November 14, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 13
With 72 percent of registered voters casting ballots, Midland Park residents overwhelmingly approved the continuation of the Open Space Trust Fund for another five years. In all 1523 voters cast yes votes, while 759 voted no. “The entire council and I are delighted with the positive vote to continue the Open Space Fund for our community. It will allow us to provide recreational and park facilities at better than reasonable cost savings through matching grants. We thank the citizens for taking the time and effort to vote,” commented Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan, pointing out that the approval will not result in an increase of taxes but rather is a continuation of the prior year at the same rate. The average borough home contributes $39.20 per year to the open space trust. Since 2002, the municipality has received more than
Voters extend open space trust fund for five years
$800,000 in grants from the Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Conservation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, matched with funds from the municipal trust fund. From the 2012 funds, the council has applied for a $75,000 grant to refurbish the Dairy Street playground and make it handicapped accessible and ADA compliant. It will also be entirely fenced in for the children’s safety. The 2011 grant in the amount of $32,750 will be used this spring to provide lighting at Wortendyke Park so community groups can use the pavilion for picnics and other activities after dusk.
Lost school days
(continued from page 11) Jersey Education Association’s convention, which was cancelled due to the storm. “The board and administration will discuss this and come up with a plan,” said Board President William Sullivan. He said the board would also be reviewing an advisory received from the New Jersey School Boards Association suggesting some options and explaining contractual impacts. Dr. Cirasella said Friday the board’s curriculum committee would ultimately be presenting the full board with short and long-term plans to adopt. Trustee Peter Triolo said he was in favor of taking the needed days from the February vacation first, rather than spring break. He said a decision should be made as soon as possible to provide flexibility to everyone concerned.
The Midland Park and Waldwick school districts have joined forces to transport students to athletic events. Midland Park Board President William Sullivan said the extended venture will save both districts money because it will cut down on the need to hire private contractors. “We are both going to the same meets; we can share the bus,” commented Athletic Director Peter Galasso. Galasso said under a previous agreement between the
School districts to share busing
Republicans outpolled Democrats in all the positions on the ballot, and both public questions were approved locally, as they were statewide. Councilmen Bernard Holst and Scott Pruiksma, who were unopposed, received 2021and 2005, respectively, to return for another three-year term. Holst, president of Horizon Pest Control in Midland Park, has been on the council for 15 years; Pruiksma, a landscape contractor, is a 10-year veteran. Considine, who ran for the final year of Mayor O’Hagan’s term, garnered 2034 votes. He is a retired IBM executive.
two boards, Midland Park provides transportation to all away football games for the Midland Park and Waldwick high school bands and cheerleaders. Waldwick transports the actual team, a cooperative team made up of both Waldwick and Midland Park players. The new Joint Transportation Agreement will apply to all academic and athletic events where the sharing is practical.