Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • December 25, 2013 Mahwah Gas station (continued from page 3) lot to the east that is owned by Albert Shotmeyer of Mid- land Park. Currently, the lot fronting on Route 17 contains a decay- ing one-story masonry building that was previously used as a service station. That station’s gasoline pump islands and underground storage tanks have been removed from the site. ADPP plans to demolish the old building site and con- struct a new gas station and a one-story, 200 square foot convenience store as opposed to the 3,398 square foot building on the previous plan that would have contained a convenience store and a Dunkin Donuts. A new canopy is also planned for the four-pump fueling area with a 25,000 gallon underground fuel storage tank for three grades of gasoline, and diesel fuel for automobiles. Professional Engineer Jeffrey Martell described the changes to the plans, which include 18 spaces with the potential for three additional future parking spaces for employees, resulting in a possible total of 21 spaces. The three extra spaces would be located at the rear of the site and will be covered with grass, but be available for parking if it becomes necessary. The size of the letters on the signage on the canopy over the pump stations is larger that permitted, but Kelly indi- cated that is satisfactory because the site is on Route 17. Martell agreed to extend the six foot high board-on- board fence near West Ramapo Avenue to prohibit foot traffic in that area and to extend it around 80 percent of the site to protect the neighbors from headlights. He also confirmed that a flagpole has been added to the site, the number of signs would be reduced, the air conditioning units would be shielded from view, and the drainage to the rear of the site has not changed, but that most of the drain- age from the site will flow toward Route 17. Swinburne speaks Children’s Author Steve Swinburne visited Mahwah’s elementary schools and shared his knowledge of publishing and love for writing, including how he comes up with storylines. Here he speaks to the students at Betsy Ross Elementary School and poses for a picture with the students who earned the right to have lunch with him by turning in a request to the librarian, Mrs. Rainey, as to why they wanted to eat with an author. The author presentation was possible by a grant provided to Betsy Ross, Lenape Meadows, George Washington, and Joyce Kilmer schools through the Mahwah Schools Foundation.