May 6, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Borough decides to close down two days each month by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Borough Council has decided in closed session to shut down the borough’s offices two Fridays a month starting in May. The decision followed a public meeting at which about 25 employees voiced their objections to temporary layoffs of certain employees. The office closings will impact all borough employees except uniformed police officers up through the chief. The council’s action will reduce the borough’s expenses by more than $100,000 this year, according to Borough Administrator Gregory Hart. He explained that this cost reduction has already been anticipated in the budget the council introduced last month. Prior to the closed session, the council intended to have staggered temporary layoffs of all employees except the administrator, the finance office employees, and the municipal court personnel, throughout the balance of the year. But that was changed after the employees claimed that plan was not fair. John Keene, the president of Franklin Lakes Borough Employees Association, said the temporary layoff plan was unfair because it did not apply to all employees. “If you are going to impose it on us, impose it on everybody,” he said, adding that he felt the police department should be included. Keene said the temporary layoffs will negatively impact the employee’s pensions and reduce the potential overtime income of the public works employees. “I understand you want to be the champion of the taxpayers,” Keene told Mayor Maura DeNicola, “but you can’t ignore dedicated employees. I hope you will find other ways to solve our budget problems.” The employees claimed they cannot afford to live in the borough and they are already living paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to lose so much of their income. Joan Warburton, a police dispatcher, asked if Franklin Lakes is the only Bergen County municipality that is proposing the temporary layoffs. “What is happening? Why is Franklin Lakes in so much trouble compared to other towns in Bergen County? It’s a wealthy town. What’s happening? Why Franklin Lakes?” Warburton asked. Councilman Steve Marcus, chairman of the council’s Administration Committee, which includes finance and personnel responsibilities, explained that the borough has historically had the lowest tax rates in Bergen County and has benefitted from increases in the borough’s ratables that have supported an extremely low tax rate for many years. He said the real estate boom has stopped, the borough will be (continued on page 23) Sports support appreciated The Franklin Lakes Youth & Recreation Foundation held a plaque unveiling ceremony at the Pulis Avenue sports field on opening day for the baseball and softball season. Plaques were presented to honor companies and families who contributed to the installation of the turf field, grandstand, press box, and scoreboard. Pictured (front row): Ken and Nancy Koeller, Yankee Propane; Halina Pasmonde, TD Bank; Franklin Lakes Mayor Maura DeNicola; Councilman Brian Trava; Councilwoman Nathalie Lota; and Recreation Foundation President Laurie Burnette. Back row: Peter Sacco, PTS Documents; Recreation Foundation Treasurer Rick Meier; Peter McBride, McBride Realtors; Coach George Berger; ohn Cioletti, Reno’s Appliance; Recreation Committee Chairman Harvey Clark; and Recreation Director John Ciurciu. We’d Like To Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse Exam and X-Ray for $ 95 Wyckoff Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center 260 Godwin Ave, Suite. 7, Wyckoff, NJ 07481 Mon/Wed/Fri – 9:00am - 7:00pm • Sat – 9:00am - 1:00pm 49 Call Now: 201-485-7518 R Mom 5-6-09 Pat/Janine Wednesday-Saturday 10:30-5:00 WyckoffFamilyChiro3x3652-7498 • 652-5585 201-445-3074 • 3 x 3 11 PATERSON AVE, MIDLAND PARK UPSTAIRS MILL HOUSE II Doll Houses and Accessories e THE BROWNSTONE MILL ber ANTIQUE CENTER mem ! Rt.4W or Rt.287 to Rt.208, exit at Goffle Rd. Midland Park Silver, Prints, Mirrors, European China, Furniture COURTYARD COLLECTORS ROW Upholstery, Jewelry, Porcelain, Ephemera, Crystal Chandeliers, Oil Paintings Jewelry, Furniture, Vintage China DOWNSTAIRS Custom Painted Furniture, Trunks, Oak Furniture Window Treatments LOFT LOWER LEVEL Reiki Wellness, Hair Studio, Vintage ‘61, Garden Center