Midland Park February 3, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 The Borough of Midland Park will ask New Jersey Transit whether part of its commuter lot off Central Avenue in Wortendyke can be used for retail parking to rejuvenate the area. The decision during last week’s meeting of the mayor and council came in response to a proposal to open a gourmet food market in the adjoining strip mall. Richard Carp of Upper Saddle River said that he would like to convert the former Havel’s Stationery location and the adjoining Clementine’s catering space into an upscale market similar to the Market Basket but that the limited parking in the area was a problem. He said that there are 21 parking spaces in front shared by Rosario’s, the beauty parlor and the two store fronts he is proposing to occupy, in addition to the residential and commercial uses on the second floor. He also pointed out that the lot is used for general parking by patrons of other Central Avenue busi- Merchant wants help in accessing parking for market nesses even though it is posted as restricted parking. “Our presence would be meaningful for Wortendyke. It would reinvigorate the area. We would be a nice anchor and a destination store,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to be the new kid on the block and have to deal with potential parking enforcement problems. It’s an un-neighborly thing to do.” Carp noted that utilizing the park-andride lot for shopper parking would take the pressure off all the stores in the area. “It’s an underutilized enclave. It’s not close to other markets and on a cross street. It can generate something special,” Carp told the council of his proposal. “It’s pivotal to the rejuvenation of that area,” said Mayor Joseph Monahan. This is the first step: to evaluate the situation and have our attorney weigh in on realistic options,” he added. The mayor noted that the borough is applying for a grant to generate additional parking near the caboose by Veterans’ Plaza. Carp, the former CEO of Princeton Ski Shops who is now in the catering and food distribution business, said he would expect about 200 transactions per day in his proposed venture. He said ample parking is important to make sure the customers have a positive experience when they arrive. In other parking-related issue in the Wortendyke business dictrict, Susan Stoll of Art with Class, formerly in the Godwin Plaza shopping center, asked the mayor and council for help in getting a certificate of occupancy for a yoga studio that wants to sublease her storefront. She said the CO was being withheld because of the nature of the new proposed use. She said, however, that there are other similar uses in the shopping center, including a dance studio which also has yoga and an exercise studio for children with disabilities, and that there is ample parking in the lot. Attorney Robert Regan said that the council has no jurisdiction over the zoning officer, who handles the CO process, telling Stoll that the appropriate body to overturn his decision would be the board of adjustment. Monahan said that Administrator Michelle Dugan would gather the pertinent information and communicate Stoll’s options to her. Stoll said speed was of the essence, since the proposed sub-lessees were in a hurry to move in. Recycling hours temporarily curtailed The Greenwood Avenue recycling center’s hours in Midland Park have been reduced effective immediately until the regular attendant can return to work. The position has been filled on a temporary basis by seasonal employees for the last month. Councilman Bernie Holst, the DPW liaison, said that DPW Supervisor Rudy Gnehm had analyzed the center’s pattern of use over the winter months and determined that 10 hours could be reduced from the schedule while still maintaining convenience for residents. He noted that there is no traffic at the center on the late evening hours, so those hours were cut back. Conversely, Saturdays are the heaviest volume days, so no change was made there. The new hours are as follows: Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m; Wednesdays, 12 to 6 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center will remain closed on Sundays and Mondays. The temporary schedule is prominently displayed at the center and will be available on the borough’s website. (continued on page 12) BUSHOVEN & COMPANY A Firm of Business Professionals Specializing in: • • • • • • • Tax Planning and Preparation New Business Set-ups and Consultation Bookkeeping Services Payroll and Sales Taxes Accounting and Auditing Management Advisory Services Financial Consultation CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS For Corporations, Partnerships and Individuals 201-444-0001 317 Godwin Avenue Midland Park, NJ 07432 OW N! N PE O • Bagels • Spreads • Muffins • Breakfast Specials • Omelettes • Sandwiches • Wraps • Paninis • Salads • International Specials • Shakes • Smoothies 411 Goffle Road, Wyckoff (Goffle Rd & Wyckoff Ave) BAGEL & DELI “We’re Not Just Bagels” Buy 1 Dozen Bagels, Get 1/2 lb. of Any Cream Cheese 201-389-3135 Not to be combined with any other offer. Expires 2-9-10 FREE Happy Valentine’s Day ���������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������� ��������������������� �������� �������� ������������ ����������� ��������� ����� ���������� ������������ ��������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������