September 22, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Area Administrator questions value of best practices survey The Borough of Waldwick will comply with the selfassessment of municipal operations and complete the best practices checklist required by the state Department of Community Affairs. The 88-question survey must be completed by Oct. 1 and will be used by the state to determine state aid payments in December. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz, however, had no kind words for the checklist nor its goals during a recent council meeting. “We’ll do the exercise, but it doesn’t make for any better management,” said Kratz. “It’s smoke and mirrors. It’s how you spin your budget,” he added. In a letter sent to all mayors late last month, DCA Commissioner Lori Grifa advised that each municipality will have to meet an established percentage of the items on the checklist in order for all or part of its last state aid payment to be released. Upon completion of the checklist, a municipality’s chief financial officer must certify compliance with that requirement. Kratz said that Waldwick does not receive any state aid per se; rather the borough only receives the energy tax receipts the state collects on Waldwick’s behalf. “But we get $50,000 in energy receipts, so I don’t want to jeopardize that,” the administrator said. The self-assessment is based on a best practices checklist that was part of the “Tool Kit” proposal presented to the legislature by Governor Chris Christie as part of the fiscal year 2011 state budget “to strengthen the partnership with local governments, help limit property tax increases, and manage within the new two percent cap law.” “They are looking for a way to penalize us on things we didn’t know we were getting judged on,” commented Councilwoman Anita Bozzo, the finance committee chairman. The “Local Government Best Practices” checklist is made up of seven categories, each of which is assigned a number of points depending on how many of the practices listed under each section receive “yes” answers. The percentage of the state aid payout a municipality might receive would be based on the number of “yes” answers on the checklist. A low score may result in a 5 percent reduction in state aid. “Governor Chris Christie understands that these extraordinary times require strong actions and significant reforms,” Grifa says in her letter. “More than ever before, every level of government: state, county, and local, needs to work together to provide necessary services to their residents while controlling property taxes.” Glen Rock updates parking regulations The Glen Rock Borough Council has adopted an ordinance that establishes a no-parking zone on the east side of Hamilton Avenue from Maple Avenue to Harding Road -despite objections from a neighbor that eliminating parking on one side of the road would only encourage speeding. John Lederer, who lives on Hamilton Avenue, thanked the Glen Rock Police Department for increased actions against speeders, but questioned whether opening up the road would reduce speeding. “We have seen the difference this week,” Lederer said at last week’s public council meeting, noting that ticketing of speeders had increased since he and other residents spoke at an earlier council session. Councilman Mike O’Hagan said that continued enforcement by the police and continued civility by drivers would help reduce the threat to children and other pedestrians in the vicinity of Glen Rock schools. In other business, the council accepted the application of Matthew D’Onofrio to the Glen Rock Volunteer Fire Department, with appreciation for his volunteer spirit. J. KOSTER 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 Buy 6 Weeks Reducing Program, Get 2 Weeks FREE* CALL NOW! 201-652-4447 24 Godwin Avenue MIDLAND PARK 1973 - 2010 ~ 37 Years of Excellence *Registration and Restart Fee Additional if Aoolicable LOSE 10-20-30 POUNDS or MORE! Offer expires 10-9-10 Mike Canova-Owner, Graduate of Culinary Institute of America Monday thru Saturday 6am to 3pm • Sunday 7am to 2pm since 1978 Grand Opening Special! LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC. BerniesBagelsGeneric2x2(2-17-10) For Mike from Janine 2 x 2” ��������������������������������� Creative Landscape Lighting Seminar ������������ ������� ��������� ��������� ������ ������������������� ������������������� ���������������������������� ���������������� ������������������������������ ������������������ 1. Invite Friends To En Of-Summer Cook dOut Party At Mar tial Arts School. 2. Prepare Summer St To Share With Frie ories nds. 3. Complete Summ er Package. 4. Make Sure You Ha Necessary Schoolve All Supplies. 5. Make Sure You Ha A Wonderful, Succve essful School Year. Seminar 1: Wednesday, Sept. 29th at 7pm (Rain Date - Thursday, September 30th) Seminar 2: Tuesday, Oct. 12th at 7pm (Rain Date - Thursday, October 14th) Located at Landscape Gallery and Gardens. Please call our office at (201) 891-1199 to register or email events@jacobsenlandscape.com. Elite Tae Kwon Do 465 N. Franklin Tpke. (across from Don Bosco in Calico Corners Bldg.) L ABarnstablePCourt, Saddle River •D201.825.4440 S N D S C A E G A L L E RY A N G A R D E N 11 www.jacobsenlandscape.com ESIGN CENTER 413 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park • 201.891.1199 D Ramsey, NJ 07446 • 201-512-3600 ���������������������� ���������������������