Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • December 19, 2012 Allendale Yakimik retained as full-time borough engineer by John Koster The Allendale Council has hired John Yakimik as borough engineer. Yakimik, who will report directly to Allendale, had previously been the borough’s consulting engineer through Dewberry. He will also replace Keith Cauwenberghs as director of operations for the Allendale Department of Public Works, the tandem administrative position that covers all exterior operations in Allendale while Administrative Manager Gwen McCarthy is in charge of all office operations. The borough eliminated the administrator’s post several years ago. “I am humbled and thrilled by this appointment,” Yakick said at last week’s council meeting. “I just want to say how excited I am and how I am looking forward to this.” Yakimik has served as Allendale’s consulting engineer for six years as an employee of Dewberry. Mayor Vince Barra explained that Dewberry would remain Allendale’s consulting engineering firm for large projects, such as the recent reconstruction of the West Crescent Avenue and Myrtle Avenue intersection and the related installation of a traffic light by Bergen County. Yakimik, Barra added, will now be available to borough residents and the council for local engineering projects of ordinary size. A considerable savings is anticipated since the consulting firm will not be needed for regular activities. “John has attended DPW meetings monthly,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth White. “I think we are very lucky to have his experience...John, we are thrilled you said ‘yes’ and hope that a year from now you are still thrilled.” A graduate of NJIT, where his son is now studying architecture, Yakimik is fluent in Russian. He is known both for his technical abilities and for his people skills and ability to listen. “I think people skills are something we all need,” said Councilwoman Jacqueline McSwiggan. “He’s been part of our family for years, but now he’ll really be part of our family,” said Barra. In other business, the council approved a resolution to hire two new police officers as replacements for officers who have retired or will soon be retiring. The replacements will bring the Allendale Police Department back to 14 sworn officers, including Allendale Police Chief George Scherb. Barra explained that one experienced officer recently hired is already on duty and another new man should be on duty shortly. The other two new officers are expected to be on duty by June of 2013. By 2014, the police department will be on a schedule that eliminates overtime except in cases of illness. Barra said that, under agreement with the police chief and PBA, each of the four three-person shifts will be structured so that only one person can claim a vacation at a time. Overtime will only be necessary if the second person on the shift calls in sick. Police overtime costs have been estimated at $175,000 a year and should be reduced to about $75,000. The fact that four new officers will be paid in the $35,000 to $50,000 range and the police veterans they are replacing were paid in the $100,000 range should also lead to a major reduction in the police item of the budget. The borough council also introduced an ordinance to appropriate $50,000 from the capital fund to purchase generators for the DPW, the municipal building, and the fire department in case of future events such as Hurricane Sandy. Northern Highlands Regional High School Superintendent of Schools John Keenan spoke at the meeting. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud to be part of this community than I was when I saw how hard you worked all the way through the emergency,” Keenan told Barra and the council. “We found the repair crews and wouldn’t let them leave town until the power was restored,” Councilwoman White said. “Then we fed them.” Have 2 Have It The Home and School Association of Northern Highlands Regional High School recently held Have 2 Have It, a fundraiser that featured great prizes. Parents, staff, and faculty bought approximately 5,000 prize fundraiser tickets with an additional 1,100 tickets sold for basket bonanzas. Prizes included an iPad, a 55” 3D television, a PS3 Console, and game bundle. Baskets included a Kindle Fire, a restaurant and salon gift package, a fitness basket, and a sewing machine. Many of the items were donated by Northern Highland Regional High School families. Prizes also included four junior parking spots and a graduation package that came complete with VIP seats and parking. Allendale TD Bank Branch Manager Joe Chinnici attended and gave away a $50 Visa gift card. A buffet lunch was served to those in attendance. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Northern Highlands Regional High School educational and co-curricular programs.