February 3, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Franklin Lakes Council postpones confirmation of tax assessments by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Borough Council postponed the confirmation of the property tax assessments for certain properties in the Wildwood Avenue area after some residents raised questions about the assessments at the governing body’s last public meeting. The assessments are being imposed on 14 properties located on Wildwood Avenue, Mountain Avenue, and Hillside Avenue as a result of the widening and paving of Wildwood Avenue and part of Hillside Avenue in 2003. The total tax being assessed for the improvement is $70,164, and the individual assessments are based on the borough tax assessor’s determination of the increased value the properties have received as a result of the improvement of those roads. According to Franklin Lakes Borough Engineer Kevin Boswell, the total cost of the project was $100,164, but the borough paid $30,000 of that total for drainage improvements in the area, leaving $70,164 to be assessed. The 14 properties affected would be assessed in the range of $1,248 to $8,322 based on the percentage of lot frontage of those properties. However, some of the lots being assessed front on Mountain Avenue and back up to Wildwood Avenue. When the assessments are confirmed by the council, property owners will have the option of making payments in installments over a period of up to 10 years at an interest rate of five percent on the unpaid balance. John Caddo, who owns one of the properties on Wildwood Avenue that is being assessed for the project, told the council that he and his neighbors were told about eight years ago when the project was being planned that money from a developer of a home in the area was being put aside to cover part of the cost of the project, but the money was given back to that developer. Caddo said he thinks that is unfair. He claimed that he and his neighbors agreed to pay based on the use of the developer’s money toward the project. He asked the council why the money was returned to the developer and what could be done about the situation. Caddo’s neighbor, Robert Lawson, also claimed that developer was not allowed to build a home there unless the road was repaired. Seven years later, he said, he and his neighbors are being asked to pay for the improvements. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart informed the residents that there was a payment of about $32,000 toward the project made by a developer of one of the homes impacted by the assessment. He explained, however, that the borough attorney at the time determined that it was not legally permissible to apply all of that money toward the project because, under state law, the money could only be applied to that property’s proportionate share of the cost of the improvement. Hart added that this was the first time he had heard that the property owners’ agreement to pay for the project was based on the use of that money for the project, and there is no record in the file stating that the property owners relied on that agreement. Councilman William Smith, who was the borough attorney at the time the improvement was made, recalled that the new owner of the property for which the $32,000 was put in escrow for this project threatened to sue the borough to get the money back, and the money was returned to the new owner (continued on page 31) Does Your Child Want to Be a Designer? We can teach her the fundamentals of sewing to unleash her creativity. She can model the garments she’s made at our Annual Fashion Show in June. June Needlecraft School Classes for Children 4-18 Enrollment is ongoing 216 Godwin Ave, Midland Park • 201-444-2976 Teaching Children and Adults Sewing and Designing Skills for Over 30 Years... Check our Website: www.needlecraftschool.org 10-7-09----NeedlecraftDesigner(color)3x2(10-7-09) 3col x 2” Ester for PROOF... from Janine 201-445-3074 • 201-652-7498 • 201-652-5585 • 11 PATERSON AVE, MIDLAND PARK Rt.4W or Rt.287 to Rt.208, exit at Goffle Rd./Midland Park, 2 miles Wednesday thru Saturday 10:30-5:00 THE BROWNSTONE MILL SPECIALTY SHOPS Items We Carry • Antiques 2-3-10 kathy/janine • Toys CheesecakeAly3x3(2-3-10) • Trunks • 3” 3 x Silverware • Playbills • Vintage Games • Collectibles • Comic Books • Ephemera • Postcards • Sheet Music • Vintage Jewelry • Sterling Silver Valentine Shopping Services We Provide • Reiki Wellness • Chairs Glued • Decorative Accessories Join Us For • Oil Paintings & Prints • China • Lamps/Lighting • Furniture • Dolls • Doll Houses & Accessories • Depression Glass • Vintage China • Mirrors • Crystal Chandeliers • Baskets, Candles • Upholstery • Trunk Restoration • Drapery • Hair Salon • Custom Painted Furniture • Window Treatments • Garden Center