Mayor and Council Meeting February 24th

Meeting 2-24-09 The Mayor and Council meeting actually started on time! One presentation was made to the Paramus Scholarship Foundation of $10,000.00. Mayor Tedesco traced the source of this donation to the Barclays Golf Tournament promoted by PGA Tours and held at the Ridgewood Country Club last year. It was an inner triumph for this reporter since he was responsible for its inception. He brought the idea of the Scholarship Show into Paramus and saw it to fruition many years ago.

The Scholarship Show will take place on April 24th and 25th and a dinner dance at Annunciation Church will be held on March 7th, the Saturday which precedes Daylight Savings Time. Pictured are several members of the The Paramus Scholarship Show Executive Committee. Jeanne Weber - Chairperson, Flo Scivoletti - Secretary,  Fred Rohdieck - Treasurer,  Pat Phillips - Historian/Assistant to the Chairperson

News of the pool came from Councilman Hayo in his report. While there still is a delay due to soil testing results, he feels confident that the opening day will be met at the end of May. There is a hubbub of activity regarding this including the EPA, the Shade Tree and Parks Department and the contractor.

Councilwoman Cathy Bentz reported that Brian Koenig had forgone a salary for a new responsibility thus saving the Borough $14,000. Councilman Rich LaBarbiera gave his report on the budget and a letter by Assemblywoman Connie Wagner was read addressing the sports games inequalities. These will be covered under separate stories.

Mayor James Tedesco addressed the budget issues and the steps that Paramus is taking to reduce costs. In addition to voluntary savings, the town is starting to use waste cooking oil instead of bio-diesel fuel to power 5 trucks. He has been in touch with the Superintendant of Schools to start their vehicles going green.

Tedesco is in the process of contacting the power company to switch the costs of the state highway lighting to the State of NJ. According to his research, Paramus should not have to bear the costs of highway lighting. On the brighter side, our Mayor mentioned that even in difficult times, Paramus is attracting new business, 6 new stores. Due to open in the next month or so: At the Bergen Towne Center…. Target, Whole Foods, Nordstrom Rack, Nike and Bobby's Burger, the latter owned by Bobby Flay renowned chef of The Food Channel. The Fashion Center is anxiously awaiting the opening of Fairway Market, a specialty style supermarket. These new ventures will bring over a thousand jobs to Paramus.