Ho-Ho-Kus December 9, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Council mulls use of anticipated NJDOT funding by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council recently held a discussion regarding the use of the $200,000 grant the borough will receive from the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s 2010 Municipal Aid Program. While the funding was initially earmarked for the third phase of the Sheridan Avenue streetscape program, Mayor Thomas Randall recently asked the council to consider whether the funds should be used to extend the existing project or be used as a form of tax relief to defray the cost of the current phases of the streetscape, which began on Sheridan Avenue this fall. “I’m in favor of a mixture of both,” Councilman John Mongelli said. He suggested that more streetlights be added to the downtown area “by Mechanic’s building.” In answer to Councilman Kevin Crossley’s question about cost, Mongelli said the streetlights are approximately $2,500 to $3,000 per pole. Councilwoman Maryellen Lennon said, “We should defray the cost of what we’ve already put in and use some funds for lights in the spa area.” The councilwoman was referring to a local business that recently expressed concern about the low light in the area of Franklin Turnpike where a business was recently robbed. Lennon pointed out the need for safety above decoration. “I agree that lighting is needed in that area,” Mongelli responded. He suggested that the borough work with Public Service Electric & Gas on the potential installations, with the borough paying for the lights. Councilman Crossley added his view that the funding should be used to defray current costs. “So this effectively cancels Phase III (of the streetscape)?” Councilman Lee Flemming asked. Mayor Randall said the third phase would not necessarily be halted. He said the concept is to see how the DOT funding might be used and to round out the aesthetics of the downtown. “Maybe Dave can weigh in,” Randall said, referring to Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Engineer David Hals. “He could come (to a council meeting) in December.” Flemming said he was in favor of meeting with Hals on this issue, and would have other questions concerning some unrelated work at North Field. The councilman then asked how the streetscape contractor was performing. Mayor Randall said the contractor’s progress had been satisfactory. Councilman Gordon Hamm added that the one problem that had been encountered up to that point was an issue that arose while PSE&G was replacing gas mains. Workers had hit a rock and needed a special drill to work past the obstacle, he said. Phases I and II of the streetscape are currently underway. The current phases (continued on page 11) ������������������������������ ������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ HEARING AIDS ��������������������������� ����������� ���������������������� � Get the Right Information in a Private Consultation � Have a Complimentary Hearing Evaluation � FREE Hearing Aid Trial Call for Your Appointment 201-934-7755 www.HearNJ.com ADVANCED HEARING SERVICES, INC. 119 Interstate Shopping Center, Ramsey, New Jersey Intersection of Route 17 & Franklin Turnpike Supervising Licence. NJ Hearing Aid Dispenser * Licence # 743 Thomas J. Higgins, BC-HIS*, ACA** *Board Certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. **American Conference of Audioprosthology