April 18, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 Ho-Ho-Kus Girl Scouts from Troop 4725 led by Gina Pedicano, and Troop 1168 led by Tamra Coleman, recently joined forces to work on a project for the veterans of the Washington Elm VFW Post 192. During their joint project meeting, the girls talked Local Scouts honor veterans from Washington Elm Post about what veterans have done for the country, how they are still helping, and why they are so important for people to remember. The girls painted an American Flag theme on a planter and wrote thank you cards to soldiers overseas thanking the veterans for their service, dedication, and protection of our freedoms. To demonstrate their hope for the soldiers to “bee safe” while away from their families and homes, each girl also made a bumble bee out of black and yellow pipe cleaners and attached one to each card for those soldiers serving overseas. The girls then presented the planter, the plant, and the cards to the veterans of the Washington Elm VFW Post 192 at a recent meeting. Waldwick budget (continued from page 11) The budget anticipates $305,650 from cell tower rental agreements, a $27,000 increase; and $2,468,600 from the energy receipts tax. Also helping the bottom line, according to Borough Administrator Gary Kratz, is the fact that contributions to the state pension fund have been maintained at 2010 levels, resulting in a $200,000 for this year. The budget also includes $74,400 in employee contributions to their health benefits. Prior to the state mandating the employee contributions, the borough had negotiated a contribution for single employees of 1 1/2 percent of salary and 2 percent of salary for family coverage. Bozzo noted that the “Concerts in the Park” have been restored, with performances scheduled for May 30, June 13 and Sept. 12. Some senior activity funds were also put back, she said, and shared opportunities with other municipalities are continuing to be pursued. “Every year we’ll add something,” she said. Bozzo said that the borough finished 2011 with a surplus balance of $2,202,443, $116,700 more than in the previous year, yet is appropriating into the 2012 budget only $800,000, slightly less than in the past. “We want to have a healthy surplus, not run into any problems,” she said. “Poor decisions are long term, and once spent, it can’t be regenerated. To maintain fiscal health, we can’t just think of this year but of years to come.” “We don’t like peaks and valleys. We like to maintain moderation without sacrificing too much,” added Councilman Don Sciolaro. “The steps we took over the past two years helped smooth the way for this year.” Kratz said that the borough’s unemployment trust fund, from which employees received benefits when applicable, had been depleted. Any future claims would have to be paid from the current budget, he said. The water utility budget is set at $1,803,099, up from $1,707,788 in 2011, a 5.5 percent increase. More than half of the increase is going to paying off the principal and interest on the environmental infrastructure trust loan for the new water tank on Wyckoff Avenue. Kratz said that lower water usage in 2011 resulted in a deficit of approximately $20,000 which will have to be made up this year. Above: Lindsey, Anneliese, Caroline, and Maeve, representing their respective HoHo-Kus Girl Scout Troops, are joined by some of the VFW Post 192 members at a recent meeting. Right: Cards and bumble bees the Girl Scouts made for soldiers serving overseas. Stuart Deleeuw (continued from page 7) on the grounds of the former borough hall. That building, part of which had been designed by architect William Ranlett, was razed in the early 1990s. The new borough hall, located on Warren Avenue, was constructed in 1993. That building was constructed between the existing firehouse and the ambulance corps building. Former mayor Rusty Thompson subsequently spearheaded the effort to reinvent the property on East Franklin Turnpike as a memorial park for local veterans. This year’s Memorial Day Parade has been scheduled for Monday, May 28. Washington Elm VFW Post 192, which coordinates the event, has planned a parade that will step off from Ardmore Road at 10:30 a.m., proceed south on Sheridan Avenue, and continue along Franklin Turnpike, ending at the Ho-Ho-Kus Town Green, which is across the street from the park.