Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 10, 2010 Waldwick A Waldwick Avenue resident wants sound barriers installed along Route 17. Ed Rohani asked the Waldwick Mayor and Council at their last meeting to look into the matter, saying that he would be willing to pay higher taxes for them. “”It’s a safety, pollution and noise issue,” said Rohani. He suggested that the five streets that are open to southbound Route 17 be made into dead-end streets, which would result in higher property values, he said. Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult recalled that the erection of noise barriers had “polarized the town” in the 1980s when the state Department of Transportation improved the state highway and wanted to install the barriers. Former Mayor Frank McKenna, present in the audience, said he had been mayor at that time, when residents overwhelmingly voted down a referendum on the issue. “It was a very emotional issue. People Resident wants sound barriers revisited complained that they would have swamps in their back yards, that they would have mushroom farms, that the barriers would be so high they would be living in darkness,” McKenna said. “The state would have done it all at no cost, but it divided the town. It’s not good for the town to be divisive,” he added. Rohani said that a lot has changed in town since the 1980s, including the demographics. “We have more children. The speed limits are up; when you pull into a local street going from 65 or 70 mph to 25, you can swerve into a house. Concerns about police and ambulance access may not exist now,” he said, adding that he had spoken to several neighbors who agreed with his position. Councilman Tom Giordano said that he used to live in a house near Route 17 and that the sound ricochets off the barriers all the way up the block. He also said that closing off the five streets would force more traffic into the center of town. Rohani said that if the barriers are high enough and constructed well enough, there should be no residual effects. Councilwoman Anita Bozzo said that perhaps the council could look into closing off the streets with the state and county, as was done on the easterly side of the high- way. “We should see what we can do. It would be no loss to close the streets. There are safety and health concerns. It is not a safe way to get off the highway,” she said. Resident Al Coldon said he lives on the other side of Route 17 and he would not want his taxes raised to erect barriers. At their recent troop meeting at Traphagen School, members of Daisy Troop 737 of Waldwick, earned their Green petal, which signifies ‘Use Resources Wisely,’ by helping to sort juice bags for a recycling program at the school. They also contributed medical supplies to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Helping hands S H AY FIS W AL SH E FR 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 PETER’S FISH MARKET Look For Daily Specials During Lent MA VOT RK ED ET BE IN ST BE SE RG AF EN OO CO D UN TY Jonah Crab Cocktail Claws Tuna Swordfish Sea Scallops Pompano Grouper Fillet Salmon Fillet Alaskan King Cra Jumbo b Leg Little Ne s c Clams k Salads Daily Assortment of Prepared Foods 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 Cod Fillet Lemon Sole Salmon Grey Sole Halibut Fresh Squid Shrimp l Cocktai Florida Stone C rab Claws .01 750 ml 201-444-3331 86 GODWIN AVENUE, MIDLAND PARK Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5 Celebrating Our 35th Year! No rain checks issued. Not responsible for typographical errors.