Midland Park March 14, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Lieutenant Michael Marra was named acting chief of the Midland Park Police Department last week. He assume his new post March 20, when Chief John Casson begins his terminal leave. Casson will officially retire July 31, at the mandatory retirement age of 65, after 44 years of service to the borough’s police department. Councilman Nick Papapietro said that the council had met with both lieutenants and two of the sergeants who expressed an interest in the position prior to making their decision. “We were fortunate that all the men Michael Marra becomes acting police chief have different strengths and great backgrounds and experience. At the end of the process, we decided to promote Lt. Marra,” Papapietro said. He added that the actual job description and salary for the acting chief have not been finalized, but that the appointment was made to provide a transition period before Chief Casson leaves. “I’m pleased with the council’s decision. I know Mike will do a great job. He always puts out 104 percent. He’s very knowledgeable, and I’m sure the men will enjoy working with him,” commented Chief Casson. “He will have a tough transition, since there are several important issues he’ll have to deal with right away, but I’m sure he can handle whatever comes his way,” the chief added. Marra, who joined the department in 1986, was promoted to sergeant in 2004 and to lieutenant on July 1, 2011. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2007 and a master in administrative science the following year. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Passaic County Community College. Prior to his promotion, Marra handled all scheduling for the department and served as the domestic violence liaison and instructor and was the municipal counter-terrorism coordinator. He was also the department’s discovery and evidence officer, a radar instructor and the DYFS liaison. Midland Park and Waldwick will share recreational assets this summer on an equal footing. Midland Park residents will be welcome to use Waldwick’s state of the art pool facilities at the same rate as Waldwick residents, and Waldwick’s youngsters will pay the same fee as Midland Park’s children to attend the borough’s popular summer camp. There will be no cap on the number of participants. “It’s a great deal for the people of Midland Park. The two towns have a lot in common already, so it’s good for both towns,” said Board of Recreation Chairman Dave Lancaster. He said a number of Waldwick children attended Midland Waldwick Pool to be open to residents at no added fee Park’s summer program last year after Waldwick discontinued its program as a cost-savings measure. “We had the room, so we invited them in,” Lancaster explained. Lancaster said that the sharing arrangement between the two towns was a “natural progression,” given that Midland Park High School students play in Waldwick’s football and wrestling programs, and that the junior wrestling programs of both towns are merged into one. “They’re a good fit,” Lancaster said. “It will bring us more revenue and will add no more work,” said Waldwick Mayor (continued on page 6) Michael Marra