Waldwick November 18, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Traffic along Bergen Avenue in Waldwick has slowed down following police presence in the area, according to resident Marcel Ysern. “It’s all I wanted. It is much better. I was pleasantly surprised,” Ysern told the Waldwick Mayor and Council at their meeting last week, wondering whether drivers slowed down because of the counters. Last month Ysern asked the governing body to address the speeding on his street, often used as a cut thru between Route 17 and Franklin Turnpike. He said that between 40 and 50 children live on the street within a two-block area and expressed concern for their safety. “Over the past month we sent patrols out to vigorously enforce traffic limits and we put out traffic counters to measure the true speed,” said Police Lt. Edward Weber, who handles traffic for the department. “We were pleased with the results,” he added. According to Borough Administrator Gary Kratz, the police study places the mean speed at 16 MPH with the 85th percentile No speeding on Bergen being 27 MPH. “These figures do not indicate a speeding problem on the roadway, but with that said, the Police Department will conduct periodic enforcement on the street in recognition of the neighborhood’s concerns,” Kratz told Ysern. Lt. Weber said that officers patrolled the area one hour per shift during peak hours every day over the past month. No tickets were issued, he said. He added that the speed trailer would soon be set up on Bergen Avenue. The latest speed survey on Bergen Avenue was taken from Oct. 26 through Nov. 2. Of the 3,547 vehicles using the road, only six were clocked traveling 40 MPH or more. ”It’s difficult to determine whether people slow down because of the police presence or the reality is that there is only a perception of speeding,” said Lt. Weber. “But we’ll continue to monitor the situation.” “I’m glad to be wrong,” said Ysern. Spooktacular fun Students gathered to perform songs and marched in a parade during the annual Spooktacular Halloween Performance at The Little School of Waldwick. Julia A. Traphagen Elementary School in Waldwick will host a celebration for its recent designation as a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Secretary of Education. The celebration will be held in the Waldwick Middle School’s multi-purpose room on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m. On hand to extend their congratulations will be Bergen County Superintendant of Schools Aaron Graham, Waldwick Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert F. Penna, and Traphagen School Principal Robert Sileo. The public is invited to attend the festivities. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program Blue Ribbon School celebrates honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. In addition to being honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, where each school receives a plaque and flag signifying Blue Ribbon status, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation. The students of the Julia A. Traphagen Elementary School, who have contributed to this honor for the school, will be treated to a celebration on Nov. 25. 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