September 29, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Midland Park Basketball association wants town to pay gym charges The Midland Park Borough Council has asked the board of recreation to evaluate a request for the borough to fund gym use fees for the recreational basketball program and recommend a course of action. The program, which is operated by the Midland Park Basketball Association, is self supporting, as are all the other recreational programs in town. Basketball association president Richard Formicola estimated gym rental fees at Highland School and Midland Park High School will be $5,588 from the time the program starts in November until year’s end, and an additional $8,436 for January through March of 2011. Formicola said the association cannot absorb this increase, or would have to add $100 per player to its registration fee to cover it. As it is, he said, last season the association paid more than $4,000 to the school system to cover custodian overtime. The board of education is charging additional fees this season to cover cost-savings cuts made in the 201011 school budget, according to board President Robert Schiffer. He said that the governing body and the association were notified last spring that charges would be levied. “With the loss of $1.5 million in state aid, the school board had to make drastic cuts in April,” said Schiffer. He said that Highland School will no longer be open after school hours or Saturdays, so that anyone using the gym after hours would have to absorb the costs of opening the school and paying for the maintenance person on duty, who must have a black-seal license. One option, he said, would be to hire a custodian exclusively for the basketball program, which would not incur overtime costs, and pay him from basketball or town funds. Formicola said last year there were 433 youngsters in grades K-12 enrolled in the program, which included nine travel teams in addition to the in-town clinics and teams. He said additional seventh and eighth grade players are expected in the upcoming season because the school is no longer fielding teams in this age group. “If the council steps in to cover the extra costs, it would be a good thing. It’s good for the kids,” said Formicola. He said the town now pays for the league’s insurance, which is about $1,300, a savings from when the league covered its own. He added the organization is reluctant to raise registration fees, which last season ranged from $55-$85 per player in the regular program and $120 per player in a travel team, with family maximums of $160/$200 . “The fee is now reasonable compared to other towns. (continued on page 11) ������������������������� ������������������������ �������������� ������������������� ��������������� � ������ ��������������������� �������������������� In Memoriam More than 100 Midland Park residents turned out last week to honor the memory of the late Bob Greer, a lifelong resident who had served as coach and chairman of the Board of Recreation. The mayor and council unveiled a plaque and a tree was planted in his memory at the DePhillips Community Center, where he had spent countless hours playing basketball. Mayor Joseph Monahan remembered Greer for his many contributions to the town’s children, and family friend Lauri Hachey read an original poem. Pictured above are Greer’s wife, Anne, with their children Robbie, Mary and Matt, and Mayor Monahan. ������ ������� ���������������������� �������������������� ����������������� � ����� �� ������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������� ������������������������� ������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������� ���������� �������������� ������������������������� FALL COLOR at �������������� Buy 1 Reg. Pumpkin, Get a Sugar Pumpkin “WE ARE RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD” STAY WARM! Pumpkins % Great Value! ������������� ��������������������� ������������ WITH THIS COUPON, NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 10-20-10 FREE Great Deal! Seasoned Firewood Mixed Hardwoods 30 Off All Trees & Shrubs FRESH STOCK! ¹/³ Cords, ½ Cords, Full Cords Delivery & Stacking Available WITH THIS COUPON, NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 10-20-10 $ Mums Beautiful FREE DELIVERY With Any Tree or Shrub Purchase • Installation Available WOW! WITH THIS COUPON, NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 10-20-10 8” POT • NO LIMIT 4 99 Hay, Corn, Pumpkins �������������������������� • Fall Decorations • Fresh Nursery Stock • Professional Landscape Design Perennials Buy 2, Get 1 or ����������������������������� 201-444-9995 • OPEN 7 DAYS 9AM–6PM PROPANE ������������������������������������������������������������������ WITH THIS COUPON, NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES 10-20-10 FREE 20% Off