September 25, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Ramsey Airmount Woods development to open in October An artist’s rendering of the Airmount Woods development in Ramsey. A grand opening for Airmount Woods, which the Bergen County United Way is billing as the first publicly funded and purpose-built housing for adults with autism, is being planned for late October. At press time, the date and time for the ribbon cutting were still being finalized. The 6,000 square foot property located on the south side Airmount Avenue behind the Macaroni Grille will be home to eight young adults. Residents will receive on-site ser- vices suited to their needs. “Airmount Woods is a specially designed residence for individuals on the autism spectrum,” Ramsey Mayor Chris- topher Botta explained, adding that architect James Virgo- na’s design includes two buildings attached by a breezeway. Each building contains four private housing units, common areas, and space for staff members, although no service providers will reside at the premises. Botta explained that the property will feature 24-hour supervised care by New Horizons in Autism, Inc., which will also provide program- ming services at the residence and will arrange for off-site services and activities. Residents will also be able to attend vocational programs suited to their abilities, he added. This project was spearheaded by Ramsey Housing Inc., the non-profit corporation created and formed by Ramsey residents to oversee the development. The trust- ees of Ramsey Housing Inc. are Mayor Botta, Paul Huot, Barbara Smith, Kenneth Gubala, and Mary Connolly. RHI is responsible for the implementation and oversight of Air- mount Woods. RHI partnered with other non-profit organizations, including Bergen County’s United Way, the Madeline Cor- poration, and New Horizons in Autism, Inc. to construct Airmount Woods and to implement specialized program- ming for residents. In addition, RHI assembled the team of professionals who prepared and implemented the engineer- ing, architectural, construction, and landscape plans. Botta said the selection process for prospective residents will be handled by the New Jersey Department of Develop- mental Disabilities. The residents will be in their twenties or early thirties, he added, noting that special needs hous- ing for people in this age group is a particular need. According to statistics provided by Botta, the incidence of autism in New Jersey is among the highest in the nation with estimates of one in 95 children born with the disorder. Identification of autism spectrum disorders and the coining of the term “autism” began in the mid-1980s. Parent groups were formed to advocate for treatment, and private schools (continued on page 25)