June 12, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 17 Area Veronica Potenza, a circulation associate at Allendale’s Lee Memorial Library, has received the prestigious Mary Joyce Doyle Scholarship, a competitive prize offered annually by the Bergen County Cooperative Library System to encourage outstanding associates to further their education in library science. Potenza is a student in the master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh, an American Library Associationaccredited school. “We are so proud of Veronica for distinguishing herself in a very competitive field,” said Library Director Samantha Cordaro McCoy. “She follows in the footsteps of our Youth Services Librarian Gretchen Kaser, who won the scholarship in 2011, and of our past Interim Director Tara Franzetti, who was the beneficiary in 2008. It is a tribute to Veronica Potenza wins prestigious scholarship the professionalism of our staff that they have received this recognition time and again. The community is richer for their dedication, as the opportunity to advance their education ultimately benefits our patrons.” “By awarding these scholarships, we are encouraging people, many of whom already work in our libraries, to continue their education and grow in the profession,” said BCCLS Executive Director Robert White. Since 2002, BCCLS has awarded over 70 scholarships totaling more than $80,000. In accepting the scholarship, Potenza agrees to work in a public library for at least two years after completing her degree, a requirement she believes will be easy to fulfill. “Working at Lee Memorial Library, I have found my passion,” she said. Pictured: Gretchen Kaser and Veronica Potenza. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Cordaro McCoy.) Overtime concerns linger (continued from page 9) Batelli acknowledged that staff reductions due to attrition have also occurred in other communities, but he pointed out that many towns are now hiring officers due, in part, to increased overtime expenses. He claims that, even before some of the attrition reduction, his department was understaffed as compared to other comparable Bergen County police departments. According to Batelli, in addition to the staff reduction, three to five police officers have been out of work for an extended period due to injuries or illnesses, and some of those injuries occurred at work. Two police officers are also scheduled to retire within the next 30 to 60 days, which he said would further exacerbate overtime costs, especially during the summer. Batelli said he has a statutory obligation to provide public safety to the community and to provide adequate coverage there are minimum levels of staffing that will not be compromised. He also pointed out that his staffing levels have not changed in at least eight years despite the increased demands on his department’s services. “As an administrator, my job is to minimize overtime in this department based on the staffing I have available and by providing, at a minimum, staffing levels which provide for public safety.” Batelli claims there are other township departments where the average overtime or compensatory days for an employee exceeds that of a police officer. “What is consistently overlooked is that the police department is the only employee department that is primarily event-based, and which provides 24/7 coverage 365 days a year, unlike other departments that work Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” he said “I do not believe the council fully comprehends the scheduling issues that impact an around the clock agency. While a normal Monday to Friday business works approximately 48 hours a week, I have to staff an event-based agency based on 168 hours a week.”