Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • October 12, 2011 Area Councilman questions costs for local projects by John Koster Ridgewood Village Council Member Stephen Wellinghorst repeatedly questioned the price of a new automatic door, ramp, and railings for Lester Stable, and the concept that using Bergen County Community Development grant money to pay the high prices would make the cost more acceptable to local taxpayers. “I’m flabbergasted to purchase automatic doors for the Stable at $110,000. It’s simply ridiculous,” Wellinghorst said. The councilman said he had no problem with making the side doors at Lester Stable handicapped-accessible by using three Bergen County grants to install the doors. However, he said he believes the price is off the charts, and that passing taxpayers’ money through county government did not make the doors a bargain for Ridgewood. When other council members explained that the bid of $91,000 by Automatic Door Systems LLC also covered a concrete ramp for a comprehensive price of $111,000, Wellinghorst was not appeased. “Any way you slice it, it’s $111,000 for a concrete ramp and some automatic doors,” said Wellinghorst, an attorney and former Ridgewood Board of Adjustment member. “As a taxpayer, I think it’s offensive. I’m tired of it.” A $64,000 Bergen County grant for the ramp was accepted at the same meeting, but Wellinghorst was able to get the vote on acceptance postponed pending further study. He got some agreement, with an explanation, from Deputy Mayor Thomas Riche. Riche explained that the cost of constructing the automatic doors and the concrete ramp were exorbitant by the standards of the private sector because of a New Jersey state regulation called the Prevailing Wage Law, binding on large-ticket public construction jobs. “I’ve referred to it in the past as legalized extortion,” Riche said. He explained that even though hiring a carpenter to work on a private project might cost $25 an hour, the Prevailing Wage Law boosted the wages of that same carpenter close to $100 because state standards, mandating parity of wages, rather than free market standards, are imposed on large contracts involving county money. “It’s an outrageous price, but it’s the (continued on page 25) Gallery features two generations of artists ‘Matin de Juin Porte St. Denis’ oil/canvas by H. Claude Pissarro Saddle River Gallery, now located in the heart of Englewood, will begin its new season of art with an exclusive exhibition: “Pissarro -- Two Generations of Great Art.” The exhibit includes works by Paulémile Pissarro (1884–1972) and son H. Claude Pissarro (b. 1935). Paulémile is the son and H. Claude the grandson of famous French impressionist painter Camille Pissarro (1830–1903). Today, Camille Pissarro is considered a “father figure not only to the impressionists” but to the major post-impressionists, including Paul Cézanne, Vincent Van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin. Gallery director Camille Calabrese states, “It is exciting to present the work of such a prominent family whose immense talent has been passed down from generation to generation.” The gallery is proud of its knowledgeable and experienced staff. Joining Calabrese is Art Consultant Liana Piretra and Art Curator and Consultant Mariana Maldonado. The exhibit will be open to the public Oct. 14 through 29. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. t o 6 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery is located at 10 Grand Avenue in Englewood. For more information, call (201) 871-8787 or visit www.saddlerivergallery.com.