September 28, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Midland Park Noise-deadening improvements eyed Midland Park will try to make noise-deadening improvements to the back stops at the outdoor basketball courts adjacent to the DePhillips Center to satisfy a neighbor’s complaints. Mayor Joseph Monahan said DPW Supervisor Rudy Gnehm had been in touch with the backstop manufacturer, which had suggested remediation measures to be followed. “They gave Rudy specific advice on how to do it, and he is going to do the fix,” Monahan said. “I’m optimistic,” said James Trommelen of Woodside Avenue. “I appreciate the effort to address the problem, but it took one and a half years. It was not addressed in the manner I had hoped,” he added. Trommelen expressed chagrin that the courts had been erected so close to his property and without considering the impact they would have on the neighbors’ quality of life and property values. “The noise is intolerable,” he said. Trommelen and other Woodside Avenue residents had complained to the mayor and council in December, 2009 about the fact their input had not been sought when the basketball court project was engineered. At that time, they also objected to plans to erect a canopy over one of the courts and were successful in stopping that project. The Open Space grant funds were ultimately transferred to replacement of the bleachers at the Johnny Vander Meer field and a new retaining wall by right field. The two outdoor courts, which were funded with a grant of $92,000 from the Bergen County Open Space and Recreation Trust Fund and matching funds from the borough, replaced older courts that were in total disrepair. The construction of the new courts addressed drainage issues, but the courts were shifted back closer to the neighbors’ fences to accommodate parking for six cars and a handicapped space. The new fencing is set back 3-ft from the property line of the Woodside Avenue homes, but no additional buffer was provided. There is a 12-ft. side yard setback. The mayor acknowledged that the borough should have reached out to the residents as promised and been more proactive in communicating, rather than just through public notices, he said. Registration deadline (continued from page 5) On Nov. 8, voters will cast their ballots for the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, county clerk, surrogate, freeholders, and local candidates. It is up to each and every American citizen to exercise his or her right to vote. Superintendent DiCostanzo and Deputy Theresa M. O’Connor are available to answer questions; call (201) 336-6101. Columbia Bank (continued from page 4) asset base of approximately $4.6 billion and 44 fullservice offices throughout New Jersey. Columbia Bank offers a wide range of consumer and commercial products, including online and mobile banking, localized lending centers, and investment and wealth management services. For more information about Columbia Bank’s full line of products and services, visit columbiabankonline.com.