September 25, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Area Local animal hospital gets facelift, ADA upgrades The veterinary hospital on Goffle Road in Midland Park is getting a facelift and will reopen in the near future. Dr. Dean Cerf of Midland Park Wellness Vet Care received Midland Park Planning Board approval last Local Gold Star Mothers honored Stanley Kober, Maria Bombace and Leslie Kruithof The Ridgewood Village Council unanimously hon- ored Gold Star Mothers -- mothers who lost their sons or daughters in military service -- with a proclamation in their honor. The proclamation, which also includes fathers, broth- ers, and sisters, was approved at the Sept. 18 public council meeting. In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday in Sep- tember as Gold Star Mother’s Day. On Sunday, Sept. 29, the Village of Ridgewood will observe Gold Star Mother’s Day in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square by placing luminaria on the outskirts of the park to honor and acknowledge the mothers and families of fallen service personnel. The event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. and is supported by American Legion Post 52 (Ridgewood) and the Washington Elm Vet- erans of Foreign Wars Post 192 (Ho-Ho-Kus/Ridgewood). The Gold Star Mother’s Day Committee encourages Ridgewood residents to light luminaria throughout the vil- lage that evening. Former Ho-Ho-Kus/Ridgewood VFW Post Commander Stanley Kober, a Vietnam veteran; Maria Bombace, whose son served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marines; and Leslie Kruithof, head of the Elks Club Army of Home, which aids and councils bereft families of deceased service personnel, attended the meeting but did not address the council and audience. J. KOSTER week to modernize the 1980s split-level building by changing its façade and making it compliant with Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act standards. No change in use is proposed. Architect Peter Wells explained that the existing building is outdated, and that his client wants to create a new image by adding a front porch and more conve- nient stairs and a ramp for handicap access to the second floor. The building will have prairie-style windows, and a cultured stone foundation and column bases. The hardy plank siding will be two-colored for added detail, and a cupola will be added atop the newly-shingled roof to “add character,” Wells said. The covered handicap-acces- sible ramp will be behind the railing, with entrance to the building through the porch. The major improvements will front the parking lot, though upgrades will also be made to the side facing Goffle Road, according to the architect. The applicant sought a parking variance because the sloping lot currently has only 13 spaces. Engineer Andrew Missey said that using the medical office crite- ria, 26 spaces would be required. He said that the current number is an existing condition and is clearly adequate. The lot will be restriped for greater access and that spaces would be 9 ft. by 18 ft., as allowed by existing ordinances, rather than the previous 10 by 20 ft. Lighting and landscaping would be unchanged. Acces- sory outdoor dog runs would remain. Dr. Cerf said these are only used sporadically, and only for 10-15 min. at the time. No dogs are ever left unattended, he said.