Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • February 26, 2014 Franklin Lakes Albert sworn in as newest borough police officer by Frank J. McMahon Gregory L. Albert has been sworn in as the newest member of the Frank- lin Lakes Police Department at a recent public meeting of the borough council. The session was attended by his mother Nancy, who held the Bible during his swearing in ceremony, and other mem- bers of his family, extended family, and his friends. Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona administered the oath of office. Albert, 24, attended Caldwell Col- lege from August 2009 to May 2012. He made the Dean’s List and ultimately received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is a graduate of the Decem- ber 2013 Morris County Academy Basic Police Training class and is certified as an emergency medical technician. In addition, Albert studied paramedi- cine at Ocean County College from Sep- tember 2012 to June 2013 and aviation flight operations at the Daniel Webster College in Nashua New Hampshire from August 2008 to May 2009. He is a member of a volunteer fire department, and he is certified in Basic Tele-Communicator and Emergency Medical Dispatch procedures. He is also the holder of various other certifications pertinent to his employment as a police officer. “Albert performed excellently during his participation in the police depart- ment’s hiring process, successfully outperforming 15 other alternate route training candidates during a procedure which included various interviews, comprehensive physical and psychiat- ric examinations, and a far-reaching background investigation, leading to the recommendation for this appointment,” according to Franklin Lakes Police Chief Joseph Seltenrich. During his college years Albert com- pleted an internship with a local police department. While closely observing the officers and hearing about law enforce- ment, his desire to become an officer flourished. “Since then, I obtained the 911 Tele- communicator certification, as well as emergency medical dispatch on top of completing the didactic portion of para- medic training,” he said. “I have dedi- cated my life to public service since I was in high school,” Albert stated in his application letter to Seltenrich. “I can’t wait to start to serve the community.” Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona swears in newly appointed police officer Gregory L Albert while his mother holds the Bible. (Photo courtesy of Det. Sgt. Anthony Pacelli.) School district cautions parents about snow days The superintendent of the Franklin Lakes K-8 School District has cautioned the local school community that the recent snowstorms that caused the schools to be closed will require the deletion of three vacation days from the spring break week of April 7 through 11. Superintendent Frank Romano recently sent a notice to the school com- munity members in which he also cau- tioned parents not to make plans that could not be changed prior to June 30 just in case the school year would have to be extended due to any additional school closings. Romano reminded parents that the calendar for the 2013-14 school year approved by the Franklin Lakes Board of Education includes a contingency plan if it is necessary to use more than the three allotted emergency days. “The calendar may be extended should unforeseen circumstances require it, or subject to the work year being extended,” Romano stated. “Therefore, no plans which cannot be changed should be made prior to June 30.” Romano explained that the board of education reserves the right to modify the calendar as may be deemed neces- sary and that includes reducing or elimi- nating vacation periods. In that regard, Romano stated that, if additional days are required, they could be provided at the end of June. According to Romano, the school dis- trict has used six emergency days to close schools due to inclement weather condi- tions thus far this school year. Therefore, three days must be added to the calen- dar in order to meet the state’s minimum requirement of 180 school days. “In line with the above mentioned requirement, the board has elected to take days from the April break starting with Friday, April 11 and working backward as needed,” Romano advised. “Accord- ingly, Wednesday April 9; Thursday, April 10; and Friday, April 11 will now be regular school days for all administra- tors, faculty, staff, and students. Please schedule your April plans accordingly.” The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District and the Wyckoff K- 8 School District also need to add three days to the school calendar at this point. Those districts will also use up the spring break vacation starting with Friday, April 11 and working backward. The Mahwah School District cur- rently needs two days and will also use the spring break, but its policy calls for using the days starting with April 14 and working forward. F.J. MCMAHON