May 8, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Scout plans to beautify Grove Street island by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council praised an Eagle Scout candidate’s proposal that would include the beautification of the traffic calming island on Grove Street. A vote of formal approval is expected at this week’s public meeting. Samuel Chen, a junior at Ridgewood High School and member of Boy Scout Troop 5, spoke before the council at the work session on May 1. When he concluded his presentation, Mayor Paul Aronsohn and council members applauded his plans. Chen explained that the traffic calming island on Grove Street near Midland Avenue has several trees planted on it, but otherwise seems to attract litter and grow weeds. He proposed to remove the litter and weeds, prepare the soil, and plant the island with yarrow, which he said would prove durable and produce an attractive welcome to Ridgewood. The yarrow, Chen said, would eventually take over the whole traffic island with a more attractive ground cover and keep the weeds from reestablishing themselves. “It should cost about $930,” said Chen, who is volunteering his own labor. He asked if the Ridgewood community could provide some of the funds. “We have a lot of money from Earth Day, so we can probably give you a donation out of that,” said Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh. Chen said he would contact Project Pride and would personally solicit other donations. “I just wanted to point out that that less than four percent of the people involved in Scouting make it to Eagle Scout, and I want to applaud you for your efforts,” Councilman Thomas Riche told Chen. At the same meeting, Phyllis Goodman, a 45-year (continued on page 21) Eagle Scout candidate Samuel Chen