March 7, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Franklin Lakes Borough cites enhanced communications program by Frank J. McMahon Late last year, the Borough of Franklin Lakes mailed out a package to all residents and business in the borough that included a new full-color 2012 borough calendar and a new “kitchen drawer” reference handbook. The calendar exhibits photos of Franklin Lakes by borough photographers and contains important time-sensitive information, including a full schedule of recycling dates. The reference handbook contains extensive information about the various borough departments and contact information for departmental employees, a road map, and a short history of the borough. The handbook also includes information about the borough’s various boards, committees and commissions, library, the local and regional school systems, religious organizations; senior services, and various clubs and organizations. “This package is the next big element in the borough’s enhanced communications program,” Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona explained. “One of my key objectives at the beginning of last year was to improve our communications with our residents. With guidance from the newly formed communications committee and the hard work of our borough Web team we have did quite a bit last year.” Mayor Bivona pointed out that some of the other communication initiatives undertaken by the borough last year include e-Blasts for residents who have signed up to receive these e-mail notices, cable TV bulletin boards on Cablevision Channel 77 and FiOS Channel 46, a Facebook page that includes borough news and information, and video production of various events in the borough. Residents are also permitted to submit service requests. “The borough has actively promoted the borough’s e-blasts,” Bivona said, “which has resulted in an increase in participants from approximately 500 to nearly 1,900 presently. If they haven’t already, residents are encouraged to take advantage of this resource for timely borough information by signing up at www.franklinlakes.org.” Bivona added that the borough has also improved the appearance of its e-blasts so they now have a professional E-Newsletter appearance. He pointed out that the borough’s cable TV bulletin boards provide additional sources for news, including emergency information. “If you use Facebook, ‘like’ us today,” Bivona said. Another communications initiative highlighted by Bivona is the production of quality videos that were produced through the use of interns at the borough’s Sept. 11 ceremony, the town fair, “Rocktoberfest,” (continued on page 13) Girls get crafty A teen jewelry craft was recently held at the Franklin Lakes Library with local professional artist Jacque Benevento (center) who instructed Hollie Hopkins (far left) and Bayleigh Lucas (far right) on how to make a beautiful necklace.