Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-September 23, 2009 Issue

September 23, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Midland Park Midland Park’s planning board/zoning board secretary has been designated as the borough’s Municipal Housing Ofﬁcial. The position is newly required by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), and training is required as well. The mayor and council decided at their last meeting that board secretary Janet Giardino will handle the job as part of her duties. The position entails interfacing with COAH relative to the borough’s affordable housing program and answering public inquiries about its availability. The mayor and council discussed several options to meet the requirements, including hiring someone part time or sharing the job with one or more neighboring towns. Since the borough only has affordable rental units, council members felt that there would not be much work Staff member to serve as COAH housing ofﬁcial involved and that a current staff member could handle the responsibilities. “It’s much easier from the administrative perspective with only rental units,” explained Borough Administrator Michelle Dugan. “It’s totally different if sales are involved. Barring anything changing with the Third Round (COAH quota), Midland Park is in an enviable position in that we have been able to keep up with our allocation,” she added. The borough has fulﬁlled its obligation with 32 affordable rental units at The Kentshire on Paterson Avenue and at several group homes throughout town, all of which accrue extra COAH credits. In fact, it has 11 credits to be applied to future growth share obligations, which now stand at eight but may be adjusted once the Third Round quota is ﬁnalized. The only outstanding obligation under the Second Round ruling is for eight rehabilitation units. The borough may satisfy its rehabilitation share by participating in the Bergen County Home Improvement Program. Council members agreed to monitor in the months ahead how much time the function requires and to revisit the matter in the future. Dugan said that perhaps the borough’s website could be used to disseminate some basic information so as to cut down on the number of inquiries needing personal attention. Giardino will have to receive state training and pass an examination to qualify as a housing ofﬁcial. United Methodist Church sets Garage Sale The Midland Park United Methodist Church will hold a Garage Sale on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 269 Godwin Avenue in Midland Park. There will be treasures and trinkets, hot food and delicious baked goods for sale. All proceeds beneﬁt the missions of the United Methodist Church. For more information, call (201) 445-3787 and leave a message for Joan. �� TIME TO PLANT �� FREE y Deliver �� Fall is for Planting 25 ALL TREES & SHRUBS through Sept. 2009 �� Art Show at our Saddle River Gallery September 26 • 9am - 4pm Featuring Local Artists % �� with this ad Off �� Professional �� Landscape PROPANE Design 201-444-9995 • OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM–6PM ��