FEBRUARY 2003

Township gives Collings Lakes squad deadline for records

BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP - The Collings Lakes rescue squad was granted one more extension to provide the committee with financial records before a decision will be made to decide if they will receive additional financial assistance from the township.

The squad has until 4 p.m. Wednesday to produce complete account statements for three bank accounts, Nextel phone bills, and any other bills from last year and this year that illustrate money paid or owed. A decision regarding the request for additional funds will be made at a special closed-door meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

"If it's not all here then it's a refusal of the squad to turn over this information, and that will be considered with whatever action they decide to take, if they decide to take action," said Joe Gindhart, township solicitor. "No ifs, ands or buts."

The squad asked for financial assistance three months ago, but the committee has since sought its financial records to determine whether to increase the annual $20,000 donation they already provide.

"The auditor can't make decisions unless he has all the records," an apparently frustrated Gindhart said. "Do they have the money to continue operating? It is a public safety concern."

Despite five letters and an ultimatum to provide the records, they remain incomplete, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said last week.

Questions regarding the squad's alleged attempt to sell a new ambulance, and excessive spending on cell phones and walkie-talkies concerned the committee.

Chiarello said that the meetings regarding the matter were resolved to be held behind closed doors because the issue represented the potentially legal matter that could possibly lead to litigation against the squad.

"The township contributes 50 percent of their operating budget and can't get a response to know that the money is being spent properly," Gindhart said.

A representative from the squad said she understood that no excuses would be accepted for any documents missing this time.

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Buena Vista gets  Collings Lakes rescue squad's papers 

BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP - The Collings Lakes rescue squad met the 4:30 p.m. deadline to give their financial records to the committee Wednesday, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said.

The committee will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. tonight to decide the fate of the squad in light of their request for financial assistance.

"It looks like most of the paperwork is in hand," Chiarello said. "We'll take a look at the solvency of the squad. Right now it looks like the squad is not solvent."

Chiarello was referring to the squad's desperate financial situation, which concerned the committee, along with questions regarding the squad's alleged attempt to sell a new ambulance and excessive spending on cellular phones and walkie-talkies.

"They may have as much as $10,000 in bills and no way to pay them," Chiarello said.

The mayor said that the committee likely will decide to seek some kind of change at the meeting.

"We may temporarily close the squad and look for new leadership," Chiarello said. "The Collings Lakes Volunteer Fire Co. expressed interest in possibly taking up duties."

The mayor expects this to be the conclusion of a controversy that started three months ago when the squad asked for financial assistance but did not provide sufficient financial records for the committee to determine whether to increase the annual $20,000 donation they already provide.

"If we had all these records a few months ago, we could have provided a better reconciliation," Chiarello said.

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Buena Vista terminates Collings Lakes squad

BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP - The Township Committee unanimously terminated the Collings Lakes rescue squad Thursday night.

Four months of delays and haggling over financial documents ended with rescue squad chief Dave Fernandez pleading in front of a stoic committee to give the financially inept squad one more chance.

"All of these people here don't want the rescue squad not to be a rescue squad," said an emotional Fernandez, pointing to the rows of benches filled with squad members. "We made a bad decision, we accept that. We want to fix it and move on."

After a brief closed session, the committee voted to terminate the current squad and bring in the Hammonton EMS as a temporary emergency service. The squad was asked to turn over all of its belongings, including ambulances and their building, in return for the committee paying off its debt of more than $20,000.

The Hammonton service, which will work on a month-to-month basis until another viable volunteer service is established, will take over Monday at noon, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said.

"No longer will calls be dispatched to Collings Lakes rescue squad," Chiarello said to an exasperated and now-defunct rescue squad. Angry members yelled and stormed out of the room in tears.

"This is just a slap in the face," said Fernandez, his eyes moist. "I don't think this is fair to those people who get up at 3 a.m. and save people's lives. This is volunteer."

Squad members slammed doors and cursed at the decision.

"We ask for help and this is what we get," one angry member said.

The squad requested financial assistance from the committee four months ago but was slow to provide the paperwork the township requested for a complete audit.

As the committee investigated the matter it became clear that the squad tried to sell one of its ambulances and had an excessive bill for Nextel walkie-talkie cell phones.

