Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • July 28, 2010 Area Rockland Electric to trim borough trees by Frank J. McMahon Rockland Electric has contracted with the Lewis Tree Service to begin tree trimming work in the borough this month. The project is expected to last six to eight weeks. The tree service will operate in the rights-of-way of certain streets where trees are either touching electric wires or will come in contact with electric wires through future growth. Trimming is scheduled for Franklin Avenue, High Mountain Road, Franklin Lake Road, Route 208, Orchard Avenue, Ewing Avenue, Scioto Drive, Mabel Road, and associated side streets. The tree trimming will also be conducted on certain streets in Oakland, Wyckoff, and Mahwah. Affected residents will be contacted by letter to advise them of the program work requirements, and Rockland Electric supervisors will be on-site to ensure that tree branches that are touching electrical wires, or have the potential to interfere with the electrical wires, are trimmed. According to Rockland Electric, tree branch interference is the single most frequent cause of electric service interruptions experienced by the customers of the electric company. During severe storms, falling trees and tree branches become entangled in electrical wires and windblown and broken tree limbs cross the wires, resulting in power outages. Sometimes, branches of fast-growing trees simply spread upward into the overhead wires and rub against those wires, creating problems because branches rubbing against an energized wire can cause a short circuit or other safety problem. Trees conduct electricity, and electric current could actually be carried to the ground if a branch touches an exposed power line. Rockland Electric advised that the tree trimming will reduce the safety hazard and the threat of service interruption. The utility claims this trimming service will improve electric service reliability to its customers. Michelle Damiani recently contacted Mayor Maura DeNicola and other borough officials to inform them of the tree trimming program. “As you may know, Damiani wrote, “distribution lines carry electricity from the overhead lines along the street to homes and businesses. To reduce the danger and inconvenience associated with power outages, our Distribution Line Clearance Program calls for us to cut back trees that are touching lines or which have the potential to interfere with the wires. At the same time, we remove dead trees and underbrush. Our work crews will make every effort to be in and out of the area as quickly as possible. Since this type of work is now performed on a four-year cycle, any neighborhood included this year won’t be visited again for routine upkeep, except in emergencies, for approximately four years.” Lakeland Bank distributes over $70K In their ongoing dedication to the local community, Lakeland Bank has awarded $70,000 in scholarship money to 39 local high school college-bound seniors. This money is a result of Lakeland Bank’s 2009 Annual Golf Outing which was held in September 2009. “We’re happy to help these hard working high school students in furthering their educations, especially in such financially difficult times. Lakeland Bank’s commitment to the community remains an unwavering and primary focus within the company,” stated Thomas J. Shara, president and CEO of Lakeland Bank. This year’s local high school student scholarship recipients are Nick Otieno of Butler High School; Alyssa Natale of Kinnelon High School; Katrina Desopo of Lakeland Regional High School; Casey O’Connell of West Milford High School; Li-Guo Shan of Jefferson High School; Kenneth Carroll of Pope John Regional; Lisa Petrim of Sparta High School; Michelle Tracy of High Point Regional; Christopher Ames of Vernon High School; Ariel Shamir of Morris Hills Regional; Eilda Ahmadi of Morris Knolls Regional; Chelsea Lynn Homa of Newton High School; Sean Glowatski of Kittatinny High School; Joann Cazorla (continued on page 14) Jeff Buonforte, executive vice president of Lakeland Bank’s government and financial services division, and Thomas J. Shara, president and CEO of Lakeland Bank. W Family Footwear e are Fit! OES, EN’S SHOOTS WOM RS, B SNEAKEANDALS &S S NEAKER MEN’S S 1003 MacArthur Blvd., Mahwah NJ • 201-327-0888 3 DAYS ONLY $ Thursday • Friday • Saturday July 29th, 30th & 31st We cannot guarantee the fit of Sidewalk Sale shoes or sneakers. Not all sizes or styles. there will be a limited number of customers allowed in at one time during these 3 days No refunds • No exchanges Cash & Carry • No charges • No holding shoes ’S Limited Grou p • Famous Bran CHILDREN TO $ FOR SAFETY REASONS TO $145 LES Y VALUES S OR ST ALL SIZE NOT $ 13 TO $ 57 VALUES TO $95 NOT ALL S IZES OR ST YLES 11 SNEAKERS ds 37 $ CHILDREN • MIS Shoes & Sa SES ndals Closing 5pm Wednesday, July 28 to set up th 8 TO $ Sidewalk Sale Hours: Thurs & Fri 10-6 • Sat 10-5 VALUES TO $75 NOT ALL S IZES OR ST YLES 29 7-28-10 JOAN/JANINE