Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 9, 2013 Midland Park Safety Advisory Committee discusses ideas, concerns The newly-formed Safety Advisory Committee got off to a flying start last month, with a second meeting sched- uled for Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at borough hall and sub- sequent meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. “There are residents both young and senior participat- ing, and I think this is great. Each brings a special talent and concern,” said Councilwoman Nancy Peet, who spear- headed the committee. Borough council and board of edu- cation representatives are also involved, she said. Among the group’s initial recommendations, Peet said, were an additional crossing guard at Godwin and Cross avenues and increasing the hours crossing guards are on duty to 3:45 p.m. to provide safety to children who leave a few minutes after the dismissal time and have to walk a distance. The committee also favored continuing the police presence at the Highland School / municipal park- ing lot for continued enforcement of the no parking rules, relocating the crosswalk in front of Midland Park High School farther south for increased visibility, and instal- lation of flashing signs at the barriers on Dairy Street for sporting events and at all the crosswalks during school hours. Additionally, the committee suggested consideration be given to sharing a resource officer with another school district The officer could be a retired officer who would like to serve the community during his/her retirement. The position has been discussed in the past but never implemented for lack of funding. Also proposed was that a police officer be provided a desk/location in the school buildings during school hours (continued on page 8) Personal training facility approved A CrossFit personal training center will be opening on Greenwood Avenue in Midland Park. The board of adjustment at its last meeting approved the necessary variances for Bison Fitness LLC to operate in the borough’s industrial zone at 59 Greenwood Avenue, part of the Marlow Park complex. The use is not permit- ted, but Nick Tsapatsaris of Ridgewood, the applicant’s engineer, noted that no site changes were proposed. Applicant David Syvertsen, who said he grew up in Midland Park, said he had been working at a similar facil- ity in Hoboken, and he and a partner, Chris Tafaro, had decided to open their own franchise because similar pro- grams are not available in this area. Syvertsen said classes are limited to nine members, who must pre-register on-line for the 45-minute sessions to allow for personal attention. He said the large space is required to be able to follow the CrossFit model, which needs flexibility for the long sprints which are part of its workouts. No plugged-in equipment, such as treadmills, is used, he said. Instead the high intensity workout includes power lifting, running, gymnastics and strength and conditioning. A parking variance was also required, because only 20 spaces are allocated to the 4,775 sq. ft. unit in the complex’s parking plan. Borough ordinances require more parking if the operation is classified as a gym. A personal training facility needs fewer spaces, the applicant testified, noting that only two employees would be on site. He said classes would run from 5-9 a.m., then at 11 a.m., 12 and 1 p.m.; and again in the evening at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Planner Kathryn Gregory of Fort Lee said the proposed use “is clearly not a gym,” for which parking requirements are more intense. She noted that the proposed facility’s peak hours are at a time when the area is “dormant” and would coexist well with the other uses in the complex. Board Engineer Richard Wostbrock said the low inten- sity use would work well with the site, noting that the large space required can only be found in an industrial area. Board Chairman Linda Herlihy moved to classify the proposal an “other use” as named in the ordinance and grant the use variance requested.