December 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 21 The Midland Park Council last week hired a new police officer to replace a patrolman who had been on the force only since May. Michael Marcellari of Rivervale, 23 years old, will be officially sworn in at the mayor and council’s reorganization meeting on Jan. 3. Councilman Nick Papapietro, the police liaison, said the selection was made at this time to allow the new recruit to enlist in the Bergen County Police and Fire Academy in time for the next session, which begins Jan. 18. “Mike is a well rounded individual with fire department and reserve experience. I’m looking forward to have him become a member of our department,” said Chief Michael Marra.” Under the borough’s current PBA contract, Burke Council names new police officer to 14-member force will be paid $32,269. Marcellari brings the police department to a total of 14 members. He replaces Brendan Burke, who resigned last month to take a similar position in his hometown of Hawthorne. “We were sad to see him leave us. He was a good officer,” said Marra of Burke. Burke had come to the borough through the alternate route program. This program allows civilians to pay their own way through police academy training, rather than have the community underwrite the training after hiring the recruit. Papapietro said when the search committee went back to the applicant pool to seek his replacement, no one already certified was available. Marcellari holds a degree in criminal justice from St. Thomas Aquinas College, and is currently working as a waiter in the Iron Horse Inn in Westwood. He is a reserve police officer with the Park Ridge Police Department and a volunteer fire fighter in Rivervale and Westwood. Midland Park High School’s Good Samaritan Award program was a huge success during the month of November. Many students and staff members are being recognized for giving their time to help others. According to Stacie Millman, guidance counselor and anti-bullying specialist at Midland Park High School, several students and faculty members are being recognized for volunteering their time to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, mentoring and assisting classmates, and being respectful and caring members of the community. Honorees include Jason Delac, Robby Greer, Mr. Varjian, Mrs. DeRitter, MacKenzie Stevens, Jack Ryan, Jenny Cho, Christine Kim, Chris Ferrante, Matt Ganguzza, Nick Moquete, Liz Potenzano, Kate Potenzano, Brianna Lelinho, Tyler Halliwell, Jeremy Kojongian, Andrew Vassallo, Ben Ryan, Zoey Adams, Saida Kadire, Julie Carey, Nicolette Agresta, Shannon Monahan, and Kayla Criscenzo. Good Samaritans gain recognition