Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • December 19, 2012 Area The Ridgewood Village Council approved the first highly tentative step toward the construction of a downtown parking garage at the expense of whatever private owner may want to bid on the project. The garage, as envisioned by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, would place the expense of the project and the cash flow from the operation -- minus property taxes paid to Ridgewood -- in the hands of whatever private business operator the council approves. That operator would have to provide a plan that complies with zoning requirements and permitted uses. Council takes tentative step toward garage The last-minute discussion on Dec. 12 revolved around a minor change of wording, recommended by Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh, to make sure that whoever submitted the proposal would have a state-certified property appraiser sign off on it. After some discussion, the council voted unanimously in favor of the Walsh proposal. The actual vote covered a resolution approving a $15,000 fee that allows the village to hire licensed professionals to write a request for proposals. The RFP will be advertised so developers can submit bids on the 99-year lease for the site and the permission to construct a two-story, 12,000-square-foot building on land Ridgewood now owns between The Gap Building and the Gilsenan Building in downtown Ridgewood near Ridgewood and North Maple avenues. Council members agreed that there was a genuine need for downtown parking in Ridgewood -- a problem that has been noted since the 1920s. “The real test for us is going to be how we evaluate the RFPs,” said Deputy Mayor Albert Puccarelli. J. KOSTER On April 5, 2013, West Bergen Mental Healthcare will celebrate a milestone: 50 years of service to our communities. In order to mark this special birthday, the agency will host an Anniversary Gala at The Grove in Cedar Grove. Recently, members of the Anniversary Committee met to plan the upcoming event which will include dinner, dancing, a “mystery bag” event, a special auction, and the special presentation of nine honorees. Those honorees include JT and Bevin Bolger, West Milford; Cathy and Warren Cooke, Ridgewood; Brenda and Frank Gallagher, Ho- Anniversary Committee members pictured include: Judy Bruinooge, Allendale; Carol Cohen, West Bergen Director of Development; Delight Dodyk, Ho-Kus; Barbara and Bob Ridgewood; Judy Green, North Haledon; Pat Hanratty, Montvale; Rosa Hovey, Wyckoff; Bob Johnston, Emerson; Lorraine Kallman, Ridgewood; Robin Stillwell, Wyckoff; and Kazmierczak, Oakland; Diane O’Brien, Franklin Lakes; Joan Orseck, Glen Rock; Stella Phillips, Mahwah; Jane Rymer, Ridgewood; Lee Schaeffer, Chief OperWest Bergen’s Guardian ating Officer, West Bergen; Olivia Taylor, North Bergen; Michael Tozzoli, West Bergen CEO; Eileen Wagner, Ridgewood (not pictured) and Lisa Williamson, Angel, David F. Bolger, Ridgewood. Ridgewood. and counseling services for all age groups Since 1963, West Bergen has been pro- with various levels of need. West Bergen viding quality counseling and therapy to is committed to meeting the psychological needs of each of its clients with sensitivity individuals and families in need. For more information on the Anniver- and responsive, innovative services of the sary Gala, visit www.westbergengala.org highest quality. For additional information about West or call Carol Cohen at (201) 444-3550. West Bergen is a non-profit organiza- Bergen and the services it provides, call tion providing a wide range of psychiatric (201) 444-3550. West Bergen plans April 5, 2013 Anniversary Ball