April 21, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Budget draft includes $302 increase on average home by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council has introduced a draft of the municipal budget, which is still subject to negotiation and fine-tuning, that would total $42,396,179. The amount to be raised by taxation is listed at $31,060,569, and would increase property taxes by $302 on a house assessed at $800,000, Ridgewood’s average. “It’s a formal beginning of the process, but definitely not the end of the process,” Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert said. He explained that the million-dollar shortfall was due to a $572,000 reduction in state aid and a decrease in other local revenues. Mayor David Pfund took note of the 8.8 increase in the budget, and reminded the audience that negotiations with unions and other trimming tactics had not yet been exhausted. “It is our hope that that 8.8 per cent increase will be worked on and improved,” Pfund told the audience. Gabbert said that if the negotiations and the trimming efforts were successful, it might be possible to get through finalizing the budget without laying off any more village employees. To date, every village department -- except the police department and the paid fire department -- has experienced layoffs for economic reasons. Even with economy measures, Ridgewood was forced to introduce a $1,106,298 cap waiver because the budget required extra money to meet service needs. The related ordinance was introduced last week. The budget will have its formal hearing at the May 12 public council meeting and will likely be finalized in June. The figures provided at the April 14 meeting include a $29,020,898 appropriation within the cap, a $12,049,382.83 appropriation excluded from the cap, and a $1,325,897 reserve for uncollected taxes. In counterpoint to attempts at costcutting, several senior residents asked that the program worker and another employee at the Ridgewood Community Center be retained because they provide services that senior residents enjoy. The Ridgewood Recreation Center also asked that programs for the summer be re-examined to make them more profitable, but that the programs be retained. DO YOU HAVE ITEMS TO SHRED? It’s Shred Day at Earth Day FREE ON SITE DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION The Women’s Guild of Ridgewood’s Old Paramus Reformed Church will hold its annual Flea Market in the church’s barrier-free Education Building at 660 East Glen Avenue at Route 17 South on Saturday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the community are welcome to hunt for great bargains on gently used OPRC hosts Flea Market items. An array of decorative items, glassware, ceramics, furniture, books, records, small appliances, toys, baby items, and tools will be offered along with yards of fabric. Baked goods, refreshments, and lunch will be available. Admission is free. For more information, call (201) 444-5933 or visit oldparamus.org. NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN CONTEMPORARY VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT CHUBACKVEINCENTER A NEW STANDARD OF VEIN CARE 265 Ackerman Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 201-693-4330 4-21-10 janine RidgewoodEarthDay3x3(4-21-10) 3 x 3” HARDING WINE&SPIRIT We are beside ourselves about this wine we found. It’s called Coastal Vines and the quality blew us away. Every variety tastes like a $10 bottle of wine, but we’re selling it for only $5.01! We have customers coming from all over to take advantage of this incredible buy. How exciting to be able to buy a mixed case of 12 bottles of wine, that has something for everyone, for UNDER WORTH THE TRIP! HUGE WINE SELECTION Beer • Super Premium Spirits Party Planning • Gift Baskets Free Parking • Ice • Soda $65.00 TAX INCLUDED! 305 E. Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED 201-445-7122 Coastal $ Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir 5 .01 750 ml No rain checks issued. Not responsible for typographical errors.