Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • November 10, 2010 Wyckoff The Wyckoff Township Committee gave the Wyckoff Library Board a list of questions to be answered before both groups sign off on the construction of the new library expansion and renovation. The questions focus on how an agreed figure of $3.8 million increased to a probable $4.4 million. “It’s pretty critical that we have a definite answer by the tenth (of November),” Mayor Rudy Boonstra told the library board members at a meeting that included the township committee, all library board members, and experts for both entities. A dozen residents also attended the meeting. Township committee members, while not opposed to expansion in principle, had issues with the increase in the projected cost and the plans for housing a reduced library operation during construction. The first sticking point was the cost increase. Township committee members noted that state-wide construction costs were actually lower than they had been when the first draft of the final plan called for $3.8 million, and asked about the origin of the $4.4 million figure. “I always thought of the plan was about $3.8 million, give or take,” said Township Committeeman Brian Scanlan. “When the library board voted $4.4 million, I was a little concerned. “Really nothing changed according to the plan,” Township Committeeman Christopher De Phillips said. Township Committeeman Thomas Madigan also said he had concerns about Committee gives library board a list of questions the price increase. Seconded by Library Board Member Helen Mader, the hired project managers Christopher Romney and Jim Gleason said some of the increase was due to a contingency fund set aside in case the contractors encountered “an artesian well, a giant boulder, or a buried car.” If no such situation occurred, they said, a substantial portion of the contingency fund could be returned to the library board’s fund. The library fund is raised partly through state-mandated contributions and partly by voluntary donations, and is not under the direct control of the Wyckoff Township Committee. Library board members and township committee members also discussed several added expenses that some township committee members said might be worth putting back in the budget if no giant rock or buried car were discovered. Those items included a “management system” to control the heating and cooling system of the library for greater comfort and at lower cost in billing, pegged at about $100,000; and solar panels to save heating costs. Scanlan, in particular, said that the solar panels, with a payback in less than five years of installation, should be considered before the plans are officially approved because putting the panels on after the fact could lead to greater expense. “Without an analysis of the payback, it’s difficult to male a decision on these things,” Scanlan said. “If there are things that are going to be saving us money down the line, then we should be looking at that.” Scanlan, in particular, expressed concern with the library board’s perceived lack of interest in reaching out to the Eisenhower Middle School to accommodate a limited library collection and staff during the estimated 12 to 18 months of construction. The library board plans to rent 1,100 square feet of space in a building on Franklin Avenue, which would enable the library to provide best-sellers, children’s books, and some computer access to members of the public. Library board members said, quoting a letter from Robert White, head of BCCLS, that this 1,100-foot rental for $2,200 per month would enable the Wyckoff Public Library to retain membership in BCCLS, the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, which enables Wyckoff’s library cardholders to obtain books from multiple participating libraries. This rental plan satisfied BCCLS, library board members said. The three members of the public who spoke also had different views. Beth Fortin, a member of Friends of the Wyckoff Library, supported the project and offered the help of her group both with funding and with publicity. The Friends of the Wyckoff Library have already volunteered $150,000 for new furniture. Members of both groups thanked the Friends for their generosity. Jerry Goetting criticized the library board for rejecting his suggestion that an internal construction of a second floor of stacks inside the existing building would save more than $1 million. He also asked how much the architects had been paid. “People are groping for business and (continued on page 10) The Wyckoff Township Committee has adopted a fee change to coincide with Governor Chris Christie’s mandate to limit the cost of photocopies to five cents for lettersize documents and seven cents for legalsized documents. The vote was taken at last week’s township committee meeting. The ordinance also changed the prices of a number of other documents. Street maps and tax maps will now be available at Fees updated in township $1.50 per sheet and site plans and soil surveys will be available at the actual cost of duplication. Videotapes will be available at $5 if the requester provides a blank, factory-sealed videotape. Audio tapes will be available for $5 with a blank factory-sealed audio tape provided. J. KOSTER REFINANCE COST�������� NOW! ��������������NO CLOSING ����������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ Please specify if you prefer: 1) Advertised rate 2) $0 closing cost option � ����������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������������������������� �������4.5%�������4.5%��������3.875%�������3.875%� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������������������� Mike Blasius� �����������