September 29, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 13 Wyckoff Library criticized for exceeding cost comfort level by John Koster Speaking at a Wyckoff Township Committee meeting, resident Jerry Goetting criticized the Wyckoff Library Board for what he regards as a cost overrun in the proposed price for the library expansion and renovation. Other township officials agreed. “You were here at the meeting when we explained that our comfort level was $3.2 to $3.5 million, not the $4.6 million we have just been confronted with,” said Wyckoff Township Committeeman Kevin Rooney, previously one of the library’s staunchest defenders. Rooney said that Goetting made a point the committee agreed with: The project sounded like it was going to cost too much money. Speaking as individuals, the other members of the governing body said that they felt the proposed price for the renovation had ballooned from an acceptable figure to one that is causing concern. Township Committeeman Brian Scanlan, also a previous expansion advocate, sympathized with Goetting when the resident said he felt offended at the way he was treated at a recent library board meeting. Goetting said he was told he would have to fill out a form to request an agenda for the meeting, and the chairman told him to limit his comments to a maximum of five minutes, even though he was the only private citizen at the meeting. “I would agree that meetings could be a little more open than they are, though they were probably a little tired of listening to you,” said Scanlan, who sits on the library board along with Mayor Rudy Boonstra. Boonstra and Township Committeeman Christopher De Phillips agreed that the $4.6 million -- library board money that includes private donations and Wyckoff tax dollars based on a state mandate -- was a higher cost than they had expected, and they were not pleased with the increase. “I’ve expressed concern with it myself,” Boonstra said. “We’re monitoring the situation.” Wyckoff Library Director Judy Schmitt has been away from work due to illness, and no one at the library commented on the status of the construction. Goetting has frequently argued that the entire expansion could be carried out at a cost of about $1 million if the architects utilized the library’s high ceilings to add a second floor of stacks internally instead of altering the exterior footprint of the building. He said this plan could return $3 million to residents for tax relief. However, the engineers explained to the township committee and to Goetting that the structure of the building would require special stanchions and would place the perimeters of the proposed second floor at angles where the stacks could not be observed by staffers for security purposes. The architectural features Goetting recommended, they said, would cost almost as much as the accepted concept of an exterior expansion, but would provide a far less efficient and attractive building. (continued from page 4) and Englewood in celebration of the store’s 30th anniversary, the NJ Photo Expo is presented by Canon Cameras and Video, and Nikon Cameras. The Expo will launch 30 days of special values and events at Bergen County Camera. More than 30 leading photo brands will be represented at the expo. Further program and exhibitor information is available at events@bergencountycamera.com. Demonstrations, exhibitions, and classes will give expo visitors opportunities to: learn how to shoot live models, fashion, close-ups, landscapes, sports, portraits, news, and more. Please note: Registration for the speaker sessions is already completely sold out. Those who attend the expo will have the opportunity to: • See and try the newest camera equipment. • Learn how to shoot video with a camera. • Shop early for the upcoming holidays. • Attend more than 20 Focus Sessions on topics ranging from apertures to zooms. NJ Photo Expo • Enjoy collectible photographic art from masters and up-and-coming photographers featured at galleries worldwide. Featured master photographers include Baron Wolman, Rolling Stone's first staff photographer; Harry Benson, the Beatles first photographer, and the man who documented the assassination of RFK in Los Angeles; George Tice, Guggenheim award recipient, and author of 17 photography books; Michael Massaia, creator of luminous platinum prints of "life and landscape" images; and Peter Liepke, a contemporary artist who captures the fleeting moment with his 100-year-old Graflex camera. Fall 2010 GROWN ON PREMISES Mums, Pansies, Montauk Daisies, Cabbage & Kale...Etc. Pumpkins, Gourds, Cornstalks, Hay...Etc. 765 WYCKOFF AVE., WYCKOFF • 201-848-5125 • Large Bale of Straw • One Corn Stalk • Three 9” Mums • One 10 lb. Pumpkin Harvest Holiday Package Mon.-Sat. 8am-7pm, Sun 8am-5pm $ EVERYTHING FLOWERING 3495 46 Value $ Ladies Day – Mon-Tues 10% OFF SAVE MONEY! Bring a Quart of Your Soil for Free Testing! FREE REFRESHMENTS • GIVEAWAYS...ETC. “Rebuild and Restore” September 29 • 5-8 pm LAWN SEMINAR Full Cord $175 reg. $225 Half Cord $100 reg. $125 Must order by Oct. 15 2010. Take delivery anytime. 10th Annual PreSeason Firewood Sale 9” Mums 10 for $50 8” Mums 10 for $45 Perennials & Shrubs 30% - 50% OFF Halloween Decorations Bring the Family Visit our Hay Maze! Customer Appreciation WEEKEND SALE! October 8, 9 & 10 Give-A-Ways • Apples • Cider Bring The Entire Family! with any $10 or more With coupon only. Cannot be combined. Exp. 10/31/10 Sugar Pumpkin FREE NURSERY $ Any Purchase of $75 or more With coupon only. Cannot be combined. Exp. 10/31/10 1 OFF 40 lb. Top Soil 0 $ With coupon only. Cannot be combined. Exp. 10/31/10 NURSERY NURSERY 98 1 With Coupon Reg. $298 9-29-10 janine