Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 16, 2013 Midland Park Town to erect netting to stop balls’ intrusion An East Center Street family in Midland Park is getting help in stopping soccer balls from coming into their yard from the neigh- boring school field. The Midland Park Board of Education, the borough council and the soccer associa- tion will all be sharing in the cost of erect- ing protective netting which everyone hopes will resolve the situation. The materials and equipment rental to do the work are expected to cost around $700. Adriana McKenna of East Center Street, whose property immediately adjoins the Highland School field, had complained about the problem to Recreation Director Kathy LaMonte, who brought the matter up to Borough Clerk/Administrator Addie Hanna. The field, owned by the school board, is used for play almost exclusively by the town’s soccer and baseball recreation programs. DPW Superintendent Rudy Gnehm said initially the soccer association moved the portable goal 10 ft. away from the residence and closer to the school, but the situation did not improve. The McKenna’s property is downhill from the field, and the balls fly over the 4-ft. fence. The proposal now is for the town to trim the McKenna’s trees on the school side 8 ft. above the dividing fence and then anchor the netting to the trees on the McKenna prop- erty about 15 ft. up. Hanna said the family has given the borough verbal approval, but a formal agreement would be required as well. Hanna said plans call for doing the work before fall leaf pick up season starts on Oct. 23, since the DPW would be doing the work. Essay contestants sought The Midland Park/Wyckoff VFW Post 7086 is again sponsoring the VFW’s annual Patriots Pen Essay Contest. The essay con- test is open to all Midland Park and Wyckoff students in grades six through eight. This year’s theme is, “What Patriotism Means to Me.” Essays must be no less than 300 words and cannot exceed 400 words. Submissions should be mailed to 28 Faner Road, Midland Park, NJ 07432, along with the completed Patriot’s Pen entry form. Essays and entry forms may also be dropped off at the Faner Road address. The deadline is Nov. 1. Entry forms and all contest information are available at http://vfw.org/Community/ Patriot-s-Pen. Special guest Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Lonegan recently held a press conference outside Midland Park Borough Hall. Pictured with the candidate (center) are Midland Park Mayor Patrick ‘Bud’ O’Hagan (right) and Councilman Jack Considine (left).