School Overcrowding, Memphis Pressure Continues, Among Bloomfield Top Stories

Before the town council voted on the proposed Scientific Glass-Lion Gate development project, residents expressed concern about how increased population would affect already overcrowded Bloomfield schools.

School Board member Maribel Perez said that, in addition to installing three trailers at Franklin Elementary School last year to address the overflow of students last year, the district has is now converting sub-basement storage rooms into a classroom in some schools.

“Shame on us!” declared Councilman Nick Joanow, who also expressed concern about how overcrowding in schools would affect property values. 

At Monday night’s Town Council meeting, the room was again filled to capacity as animal advocates pleaded with Bloomfield officials to allow Memphis the pitbull to be adopted.   

If the advocates have their way, Mayor Raymond McCarthy will override the decision of Board of Health Director Karen Lore, who has refused to allow the pitbull to be adopted.  But the council gave no indication this would happen.

Despite the forceful efforts of Memphis' supporters, the dog remains in a cage at the Bloomfield Animal Shelter. 

A was scheduled for Saturday.

Commemorating the eleventh anniversary of 9-11-01, town residents gathered in the Town Green to remember those who were killed in the World Trade Center tragedy.

Honored on Tuesday night were Bloomfield residents Daniel Rosetti and Cesar A. Alviar.  Justin Rosetti, now 12, attended the ceremony on behalf of his father and Grace Alviar on behalf of her husband.  The Bloomfield Fire Department, Police Department, local government officials and a small number of residents attended.  Guitarist Philip Lester played the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. 

At the school year’s first Board of Education meeting, a new “Living Classroom” initiative was announced for the middle school, designed by the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission and Bloomfield resident Lois Ross.

“We teach the kids about the environment and what trash in the streets does to our waterways,” said Brooks. “There’s a whole other classroom outside.”  The program, utilizing the abundant natural resources of Clark’s Pond and the Third River, encompasses both natural sciences and arts, and provides learning opportunities for all students in the district.

Bloomfield Police reportedincidences involving assaults, on in which a New York man after a 9-year-old boy inside a convenience store and the other in which a woman was thrown to the ground and robbed near Abington Avenue and North 15th Street.

In the first incident, Bloomfield police captured and arrested Noe Andres Diaz-Rodriguez, 25, of the Bronx, New York. Charged with aggravated assault, his bail was set $50,000 with a court date of September 13. 

The other suspect remains at large. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Bloomfield Police Department Detective Squad at 973-680-4084. 

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