Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 10, 2010 Wyckoff Progress awaited on two local land use issues by John Koster Wyckoff Mayor Rudy Boonstra reported last week that he believes the township has a good chance of getting a $1,760,000 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund grant to help purchase the Russell Farms property at the intersection of Russell and Sicomac avenues. The meeting at the Bergen County Freeholders chambers in Hackensack had taken place the night before, with Mayor Boonstra, Township Committeemen Christopher De Phillips and Kevin Rooney, and Township Administrator Robert Shannon making their case for county funding to add to municipal money to buy the five-acre tract. The land is now owned by a developer, but is considered less than suitable for residential construction due to pesticide contamination from the years it was a working farm and fruit orchard. Gail Scanlan spoke on behalf of her husband, Township Committeeman Brian Scanlan, who had an outside commitment, and Boonstra said that her contributions were also useful in the application process for the Bergen County Open Space money. Mike Brienza, an open space advocate, said he had attended the meeting and praised the township committee members for their active attempts to acquire outside money to buy the land. George Pitts, another resident who was not able to attend the Bergen County Freeholders’ meeting in person, also praised the township committee members for their efforts. The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders will weigh Wyckoff’s application at an April 21 meeting, Mayor Boonstra said. Based on the responses he perceived at the March 1 meeting, Boonstra said a decision in Wyckoff’s favor appears likely. The township committee also reported that the March 10 meeting of the Wyckoff Planning Board had been cancelled due to a lack of business. The planning board has been waiting to hear the formal application for the demolition of the existing A&P and its replacement with a slightly smaller but modern ShopRite. The Wyckoff Design Review Committee had asked the owner, Inserra, to revise plans for a sort of Roman Provincial style building to make it look more Colonial, to harmonize with Wyckoff’s general appearance. The original plans were withdrawn for architectural revision earlier this year. Wyckoff Y proposal (continued from page 3) important for the borough’s taxpayers to look at that opportunity. “We are actually looking at every department,” Bivona said, “and every taxpayer dollar spent because we have to meet our budget. We have to bridge the gap.” Burnette asked if the Recreation Committee and foundation would be part of the discussion, and Bivona said he has informed the Recreation Committee, but any discussion at that time would have been “putting the cart before the horse” because there was nothing tangible to discuss. He assured Burnette that the information would be shared with the Recreation Committee. Burnette responded that the recreation center is a big benefit to the borough, and she wants more people involved in the discussion rather than just the council. After that meeting, it was reported that Ronald Zier, the president of the Wyckoff Y Board of Directors, had responded to a media inquiry that Bivona and Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey met with representatives of the Wyckoff Y to discuss the possible turnover of the management of some aspects of the recreation department, including the oversight of team sports and the 11-member Recreation Committee, with the current employees of the recreation center becoming Wyckoff Y employees. That report set off a flurry of inquiries to Franklin Lakes Mayor Maura DeNicola, and she placed the item on the agenda for last week’s work session. The council liaisons to the Recreation Committee held a special meeting with that committee and recreation foundation the night before the work session. Keeping Families Warm Since 1929. Serving All Your Home Heating Needs Prompt, Reliable Service You Can Depend On, Plus The Personal Attention You Deserve. • Oil Heat Systems Serviced & Installed • Automatic Fuel Oil Deliveries • Tank Insurance Available Cash ts Discougn il n O On Heati s Deliverie 24 Hour Emergency 201-891-1000 Service �����������������������