Midland Park November 16, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 The Midland Park Borough Council last week received the latest version of the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce’s proposed resident and commercial surveys meant to gain insight into what is needed in the borough’s business district and to ascertain why people do or do not shop in town. Mayor Joseph Monahan, who spearheaded the preparation of the survey to focus on consumers’ behavior and residents’ wants and needs, unveiled the newest version at the council meeting and asked for council member input before the document can be finalized and placed on the borough’s website. “It will be interesting to see the results, particularly if the response is good. Hopefully everyone will fill it out,” said Chamber President Chris Rossi. “The questions look quite comprehensive. If people take the time to answer the survey, we will have some pretty good data to share with the local business community,” he added. The 10 questions directed at residents ask for the type of and percentage of purchases done in Midland Park, rea- Council now reviewing business survey proposal sons for shopping in and out of town; businesses they’ll like to see locate in or return to town; how convenient is it to shop in town, including reasons; obstacles encountered; and whether the responder uses the town or the board of education web site. The 10-question part directed at businesses asks the length of time in town and the type of services provided; percentage mix of individual vs. other business customers; what the perceived competition is and is it from in or out of town; has this mix changed over the years; and whether the responder owns the property from which the business operates. The survey also asks whether a potential two-year abatement of any property tax increase on improvements would provide enough of an incentive to invest or upgrade the respondent’s facilities, and what the Midland Park leadership can do differently to help promote and support the individual business. When he introduced the survey idea a couple of years ago, Monahan had pointed to the need to facilitate economic growth and stability. Noting that many of the borough’s successful tax appeals are commercial appeals, Monahan said that when commercial appeals are successful, the tax burden shifts to the owners of residential properties. Once the survey is officially released, it will be posted on the borough’s website and disseminated and publicized throughout town to encourage the broadest resident and business participation. Helga Kaefer (pictured), music director at the Church of God in Midland Park, will perform a concert on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Fair Lawn Community Center in Fair Lawn. Kaefer will perform songs from her debut CD “Look Back.” Performing alongside her will be The 12 Miles to Hoboken band and a special guest appearance of New York singer/songwriter Edmerald Gan. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. The center is located at 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn. For more, information call (201) 615-5814. Music director to perform concert