Week in Review: Berkeley Heights and Mountainside

Here's a look back at the news that made headlines in Berkeley Heights and Mountainside.

Mountainside resident allegedly involved in kickback scheme.

A contract engineer for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Westfield and Tinton Falls school districts allegedly accepted thousands of dollars in kickbacks through a series of bid-rigging schemes he orchestrated from 2001 to 2010, State Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced in a press release late Wednesday morning. Westfield School District Business Administrator Robert A. Berman is also charged with accepting thousands of dollars in bribes. 

The contract engineer, Kenneth T. Disko, 47, of Mountainside, allegedly directed three contractors, including one based in Scotch Plains, to prepare fraudulently-inflated quotes and estimates, which he then recommended for approval in exchange for more than $80,000 in kickbacks from the contractors, Dow and Taylor stated in the release.

The three contractors, charged with making false contract payment claims, are John Sangiuliano, 56, of Scotch Plains, and co-owner of Metropolitan Metal Window Company; Martin W. Starr, 44, of Cliffwood Beach, owner of Starr Contracting; and Stephen M. Gallagher, 50, of Cliffwood Beach, owner of East Commercial Construction and Tara Construction.

Disko, Sangiuliano, Starr and Gallagher, if indicted and convicted, could face up to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000. The charges against them will be presented to a state grand jury in Trenton, Office of the Attorney General spokesman Peter Aseltine said in a telephone interview. He declined to state how investigators learned of the alleged wrongdoing, citing the ongoing investigation. 

Mountainside BOE Holds Second 2011-2012 Budget Presentation Including 3.2 Percent Tax Increase

 The Mountainside Board of Education meeting included a second preliminary budget presentation, which calls for a 3.2 percent tax increase. The board also introduced their partnership with the Westfield Area Y for summer day camp and before and after-school care. Additionally, Deerfield students showcased works of art displayed at the Teen Arts Festival and read poems that will be included in this year’s New Jersey Performing Arts Center Anthology. 

Superintendent Dr. Jeanine Baubles and School Business Administrator/Board Secretary W. Daniel Saragnese presented an updated version of the preliminary budget including revised calculations of the district’s debt service, which provided approximately $30,000 in savings for the 201-2012 budget year and a six percent savings in overall debt. The district’s bonds were sold and refinanced on February 24th, the same day as the first budget presentation, and while the savings was announced, it had not be calculated into the version of the budget presented. 

Cuts include staff reductions by 6.5 positions, resulting in larger class sizes, ranging from 21-25 students per class. Included in the staff reductions is the elimination of one special education teaching position, which was determined to be unnecessary for the 2011-2012 school year based on student testing. As well, fifth grade class structure will change from students switching classes to a self-contained, elementary model. The budget also eliminates the courtesy bussing services previously provided to students living within the two mile radius of the schools in favor of a subscription bussing service.

All co-curricular activities will be pay-to-play to offset costs. 

Throngs of public safety workers from across the state delivered a loud message to Christie, pointing to a 2009 campaign promise that police and firefighter pensions would not be changed.

New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Anthony Wieners has pointed to rising crime, coupled with police layoffs as putting state residents in danger.  In Camden, where nearly half the police department was let go, violent crime has increased 19 percent since the layoffs, the Philadelphia Inquirerreported Thursday. 

“The new normal in New Jersey is New Jersey has a crime problem," Wieners said, using a play on Christie's "new normal" budget message. "We are here to deliver a message in one loud, unified voice, that enough is enough."