March 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 13 �������������������������� Township receives employee safety awards from JIF by John Koster The Wyckoff Township Committee congratulated Township Administrator Robert Shannon and the municipal staff for the hard work and cooperation that brought home two Joint Insurance Fund awards to Wyckoff: the 2008 Gold Award and the 2008 Most Consistent Safety Award. “It really is a town effort,” Shannon said. “The employees recognize that we’re concerned for their safety and they take it seriously.” At the JIF meeting earlier the same day, the organizers stated that the lost accident time frequency rate for New Jersey municipal government employees is 4.9 accidents per 100 employees per year. All New Jersey JIF members have a comprehensive rate of 2.71, and Bergen County JIF members have a combined average rate of $2.05, but Wyckoff’s rate is 1.12 per 100 employees per year, the lowest rate in Bergen County. Since 1995, Wyckoff has received dividends totaling $585,413 from the Bergen County Joint Insurance Fund, which can be used to reduce subsequent yearly insurance costs. Wyckoff has maintained an active in-house Safety Committee for the past 17 years, and has scored consistently high in JIF’s evaluation, resulting in the Gold Award for 100 percent participation. Members of the Wyckoff Safety Committee include Shannon, part-time administrative assistance Frances Piskadlo, Police Chief John Ydo, Fire Chief David Murphy, Chief Financial Officer Diana McLeod, Municipal Clerk Joyce Santimauro, Court Administrator Paulette Scandone, Recreation Director Andy Wingfield, Construction Code Official Thomas Gensheimer, Public Works Manager Scott Fisher, Tax Assessor Susan Stevenson, Township Engineer Mark DiGennaro, Ambulance Corps Members Don Healey and Linda Rosenblum, and Library Director Judy Schmitt. Sirens will no longer be used for school closings Effective immediately, the Wyckoff Police Department will no longer activate the fire sirens to notify residents of school closings for inclement weather. Previously, when the Wyckoff Public Schools or Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools were closed due to snow or other weather conditions, the sirens were activated at 6 a.m., 6:30 a.m., and 7 a.m. to notify parents of the closing. Notification by siren has become obsolete as parents and students receive their notice via the reverse 911 system run by the schools. Notices are also available on the school website. Parents who have questions about school closings should contact the school system. Reminder: Emergency lines must be kept clear. As a result, individuals who need information about school closings are urged not to contact the police. ...no two blossoms are alike gifts interior design home furnishings decorative accessories window treatments all with a unique sense of style 648 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff • 201-848-5633 eurica Spring is in the air... Local businesses are the backbone of your community and the trend to shop the big guys on the highway hurts us all. Your local businesses have what you want... at the right price... and close to home. So, why hassle with the highways? Save Time! Save Gas! Save Money! ...and besides, it’s so convenient! SHOP WYCKOFF. IT’S SMART.