Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • May 1, 2013 Finance Advisory Committee established by council (continued from page 4) and budgetary matters. The group will be comprised of seven regular members of the public appointed by the council, and two liaison members, one from the council and one from the department of finance in Ridgewood. All members are expected to have a background in finance or business. The Ridgewood Village Council will appoint the chairperson, while the vice chairperson and the secretary will be chosen by the committee. All members will serve without compensation. After the initial appointment of nine members this July, three members will be appointed on July 1 of each calendar year for a term of three years, two members will be appointed for a term of two years, and two members will be appointed for a term of one year to maintain continuity of membership. The committee will meet once a month and provide an annual report to the Ridgewood Village Council. The committee will be given access to documents available to the public, including employee contracts, policy manuals, organizational charts, monthly department records, capital requisitions, and budget documents. The initiative for the advisory committee followed a report from the Tiger Team volunteer group, which urged public and school officials to control property taxes and what members saw as excessive salary and benefit increases. In other business, George Stafford of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition urged the council to endorse the 2004 Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. Stafford, whose group is based in Boonton, noted that while Ridgewood has an independent water system from artesian wells, the runoff comes from the New Jersey Highlands, notably the Ramapo Mountains, and the group would like Ridgewood’s support in efforts to maintain water conservation. The council members said they would look into the request. Resident Leonard Eisen requested that the council use its influence to deplore the defeat of the recent gun control legislation in Washington. J. KOSTER