Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • April 1, 2009 Waldwick Borough to seek certification as sustainable community The Borough of Waldwick is seeking certification as a “sustainable community” in the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program. This designation will allow the borough to then apply for a “Sustainable Jersey Small Grant” being offered by Wal-Mart Stores. Sustainable Jersey is an incentive program for towns that want to go green, save money and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. The process is driven by required and elective “actions” which the municipality can implement dealing with such issues as global warming, pollution, biodiversity, buying locally, community outreach, green building and sustainable agriculture. Jordan Battisti, assistant to the borough administrator, is heading the certification effort. She said the borough has already instituted many of the “actions” needed to accrue certification points, such as having performed an energy audit, having in place a recycling program, and installing energy sensors at borough hall. The imminent installation of solar panels atop the municipal building and using organic fertilizers will also score. Battisti said that at present, organic fertilizers are used on all school fields and on borough fields on a case-by-case basis. She said that this program would get into high gear with the borough when the bid specifications for landscaping are rewritten once the current contract expires. Sustainable Jersey will provide municipalities that enter the program with a comprehensive package of tools, guidance materials, training and financial incentives to support and reward progress. It will also provide direction and resources to institute programs that address sustainability and green communities. The Wal-Mart grant program, aimed at supporting the state effort, will provide four $25,000 grants and ten $10,000 on a competitive basis to help municipalities score points towards the certification. The grants will fund materials, salaries and labor and benefits, though they will favor projects that more efficiently leverage funds to project purposes rather than administration. Sustainable Jersey, officially launched earlier this year, is an initiative of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future and other organizations throughout the state, including a coalition of NJ non-profits, state agencies and experts in the field. Municipalities that complete the requirements will be recognized at an annual awards event to be held at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. Career workshops offered at library In response to the changes in the current job market, the Waldwick Public Library will host a series of career workshops in April and May. “Reinventing Your Career” will be held Wednesday, April 22 at 2 p.m. Ilene Kleinman, director of continuing education and community outreach at Bergen Community College, will discuss how to tap into your local community college to reinvent your career in an ever-changing job market. “Writing a Resume to Win” will be offered Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. Assess your skills, interests, values, and goals. You must know yourself before you can write about yourself and your accomplishments. Career counselor and executive coach Barbara Brandes will assist participants in preparing a resume in the age of the Internet. “Interviewing Skills and Business Etiquette” is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. Learn to handle difficult questions and present yourself with poise and confidence. Career counselor Barbara Brandes will show you what to do before, during, and after your interview. The career workshops are free and open to the public; however, space is limited and pre-registration is recommended. The library is located at 19 East Prospect Street in Waldwick. For more information, call (201) 652-5104.