Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-December 16, 2009 Issue

Ridgewood December 16, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 District’s $48 million school bond approved at polls by John Koster The school bond referendum to expand or modernize all of Ridgewood’s public school buildings has been approved by a 2,119 to 2,057 vote. The approval means that the owner of a house assessed at the village’s average value can expect to face a property tax increase of $300 from the services on the school bond. School administrators told the Ridgewood Village Council and parents that the referendum would enable the district to make use of a state grant might not be available much longer, and that the buildings in the district are now crowded by an additional 560 students beyond the enrollment of 10 years ago. Ridgewood Village Council members asked the school administrators if they saw any alternatives to imposing an extra burden on the taxpayers at a time when many people are unemployed or under-employed. School officials said the other options, as they saw them, would be ineffective. The $48,265,314 program postulated $9,844,712 from the state in grants, which would leave $38,420,602 to be paid for by the Ridgewood taxpayers. The tax increase on the average Ridgewood house assessed at $802,000 was estimated at $301 for the next school year. The school referendum aimed at repair and renovation for all the district’s schools and for a wellness and athletic expansion to upgrade the high school track and improve other athletic facilities at a cost of $5,393,000. Projects included $10,838,000 for the improvements to Ridgewood High School, $10,673,000 for the improvements to the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, $817,000 to the George Washington Middle School, $5,452,000 to the Hawes School, $26,000 to the Orchard School, $5,336,000 to the Ridge School, $1,002,000 to the Somerville School, $1,344,000 to the Travell School, and $7,365,000 to the Willard School. Ridgewood resident Len Eisen pointed out at the Ridgewood Council meeting that he calculated the margin of victory at 50.7 percent and pointed out that, as far as increased school spending was concerned, Ridgewood appeared to be split right down the middle. Voter turnout in the election was calculated by the Ridgewood administration at 25.3 percent. The absentee ballots were strongly negative, with 48 absentee voters in favor of the bond and 74 opposed. Eisen also pointed out that the artificial turf, approved as part of the bond, would predictably have to be replaced after about 10 years rather than lasting 25 years, and would add to the hidden cost of the financing. He said at a poll of National Football League members revealed a strong dislike of artificial turf and, according to Eisen, many players said artificial turf contributed to player injuries and fostered earlier retirements than would have resulted if all games had been played on natural turf. �� HUGE �� EVERY �� Adrian Jewelers CUSTOMER N IO ��ECIAT APPR Look for our Weekly Specials every week thru Christmas! ITEM ON SALE! SALE! 1/2 OFF All D ia Or ig OFF 1/2 ll Semi-s Or i A eciou s Pr rring Ea lP g i na r ic e Donate canned and boxed food items and earn extra points. North Jersey Food Bank Earr mond ings i na l P r ic e Winter specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 F % OF 35 tizen Or i 35% OFF All Diamond Bracelets Original Price Ci ches Wat lP g i na r ic e 35 % OFF A ll M uran J Or ig i na l o ewe lry f Glass Italy rom P r ic e Holiday Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-8:00 Sat 9:30-5:30 637 Wyckoff Ave • Wyckoff, NJ • 201-891-5588 FREE ENGRAVING • FREE LAYAWAY WE BUY GOLD!!! All major credit cards accepted