November 17, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 15 �������������������������� Township a step away from Russell Farms purchase by John Koster The acceptance of a Bergen County Open Space grant at last week’s Wyckoff Township Committee work session brought the municipality within one step of the purchase and preservation of the Russell Farms tract at Russell Avenue and Sicomac Avenue. One question remains: Has the cleanup of the five-acre site been completed? “We’re working with the understanding that the cleanup not be the responsibility of the people of Wyckoff,” said Mayor Rudy Boonstra. “That’s what we’re talking about.” The resolution approved by Wyckoff’s governing body provides $1,859,000 for the acquisition of the property with money from the Bergen County Open Space, Reservation, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Funds. The item received the unanimous approval of the township committee. Mayor Boonstra said that, together with the $900,000 already available in Wyckoff’s own open space fund, based on set-asides from local property taxes, the funds available would probably be adequate to cover the stipulated price of approximately $2.8 million. The township committee was given the opportunity to purchase the site, a former fruit orchard and commercial farm stand, by the present owner, Barrister Construction, because the site had been contaminated by the use of commercial pesticides when it was an orchard. As a result, no housing construction was legally possible. Former Mayor David Connolly had mentioned that the last remaining question was not whether to purchase the orchard, but rather which entity would clean up the pesticides. Mayor Boonstra suggested informally at last week’s work session that the purchase could take place as soon as the present owner agreed to cover the cost of the mandatory cleanup and subsequent testing. Barrister has a number of other construction tracts in Wyckoff and the relationship between the builder and the township has been amicable. The Russell Farms site is one of a number of natural or rustic areas that are now being preserved through negotiated settlements by the Wyckoff Township Committee. The neighbors of the Beekmere property are now forming a voluntary consortium to defray the cost of a dam to preserve the seven-acre lake surrounded by a score of residential houses, with other houses on the outer perimeter, so neighbors can continue to enjoy the lake without imposing a further tax burden on the Wyckoff taxpayers as a whole. Maple Lake -- but a wetlands area where no construction is legally possible - had also been added to the inventory of Wyckoff sites, including the Gardens of Wyckoff donated many years ago by Warner Brackett, Wyckoff Community Park, and the county-owned James A. McFaul Environmental Center with its duck pond and marked hiking trail. The Wyckoff Lions Club will hold its annual Christmas Tree Sale at the Getty Gasoline Station/Car Wash across from Boulder Run on Franklin Avenue beginning Friday, Nov. 26. New this year will be custom made wreaths. Tree choices will include Frazier fir, balsam, and Douglas fir. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays form 9 a.m. to Christmas Tree Sale to begin 7 p.m. The Wyckoff Lions Club raises funds for local charities. Recent recipients have been the Love Fund of Wyckoff, Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat, Guide Dog Foundation, Camp Marcella, the Christian Health Care Center, and West Bergen Mental Health. The group also provides scholarships for local students. Any Shoe in Store With this coupon. Can not be combined with any other offer/discount. Exp. 12-31-10 20% OFF After 10th shoe purchase, 11th is ½ off • Frequent Buyers Program Up to 50% off Exp. 12-31-10 • Sale Selected Styles of Shoes & Sneakers • Selected Fall Boots 20% off Specializin g in Wide Width s FOR WINTER BOOTS, HOLIDAY PARTY SHOES, SLIPPERS SHOP NOW Boulder Run Center • Wyckoff, NJ • 201-891-8580 Family Owned & Operated since 1888 across from the new Stop & Shop Slobodien Stride Rite