July 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Allendale Borough council will curb paving expenses by John Koster The Allendale Borough Council conducted a straw poll last week and agreed to settle the controversy about what sort of curbs to install as part of the road repaving project with the only solution that made fiscal sense: no curbs at all. The council members present agreed the borough could not afford to stray from a 1993 ordinance that mandated homeowners to take care of their own sidewalks and curbs. Councilman Jim Strauch, who was not present, sent in his proxy vote with Mayor Vince Barra. Councilman Robert Schoepflin was also absent. However, the other council members all voted to sustain the 1993 policy for a pragmatic reason: The borough cannot afford to keep repaving roads that are in drastic need if curb or sidewalk work is included. Reporting on behalf of the Roads Committee, Councilwoman Elizabeth White admitted that many of Allendale’s road surfaces are in “deplorable shape” and that some roads had not been repaved in 35 years. White noted that during the hiatus when Allendale supplied curb replacement as part of repaving, from 2001 to 2006, the borough had repaved only 13 roads in five years. White advocated a return to the no-curb policy, which would save money for actual paving work and increase the number of roads that could be resurfaced in the near future. “This goes to put us back on track and repave every street in Allendale within 25 years,” White said. The council concurred, despite the previous spirited plea of former council member David Duffy that, when repaving, Allendale should replace asphalt curbing with Belgian block, which he said would save money in the long term because Belgian block is more durable and attractive that either asphalt or poured concrete, and can be replaced sequentially, one block at a time, if worn or damaged. Duffy, who is a local Realtor, urged a commitment on the council’s part. Mayor Barra refused to commit to Belgian block, and asserted that economic considerations would have to come first. Duffy was not present at last week’s meeting. The actual paving – except for Crescent Avenue, a county road targeted for paving by Bergen County this week – probably will not start until August or September, and council members have not yet put the contracts out for bid, or even agreed on which roads will be paved. The council’s straw poll followed hard on the heels of tough news presented by Mayor Barra. He noted that all increases in salaries and wages would be held to a maximum of two percent next year by state mandate. Since Allendale has an existing contract with the PBA and the DPW to pay 3.95 percent salary increases in 2011, the borough will have to find the money in other accounts. During a recent conference call, Governor Chris Christie also told mayors that state aid would be drastically reduced, but that demands for increased pension fund contributions would also be reduced. Call about our Special Occasion Catering No job too big or too small! ������� ������������ 99 West Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ Phone: 201-327-2423 Fax: 201-327-9550 PLEASE TAKE MY HUSBAND ! Need someone to help tackle the honey-do list ? Mature local resident can work on anything from cars to faucets. No job too small. If you are looking for a responsible individual to help you around the house … Mike Canova-Owner, Graduate of Culinary Institute of America Monday thru Saturday 6am to 3pm • Sunday 7am to 2pm PLEASE CALL MIKE AT 201-327-3255 NATURAL CLEANERS Exclusively Using New Dry Cleaning Solvent DF-2000™ Contains NO Perchloroethylene (PERC) SHIRTS LAUNDERED • EXPERT TAILORING WEDDING GOWNS CLEANED BerniesBagelsGeneric2x2(2-17-10) For Mike from Janine Generation 2 x 2” $200 $300 $500 $ 00 10 OFF OFF OFF OFF ANY ORDER $10.00 OR MORE ANY ORDER OR MORE $15.00 ANY ORDER $25.00 OR MORE ANY ORDER $50.00 OR MORE Incoming Dry Cleaning Only Incoming Dry Cleaning Only Incoming Dry Cleaning Only Incoming Dry Cleaning Only With Coupon Exp. 8/11/10 With Coupon Exp. 8/11/10 With Coupon Exp. 8/11/10 With Coupon Exp. 8/11/10 ANY INCOMING ORDER OF $25 OR MORE $500 OFF $500 OFF 145 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick New Jersey 07463 (Across from Hamilton Square & New York Golf Center) ANY INCOMING ORDER OF $25 OR MORE Incoming Dry Cleaning Only • With Coupon Exp. 8/11/10 Incoming Dry Cleaning Only • With Coupon Exp. 8/11/10 Phone: 201-689-9444