Wyckoff September 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Library board returns $776,141 to township by John Koster Mayor Christopher De Phillips and members of the Wyckoff Township Committee were delighted and grateful for the $776,141 returned to Wyckoff’s municipal funds for tax relief in 2013 and 2014. “This is a great thing for the municipal government and a great relief to the taxpayers,” Mayor DePhillips said. De Phillips explained that, under New Jersey state law, the library board had to return any surplus that was not consumed for library operating expenses. This year, the board withheld about $460,000 in contingency funds to ensure the library expansion, which was finished earlier this year, was completed in order. When the library was completed and reopened to general acclaim earlier this year, the library board returned that unconsumed contingency money along with another $326,000 that was once earmarked for operating expenses, but was not used. Mayor De Phillips and Wyckoff Township Committeeman Doug Christie had been members of the library board and urged the board to allocate the surplus money to tax relief for the general public. “It’s going to be a huge help in making up the budgets for 2013 and 2014,” said Township Committeeman Kevin Rooney, who was the governing body’s liaison to the Wyckoff Library Board last year. “As the finance chair, and as a resident and taxpayer, I’m extremely grateful and extremely happy,” Rooney said. “That’s a significant amount of money!” The money will be returned in four quarterly increments. Half of the money should be available for Wyckoff tax relief in the 2013 calendar year, and the other half in the 2014 calendar year. All members of the township committee praised Wyckoff Library Board Vincent Antonacci for his responsible and constructive action in returning the rebate from the money collected by the state and forwarded to the library board. The library board is legally autonomous from the township committee. The library, which is directed by Mary Witherell, reopened to the public on May 19. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a day of special activities for com- munity members of all ages. The renovation and expansion cost approximately $4 million, which was covered by the library board’s use of funds from the regular library budget. Funds were systematically set aside over several years to cover the cost of the project so there would be no additional burden on the taxpayers. The project was accomplished with “green” materials used in the newly constructed addition and in the renovated adult area. Solar panels and other energy-saving devices were also installed. (continued on page 8) The Wyckoff Board of Education has appointed Patrick Lee as the new vice principal of the Eisenhower Middle School at a salary of $125,236. Lee was a science teacher at the Blue Ribbon Eisenhower Middle School prior to his appointment at last week’s board meeting. His salary started retroactively on Aug. 20. Two new Spanish teachers were also appointed at the Eisenhower School. Virginia Vasquez was appointed at a salary of $53,761, with a bachelor’s degree at Step 8. Aldo Cascio was appointed at a salary of $53,656 with a master’s degree a Step 1. Sandra Amato was appointed as a leave replacement District welcomes vice principal, teachers second grade teacher at the Lincoln School at a salary of $48,656 with a BA at Step 1. She will leave when the teacher she is replacing returns to the system. Donna-Lynn Currie was appointed as a leave replacement resource room teacher at the Coolidge School at a salary of $48,656 pro-rated. She will begin on or about Oct. 1 and remain until approximately Dec. 21. Mary Butters was appointed as a leave replacement second grade teacher at a salary of $48,656, pro-rated, at the Sicomac School, with a BA at Step 1, for as long as needed. J. KOSTER