Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • July 28, 2010 Allendale Borough making plans for new COAH complex by John Koster This September, the Allendale Planning Board will review a site plan application for another municipally sponsored affordable housing complex. Orchard Commons, an affordable housing complex located just off Franklin Turnpike, opened earlier this summer. The formal plans are still being “tweaked” in the words of Mayor Vince Barra. If the plans are approved, construction could begin next summer. The new complex would be constructed at the Foret Property on West Crescent Avenue, long a storage area for abandoned machine tools. The land will soon be purchased by the borough – probably in December – with funds from outside agencies, under approval of the Council on Affordable Housing. The existing site at Orchard Commons was constructed with outside funds, while the passive park on that property was purchased through a combination of outside and donated money, without any direct impact on the borough’s taxpayers. Mayor Barra said the new complex, now known as Crescent Commons, would be divided into units for individuals with disabilities under sponsorship and affordable units at fair market value. Present plans call for six affordable units, two units with three bedrooms and four units with two bedrooms. The site will also include about a dozen units suitable for persons with serious disabilities and available only to those who qualify. The council also noted that by admitting members who are not residents of Allendale to membership in Crestwood Lake Park, the lake reached the $250,000-a-year membership tally, said to be the break-even point which allows the staffing and chemical treatment of the lake without tapping into the municipal budget. “It’s worked out great,” Mayor Barra said. Admitting non-residents was initially somewhat controversial with some residents, if not with the council, but the new members have allowed the lake to be self-supporting. In other business concerning Crestwood, the council members took a straw poll and decided to allow themselves free memberships to the lake, a privilege already extended to members of the Allendale Volunteer Fire Department and the Allendale Ambulance Corps. Allendale Council members felt the privilege was a good way to recognize their services to the borough. Reading program highlights autism The “four towns, three months, two books, one hot topic” community reading program to encourage summer reading and discussion among area residents is once again underway. This year’s hot topic, chosen by the Northern Highlands Outstanding Book Challenge readers, is autism. The sending districts for Northern Highlands Regional High School -- Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Saddle River, and Upper Saddle River – will be reading two book selections during the months of July, August, and September. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon and “Animals in Translation” by Temple Grandin were recommended by Northern Highlands High School Librarian Julie Goldberg and science teacher Carol Bohny. According to Bohny, “Animals in Translation” is a great summer read. “As a science teacher, I encourage students to wonder about the world and how it works. I am inspired by how Temple Grandin does just that as she uses her own experiences, observations, and analyses to call generally accepted ‘truths’ into question. However, being a science teacher didn’t influence me to read it. It was my fiancé’s dog who really got me interested,” Bohny remarked. Grandin, who is autistic, earned her Ph.D. in animal science from the University of Illinois, went on to become an associate professor at Colorado State University, and wrote two books on autism, including the seminal “Thinking in Pictures.” When Dustin Hoffman researched his role in “Rainman,” Temple was the person he contacted. (continued on page 16) Helpful Hints Helpful Hints from ome “Replacing an older toilet with a new water-saving model can conserve 12,000 gallons of water a year in the average household”. 27 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick Open Sundays 9-3 201-652-5666 Billy Says... ��������� ������������ NOW RENTING - NEW LOW PRICE Spacious 1BR - $995 Available Immediately ������������������ ED GOSTISSA WYCKOFF, NJ 201-891-1033 NJ Lic #13VH02050500 FREE ESTIMATE ����������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ������������������������� “A Carpentry and Remodeling Company” DECKS • BASEMENTS • KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • DOORS WINDOWS • ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS EBG CONSTRUCTION LLC 201-488-5085 ������������������������� “Architectural Millwork & Design” Waldwick Chamber of Commerce �������������������� ���������������������� Waldwick Day Sunday, September 25 – 12-4 pm Borough Park (Raindate: Sunday, September 26) 7th Annual Serving All Your Air Conditioning & Heating Needs Prompt, Reliable Service You Can Depend On, Plus The Personal Attention You Deserve. • Oil & Gas Heat Systems Serviced & Installed • Automatic Fuel Oil Deliveries • Tank Insurance Available 24 Hour Air MERCHANT 3-24-10 pat/janine REGISTRATION DUE EBGConst2x2(3-24-10) 2 x 2” AUGUST 15, 2010 Reservation Forms & Rules Available At: www.waldwickchamberofcommerce.com it n tion ConsdInsiollaing ta , Sale & Service ����������������������� 201-891-1000 Emergency Service For Information, Call Kim Post, Chamber Secretary, 201-693-6734