Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 1, 2012 Waldwick The Waldwick Board of Education last week voted to switch the annual school election from April to November to coincide with the General Election. The option to move the school election became available through legislation signed by Governor Christie on Jan. 17. Voter approval for the school budget will no longer be required as long as it stays within the state-mandated cap. This year’s cap is 2 percent. Any request to exceed the cap would be voted upon in November, and the council would decide the fate of a defeated request. Board President Patty Levine said that moving the election was a “no brainer”, citing the incentive to eliminate the vote on the school budget as one major factor in the decision. “A lot of work goes into the budget. The Waldwick School District is very fiscally responsible. Mr. Griffin has worked for years with superintendents and administrators to cut unnecessary spending and costs and focus on what really counts. We have continued to stay within the 2 percent budget cap each year. We have completed Board opts to change school election to November numerous building improvements and raised the bar on education in Waldwick by implementing new curriculum and technology for our students. Sadly, there are many people who vote no on the budget for non-educational reasons. That budget doesn’t just disappear when it goes down. It then goes to the mayor and council, who feel an obligation to cut a significant chunk out it. When that happens, the students lose out. We have stayed within the 2 percent budget cap since the beginning and intend to continue along that line,” Levine commented. “If we want or need to exceed that amount, then it will go to the voters. We’re very good about communicating with the community. Everybody knows what’s going on,” she added. Another factor in the decision, Levine said, was the cost savings related to the actual election, both for the school district and for the municipality. “The school board was paying over $14,000 in election costs to hold the vote in the spring. The municipality pays just over $7,000 for the November election, and additional costs would be minimal. The savings to the district is significant,” she said. “That’s an aide’s position, or several computers,” she noted. School board members will now run for election in November on the same ballot as local, county, state and federal candidates, but the new law provides that the school section be clearly separate from the sections featuring other candidates. No grouping or party affiliation will be permitted for the school candidates. Levine said board candidates would still have to campaign, but more voters would now be casting ballots. The term of the incumbents whose term would have expired in April is now automatically extended until January. Nominating petitions, which will still require only 10 signatures of registered voters, will have to be filed with the county clerk by 4 p.m. on Primary Day in June (the same as independent candidates for political office). Successful candidates will take office during the first week of January. Now that the decision is made, the election will have to be held in November for at least four years before it can be changed back, according to the legislation. Waldwick Planning Board member Greg Bjork will become Waldwick’s new councilman. He will be sworn in on Feb. 7. The borough council selected Bjork last week over two other nominees to fill the vacancy created when Thomas Giordano resigned to assume the mayor’s post. “He’s heavily involved. He’s in the Lions, the planning board and attends town events. He’s well respected,” said Councilman Frank Palladino in making the motion in support of Bjork, which was unanimously supported. “I salute your decision to pick Greg. He’ll make a fine councilman,” former Mayor Jim Toolen, himself one of the Greg Bjork picked for council seat nominees, told the governing body after Bjork’s selection was announced. Bjork was Toolen’s running mate in 1999 in one of Bjork’s two unsuccessful bids for a council seat. “I’m thankful to the council for their vote of confidence and am looking forward to learning about the town administration from all the long-tenured employees who have lots of experience,” said Bjork. “I want to give back to the community that has given a lot to our family,” he added, noting that he feels he is well qualified to serve on the buildings and grounds committee, to which he will be assigned. An 18-year Waldwick resident, Bjork served on the (continued on page 23)