Midland Park December 3, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Digging to go deeper at U-Save gas station site The earth-moving operation currently going on at the abandoned U-Save gas station at the corner of Godwin and Paterson avenues in Midland Park is not preparation for a new building. Instead, the property owner is intensifying the environmental cleanup operation that has been going on for nearly five years. John O’Brian of Shotmeyer Fuel Co., which owns the property, said recent soil testing had determined that con- tamination exists deeper down than originally anticipated on the acre-sized lot. “We are removing all the clean fill we put in five years ago, stockpiling it, and digging down as much as we can,” O’Brian explained. “We’ll keep testing the ground water, and once it is clear, we have a clean site,” he added when asked how long the process will take. Experts said previ- ously that it can take as long as 10 years. The station, which has been closed since the fall of 2005 when the underground tanks were removed, is undergoing remediation and monitoring under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The environmental cleanup is part of the permit process from the NJDEP to abandon the gas station use and establish the boundary of freshwater wetlands on the property. The ground contamination remediation process approved by the NJDEP calls for pumping the water in the bedrock aquifer, removal of the volatile compounds using an air stripper, and discharging the treated water to an injection trench at the site. The water is sampled and analyzed on a regular basis. A wooden shed erected on the site houses the needed equipment. The long-time gas station had been a nonconforming use in the B-2 professional office zone, and its owners had been unable to get the necessary variances to enlarge and modernize the historic structure, which is surrounded by residences and adjacent to the Ridgewood Water Compa- ny’s treatment plant. Though the gas pumps were removed, the pump island and the building have been kept in place during the reme- diation to maintain the right to the non-conforming use. A house adjacent to the gas station was demolished in 2004. O’Brien said last week there are no plans at the present for the property beyond the cleanup. “Once we are finished with what we are trying to do, we will see what the potential market is at that time,” O’Brian said. Warriors to battle Westwood for state championship For the second year in a row, the top-seeded Waldwick/ Midland Park Warriors will meet Westwood in the North 1, Group 2 (high school) state football championship. The rematch is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Coached by Greg Grudzis, the Warriors finished the season undefeated with an 11-0 record and advanced to the title game by beating Pequannock 21-7 in the semifi- nals on Nov. 21. “I’m very excited how our season has gone. The credit goes to all the teammates and our coaches. We don’t have one star player; we have a bunch of very good players,” said co-captain Ron Kruis. “We’re looking forward to the Westwood game. Since they beat us last year, we’ve been wanting to play them again and get some revenge. We can’t wait,” he added. “We’re very proud of the Waldwick/Midland Park pro- gram. They don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. Here you have two schools that were always rivals, brought them together to work as a team, and now they are no longer two schools, we feel as if they are one. They are setting the standard for schools working together,” com- mented Waldwick Mayor Thomas Giordano. The Nov. 21 contest against Pequannock highlighted the Warriors’ excellent defense. The Warriors held the Pequannock Panthers to just seven points, and Charlie Chaparian and Kruis came up with two key intercep- tions. On the first play of the game, the Panthers threatened to score, making it all the way to the Warriors’ 17-yard line. Warriors team member Ryan Moore answered the call by knocking away a fourth and five pass. Moore, who replaced injured quarterback Ron Moore, also threw an instrumental 35-yard pass to James Ken- nedy that set up a touchdown by running back Kruise. Pequannock also made it to the Warriors’ five yard line, but Joe LaMothe and Sean Billies kept the Panthers from reaching the end zone. Warriors linebacker Nick Dragonetti posted 103 rush- ing yards on 18 carries, and Zach Van Kat’s contributed two sacks. Chaparian also stopped Pequannock’s quarter- back Tim Horgan during the first half of the game. Pequannock scored its only points of the game on Hor- gan’s pass to Tom Crooks, which was followed by a kick by Dan Duffy. The Warriors have had Westwood on their mind since practice began in August. Now all eyes will be on East Rutherford on Saturday. Recognize teachers on #GivingTuesday, December 2 The Midland Park Public Education Foundation is taking an active part in #GIVINGTUESDAY (Dec. 2) and is focusing its efforts on recognizing the dedication and commitment of Midland Park’s teachers and staff mem- bers while raising funds for the organization’s teacher- generated classroom and district-wide grants. “The MPPEF is proud to participate in this celebration of a new tradition of generosity,” said Cheryl Crocitto, president of the MPPEF. “The idea of coming together for one common purpose is a vision our organization whole- heartedly supports.” Crocitto asks residents to consider making a contri- bution to the MPPEF’s Teacher Appreciation program on #GIVINGTUESDAY to recognize a member of the school district who makes, or has made, a difference in a child’s life. Billed as “a global day of giving back,” the day is a simple way to further this effort. Participants send a note describing a teacher’s (or staff member’s) special quali- ties, along with a recommended tax-deductible donation of at least $10 (per teacher), to the Midland Park Public Education Foundation. A letter will be sent to the honoree sharing the sentiments of appreciation. The school’s prin- cipal and district superintendent will be notified of the encouraging words. Visit www.mppef.org and use the Teacher Apprecia- tion secure online contribution form to participate. The MPPEF Teacher Appreciation program is an ongo- ing program that recognizes Midland Park School District teachers and staff members for a job well done. It is a wonderful way to recognize teachers throughout the year, during the holidays, and at the end of the school year. It can be accessed year round by visiting www.mppef.org. Those who wish to nominate a teacher or staff member may also call co-chairs Annie Campbell at (201) 612-6656 or Toni Ann Tuosto at (201) 670-7871 for information. The Midland Park Public Education Foundation is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization that enhances and supports new curriculum initiatives and enrichment opportunities within Midland Park’s public school system. For more information about upcoming events and to learn about grants funded, visit www.mppef.org, friend them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.