"If we had seen these documents two months ago, I think we could have worked something out," Chiarello said, explaining that all the delays made it appear as if the squad were hiding something. "I think there was some mismanagement, and I hope that it was not intentional."

Squad members vowed they will continue to take emergency calls as long as they can and that they will not hand over their equipment. Fernandez said he will take the matter to the residents directly.

The squad is a private organization, but it cannot continue to run without financial assistance and members cannot receive dispatcher calls without the township's approval.

"If they don't cooperate, they'll hurt the residents of Collings Lakes more," Chiarello said. "If they think they are in the financial situation to spend a lot of money fighting this, they're just going to cost their squad and residents more debt."

Though the committee guaranteed 100 percent coverage of all areas that the Collings Lakes rescue squad covered, squad members doubted that a Hammonton EMS squad would have as fast a response time.

"If I'm having a heart attack, I don't want to have to wait 13 minutes," said Fernandez.

Regardless, the committee felt that the squad's poor management put the safety of the community at risk.

"If we didn't stop it there would be nothing different tomorrow or next week until we made a drastic move to terminate," said Chiarello, explaining that current squad members could apply to be part of a new squad. "We think termination will open other doors of opportunity."

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Former rescue squad finds a new partner

Enlarge

Mayor Chuck Chiarello

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Ex-rescue squad members will join Fire Co. in Collings Lakes

BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP - Twelve members of the recently terminated Collings Lakes Rescue Squad will join forces with the Collings Lakes Fire Company and resume rescue duties, Mayor Chuck Chiarello said.

The rescue squad was terminated by the township last Thursday and ordered to turn over their ambulances, building and other equipment because of their financial delinquency. The Collings Lakes Fire Company offered to take the ambulances and the rescue responsibilities, as well as some members from the former rescue squad, keeping it a volunteer unit.

"By remaining in Collings Lakes they will be stronger," Chiarello said of the unit that will now have 20 EMTs. "They are currently operating from the firehouse."

The consolidation is on an interim basis and will probably take weeks of paperwork to finalize the transfer, Chiarello said. This solution will be used instead of using a Hammonton EMT service.

"There will be no interruption of service," Chiarello said. "It's safe to say that a good portion of the rescue squad membership has joined the Collings Lakes Fire Company."

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State rejects towns' Abbot bid

Commissioner says districts can raise more money through taxes

BUENA -- The number of Abbott districts in greater Cumberland County won't change any time soon.

That's because state Education Commissioner William L. Librera rejected long-standing pleas for Abbott status from five districts, including Buena Regional, Fairfield Township and Commercial Township.

Abbott distinction provides a windfall of state money intended to bring schools in those typically urban communities up to par with wealthier counterparts.

Librera rejected Buena Regional's claim based, in part, on what he called the district's ability of "raising more money for education."

Municipal and school officials -- who will decide today whether to appeal the decision to the state Board of Education -- took Librera's words to mean the district first should look to raise taxes before asking the state for more money.

"This is unbelievable," said Buena Borough Mayor Joseph Baruffi. "I am very dismayed and very disappointed ... This is a total injustice to our students and the hardworking taxpayers of our small community."

An administrative law judge ruled in September to grant Abbott status to five New Jersey school districts -- Buena Regional, Commercial, Fairfield, Woodbine and Salem.

Only Salem received Librera's endorsement.

But the fact that Buena Regional made it as far as it did made Librera's decision that much harder for district officials to swallow.

"I think we've proven our case that we deserve additional funding," said Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo. "And the judge saw it that way."

In his decision, Librera rejected Buena Regional's contention that local residents are overburdened with municipal taxes. Its "recent history has shown it capable of raising more money for education," he added, noting the district's school tax rate is equal to the state average.

District voters rejected a budget last year calling for a 17-cent tax-rate hike. But school taxes still went up considerably, even after borough, township and school officials hammered out a series of spending cuts.

Figures also show borough and township residents pay anywhere from 40 percent to 82 percent more per year in school taxes than property owners in Vineland and Millville, both of which have Abbott district status.

"Where does (Librera) get his ideas?" said Lucy Ippolito, 85, a Buena resident and former teacher in the district. "I pay just short of $4,000 a year on my tax bill and all I have to say is, 'Enough already.'"

Abbott status goes beyond relieving a tax burden for staff and programs.

