The Ridgewood News from Ridgewood, New Jersey • 1

Tli Simdlay Pest Covers Central Bergen County And The Pascack Valley 20 CENTS" ID Ave I'araimis. .1 IUM Two Section Vol. 21 -No. 19 Published Wwklv Kvrrv Sumlav (V Pages) Nonml Class ISKilsne I'aiil at l'arainn. .1 PARAMUS.

N.JMAY 11, 1975 Voters rule library (01 Budget crisis averted By BARBARA VEN0N EMERSON Meeting late Friday, the Borough Council unanimously approved the 1975-76 municipal budget. At the continued session, both Republican coun-cilmen. Thomas Ryan and Dino LaFiandra altered their previous negative stance. Ryan explained that to avoid state interference and not to be stuck with the 1974 budget, he would vote for ap PARAMUS Residents will go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a $400,000 expansion program which would double the size of the public library. An affirmative vote would allow the borough to issue up to $380,000 in notes for the project.

Federal aid amounting to $64,000 is also expected and $41,000 is currently on hand for, the building enlargement." i The proposal has faced organized opposition from the Paramus Taxpayer' which had filed suit to get the referendum, and support from a Library Expansion See Public Forum, Page 13 The cost of the expansion and its operation will run between $4-5 per household according to calculation of Borough Auditor John Eccleston. The auditor explained he based his figures on an analysis of tax payments through 1980, taking into account revalua-, tion and inflation. He was present at Thursday's council meeting to answer questions. If its funding is approved, the library addition would increase book capacity from 40.000 to 90,000, and more than double the seating. Adult reading rooms and a senior citizens' meeting place would also be provided.

The building as it is cannot accomodate Paramus's population, argue library trustees. They say a drastic reduction in services will occur if the building is not expanded. Presently, crowded book shelves reach the ceiling, and overloaded bookshelves are braced with steel crossbars to prevent them from collapsing. "The present library is run too extravagantly," they said, "and the borough cannot afford the luxury of expanding it at this time." i The taxpayers attempts to force a library referendum after the Borough Council approved bonding for the project in June, led them to seek legal action against the borough. proval.

Superior Court Judge Sylvia Pressler in chambers Friday granted a two-week extension of the budget the council tried but failed to pass on Thursday night. After two hours of wrangling, the budget got three votes for it to two against, insufficient for the required two-thirds majority. Without a legally passed budget, the borough would have had to Stop paying its bills and employes as of midnight Tuesday. "This borough is going to come to a screeching halt," remarked Mavor Owen' Cassidy. The proposed budget is $83,000 larger than the 1974 municipal budget a sum that covers employe raises and increased costs of community services.

If Emerson did not pass a 1975 budget by May 27 the borough will have to ask the state Dept. of Local Govern-: ments to certify a budget that allows spending more than last year only for such mandatory items as social security, debt service and school and county commitments. (Turn to Page 21) Raking in pennies, Paramus Park horticulturalist George Crouse, gathers the "dreams" of thousands who use the mall's waterfall as a wishing well. Even if the dreams fail to come true, the pennies serve a good purpose, they're turned over to charitable organizations. Cascades of wishes Cast coins on waterfall By WES DVORAK 47 PARAMUS A fountain of pennies and dreams, the imposing waterfall at Paramus Park shopping mall has become the most popular wishing well in Bergen County.

Anywhere from pennies and silver coins are scooped from the fall's dozen levels each month and handed over to a long list of charities. The small change added up T7ll Qi in fhp watprfall's first vear. In February, a Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the Taxpayers and ordered Paramus to hold a referendum. The Taxpayers were led by Emily Dietz, have spent over $3000 in legal fees for that decision, said a spokesperson. Other costs have included various organization leaflets that were sent to all residents.

For the borough Tuesday's referendum is expected to cost $4400; Borough Attorney Joseoh DiMaria will be paid $250 a day for court appearances he has made at least three plus an hourly fee for preparing the case, and the borough will finance a fact sheet, citing Eccleston's citing figures for -the cost of the library project, that was distributed throughout town. Taxpayers' Assn. members say there are compensations for the expenses incurred by the borough: at least residents will be able to decide for themselves if they want to spend the money. Association leaders indicated they will not pursue the matter any further should voters approve the expansion. All voting polls places will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m Pascack risks 4-year streak By RON FOX HILLSDALE River Dell, which twice before has! brought to an end the imposing track winning streaks of Pascack Valley, is gunning for a repeat performance tomorrow.

Coach Rob Stevenson, who said during preseason workouts his team. might do the trick, says he feels even better about the Golden Hawks' chances now. Valley's current winning skein has reached 34 meets under DeCaro. Stevenson is happy to serve as a talking history book, though. "River Dell broke Valley's record of 99 straight in the mid-'60s and then broke their streak of 51 straight meets in 71.

We'd like to do it again Monday." 'On paper, which may not mean anything," he says, "we should win by three points. I'd liko to beat Valley just so Coach (Larry) DeCaro can sleep better nights. I like him as a person and respect him as a coach, so those facts would The only larger indoor waterfall in the country is in a Kansas City hotel, according to Paramus Park horticulturist George Crouse. Rising about 30 feet from a base of 2000 square feet, 6000 gallons of water gush and cascades down its dozen tiers each minute. It's trapezoid shape and multi-levels are reminiscent of Aztec architecture.

Although the mall has soft-pedaled the waterfall as a wishing well (no sign advertises it customers have adopted it as the most wished-at fountain in the county and, perhaps, the country. The glittering coins, and an occasional dollar bill boat, represent the aspirations of (Turn to Page 20) jpft ffi Bergenfield to search for Bicentennial kin For Fast Want Ad Hosult use the "AMI Champ" to Plan Your Ad DIAL 111-9700 391-20OO or 384-201S By DAVE VALLETTE BERGENFIELD The borough's Bicentennial Committee is launching a pioneer program to help residents make contact with lost relatives in other countries. Named "operation make it even more fun to beat him. contact, according to Mrs. Betty Schmelz, the committee's public relations director, who originated the idea.

Mrs. Schmelz said Friday the program would go a long way toward making America's Bicentennial celebrations international in scope. She hopes other communities also will adopt the the committee has called on the talents of the high school's language department to assist local families in reaching relatives overseas with whom they or their ancestors have lost touch. A package, including a letter from Pres. Gerald Ford and a personal letter and photograph of the family, will be used to make the (Turn to Page 59) Pascack Panorama PIANO Rentals and sales.

See MAIL SUBSCRIPTION $10 per our classified ad. REDMOND year inside Bergen County in PIANO 304 Kmderkamack Pages 4-10 advance; 515 outside Beraen vmuc, (Turn to Paffe 211 wwwiww adv. County..