22, Apt. 29F, was arrested Saturday afternoon when a police officer spotted him riding a bike near Harmony and Somerset streets.

According to court papers filed Monday against Arias, police realized Arias was wanted for an outstanding warrant and stopped him. A complaint charging him with third-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and simple possession, was filed in state Superior Court in Somerville Monday. Police wrote that they found an electronic scale and 12.9 grams of cocaine in his pockets. The arrest occurred within two blocks of the Somerset School. Anna Farneski Local jewelry store robbedof $50,000 MONTGOMERY More than $50,000 in merchandise has been stolen from a township jeweler.

Police responded to an alarm activation call at 2:30 a.m. Friday at Reinhard's Jewelers on Route 206 in the Princeton North Shopping Center. Police found the glass front door and windows smashed. Several jewelry cases were smashed and more than $50,000 in jewels was taken. The thieves had left the scene by the time police arrived.

Wesley Yang Staff photos by Kathy Johnson Police and rescue officials investigate a crash Monday on Mt. Horeb Road in Warren. Brian Loughlin, 17, of Bridgewater was driving a Honda when it hit a tree about 10:41 a.m. at the Casale Drive South intersection. 7: Orchard Hill School, all the money Montgomery needs to preserve Burnt Hill Road.

more open space. Its exis- Districts 5, 6, 8 and 9: fir- t. tence would, however, Municipal Building, Route qualify Montgomery for 206. up to $1 million a year in state grants. Deputy Mayor Ted Maciag said the township has already been successful at acquiring open space 14 properties totaling more than 1,700 acres over the past four years.

"That would have led to 1,120 homes and 1,792 more schoolchildren," he said. "It has been proven the cost of uncontrolled development far exceeds the cost of See VOTERS on Page B-3 At 17, he's busy projecting a dramatic future 7 1 X. By MINA LANDRISCINA Staff Writer The New York Blood Center plans to once again accept blood from some people it has turned away in the last 18 months. That means people like Catherine J. Thompson of Manville may get to give blood again.

"I'm excited," said Thompson, 51, who had donated blood for 15 years until the center refused her donations. Thompson was told last July she had been put on the agency's deferral list after an initial screening done on her blood tested positive for HIV. Although subsequent tests found that screening to be wrong, the center had already suspended its procedure to allow people to resume donating. Thompson said she felt hurt and confused and sought to clear her name. The New York Blood Center the nation's largest supplier of blood was the subject of a federal inquiry in 196 and 1997 into allegations of improper screening for HIV and other viruses.

The center stopped allowing suspended donors to return to the system 18 months ago, as it worked to straighten out its record keeping, said Debra Kessler, the agency's director of regional services. At the request of the federal Food and Drug Administration, the center agreed to overhaul its testing, training and record keeping. It also suspended its "re-entry protocol," the procedure allowing suspended donors to return. But last week a seven-member management team decided to re-establish the procedure, Kessler said. The team has asked the federal agency to review the policy, and the center hopes to have the protocol back in place in a few months, she said.

"We feel our crisis is over and that we are now in a position to start moving forward," Kessler said. It is hard to tell how many people may resume donating blood, she said. There are thousands of people on the center's deferral list who may not donate blood for a variety of reasons. These include people who are drug users, have syphilis or have traveled to a country where malaria is a problem. The re-establishment of this procedure means more work for Blood Center employees but it can be done, Kessler said.

"It's very labor intensive," she said. The person's donation history is reviewed and another sampling is taken and retested, she said. But Thompson said she's up for it. "The ultimate end is the patient out there," she said. By JANET A.

HINES Staff Writer NORTH PLAINFIELD A typical day in the life of Gerry Rosenthal consists of school work, band practice and a once-in-a-while basketball game with friends. And, oh yes, the television commercials and movie appearances. The recent North Plainfield High School graduate is a thespian, and while some graduates are still debating what college courses to take this fall, Rosenthal attends casting calls. "What can I say I love what I do," the 17-year-old said. Since he was 6, Rosenthal has studied acting, appearing mostly in television commercials.