Abbott districts also have 100 percent of their construction costs paid for by the state.

Librera's decision means a third of the cost of a proposed new middle school will fall squarely on taxpayers' shoulders.

Sue Girardi, a Buena resident and vice president of the Buena Regional Board of Education, echoed Ippolito's sentiments.

"As a taxpayer, I realize the importance of supporting our schools and doing the best we can for our children," Girardi said. "But I don't agree that our taxpayers can afford to be taxed anymore."

In the original Abbott vs. Burke decision -- in which Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton were parties -- the N.J. Supreme Court ruled state funding failed to provide students in Abbott districts with a "thorough and efficient system of public education," thereby entitling them to additional state funding.

That does not apply in the case of Buena Regional, Librera said.

The district's test scores -- which are better than those in most Abbott districts, above the state average in several cases and improving in others -- demonstrate a "thorough and efficient" public education already is being provided, Librera said.

He further suggested the district redirect its current funds to program areas of greatest need.

But the school district's ability to provide a quality education could be threatened without the extra funding, DeGiacomo said.

In light of Librera's decision, school officials currently formulating the 2003-04 school budget could cut new programs they intended to implement had the district received Abbott status, DeGiacomo said. They may even consider cutting current programs and personnel, she added.

"We use our money to reduce class size, improve reading and math, and provide more instructional materials and excellent teachers," DeGiacomo said. "But if the commissioner says that, because of these factors, we shouldn't get more money, then the future is not good for us.

"Eventually we will have to cut teachers (and) supplies, and that is going to affect test scores," she added. "So if our test scores decrease, will we then be eligible for more money?"

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Abbott fight goes on in Buena

BUENA -- Buena Regional school board members voted unanimously Tuesday to continue the district's fight for Abbott status.

The decision came a day after state education Commissioner William L. Librera rejected the district's request for Abbott distinction, which provides state money to bring schools in typically urban communities up to par with suburban counterparts.

The board's decision empowers Frederick Jacob, the school district's Millville-based attorney, to appeal Librera's ruling to the N.J. Board of Education.

Jacob has 30 days to submit the appeal. The state board could rule by May or June.

"We think we've really proven our case for greater funding," Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said.

Librera ruled Monday -- contrary to the finding of an administrative law judge -- that Buena Regional was not entitled to Abbott status in part because it appeared the district could raise more money through taxes and better allocate existing funds.

Buena Regional board members disagree.

"The commissioner says our school taxes are at the state average," said board member Robert James. "(But) our taxpayers make well below the average salary in the state."

School taxes in Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township are 40 percent to 80 percent higher than in Millville and Vineland, both Abbott districts.

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Township under fire for moving ambulance squad

NEWTONVILLE -- Not everyone's happy with Township Committee's decision to move the Collings Lakes Ambulance Squad to the nearby Fire Department.

Members of the Newtonville Fire Company and District 3 fire commissioners contend township officials failed to properly inform them of the squad's unfolding financial quandary, which led the committee to disband the squad.

They also argue township officials unfairly dismissed their own efforts to transfer the squad to the Newtonville fire house instead of Collings Lakes.

"Nothing was said to us whatsoever," Fire Commissioner George Oliver told four township officials present at a town meeting Wednesday night.

The ambulance squad, which has $4,367 in unpaid cell phone bills and owes $12,000 on an ambulance, serves both Collings Lakes and Newtonville.

"Discussing and airing things out would've been a nice thing to do for all parties involved," Oliver said.

Newtonville Fire Company members weren't made aware of the squad's troubles until members approached them, added Capt. Herbert Sykes Jr.

Mayor Chuck Chiarello countered that township meetings are open to the public. Further, he said, no formal invitations went out to either the Newtonville or Collings Lakes fire departments.

Collings Lakes squad members asked for Newtonville Fire Company's assistance on three occasions, Sykes said. After that, the fire company submitted a proposal to the township on Sunday, asking that the squad be housed in the Newtonville fire house because it offers "a central location for both" areas.

The proposal called for reformed leadership consisting of a chief and elected officials from both the Newtonville and Collings Lakes fire companies. The president of the ambulance association would have continued to serve but fire commissioners would have overseen funds.

The township unfairly discounted the proposal, said Sykes, calling it "a waste of time."

