Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • June 26, 2013 Upper Saddle River Peter Koski will be returning to the Upper Saddle River Board of Education on a temporary basis. Last week, the board appointed the 13-year trustee to the seat that was held by Maria Bolton. Bolton recently resigned as she will be moving out of the district. Upper Saddle River Superintendent Dr. Monica Browne said Koski was selected due to his vast experience as a trustee. However, she said that Koski has already indicated that he will not run in November, when three candidates will be seeking the two available seats on the board – including the one previously held by Bolton. The candidates are Dante Ferrarie, Elizabeth Pittman, and David Verducci. Koski returns to board on temporary basis “We appreciate all the people who came out to apply for the position,” Dr. Browne said, adding that a total of four people sought the appointment to Bolton’s unexpired term. “They were all great candidates.” Koski resigned from the board in March of 2012. In 2011, he ran as an incumbent for a one-year unexpired term, which ended on Dec. 31, 2012. Prior to his 2011 election, Koski was finishing his fourth term on the board. When he ran for the one-year term in 2011, Koski said, “This is a complex environment our board is operating in at the moment and experience matters. Our district is in the middle of our contract cycle. As a member of our district’s Negotiations Committee, I feel an obligation to our teachers and our community to ensure a fair contract is reached and I am running for one of the one-year terms to allow me to do this.” In addition to his work as a trustee, Koski has also served as an EMT on the Upper Saddle River Ambulance Corps and was president of his church council. As a member of the school board, Koski served as vice president, president, and as a member of the Negotiations Committee. He is a graduate of Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale and attended RPI in New York. When a vacancy occurs on the board, the board conducts interviews of potential trustees and selects a qualified candidate. Prospective appointees submit letters of interest to the board that include any qualifications relevant to the position. Legal requirements to become a member of the board of education are the ability to read and write, U.S. citizenship, and a minimum of one year of residency in the school district. Prospective trustees must also be registered to vote in the district. Candidates must not have any interest in any contract with, or claim against, the school board. Candidates may not hold office as mayor or member of the governing body of the same district, and cannot be disqualified to vote under N.J.S.A. 19:4-1. Step back in time at the Hopper-Goetschius Museum The Hopper-Goetschius House Museum will be open every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. starting June 30 and continuing through Sept. 1. All are welcome to see what life was like on a rural farm circa 1900. New this summer is the blacksmith, who will be working at the forge. In the 1800s, rural farms often had their own blacksmithing tools. A blacksmith shop was located on the Goetschius property where the parking lot now stands. The Goetschius house embodies the history of Upper Saddle River. The Hoppers were among the first settlers in the area in the early 1700s, and The Rev. Stephen Goetschius was the first minister of the Old Stone Church when it separated from the Paramus Church. Lizzie Carlough Goetschius, the last resident of the house, was the daughter of Upper Saddle River’s first mayor. The furnishings in the house reflect its evolution. Newly completed is the restoration of the front façade. In the 1800s, the south wall was plastered over and the plaster was faux painted to look like sandstone. James Jones, a talented mason, did an extraordinary job recreating the original façade. Museum docents are available to give house tours on days besides Sundays. Call Pat Geary at (201) 327-8644, Kay Yeomans at (201) 327-2236, or Bea Newell at (201) 327-6014 to make arrangements. The Hopper-Goetschius House Museum is located on the corner of Lake Street and East Saddle River Road in Upper Saddle River. Paula Shagin of Ridgewood demonstrates blacksmithing at the Hopper-Goetschius House Museum. Blacksmithing will be demonstrated on Sundays during the summer.