Midland Park March 31, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 An Erie Avenue resident is organizing a townwide clothing exchange in Midland Park as a means of easing the economic burden on families during hard economic times. “It will bring the community closer together,” Allison Fennell told the Midland Park Mayor and Council during their regular meeting last week. She said she has recruited a number of volunteers to organize the event and hoped that others would offer to help, including teenagers looking for community service hours. “No money will exchange hands,” said Fennell. She explained that any resident wishing to participate would bring a bag of new or used clothing to the day-long event and in return would get a voucher to shop for a bag-full of merchandise to take home. “Senior citizens, families with children, single people, anyone who wants a bargain can take part,” Fennel said. “People who have things to contribute but don’t want to shop can donate their voucher to someone else who needs the clothes.” Fennell said that items that are left over at the end of the day will be donated to local families in need or to a charity. Mayor Joseph Monahan suggested that the Love Fund be Borough resident proposes clothing exchange day contacted to coordinate this effort. Fennell said she had identified June 5 as a good day to hold the event without major conflicts in town. Noting that she had originally considered her front lawn for the exchange, she asked the governing body to help identify a more suitable location, particularly one with alternate indoor facilities in case of rain. The Midland Park Firehouse, and several local church parking lots were suggested. For information, call Fennell at 201-445-0503 or email hill1173@aol.com. Midland Park Board of Education trustees said last week they will absorb the $1,150,000 in reduced state aid and stay within the state cap. “The cuts were deep and hurtful,” said board Vice President Robert Schiffer, who chairs the Finance Committee, “but we did not see the possibility of a budget with more than a four percent increase getting approved. Everything is at cap level. The cuts we have made are spread completely across the board. They are in all areas: administration, staffing, sports, clubs, all grade levels.” Schiffer declined to provide specifics, citing the fact that the board had only heard of the 93 percent cut in state aid Board able to remain within cap five days earlier. He said specific reductions would be itemized at the budget’s public hearing on March 30. The meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in the August DePreker Library at Highland School. “Many long hours and a lot of thought went into this; it was a huge task,” said board President Rich Venditti. “We’ll explain everything next Tuesday evening,” he added. The tentative budget must be reviewed and approved by the county superintendent of schools before the public hearing. The general fund is $18,640,518, with $16,818,459 to be raised by taxation. IT’S TIME! �������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� Pansies Tulips Pottery Easter Flowers & Gifts �������������������������� • Spring Flowers • Free Delivery • Fresh Nursery Stock • Professional Landscape Design PROPANE ������������� ����������������������������� 201-444-9995 • OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM–6PM ������������������������������������������������������������������ Farm-Grade Top Soil Sale $ 99 MUST PRESENT THIS COUPON • EXPIRES 4-30-10 1 40 lb. Bag Any Spring Flowers MUST PRESENT THIS COUPON • EXPIRES 4-30-10 10% Off Martha Washington’s Beautiful Bulbs, Gorgeous Hydrangeas and More! ���������������������������������������� ���������������������� ����������������������� 201-447-3910 ���������������������� FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS NJHIC License #13VHO3311000 �������������������������������