Township Committee instead approved a proposal the Collings Lakes Fire Company submitted Dec. 12.

The Collings Lakes proposal was approved because it was received earlier and showed the squad would be part of the fire company rather than operate as an independent entity, Chiarello said.

Newtonville argues its proposal was delayed because the township failed to consult them as the four-month saga unfolded, despite the fact it donated money and equipment to the ambulance squad the last 15 years.

The solution is interim and the situation is ongoing, Chiarello said.

"We're not precluding that we incorporate Newtonville's input," he said. "We definitely want to see oversight so we can feel just as comfortable as we know you need to feel."

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A little wine for a good cause

This sounds like a fun night out -- how about sampling wine to support a good cause?

Martin's Custom Catering, Route 40, in Landisville will hold the Landisville Produce Wine Tasting at 6 p.m. Feb. 28. The event will feature wine, hors d'oeuvres and music.

Tickets are $35 each. Tickets may be purchased by calling Larry Marandino at 697-2271; Joe Marandino at 697-1986, or Jim Quarella at 697-7172.

Proceeds benefit the Landisville Produce Scholarship Fund.

The fund has contributed $10,000 to Buena Regional High School students in the last five years.

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Schools rethink spring calendars

Snow closings today may impact graduations and holiday breaks

Several area school districts, including Vineland, Millville and Buena Regional, will remain closed today.

Here's an explanation of their decisions and the effects they will have on the school calendar.

Vineland

If it keeps snowing at this rate, will there be Fourth of July fireworks at Vineland High School's graduation?

Not likely, said district spokesman F. John Sbrana.

The district's 180-day calendar cannot stretch beyond June 30 without jeopardizing state funds.

That means district officials may have to consider other ways to make up the three snow days they already used, including shaving time off spring recess, scheduled for April 21-25.

Graduation originally was scheduled for Friday, June 20. A snow day caused by a Feb. 10 storm bumped the ceremony to Monday, June 23.

The big storm that started Sunday didn't affect schools on Monday. They already were closed in observance of George Washington's birthday.

But the district opted to keep schools closed Tuesday and today to give municipal crews time to finish plowing streets, Sbrana said.

There were concerns about large piles of plowed snow near bus stops where students stand.

The two additional snow days -- if added to the end of the school year -- would push graduation back to Wednesday, June 25. But the district has yet to determine if that's how it will proceed, Sbrana said.

Millville

District officials decided to give road crews more time to clear secondary streets without the added burden of parents, students and buses heading to school.

"The side roads are our greatest concern in the district and I think in the sending districts," district administrator Bryce Kell said.

Schools should reopen at normal times on Thursday, Kell said.

Tuesday's school closing was the third for the district this year, and today's is the fourth. The school calendar allots five days for emergency closings. After that, administrators intend to shorten the weeklong Easter break.

Buena Regional

District officials decided to close schools because, although the snow has stopped, it continues to pose a hazard for students and transportation services.

"We can't get the buses out of the driveways," Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said. "A lot of the back roads haven't been cleared, and we don't want our kids walking through the snow drifts."

DeGiacomo said she is "pretty confident" schools will reopen Thursday.

The district already used five snow days so far.

The last day of school and the date of Buena Regional High School's graduation originally were scheduled for Thursday, June 12.

The school board could decide to push everything back five school days, meaning graduation would be Thursday, June 19. If that happens, the last day for teachers would be Friday, June 20.

Other school districts closed again today are:

·  Bridgeton Public Schools.

·  Cumberland Christian School.

·  Cumberland Regional.

·  Pittsgrove Township Schools.

·  Sacred Heart.

·  St. Mary's Regional.

Staff Writers Deborah M. Marko, Joseph P. Smith and Giselle Sotelo contributed to this report.

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Buena Vista asks expert to review applications

BUENA VISTA -- Officials invited a community development specialist to discuss two major grant applications at Monday night's committee meeting.

Officials are seeking $150,000 in state Green Acres money to reconstruct three tennis courts at Michael Debbi Park. The application deadline is next Monday.

The township also will apply for funding with the state Department of Transportation to continue streetscaping and other improvements to the Richland area.

That grant also would extend an existing bike path along Cedar Avenue all the way to St. Augustine's Preparatory School.

