Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • November 28, 2012 Housing complex (continued from page 3) other sources covered most of the additional expenses. The Allendale Housing Trust contributed $1.25 million from money that developers contributed in return for the right to build market-price housing in their own developments. Barra led the project team on behalf of Allendale Housing, Inc. He was joined by co-developers Thomas Toronto, president of Bergen County’s United Way; Shari DePalma, director of the Madeline Corporation; and Michael and Mary Scro of Z+ Architects. Inside the tent that had been set up for the dedication ceremony, several hundred seats brimmed with state and local officials and volunteers. Barra turned his attention to the future residents of the complex, who were seated in the front row. “You have gifts that we don’t have, and these gifts are special,” Barra said. “This is a special, special day.” He told the new residents that they are very welcome in Allendale, where long-term residents have already invited them to a number of activities. Barra also presented a huge bouquet to DePalma, whose cleaning and sanitizing efforts had prepared Crescent Commons for immediate occupancy. The new complex, together with the previously opened Orchard Commons, gives Allendale, with a population of 6,100, 37 state-approved units of special-needs housing in a state where 8,000 units are said to be needed and there is a long waiting list. “If the other towns in New Jersey did one-third of what we did, we could wipe out that entire list,” Barra said. Most local officials were astounded by the huge turnout at the event. Richard E. Constable III, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, was unable to attend, but Anthony Marchetto, executive director of the New Jersey Mortgage and Financial Agency, came in his stead. Constable, Marchetto said, had been called away at the last minute to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. State and local officials and volunteers tour the new housing complex. “We are trying to become a beacon,” Barra said. “We are trying to be an example that everyone else in the state will follow...When you touch 10 of these lives, you touch 500 others.” “It’s fantastic,” said Glen Rock Mayor John van Keuren, who came out to examine the housing complex. “It’s kind of incredible that it’s so well planned and so well done.” Mayor Bud O’Hagan of Midland Park and Mayor Chris Botta of Ramsey were also in the audience, along with Assemblyman David Russo, several Bergen County Freeholders, most of the Allendale Borough Council, and council members from other municipalities. Gina Plotino, director of communications for Bergen County’s United Way, also attended.