June 12, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Midland Park The Bergen County Community Development agency is recommending to the freeholder board approval of a grant which will pave the way for Midland Park to begin long awaited upgrades at borough hall. Borough Administrator Addie Hanna said last week the borough is expected to get $44,000 to remodel the public restroom on the first floor of town hall so that it complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The overhaul will include new fixtures and a wider door to make the room ADA compliant. The facility was last upgraded nearly 20 years ago. A similar application was denied last year. Without those funds, Hanna said, the moneys earmarked for other town hall improvements would not have been enough. The bathroom was the first priority, she said. The council had put aside $120,000 for the total project in 2005, but that amount was reduced to $70,000 in subsequent years, which was insufficient to do the job, she said. The borough had initially requested $61,000 for the bathroom, but scaled down the application to $44,000 at the request of CD officials. Hanna said she had feared a further reduction would be recommended which would have been insufficient to do the job and would have cut CD grant will anchor town hall upgrade project into funds for the other needed projects. “I am very grateful they didn’t cut us down further and very excited to be able to provide a handicapped bathroom accessible to the public It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for nearly 10 years,” Hanna said. The administrator said once the funds are approved, the original town hall porch, which dates to the late 1800s and is rotting, will be replaced with low-maintenance materials while still maintaining the building’s character. The hallway floor, which is a safety hazard, will also be replaced. Zuidemas continue to enjoy success Midland Park High School’s Zuidema cousins, Arie and Seth, continue to enjoy success in field events. Last week, Seth, a javelin-throwing junior at MPHS, earned first place at the Bergen County Meet of Champions with a throw of 189.6 feet. On June 1, he took second place at the State Group competition held in Egg Harbor with a javelin throw of 183.3 feet. Seth, who is considered one of New Jersey’s Top 10 javelin specialists, said his goal has been to reach 190 feet. He said he is happy with his winning throw of 189.6, noting that throws of over 185 feet are considered competitive. Now 16, Seth works at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff in the summer and pursues wrestling in the winter. “Besides having such a great year, Seth impressed me with how he ended the last month of the season by just getting better and better,” Head Track Coach Steve Ferro commented. He pointed to Seth’s Group I State Sectional Championship and his outstanding performance at the Bergen County Meet of Champions. Arie, now a graduating senior, won the state sectional championships with a 150-foot discuss throw. He plans to attend Bergen Community College in the fall. Commenting on Arie, Ferro said, “Arie had a tremendous senior year, also becoming a state sectional champion. (continued on page 19)