December 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 Wyckoff Vista application to continue by Johjn Koster The Wyckoff Board of Adjustment continued the hearing on the Christian Health Care Center’s Vista project until Dec. 11 after taking a look at the scaled-down version of the proposal. The revised application now includes the mandated reduction to 199 units from the originally proposed 258 units of independent adult care units. The building’s footprint was reduced and an entire wing was removed from the proposal. The new plans call for a building that would be 30,000 square feet smaller than the building that was proposed, and opposed, at previous meetings. Critics, however, were still not happy with plans to expand the coverage and the population of the Christian Health Care Center. The board of adjustment had requested that the Christian Health Care Center proponents reduce the size of the project by 30 percent. The expansion would provide room for people who wish to relocate from their own private homes to homes with on-site medical care and recreation, but still remain reasonably independent. Advocates say the township would benefit from the additional ratables and local shoppers without an impact on the school enrollment. Opponents have said that the traffic impact on the quiet section of Wyckoff and on Sicomac Avenue, a road where traffic is already sometimes an issue, would be a negative factor. The project would also impact Hawthorne. There have been 17 hearings on the proposal so far, 16 of them before the three-month hiatus while the proposal was reduced in scope as the revision was prepared. Board officials did not predict an immediate ruling on the proposal, which must be measured against a demonstrated need for the facility. The Wyckoff Township Committee recently approved the membership applications of three new volunteer firefighters to the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association. The new members are Evan J. Costanza, Jonathan P. Tani, and Devin F. Caro. They join a department with three companies and 100 members noted for high morale and recently praised by virtually all residents for their work during and after Hurricane Sandy. The township committee also approved a tempo- Department gains new firefighters rary sign for the Holiday Fair of the Wyckoff Reformed Church, the Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus program on Friday, Dec. 7 at approximately 7:30 p.m., and the lighting of the menorah at a ceremony conducted through Chabad Jewish Center of Northwest Bergen County on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. The menorah shares the front lawn of Wyckoff Town Hall with a Nativity scene, images of carolers, and seasonal winter holiday figures. J. KOSTER Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive under way The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department and the Wyckoff Lions Club are seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toy for Tots program. Toys may be dropped off at the Lions Club Tree Sale held on Franklin Avenue at the Getty Gas Station parking lot across from Boulder Run. Toys will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 7. On Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11:45 a.m., the Toys for Tots Train will make a stop in Wyckoff. On board will be members of the Marine Corps and Santa Claus who will collect the gifts. The toys will be distributed to needy children. For details, log onto www.wyckofffire.com. Our hat’s off to: Russell Research of Rutherford for their Annual Food Drive, and to all of the wonderful people who helped us during the holidays. Our drivers were thrilled to be able to deliver lots of Thanksgiving goodies to our families, who were so grateful. Holiday needs: Our thoughts are with our families who have been affected by Sandy. They will continue to have many needs long after the repairs are done. Please consider calling us to see how you can help make their recovery easier. Currently, we need “Christmas in a Bag” to be delivered to families. Please feel free to drop off stuffing, cranberry sauce, muffin mix, gravy, and any other popular food items. Our families appreciate your help. Please call our office if you would like to adopt a family for the holidays. Meet Risa: Risa is a vibrant 13-year old girl who struggles to do many things that most of us take for granted. She was born with neurofibromatosis type I, and was diagnosed with leukemia at age five. Now Risa is struggling with a serious side effect, Graft vs. Host disease. She has also developed osteomylitis in her legs. She went through chemotherapy, many surgical procedures, and bone marrow transplant. Risa uses a wheelchair most times because this has left her unable to walk at times. She is now on hormone therapy to see if they can strengthen her legs. Risa and her mom have been on their own since Risa was born. Risa’s mom has been driving a 1995 Jeep Cherokee that no longer starts. She was told that the electronic panel in the car is not working, and the brake system does not work. She called the Chrysler dealer, who told her she needed to get the car there so they can hook it up to equipment to diagnose the problem, but she has no way to get the car there. Mom is desperate to get this car fixed so she will have some type of transportation for Risa’s many appointments. To help: Our annual fundraiser will be held at The Brick House on March 1, 2013. We are putting together an event committee. Please call us if you would like to be involved. We could use help in marketing, selling tickets, finding sponsors, and more. We rely on our local community to help support our (continued on page 27)