Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • October 3, 2012 Borough bids fond farewell to DPW’s Cauwenbergs by John Koster At last week’s public meeting, the Allendale Borough Council took the fiscal measures needed to cover the replacement of Department of Public Works Manager Keith Cauwenberghs, who retired on Sept. 28. “Since 1948, there has always been a Cauwenberghs at the road department, and this will mark the first time that we have not had one on board,” Mayor Vince Barra said. Councilwomen Elizabeth White and Susan La Monica displayed a “secret” banner that was due to be unfurled at the surprise reception planned for Cauwenberghs on Friday. A formal plaque will eventually be installed naming the DPW garage the Cauwenberghs Garage. Keith Cauwenberghs’ father Peter joined the Allendale staff as a DPW worker in 1948 and rose through the ranks. Keith joined in the 1960s, and became a mainstay of the operation. The younger Cauwenberghs has received a number of state-level honors, including election as president of the New Jersey Public Works Managers Association. Cauwenberghs rose to another challenge when the Allendale Borough Council, in a cost-cutting move, discontinued the position of borough administrator. Instead, Allendale gave Borough Clerk Gwen McCarthy responsibility for the office management and Cauwenberghs responsibility for all exterior matters other than police issues. Both individuals were praised for their able handling of their new responsibilities in their complementary roles as Allendale’s top administrators. Recently, Cauwenberghs provided oversight for the repair and renovation of an abandoned heavy-duty lawn tractor, which a DPW employee noticed on school property two years ago. For a little more than $1,000 for parts and hands-on repair by workers already on the payroll, the DPW obtained what was turned into a good used lawn tractor worth five to 10 times what it cost the borough taxpayers. Mayor Barra called this effort an example of how imagination and skill can be employed to save cash. No replacement has been named for Cauwenberghs, and none will be named until January, officials indicated. DPW employees who are interested in the post will be given a chance at managing the department. Last week, the council approved stipends to cover the extra workload for each person who steps into Cauwenberghs’ shoes on a trial basis. Councilwoman White advanced a related concern last week. She said that Allendale’s street sweeper, which would cost $250,000 to replace, is getting beyond the condition in which repairs are viable. White urged residents and their landscapers to rake their leaves away from the storm drain catch basins because the overworked street sweeper might not be around much longer to remove the leaves mechanically. Mayor Barra and the council also offered a round of warm applause in honor of Millie Frykberg’s 108th birthday. Mayor Barra said he believes she is the oldest resident of Allendale. After having lunch with her, Barra said she was bright, alert, and funny. Allendale Notebook ‘Give and Get’ set for Festival Day Archer United Methodist Church will host a “Give & Get” program at Allendale Festival Day, Oct. 6. The first 200 people who contribute food items for the Center for Food Action in Mahwah will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb. A list of needed items will be handed to shoppers entering the Allendale A&P to encourage shoppers to donate one or more items from the list to the food collection as they leaves the store. A tally “thermometer” will be updated as donations are weighed and loaded into the collection bin. Archer has set a 1,000 pound goal for this one-day collection. All contributions of food or shopping cards will be for the benefit of local families supported by the CFA. The Mahwah CFA regularly supports over 800 local families. These supplemental food collections help support the day-to-day needs at Mahwah CFA. Mahwah CFA is one of seven CFA branches in the North Jersey area. Visit www.cfanj.org to learn more about CFA’s mission and needs. During the festival, the Thrift Shop located at the church will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop has good supply of clothing available at reasonable prices. The shop will also be selling the Archer United Woman’s Club’s homemade apple pies for $10 each. The church is located at 37 East Allendale Avenue. For more information, call (201) 327-0020. AFEE plans shopping benefit The Allendale Foundation for Educational Excellence, Inc. will participate in Lord & Taylor’s “Shop ‘til You Drop” benefit bash on Thursday, Oct. 4. Attendees may purchase a ticket from AFEE for $5, which entitles the bearer to exclusive all-day savings. Tickets holders will receive 15 percent off merchandise, two one-time use coupons for 25 percent off, and a 15 percent savings coupon for use at the L&T Home Store. Patrons who use their Lord & Taylor charge account will save an additional 10 percent on purchases. There are very limited exclusions to the sale. The pre-sale for fragrances and (continued on next page)