April 22, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Road improvement program nixed by council by Frank J. McMahon The adoption of an ordinance that would have provided $550,000 for the 2009 Franklin Lakes road improvement program has been defeated by a 3-2 vote of the borough council. A state statute requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the full membership of the six member governing body. One member, Steve Marcus, was absent from the meeting. When the ordinance was introduced in March by a 4-2 vote, Councilmen Michael Friscia and Brian Trava voted against its introduction, while Councilwomen Leslie Greer, Paulette Ramsey and Nathalie Lota joined Marcus in voting for it. Prior to last week’s vote, Borough Administrator Gregory Hart explained that the description in the ordinance allows the council to include the borough’s curb program by removing one or two of the roads. He explained that the council would not be awarding a contract to pave any roads by adopting this ordinance. There was no comment from residents during the public hearing on the ordinance, but Friscia explained his reason for voting against the measure, saying its cost was too high. He suggested the ordinance be changed to reduce it by $72,000 by removing some of the roads scheduled for repaving. Mayor Maura DeNicola argued in favor of adopting the ordinance, so the borough could participate in the regional road improvement program with other municipalities. She emphasized that this expense is a capital cost and not part of the 2009 budget, which the council has been struggling to reduce. She explained further that the council had been moving in the direction of repaving roads at the rate of their disintegration, but Friscia said this ordinance would have implications for future budgets, and argued that, last year, there were roads he did not think needed to be repaved. “I’m saying the proposed budget (for roads) this year is too high and last year it was too high,” Friscia said. DeNicola responded that Friscia was the chair of the Department of Public Works Committee last year and he should have voiced his objection at that time. Friscia argued, however, that he did mention specific roads last year which he did not think needed to be repaved. None of the three councilwomen who voted for the adoption of the ordinance, nor Trava, who voted against the adoption of the ordinance, voiced any explanation for their votes at the public meeting. The ordinance would have provided for the issuance of $522,500 in bonds or notes to finance part of the cost of the road program, with a $27,500 down payment as required by the Local Bond Law of the State of New Jersey. The names of the roads in this year’s repaving schedule have not been released, according to Borough Administrator Hart, because the list has not been finalized. ��������������������� ������ ���������� ������������ ����������������� Out of the way, but worth it. Fine Art Wedding & Portrait Photography Major Credit Cards Accepted ������������ ������������ ��������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������������������������� ����������� STOP ���������������� ������������������� �������������������� ��������������������� Whatever milestone of life you are celebrating, trust Dragonfly Studio to capture those moments. Call us today for details on our Communion Portrait Promotion in May Friendly  Spontaneous  Artistic  Fun  Beautiful 85 Hillside Ave, Midland Park • 201-444-4760 • 201-445-1164 Open Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Closed Sunday Schweinfurth Florist Book your Wedding with us this month and receive a free engagement session. www.dragonflystudiocafe.com • 201.696.6003 • dragonflystudiocafe@mac.com 4-22-09 janine Dragonfly2x2(4-22-09) 2 x 2” 3-25-09 pat/janine KevinHanly2x2(3-25-09) 2 x 2”