May 13, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Wyckoff Budget hearing continued; adoption could be this week by John Koster The hearing on the Wyckoff municipal budget has been continued, but acceptance of the spending plan is a foregone conclusion and will take place after the last of the State of New Jersey’s figures arrive. The vote could take place as early as the May 12 work session. The budget of $16,621,242 represents a 1.1 percent increase, due largely to state mandates outside the control of local government. The increase for the owner of a house valued at the township’s average assessment of $796,700 will be $48 a month. This budget covers costs related to the township’s police, administration, and roads. Expenses for Bergen County, and the local and regional school districts are not included. Resident Jim Goetting asked the Wyckoff Township Committee if replacement of the street sweeper could be postponed. “The street sweeper that we have has fallen into a state of disrepair,” said Mayor Joseph Fiorenzo. “This is something that we have discussed and postponed for a number of years, probably the last six years that I’ve been on the Finance Committee.” “We can’t keep repairing it. It’s not right,” said Township Committeeman David Connolly. “You have to do the things you need to do to keep your house in order.” Goetting appeared satisfied with the explanation, especially when committee members pointed out that the capital expense item of this year’s budget is down 21.5 percent from last year’s budget. The resident also suggested that the Wyckoff Public Library, which has 38-foot ceilings, could save the public $3 million if they added a second floor to the library internally for $1 million instead of expanding the footprint of the building for $4 million. Township committee members said that this was an interesting comment, but said Goetting should contact the library board, which is an autonomous body. Savings in this year’s municipal budget were made possible by a wage freeze for non-union employees, a hiring freeze, a reduction in capital expenditures, and the fact that the township committeemen voluntarily waived their annual stipend. Think Summer! 10-20-30 lbs. 4 Week*s EE! FRfor details. *Call LOSE up to at DIET or more CENTER® Get Started Now With Our 21-DAY DIET FABULOUS 201-652-4447 MIDLAND PARK 24 Godwin Avenue CALL NOW! 1973 - 2009 36 Years of Excellence