Waldwick February 16, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Safety rumble strips on the roadway may be the way to go to slow down traffic coming off Route 17 in Waldwick at the East Prospect Street exit, but the mayor and council are not sure that is the right option. Borough officials have been discussing alternatives since last October, when residents attended council meetings to ask for relief. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz told the council at a meeting earlier this month that installing the rumble strips, a series of cuts made in the orange-painted road surface, may prove to disturb area residents. “They warn the driver, but they are not only noisy to the (motor vehicle) operator but to the surrounding residents as well. You might get complaints,” Kratz warned the governing body. Rumble strips could slow down East Prospect traffic The administrator also said that when the road surface wears out due to driving and snow removal, potholes develop and the rumble strip installation process might have to be repeated much sooner than would be the case with conventional paving. “If it’s a less costly solution, we can always repave,” said Councilman Frank Palladino. He said he had recently traveled over a safety strip on Cedar Hill Avenue in Wyckoff that is not in good shape, even though it has been in place a year or less. Councilman Don Sciolaro also expressed concern about the noise, equating it to the shoulder on the Garden State Parkway. “You’re underestimating the noise,” agreed Councilman Charles Farricker. Palladino suggested the council invite residents to attend a meeting and weigh in on whether they favor the rumble strips. No decision was made, however. Kratz said he is designing a sign to warn drivers about the curve that will meet with the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s approval. Lowering the speed limit below 25 mph is not an option, he said. Guardrails are also prohibited. At the October meeting, Borough Engineer Michael DeSena said the state sets very specific criteria to be followed before any safety measures can be implemented on the roadways. “The guidelines must be met showing that something is warranted,” DeSena said. The council will continue to investigate alternatives, and has included $30,000 in its capital budget to undertake any measures it deems appropriate once a decision is made. Councilman Andrew Brennecke disagreed, saying, “$30,000 won’t make that area any safer.” Last week, the Waldwick Council introduced Ordinance 2-11, a bond ordinance that includes the $30,000 appropriation for traffic calming pavement at East Prospect Street in the vicinity of Route 17. Of the total appropriation, $1,500 would be a down payment. The balance of $28,500 would be funded by bonds and notes. Ordinance 2-11 will be considered for final passage on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The Waldwick Lacrosse Association will extend its spring registration without late fees due to cancellations from recent snowstorms. Applicants may download the registration form at www.wlax.net. Deadline for registration is March 1. The cost of the program for children in grades three through eight is $110, plus a $25 fee required for the U.S. Lacrosse league. The Fiddlesticks program for children in kindergarten through second grade costs $50. For more information, call John or Meg Wanamaker at (201) 6704862. LAX registration extended The Feb. 9 article regarding the Waldwick Council’s decision to contribute to the public library’s addition incorrectly stated that Councilman Thomas Giordano voted against the contribution. Giordano, in fact, voted with the council majority to include $100,000 in the borough’s capital budget in support of the library’s plans. Villadom TIMES regrets the error and any inconvenience it may have caused. Correction New Jersey Pediatric Neurosurgical Associates welcomes Dr. Lauren Schwartz to its new state-of-the-art facility in Hackensack Dr. Mazzola has published several peer – reviewed articles and has presented numerous posters and abstracts at national neuroscience conventions. She was responsible for the creation of the Neuromuscular and Movements Disorder Center for Children at Hackensack University Medical Center in 2001 and the Craniofacial and Cleft Lip and Palate Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital in 2006. She has authored and co-authored more than twenty-five papers, and has received grants from the Children’s Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the N.J. State Cancer Commission. As the mother of five children, Dr. MazCatherine Mazzola, M.D. zola understands the responsibilities of parenthood and is able to empathize with parents who have children with special needs. As an active and concerned pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Mazzola gives several lectures a year for patients and their families, nursing organizations, pediatricians, and residents and has cared for thousands of children with neurosurgical disorders. Certifications: American Board of Pediatric Neurology; American Board of Neurological Surgeons. One of two board certified N.J. Pediatric Neurosurgeons and one of the few female neurosurgeons in N.J. Catherine Mazzola, M.D., Director Dr. Schwartz is committed to advancing neurosurgery both in the US and internationally. She has been an invited lecturer on topics in pediatric neurosurgery, neurotrauma, stroke, aneurysm surgery, spine surgery and the social and political issues affecting neurosurgery. She recently served as the 20th president of Women in Neurosurgery (WINS), a national neurosurgical association for which she currently remains a member of the Executive Board. Dr. Schwartz has written and co-authored multiple journal articles, textLauren Schwartz, M.D. book and web chapters and was featured on Lifetime TV’s “Women Heroes of 9/11” for her service at Ground Zero. Neurosurgical training: the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio and at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University in NY. Fellowship training: Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery (INN) at Beth Israel Medical Center, NY; Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, Pa. Lauren Schwartz M.D. Comprehensive care for neurosurgical patients and their family. 385 Prospect Ave. • 2nd Floor • Hackensack, NJ 07601 • 201-996-9300 131 Madison Ave. • Suite 140 • Morristown, NJ 07960 • 973-326-9000 Both offices open 5 days www.njpediatricneurosurgery.com