Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • August 11, 2010 Ho-Ho-Kus Council to receive bids for town green, not gazebo by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council recently approved a resolution to allow the borough clerk to advertise for bids for renovations to the town green. As he began his presentation to the council and residents in the audience, Borough Engineer David Hals noted that the municipality received a Bergen County Open Space grant of $55,000 in 2008, and matching funds were provided by the borough in 2009. Borough officials anticipate that no additional funding will be necessary for the project. Hals said plans for the green include landscaping, trees, a fountain at Franklin Turnpike and Sycamore Avenue, benches, an arbor, new seating, and game tables for chess and checkers players. Construction estimates, he said, are between $100,000 and $105,000. “The price could be less in this market,” he told the council, adding that the work must be done before the end of the year. Hals also commented on the future plans for the gazebo, the focal point of the green, which is not part of the current renovation project. The engineer said the gazebo and related bricks would be moved to the area across from the post office. A proposed new gazebo, which has alternately been referred to as a bandstand, would be installed near Sycamore. In response to a question from Councilman Gordon Hamm, Hals said the project to renovate the green would take approximately a month and a half to complete. The engineer suggested the council receive bids this month to allow for a contractor to work during September and October, which are “perfect planting months,” according to Hals. Hamm asked if commerce in the downtown would be affected by the work on the green. “The work would be consolidated in the park itself,” Hals responded, adding that the crew working on the green would not have to be in the roadway. Hamm also expressed concern that a fountain could become a maintenance issue, and asked about the size of the new gazebo/bandstand. Hals agreed that the new gazebo is not like what the borough currently has. “It’s double the size of the existing one,” he acknowledged. The engineer again stressed that the proposed bandstand would not be part of the current renovation plans, pointing out that open space funding cannot be used to pay for structures. In response to a question from Ho-HoKus Mayor Thomas Randall, Hals said the gazebo/bandstand would be a future focal point of the park. An informed source recently stated that the cost of the new bandstand structure could be met through fundraising and a sponsorship campaign. Councilwoman Maryellen Lennon commented on the tough economic climate, and asked, “Would the money be better allocated somewhere else?” Councilman John Mongelli said the council could go out to bid and still decide not to proceed with the renovations. He supported the approval of the resolution, pointing to the work invested in the plans by the engineer and by the Ho-Ho-Kus Shade Tree Commission. Hals confirmed that authorizing the receipt of bids did not compel the council to award a contract. Councilman Kevin Crossley agreed the council should proceed, and the resolution was subsequently approved. Post 192 committed to those who serve The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is the nation’s longest-serving veterans’ service organization, with 1.6 million members from all walks of life. As combat veterans, VFW members have all risked their lives for the United States in a time of need. The VFW works to improve the lives of all veterans and their loved ones by launching and supporting initiatives on Capitol Hill and charities in local neighborhoods, offering a place to meet other veterans, and providing assistance with benefits and job searches. “If you are on active duty or an honorably discharged veteran and have ever served overseas in a combat zone or at any time in Korea, or have ever received Imminent Danger/Hostile Fire Pay, we have a place for you in our organization,” said Washington Elm VFW Post 192 Commander Stanley Kober. An 89-member organization, VFW Post 192 is the official Veterans of Foreign Wars Post for the municipalities of Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood since it was chartered by the National VFW in 1939. 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