January 15, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Mayor O’Hagan takes a look back In his state-of-the-borough message last week, Mid- land Park Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan looked at the bright side of 2013, calling it a good year for Midland Park, starting with the fact that the borough was “spared from disaster storms.” Pointing to completed capital projects, such as the reconstruction of Parker Place and other street improve- ments, he called capital projects “the by-products of good budgeting and the avoidance of large bonding.” “We will continue using this approach of maintain- ing and improving our infrastructure thereby avoiding major reconstruction necessities,” he commented. He thanked town employees and volunteers for their ser- vice, calling them “the backbone of our community.” Looking to the year ahead, the mayor welcomed the new shared services agreement for building department services with Ho-Ho-Kus, which not only will result in additional revenue but it will also give both boroughs credit from the state for creating additional shared ser- vices. A new recycling contractor should also provide better recycling collection services as well, he said. Regular meetings between town and school officials “affording us the luxury of easy communications and cooperation when needed,” meetings on safety concerns between residents and Councilwoman Nancy Peet, and monthly Saturday Morning with the Mayor sessions will also continue, according to the mayor. O’Hagan appointed the following council members to standing committees (first named is chairman): Finance, Councilman Scott Pruiksma, Councilman Nick Papapietro; Public Safety-Police, Papapietro, Prui- ksma; Public Safety-Fire/Ambulance, Councilman Jack Considine, Councilman Bernard Holst; Public Works, Holst, Councilman Mark Braunius; Personnel, Coun- cilwoman Nancy Peet, Holst; Recreation, Braunius, Considine. Peet will serve as liason to the board of education; Papapietro to the board of health; Considine to the Municipal Alliance and the O’Hagan to the JIF Fund. Rudy Gnehm, the Department of Public Works superintendent, will serve as the recycling coordinator. Reappointed professionals were: Donohue, Gironda and Doria as auditors; Capital Alternatives as grants consultants;Stantec Engineering as borough engineer; Robert T. Regan as borough attorney; Burgis Associ- ates as borough planner; and Charles F. Heidt, Inc. for risk management services. The interlocal agreements with Ridgewood for court video conferencing and with Waldwick for court admin- istrator services will continue into the new year. Papapietro heads borough council Midland Park Councilman Nicholas Papapietro was elected borough council president by his peers during last week’s reorganization meeting. He succeeds Coun- cilwoman Nancy Peet. “I’m honored to have been selected as council presi- dent for 2014,” said Papapietro. “I look forward to work- ing with the rest of the council and the administration.” Starting his 12 th year on the governing body, Papa- pietro chairs the council’s Public Safety/Police Com- mittee and serves as liaison to the Board of Health. He previously headed the council’s Finance Committee. Born and raised in Midland Park, Papapietro has lived in the borough for over 45 years. He is Director of Invest- ment Operations for the Joint Industry Board of the Elec- trical Industry. Previously, he was employed by Bankers Trust Company and Deutsche Bank as a vice president in the institutional trust and custody business for 26 years. His volunteer/community service includes member- ship in the Midland Park Lions Club and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), treasurer of Mid- land Park Republican Club and a former member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. In appreciation John Meeks, outgoing president of the Midland Park United Republican Club, receives a plaque from Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan during a recent club meeting in appreciation for his years of service. Meeks stepped down from the position last month after heading the club for five years.