Midland Park October 31, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 More than 50 people, including police chiefs from neighboring municipalities, the borough’s crossing guards and the entire town hall staff, joined friends and relatives of acting Midland Park Police Chief Michael Marra last week as he was sworn in as the borough’s ninth chief. Marra has been serving as acting chief since March 20, when former Chief John Casson began his terminal leave. Casson retired July 31, at the mandatory retirement age of 65, after 44 years of service to the borough’s police department. “Í thank the mayor and council for the opportunity to serve as chief and for their faith and confidence. I will do my best,” Marra said. A 26-year veteran of the force, he was promoted to sergeant in 2004 and to lieutenant in July, 2011. “We are looking forward to having him continue developing the successful relationships and attitudes of the overall department, which have been noticed within the short time since he was appointed as acting chief,” commented Borough Clerk/Administrator Addie Hanna. Marra’s salary will be $137,000, with comp time after 37 ½ hours, which must be used by June 30 of the following year. His contract also contains a 60-day terminal leave upon retirement and a $1,200 initial clothing allowance. Michael Marra sworn in as ninth police chief Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan swears in Police Chief Mike Marra, as his father, Frank, holds the Bible. A Midland Park veteran on 100 percent disability asked the Midland Park mayor and council last week to refund his property taxes retroactive to 2005. He said the amount would be about $70,000. Joseph Kearney of Floral Lane, who said he suffers from a heart condition, said he had been declared 100 percent disabled by the Veterans Administration in June retroactive to 2005, which qualifies him for a total exemption from paying property taxes. He said he has been on a 60 percent disability since 2005 and has been fighting for the 100 percent designation since then because he is not been able to work. He had worked as a comptroller for several companies since 1969. Kearney said he had received a letter from the borough’s tax assessor’s office agreeing to the tax exemption as of July 24, 2012 but denying a retroactive reimbursement, noting that the reimbursement is not required and Veteran seeks retroactive property tax refund that the tax assessor does not have the authority to make that decision. He said that to add insult to injury, he had been sent a tax due notice for $580 for the third quarter period prior to July 24. His 2011 property taxes, after other rebates and exemptions, were $8,795. Kearney said he realized the amount of the back taxes was “huge” and that he understood the town’s budgetary limitations, but said he would have appreciated personal contact. “No one called me to come in, to discuss the situation. Perhaps we could have talked about a payment plan,” said Kearney. “I’m upset by the letter, by a determination I had no voice in. I feel I’m begging for something I thought I was awarded (by law),” he said. Council President Nancy Peet thanked Kearney for bringing the matter to the council’s attention and said the administrator would review his request with the tax assessor and get back to him within two weeks. Due to the recent child luring incidents throughout the county, the Midland Park Police Department has instituted an 8 p.m. curfew in town for anyone under the age of 18 on Tuesday, Oct. 30 (cabbage night), and Wednes- Police establish Halloween curfew day, Oct. 31 (Halloween). If the police encounter anyone out after the curfew, the person’s parents will be contacted. Parents are asked to accompany their children during trick or treating.