Fee Waivers, Seasonal Wage Changes on Agenda

Given that some of the most vocal citizens lately are those concerned with Recreation, items on tomorrow's agenda are sure to cause comment.

There are two resolutions to waive 2015 fees, one for use of fields by the Asociacion Deportiva Hispana Men's Adult Soccer League and another for the Plainfield Soccer Club. Both clubs made written requests.

There is also a lengthy ordinance with new salary ranges for various seasonal, hourly and temporary workers, including lifeguards, playground staff, recreation leaders and swimming pool night watchmen. The minimum is based on the new state minimum wage and the maximums vary.

As previously reported, former Recreation staff members have challenged innovations in new programs and policies under Recreation Superintendent Roni Taylor. Some speakers seem to want to turn back the clock to the days of her predecessor, Dave Wynn, while other rhetoric has to do with which sports are are more "American" than others. Both subjects become rather tedious for the rest of the audience after an hour or so, especially when the same arguments are offered at meeting after meeting and the combatants have already had plenty of face time with officials seeking to resolve the issues.

Among other items of interest, the $4 million road repair bond ordinance that failed at a special meeting for lack or a quorum is on the agenda for first reading.

Another one is a resolution for a $181,153 lien on the North Avenue property where a building was demolished in 2010. This one will require some research in order to tell the story concisely. Developer Frank Cretella is interested in acquiring the property, but it is unclear to me how the lien will play into any deal the city strikes, because of the timing. Maybe by May 11 I will be able to have a coherent report.

For those who have an ear out for the sound of other shoes dropping, the mayor is appointing Inez Durham to the Plainfield Public Library board replacing Dan Damon, who resigned.

Be aware that the council meets at 7:30 p.m. in Municipal Court. The PMUA meeting is 6 p.m. at 127 Roosevelt Avenue and at least one blog commenter is asking PMUA workers to show up en masse to tell the commissioners they want to get paid Thursday. Sudden changes in top personnel have some workers worried that there won't be anybody to sign their paychecks.

--Bernice

What Will New PMUA Director Get?

The PMUA commissioners may approve a new executive director Monday. The meeting is 6 p.m. at 127 Roosevelt Avenue.

When  Dan Williamson became director in 2012, he got a handsome package of pay and perks, though less than that of original director Eric Watson.

Read about Dan Williamson's contract contrasted with Watson's here. 

There is a City Council agenda-fixing session at 7:30 p.m. in Municipal Court. I don't think I can do both. Somebody else may have to get the PMUA story.

--Bernice

First Mantises of 2015

Last Fall, I marked this Praying Mantis egg case with a bit of ribbon, the better to see it in the Forsythia bush in Spring. Today I was checking it and saw the white forms from which the nymphs had emerged. (Click images to enlarge.)

Life and death are very close in the insect world. A black ant was prowling the egg case to feed on the emerging nymphs.

The nymphs shed their exoskeletons and become staple-sized versions of their adult selves, complete with antennae and long legs.

Off to see the world! This tiny creature will grow over the months to a fierce predator about three or four inches long. After mating, the female will make an egg case and all the adult mantises die as cold weather sets in. The egg case shields the next generation until a nice day like today, when they come out.

--Bernice

Double Meetings, Toil and Trouble

Oh snap! Here I am at my age and have not yet learned how to be in two places at once!

Bilocation would be a very handy skill in coming days. On Monday, there is an agenda-fixing session at 7:30 p.m. in Municipal Court, but according to a notice just posted, the PMUA is holding a special meeting at 6 p.m. over at 127 Roosevelt Ave. with an executive session, closed to the public, to discuss personnel matters and then there may  be possible action on appointment of an Executive Director and also "authorization of an additional signatory," whatever that means.

On Wednesday, the Zoning Board of Adjustment meets at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Library, while the City Council, their budget consultant and the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center, 400 E. Front St. Topics are the Police and Fire Divisions

Then on Thursday there is another budget meeting, 7 p.m. in the Plainfield Public Library's Anne Louise Davis Room, to discuss the budget for the office of the mayor. Meanwhile, the Planning Board meets at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave.

I think it was Carlos Castaneda that hipped me to bilocation. Anybody know a good sorcerer or shaman around here?

--Bernice

Cryptic Tipster's Lips Zipped

Dear off-topic anonymous tipster at 4:25 a.m., what are these "big changes at pmua" to which you allude?

Terrill Road House: A Lesson on Early Architecture?

An 18th Century structure on Terrill Road could provide insight into early architectural styles and construction methods, a preservation consultant told the Historic Preservation Commission Tuesday.

Dennis Bertland of Dennis Bertland Associates presented a "Memo of Findings" to the commission in an update on the nomination of the Dolbeer-Ware House to the National Register of Historic Places. Also known as the Lampkin House, the dwelling comprises three sections built at different times during the mid-18th and early 19th centuries, Bertland said in his report. Though not apparent from the exterior, the house appears to be an example of an "East Jersey Cottage" with "an intermingling of Dutch and English building traditions," the report says.

The report, which is on file in the Planning Division, "provides sufficient evidence to propose a starting point for investigation" and Bertland suggests comparisons to other houses from the time period, such as the Frazee House in Scotch Plains and the FitzRandolph House and Drake House in Plainfield.

"This is the best piece of planning writing I have ever seen," HPC Chairman William Michelson said of the report.

Michelson also asked Bertland how he gleaned information for the report, saying, "I am so impressed."

Bertland said he searched original documents including deeds of surrounding properties. He traced the ownership and history through the centuries, back to the 1600s and the original settlers of Elizabeth. Jesse Dolbeer, a carpenter, lived there in the 1790s, he said, and Harriet Ware later owned it as a summer house for which she made up the Lampkin name by which it has been known in recent attempts to save it.

In 2011, the City Council rejected a plan to use $92,500 in city funds to acquire the Lampkin House, which then was already in serious disrepair. Advocates had proposed the acquisition in order to carry out further fundraising that was not possible while the house was privately owned. It was envisioned as part of a plan to establish a historic museum/nature center with access to a nature trail through the Cushing Road retention basin, but the estimated cost of repairs to the house and barn ran to nearly $1.5 million.

In 2013, a stabilization plan was floated, but an attempt to organize a nonprofit fundraising group fell through.

The current move to nominate the house for the National Register could, if successful, lead to grant funding through Union County to help save it.

--Bernice

A Spring Clean for the May Queen

If you haven't got a May pole to dance around today, you could observe another old custom by having a spring cleanup on your block or in front of your house.  

Merry Beltane to all our Pagan friends and Happy May Day to all workers today!