ALLENDALE Holiday Walk by John Koster The Allendale Borough Council has adopted an ordinance to increase fines for violation of the regulations controlling temporary signs to a theoretical maximum of $1,000. Mayor Vince Barra explained that a comparative handful of local businessmen apparently felt that the previous maximum fine for a temporary sign violation -- $75 -was a cheap price to pay for signs that were too large, installed without permission, or left standing for more than the permissible 10 days. “We were having trouble getting their attention,” Mayor Barra said. The new ordinance, adopted at an offschedule public meeting on Monday, Nov. 22, to avoid a conflict with Thanksgiving, raised some objections by e-mail and telephone when it was introduced. But there were no comments -- and no public, other than a Boy Scout fulfilling a merit badge requirement -- at the adoption hearing. “It is an issue, and we do need enforcement,” said Councilman Jim Strauch. “Probably 80 to 90 percent of the residents do not perceive a problem, but the problem is there. We need to enforce the ordinance, and we need to be more diligent and forceful in enforcing the ordinance.” Mayor Barra said signage violators would first be issued a warning to take the sign down, and then served with a summons if they failed to comply. Municipal Judge Harry Norton would make the actual decision as to the amount of the fine. The council also urged residents to attend two “strategic plan” meetings of the Allendale Library Board scheduled for December 1, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 DEC. 3RD Borough council approves $1,000 maximum sign fine Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Mayor Barra explained that state reforms would require library boards, which are semi-autonomous from municipal governments, to return their surplus state-mandated funds to the municipal government for tax relief if the library boards did not have a “strategic plan” on the books. “They are just starting to get a plan,” Mayor Barra said last week. Councilwoman Elizabeth White said residents who contact the Allendale website and register for SwiftReach can receive e-mail notifications about traffic conditions and other announcements of local interest. Borough residents also receive notification of local events via Reverse 911 (for emergencies), the borough’s quarterly newsletter, and the local newspapers. Gifts abound No More Perc The Hi League Youth Group and their adult leaders from Calvary Lutheran Church in Allendale gather around the bounty of food that they collected for the Center for Food Action’s Thanksgiving Basket event. NOW OPEN AT OUR NEW LOCATION Right Across the Street! 96 W. ALLENDALE AVE, ALLENDALE Newly Remodeled. Beautiful Decor. Same Owners. Same Great Menu! COMPLETE LUNCH $9.95 Bistro Ristorante Reserve NOW for Christmas Eve Dinner at Our New Location Seatings at 4:30, 6:30 & 8:30 Ivy Leag�e Cleaners Ex�er� Tailoring (Next to the Ho-Ho-Kus Post Office) Celebrating Our 30th Year Organic Only Book Your Holiday Party NOW at Our Original Location: 97 W. ALLENDALE AVE, ALLENDALE Private Party Room Open Daily Weddings, Baby Showers, Anniversary Parties, Holiday Celebrations... Lunch Party Packages starting at $13.95 Tel: 201-327-6556 Fax: 201-327-6679 www.mezzalunanj.com Our Ho-Ho-Kus Location has moved to 20 N. Franklin Turnpike NOW OPEN! Specialists in Desig�er and Fancy Gar�ents Shir� laundering • Leather Suede • Furs Wedding Gown Preser�ation Draperies Slip Covers • Oriental Rugs 20% OFF *Dr� Clean only 9 West Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ • 201-818-1015 *ex� 12/31/10 Take a tour of the new state of the art facility. Get a free uniform with early registration. Classes available for kids & adults. with this coupon* 20 Nor�h Franklin Tur�pike Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ • 201-445-6920