BY ANN GENADER
WEST MILFORD ‑ The Township of West Milord Council is in agreement with Mayor Bettina Bieri’s suggested solution to reposition money that is in the Open Space Money account to do a West Milford Recreation Center gym floor replacement project now.
Bieri said this is the most cost-effective way to get the much needed work done.
With children’s safety in playing on the aged floor a primary concern, the council took action on her plan that leaves no increased debt to the township, no new interest and no increased cost to taxpayers – and gets the.work done.
The Open Space Account has $195,462 that can be repositioned, she said. This is money set aside to purchase open space land. The township can take money from it for historic preservation or improvements to recreation facilities.
Some council members had wanted to wait until a money source for the job was established, but this was before Bieri came up with a no-cost funding option.
All five members present at the council meeting voted to go ahead with repairing the floor now. Luciano (Lou) Signorino, the sixth council member, was absent. He was a supporter of the no-cost option.
On Aug. 16, board members were deadlocked 3 to 3 on the issue. Bieri broke the tie, siding with Signorino, Tim Wagner and Peter McGuinness to get the work done now.
At the latest meeting, Michael Hensley, Ada Erik and Marilyn Lichtenberg said they also were comfortable with the mayor’s solution and were ready to move forward.
Wagner said he wanted to touch base with the Recreation Advisory Committee to be sure there would be funds for other recreation improvement projects.
Hensley said that the funds are replenished annually and in 2018 there will be another $150,000 available that is yet not slated for any use. Wagner said next year’s capital budget needs $34,000 for bleachers and quotes for that are needed.
Bieri said there is $89,000 from earlier repositioned Open Space money for Nosenzo Park. No more money than the maximum available is being taken from the Open Space account, she said. Recreation Center renovations have been an issue since the township took over ownership of the building from the Police Athletic League this year.
The second floor is currently being renovated and the PRIDE program has been moved into the building. Rooms for senior citizens are being painted and furnishings installed.