Mahwah June 13, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Township to acquire land for affordable housing by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Council has adopted an ordinance that authorizes the township to acquire three lots on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) at the corner of Strysko Avenue as a gift from the estate of the current owner of the property. The council determined that there is a need for the property for its potential development as a location for affordable housing. The three lots total about 1.5 acres of land. One of the lots now has an abandoned house on it. Mahwah Township Administrator Brian Campion advised that the owner of the property, Judith Webster, recently died and her family is making this philanthropic donation to the township in her memory so the land can be used for a good purpose. Campion explained that the township’s conceptual intent is to build special needs affordable housing on the site, similar to the development on Franklin Turnpike in Allendale called Orchard Common, although no planning for construction can begin until a contract is signed. He said the township plans some type of permanent recognition of Webster as part of the project. According to Dolores Raiz, the director of the township’s human services department, Mahwah currently has about 543 affordable housing units in six affordable housing sites. Campion advised there will be no cost to the township for the acquisition of this property for public purposes because the property is being offered to the township as a gift in accordance with the provisions of all applicable laws and legal standards. He also pointed out that the township’s planning board has already adopted a resolution recommending the acquisition of the three lots. The acquisition will include, but will not be limited to, the acquisition of all easements, rights of way, leaseholds, and other estates in and to the property. The ordinance authorizes and directs the mayor, township clerk, township business administrator, and township attorney to execute all documents necessary for the acquisition, including a contract for the purchase, which must be in a form prepared by, or approved by, the town’s attorney. The ordinance will take effect as soon as its adoption is published by the township clerk. The township attorney and the attorney for the Webster estate will then draw up a contract. International travelers The Joyce Kilmer School in Mahwah recently held International Day. Over 15 countries were represented throughout the day for students to visit with their handmade passports. Each class was assigned a country and prepared many facts, flags, and cultural information for this event. The children learned about each country and its traditions and even sampled some of traditional foods. JK parents volunteered their time to dress the part of every country and helped educate the fourth and fifth graders about each country they visited along with many native songs and dances.