It was never his first love, but it has become an important part of his life. In August, he will add another element to his typical day when he begins higher education at Boston University. His major, of course, will be drama. "People say I should have a plan to fall back on in See ACTOR on Page B-4 Got a tip? Warren fire department and Rescue Squad crews used extrication devices to remove Loughlin from the car, police said. He was taken to Somerset Medical Center in Somerville with head and leg injuries.

His condition was not released, and no charges have been filed. For questions or comments, you can e-mail us at or can reach Deputy Metro Editor Chris Buckle at (908) 707-3123. Nom after what, she kee ps pulling through tor him Pasquale DiFulco emerge with a new yellow sticker. After an excruciating delay, the man came out with a yellow sticker in his hand. She'd passed! He cheered silently again, and contemplated running her through the car wash as a little reward, but it was getting late.

Besides, the weatherman said it was going to rain. Some other time, he told her, and they drove off to his office. He left her in the parking lot, sneaking a peek at the new yellow sticker as he walked away from her. She just sat there, knowing he'd be back soon. Pasquale DiFulco's commentary appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Phone: (908) 707-3163. E-mail He organized the tapes and put the newspapers in a plastic bag. Suddenly, a man in coveralls was waving them forward. It was the moment of truth. He handed over the paperwork.

The man in coveralls checked her emissions. After a few seconds, the monitor read PASS. He cheered silently and they moved forward. "Step out, please," another man said before climbing in and switching on her lights, blinkers and wipers. The man tapped her steering wheel and she honked.

The man sped forward and slammed on her brakes. She responded instantly, coming to an immediate stop. Then they were together again, Inching forward. He watched and waited for another man in a booth to Sitting there on line, he began coaxing her. Pass, baby.

C'mon, pass. She'd failed last year because of a broken side mirror. Naturally, it cost him money. But when he thought about it, it was he who failed her. He had broken the mirror and failed to fix it She had nothing to do with it.

They inched closer to the inspection station entrance. The line moved slowly and he briefly considered leaving and coming back another day, but it was already the 29th of the month. In less than 48 hours, the blue sticker would expire and he'd be breaking the law, so he waited they waited. He noticed her dashboard was dusty and cassette tapes and newspapers were forming a small mountain on the passenger-side floor. He opened her glove box, pulled out a tissue and wiped her dashboard clean.

stuck around because she knew that sooner or later, he'd need her. He'd come calling and they'd be off and running again. She didn't ask for much in return, but she could be demanding sometimes. That always cost him money. At first, there were the monthly payments.

Then gas always gas. Oil changes. Tune-ups. New tires. New brakes.

Oh, and insurance. Man, how he hated paying for insurance. But he had to, because she was right: He needed her. As they sat there waiting on line, he thought about what he'd do without her. Nothing, he answered.

He'd do nothing, go nowhere, see no one. Without her, he was a prisoner. But with her, the world was at his disposal. Now he needed her in another way. They pulled up together about 11 a.m.

It was another last-minute rendezvous and he reasoned she deserved better, but what was a busy guy to do? He made time for her when he could. As they sat there waiting for the line to move, he admitted to himself that he often took her for granted. He expected her to do too much and he was always demanding, but she never complained. He never paid her much attention anyway. Of course, she was always there for him, and at a moment's notice, too.

For the last four years and four days had it been that long already? she had been an unfailingly reliable partner. He could always count on her to be there for him, to take him places he wanted to go. They had been to lots of places together. They had traveled to Mon- treal and Bar Harbor, Maine, a few summers ago and she accompanied him to a wedding in Baltimore last fall. They had been up and down the Parkway and Turnpike and all over New York and Pennsylvania, too.

But once they arrived at their destination, it was always the same. He invariably dumped her to go off with another woman or a friend. Then he'd keep her waiting for him, sometimes for days at a stretch. Still, she stuck around. She always I 1.