February 29, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ho-Ho-Kus Investment to cover cost of meeting room renovations by Jennifer Crusco Renovations now in progress at the Ho-Ho-Kus Ambulance Corps meeting room will be funded by a certificate of deposit. Ambulance Corps Captain Carol Tyler explained that the investment was recently redeemed and should cover the cost of the project, which is expected to come in under $35,000. Tyler reported that the funds from a former resident’s estate had been donated to the corps several years ago. The corps has been using the donation to cover various expenses, and a portion was invested for future use. “People are extremely generous in the Borough of HoHo-Kus,” Tyler noted. Tyler, who is coordinating the renovation process, said some of the updates to the building began in 2011, when automatic lights were installed at the garage. The meeting room was opened to the public approximately 10 years ago, Tyler said. Several borough organizations and the municipal court needed the additional space. When the room was opened to public use, Catherine Henderson, who was then the borough administrator, arranged with Tyler to have the borough’s cleaning service add the ambulance corps room to its list of responsibilities. The room is used for ambulance corps meetings, training, and events, and is used by various local organizations. For several years, April council work sessions were held in the ambulance corps room while the school board elections were being held in the council chambers on the same night. Those who are awaiting their cases to be heard in municipal court also wait in the ambulance corps meeting room to discourage people from congregating in the hallway. Over time, Tyler said, the rug in the meeting room became stained, the plumbing and electrical systems no longer functioned properly, and the 38-year-old kitchen was in need of renovation. “The refrigerator was the only (appliance) working,” Tyler added. She said the renovation process includes new appliances, (continued on page 21) Ho-Ho-Kus CERT Program Manager Stanley Kober and other Ho-Ho-Kus Community Emergency Response Team members were recently hand-picked to assist the North Arlington Police Department and other local CERT organizations at the wake and funeral for Lance Corporal Osbrany Montes De Oca. The 20-year-old Marine was killed in combat operations in Afghanistan, and his wake and funeral were held last week at the Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church in North Arlington. Kober explained that Robert Tarantula of North Arlington CERT called upon the Ho-Ho-Kus team because of its members’ experience with large-scale events. Kober was joined by Ron Bosco, Brian Wormser, Mike Limatola, Robert Merritt, and Glen Rock CERT member Keith McElwee. Their duties included acting as road guards and traffic monitors, Kober said. In addition, the Ho-Ho-Kus CERT truck was used to transport the Bergen County CERT trailer that was used as the command center for this effort. On Feb. 21, the day after the funeral, Kober told the Ho-Ho-Kus Council he and his team had logged 12 hours CERT assisted at Marine’s wake, funeral during the wake and six hours the day of the funeral. “The members of our CERT – your CERT – came through again,” Kober told the governing body, noting that it had been an honor to serve in this capacity. In a subsequent interview, Kober, who is commander of VFW Post 192, said he was also proud to have been helping at the wake and funeral as a member of the veterans’ organization. “You’re doing it for the right reasons,” Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall told Kober. “A job well done.” “The several CERT organizations there all worked extremely well together,” Kober told Villadom TIMES, noting that Lyndhurst CERT had also been present. “We felt privileged to be asked to go there, especially for this honorable and humble occasion. I thank our local members for the support on such short notice,” Kober said, explaining that the team had been called on Friday for service on Sunday and Monday. He summed up by saying that Ho-Ho-Kus had carried out the CERT motto of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor.” J. CRUSCO