The township earlier was awarded a $200,000 Liveable Communities grant to pay for the improvements to Route 40 between Main and Cedar avenues. To date, no construction work has been done on the project.

Stephen Lingle, an economic and community development specialist with Triad Associates, is optimistic the DOT will be award the extra funding.

"To the extent that DOT determines it's a good project, they will continue to support the investment," he said.

In other news:

The township hired Karl Molinelli to be its new parks supervisor. The appointment fills a vacancy that opened after former parks supervisor Richard Calareso became the public works director.

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District, legislators map strategy in Abbott appeal

Diane DeGiacomo, superintendent for the Buena Regional School District, discusses Buena's bid for Abbott status Tuesday as Buena Borough Mayor Joseph Baruffi looks on during a press conference at Buena High School.

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Van Drew, Asselta plan to help area schools gain Abbott Status

BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP - Area lawmakers on Tuesday met with local and school officials at Buena Regional High School and pledged to help the school district achieve Abbott status.

State Education Commissioner William Librera on Feb. 10 rejected an administrative law judge's recommendation that Buena Regional and three other districts get special-needs status.

Librera said at the time that Buena Regional's test scores were not chronically substandard, the district had shown that it could raise more money and that it already benefits from early childhood aid and funding from the new school facilities law.

In recommending Salem for Abbott status, Librera rejected Commercial and Fairfield townships, and Woodbine, in addition to Buena Regional, the four other school districts that a judge recommended.

"I strongly disagree with this decision by the state of New Jersey, and unfortunately this is an example of the state going in the wrong direction," said Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-Cumberland, Cape, Atlantic. "We need to join together so that we can win this fight."

Van Drew and Assemblyman Nicholas Asselta, R-Cumberland, Cape, Atlantic, introduced legislation Monday to designate Buena Regional, Commercial Township, Fairfield Township, Woodbine and Salem City as Abbott districts.

"The commissioner's decision essentially punishes Buena Regional's students for meeting academic standards," Asselta said. "The idea that this district can afford to maintain high academic results, on the backs of hardworking taxpayers, is ridiculous."

Buena Regional Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said the school board is appealing Librera's judgment to the state Board of Education.

"We are looking at a 20-cent tax increase to maintain what we have, and that is not considering the increases in insurance rates, contractual obligations," DeGiacomo said. "We can't keep asking the community for more money."

The school budget is $29 million and it receives only $14 million in state aid.

DeGiacomo said officials would have to cut programs if they do not receive additional aid.

In denying Abbott status for the other three districts, Librera said Commercial and Fairfield townships have school tax rates substantially below the state average, and Woodbine's problems were administrative failures.

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Buena may hike taxes for budget

BUENA -- Formulating a 2003-04 school budget that keeps tax hikes to a minimum hasn't been easy for the Buena Regional Board of Education.

They eliminated about $1 million that would have paid for new academic programs and new employees. They saved another $500,000 by cutting a little from several line items.

Still, the board on Tuesday certified a preliminary $25.01 million budget, up $696,710 from last year.

"We think this is a fair budget that is absolutely necessary," Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo said.

The problem: The budget may mean another tax increase for residents in Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township. How much remains to be seen.

The board will present its budget Tuesday to Atlantic County school Superintendent Dan Loggi.

"We're hoping (Loggi) proposes to (state education Commissioner William Librera) that we need additional state aid," DeGiacomo said.

Librera recently ruled Buena Regional doesn't qualify for Abbott status -- which provides state money to bring urban schools onpar with suburban counterparts -- in part because the district could raise more through taxes.

The school board presents its budget to the county superintendent every year, but this year could prove noteworthy.

Librera directed Loggi to review the district's budget and "take such action as may be necessary as a result of that review."

The board already cut future programs and held off on some new hires.

It will not replace two retiring teachers, introduce a track program at Cleary Middle School, or hire a second vice principal or security guard at the high school. A proposed eighth-grade summer program to ease students' transition to high school was eliminated. And the board will buy new language books for just one grade instead of six as originally planned.

Despite the cuts, the budget's bottom line is higher than last year due to increases in salaries, insurance and utility bills, DeGiacomo said.

John Grasso, 50, of Minotola bemoaned the possibility of a tax hike.

"All they do is raise, raise, raise taxes," said Grasso, who lives on a fixed income. "They've got to draw the line."

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