Ridgewood April 20, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Municipal budget projects 7.39% tax increase by John Koster The Ridgewood municipal budget introduced at last week’s public council meeting includes a 7.39 percent increase in taxes for municipal government purposes. The total budget is $44,432,008, with $32,065,472 to be raised by local property taxes, unless further cuts are made. The adoption hearing has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 11 at Ridgewood Village Hall. The budget as introduced indicates an increase of $225 on annual taxes for municipal purposes on a Ridgewood house assessed at village’s average of $797,000. The tax increase associated with this budget covers police services, administration, and the paid fire department and roads and parks. School and Bergen County taxes are not factored into the $225 average increase. Ridgewood Village Manager Kenneth Gabbert noted that the assessed value of Ridgewood properties had decreased for the past two fiscal years, which is one of several variables in the proposed budget. The administration has already eliminated 34 full-time employees and reduced or eliminated a number of part-time positions as a cost-cutting measure. One place where further cuts are opposed is the Ridgewood Public Library. Library Director Nancy Greene, her daughter Annabelle, and a half-dozen library volunteers urged the Ridgewood Village Council Ridgewood’s George Washington Middle School topped the list for donations in April as the Home & School Associations and other donors presented some substantial gifts to the schools. The George Washington Middle School Home & School Association gave the school $28,843 for 30 Dell Latitude laptops, and a gift in kind of 10 documentary cameras, seven LCD projectors, and 17 replacement bulbs for existing projectors valued at $11,013. The George Washington Home & School Association also gave the school $250 for teacher recognition awards. The Ridgewood High School Home & School Association gave the high school five Dell Latitude laptops valued at $5,335 and a commercial refrigerator valued at $2,093. The Home & School Association also donated $2,800 for chaperone accommodations and $2,500 to support the school literary magazine. Ridgewood High Local schools receive donations, gifts School also received new masking drapes valued at $4,376 from the Ridgewood High School Little Theatre group and 15 chapel chairs valued at $742 from the Ridgewood High School Class of 2010. The Willard School Home & School Association gave the Willard School $5,301 for field trip admissions and field trip transportation, and $250 for a teacher recognition award. The Home & School Associations from the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Ridge, Somerville and Travell schools and from the Learning Services Home & School Association also donated $250 each for teacher recognition and the Learning Services Home & School Association donated $320 to pay for four students to attend the Volt Fitness Program at George Washington Middle School. J. KOSTER to maintain and, if possible, restore funding at the risk of having the library close its doors on summer Sundays and one weekday due to lack of funds. “The library has a finite budget, and we’ve cut into it in the past two years,” Greene told the council. “We’re asking this council to at least not cut our budget this year.” Greene said the library could lose another $77,000 this year, which would threaten many services that Ridgewood youngsters, parents of young children, and mature and older residents have all come to depend on. The library has also reduced staff and spending, and now charges tutors $50 a month for designated tables, has increased fees for use of larger rooms by groups, and charges BCCLS card holders from outside Ridgewood $1 per computer session to help augment revenues. Observers said Ridgewood has been especially hard hit by the current recession because many residents worked in the financial industry, which was heavily impacted by the economic downturn. 20 off % A and Boutique in Ridgewood *Joaillier New Different 196 E. Ridgewood Avenue • Ridgewood, NJ 07450 next to Warner Theater Tel: 201-857-3585 | Fax: 201-443-1345 Joaillierllc@gmail.com non-sale items with this ad. Great Mother’s Day Gifts! Outside is now open. Our outdoor furniture shop is now fully stocked Harding Pharmacy Sells Each and Every Greeting Card in the Store for Only Y IN! RRferÊ HUOf s * xpire e /1/11 5 10% off all 2011 5-piece sets, Up to 50% off last year’s sets OUTDOOR FURNITURE skibarn.com and free local delivery* With most pharmacy chains selling their greeting cards for sometimes up to $4.00 each, isn’t it time to show them your independence by shopping with us!. Here for you 365 days a year! Monday through Saturday 9AM to 10PM and Sundays 9AM to 2PM DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED 99 Cards etingkens Gre Dic by ¢ each Plus... We Have GREAT GIFT for EASTER S and 201-445-7122 More! 305 E. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