Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • January 25, 2012 Ho-Ho-Kus Officials eye flexible spending account for health care by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus officials are currently reviewing the borough’s options in light of a new mandate that will require municipalities to provide cafeteria plans for employees’ health care reimbursement. Addressing the council last week, Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole noted that the cafeteria plans involve pre-tax payroll deductions that are deposited into a flexible spending account held by the employer. The funds are then available to reimburse those medical expenses not covered by insurance, such as deductibles and co-payments. While employees would benefit from the pre-tax contributions to the spending account, funds generally cannot be saved in one year to be used in another year. Cafeteria plans may be extended to cover employees’ spouses and dependents. In other business, Borough Administrator Don Cirulli reported that he has received conflicting information regarding the ongoing work at the Warren Avenue Bridge. According to Cirulli, a spokesman for the contractor advised him that the project was 80 percent finished and should be done by the end of January. The administrator said the spokesman indicated that the bridge would first open to vehicular traffic and then to pedestrians. However, Cirulli said a Bergen County representative disagreed with the spokesman’s report. Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall said he would like a more definitive report on the project, and Cirulli said he would pursue the issue for this week’s public council session, which will be held Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. The progress of the bridge refurbishment project has been closely followed by the borough’s administration, the public, and members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Chamber of Commerce. Plans proposed by the county in October of 2010 called for the bridge to be closed to motorists and pedestrians until the end of December 2010. The project includes new reinforcements, resurfacing of the deck, new sidewalks, and a new light. However, complications, including an unanticipated structural issue that required additional atten- tion, have contributed to the delay in the completion of the bridge project. The bridge was built in 1905 and extends over the HoHo-Kus Brook. The structure is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Washington Elm VFW Post 192 Commander Stanley Kober has announced that Camille Davis of Ridgewood High School has won first place in the Voice of Democracy essay contest sponsored by VFW Post 192 and its Ladies Auxiliary. The post serves Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood. High school students had the opportunity to compete in this year’s annual audio essay competition with the potential to win thousands of dollars in scholarships, a trip to Washington, D.C., and dozens of other awards by providing their applications to the local VFWs. This year’s theme was, “Is There Pride in Serving in Our Military?” Davis is a student of RHS social studies teacher John Domville, who was sponsored by VFW Post 192 in 2009 and went on to become the NJ VFW Outstanding Teacher Davis wins VOD contest; ceremony set of the Year at the high school level. Domville also represented the state VFW at the 2009 national competition. Davis will be honored at a combined awards ceremony, which will also include the winners of the Post 192 level of the Patriot’s Pen competition, set for Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at HoHo-Kus Borough Hall, 333 Warren Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus. Patriot’s Pen is a contest for middle school students. This year’s Patriot’s Pen essay contest participants included Matthew (Dewey) Dowicz, Justine Engel, Samantha Fisher, Noah Frank, Shlok Goyal, Tiffany Laterra, Anna Moore, Luke Nardone, Martina Nodini, Carolyn Pontorierio, Alex Ridgwell, Haydee Rodriguez, John Sweeney, and Anthony Trobiano. The students considered the theme “Are You Proud of Your Country?’ The Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library in Ho-Ho-Kus provides a delivery service for the elderly, homebound, or sick. A resident will be delivering books to borough residents on the first or third Thursday afternoon of each month. Books will be delivered after 2 p.m. Residents can decide which day they would like delivery. To receive books at home, call the library on the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before delivery. A librarian will take name, address, phone number and book requests. Participants must have a current library card. The staff will Library materials available to homebound assist residents in applying for one. Book requests will be filled as best as possible with the understanding that new and popular books may not be available when first requested. Delivery is one Thursday per month only. Requests must be made during library hours. Messages left on the answering machine will not be filled. There will be no late fees for overdue books with this service. Call (201) 445-8078. The Worth Pinkham Memorial Library is located at 91 Warren Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus.