Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • October 20, 2010 Ho-Ho-Kus District receives final approval for gym roof grant by Jennifer Crusco Last week, Ho-Ho-Kus Public School Superintendent Deborah Ferrara received final approval of a state grant from the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act that would help fund a new roof and other upgrades for the K-8 school’s gymnasium. “At this time, we are not sure how we’re going to take advantage of this grant, or how a project would be bid,” Ferrara told Villadom TIMES. “When we applied for the grant, we didn’t know our situation financially. The board of education must make some decision.” According to the superintendent, the district had looked at the following items for the school gym: a new roof, updated ventilation, new lighting, and a new partition. Ferrara said the state would give the district $200,000 toward the project, which carries an estimated price tag of $500,000. “It’s difficult to find $300,000 at this point,” Ferrara acknowledged, adding that the district can ask for a change to the grant, a waiver to eliminate items, or an extension of time during which the funds could be used. Asked to separate out the potential costs of the updates to the school gym, Ferrara reported that the new roof for the gym and a small section near the auditorium would cost approximately $200,000, the ventilation system would cost approximately $100,000, the electrical work related to the lighting would cost about $70,000, and the new partition could cost $60,000. The balance of the $500,000 would include professional fees associated with the project. Ferrara said the gym was built in 1978. She said she believes the existing roof is the original one, which has been patched and repaired over time. When the renovations were made to the school facility about five years ago, new roofs were added to the school building in every area except over the gym. Ferrara also stated that the district would explore the possibility of a solar energy option in relation to the gym roof. Recently, the Borough of Waldwick has installed solar panels on its administration building, Upper Saddle River’s Cavallini Middle School added solar cells during a recent roof update, and the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River has been working on adding solar panels to its building. The Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority has also installed solar panels. In an effort to encourage a greater turnout at the 2011 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Ho-Ho-Kus, VFW Post 192 has asked the borough council to consider some changes, which would include a new location for the observance. VFW Post Commander Stanley Kober and Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall had planned to discuss the details of the proposal, but had not yet met as of last week. The VFW is seeking the borough council’s approval for the use of the Ho-Ho-Kus Town Green and the support of the police department. Rather than hold the ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, located across East Franklin Turnpike from the town green, the VFW would prefer to move the ceremony to the green. Kober said this change would provide more shade for the audience. He added that the post plans to rent two tents and would incorporate the recreation department’s bleachers. “Similar to what was done years ago, we would like to return to the parade the use of the children’s bicycles decorated with the red, white, and blue crepe paper,” Kober told the governing body in a recent letter. “We do not want to make the parade a ‘Fourth of July type’ celebration, but we do believe that this limited action is appropriate.” Kober emphasized that two-wheeled, non-motorized pedal bikes VFW seeks changes to Memorial Day Parade would be permitted for children from ages five through 13. At a recent council session, he said parents could accompany children with disabilities; otherwise only the children would be permitted to participate in the parade. He asked that police officers be on hand to keep the children in ranks for their own safety. In his letter, Kober said two to four police officers might be required depending upon the number of children who participate. Kober also wants to encourage local school children to create posters of the monuments located at Veterans Memorial Park. “The placement of the flowers, wreaths, and small flags would be done in front of the monument replica posters and then, at the end of the ceremony, the veterans would move the flowers, wreaths, and flags to the actual monuments in the park on (East) Franklin Turnpike,” Kober wrote. Kober provided the council with a few suggested layouts for the tents and bleachers. He pointed out that, under the VFW’s new proposal, only the Sheridan Avenue, Orvil Court, and Sycamore Avenue closures would be necessary after the parade reaches the downtown area, so the police would not have to close Franklin Turnpike as they do at present. J. CRUSCO Advertise in the YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER ‘Bistro at Saint Barts’ 201-652-0744 Devin Kreller, a native of Ho-Ho-Kus and a chef at Philadelphia’s Le Bec-Fin, will lend his culinary talents to the Third Annual Bistro at St. Bart’s, which will be held Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. Saint Bartholomew’s Church invites the public to this evening of exceptional food, drink, and music. Event highlights will include music by the Village Jazz Trio led by David Crone, a wine bar, and an auction of items donated by area merchants. Proceeds will benefit the church’s ministries. Tickets are $75 for an individual or $125 per couple, with options for higher levels of support. Call (201) 444-5025 or by e-mail info@stbartshhk.com. The church is located at 70 Sheridan Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus.