Monday, Jan. 16

Naugle House Preservation to Move Forward

The borough finally closed on the purchase of the historic Naugle House back in October, after more than six years of negotiations. But that was only half the battle.

“Now that we’ve acquired [the Naugle property] we have to work with our Historic Preservation Committee to not only rehabilitate it to its historic status, but then figure out how to make it cost-effective for the taxpayers of Fair Lawn, so that it remains affordable,” councilman Ed Trawinski said at the time. “Everybody wants to save historic sites, very few people ever come up with plans as to what to do with them.”

Council took the first step in the preservation process last week when it signed off on an architectural firm to conduct the site's preservation plan.

Fair Lawn Man Charged in Car Burglaries

A Fair Lawn man was charged by Paramus police in connection with a string of car burglaries, police said Monday. 

Rick L. Compton, 53, was arrested Jan. 9 and charged with burglary and possession of stolen property.

Police increased patrols and started an investigation after a series of burglaries in November and December, in which handbags, iPods, Christmas gifts and other items were taken from cars, Capt. Kenneth Ehrenberg said. 

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Meet Lisa Swain: Challenge Seeker

Lisa Swain said she'd never considered seeking political office prior to running for borough council five years ago. She just knew she was ready to take on something new.

"I was ready for a new challenge," said Swain, an experienced triathlete and swim instructor. "I always like to be moving ahead. I’m always ready for the next challenge...I was ready for something and then that fell in my lap."

Prior to running for office, Swain served on the Library Board as treasurer and eventually president. Toward the end of her sixth year on the board, Swain said former councilman Steve Weinstein approached her about running on the Democratic ticket for council.

"It was a mixture of 'Wow,' excitement. Kind of scary. A little daunting. But I kind of jumped right in," Swain said of the invitation to run.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Fair Lawn Schools Adjust to Anti-Bullying Law

Fair Lawn – like every other public school district in the state -- can now claim one semester of adherence to what is arguably the toughest anti-bullying legislation in the nation.

Among other things, New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights requires that schools conduct extensive training for administration and staff; appoint an anti-bullying specialist to chair a safety team of administrators, teachers and parents; and painstakingly investigate all reports of bullying under strict time constraints.

Despite the sizable investment of time and attention the district has paid to enacting the reforms, superintendent Bruce Watson said it’s offered no appreciable enlightenment on matters of bullying. 

“So far, I don’t see any major direction that we haven’t seen before,” he said. “A majority of it is just student conflict with each other.”

Residents Say Billboard Has 'Got To Go'

Residents just can't hold in their disdain for a billboard ad that recently popped up in Fair Lawn.

"Can't Pee?" probes the giant snappy yellow ad that's plainly visible when driving westbound on Broadway.

The billboard, located behind Brake World, invites sufferers of urinary retention to visit www.iCantUrinate.com or call a 1-800 number for more information.

Visiting the web address takes you to a site for the Maywood-based New Jersey Center for Prostate Cancer and Urology.

George Bate, chair of the Property Maintenance Committee, expressed his concerns about the offending billboard at last week's Broadway Special Improvement District meeting.

"When I saw it," Bate said of the sign, whose picture he presented at the meeting," I was a little confused and dismayed. I said, 'Gee, I don't think this should be on Broadway.'"

Pedestrian Struck on Saddle River Road

A pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Saddle River Road and Kramer Place near the Glen Rock border around 5:35 p.m. Wednesday,police said.

Fair Lawn Sgt. Paul Scott said the male victim suffered some considerable injuries, but nothing life threatening. The man was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center.

Police are still investigating the incident, but Scott said there appeared to be no extenuating circumstances and that it was not being treated as criminal.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Board Won't Vote on Teachers' Contract Tonight

A vote to finalize a new contract for teachers won't be taken at Thursday's board of educationmeeting, superintendent Bruce Watson confirmed.

"They're not totally in agreement yet," said Watson of district teahers, who have been working under an expired contract since June 30, 2010.

Negotiating teams for the teachers and the board of education reached a tentative contract agreement in late November, but before the contract can go before the board for a vote, the union's membership must ratify it themselves.

Superintendent Supports Legal Challenge to Anti-Bullying Law

Fair Lawn Schools superintendent Bruce Watson said he supports a legal challenge being made to the state's anti-bullying law by a small Warren County school district.

Allamuchy School District in Warren County will formally challenge the law on Jan. 27 before the state's Council on Local Mandates, arguing that it amounts to an unfunded and thus unconstitutional mandate due to the requirements it imposes on schools, NJ Spotlight reported last week.

"I think it's far reaching and it does constitute an unfunded mandate, clearly. There are expenses involved," Watson said of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights that went into effect Sept. 1. "The law was put together without really having any conversation with those who live in the world of education."

Friday, Jan. 20

School Board Must Close $738K Budget Gap

The Board of Education will be tasked with closing a $738,188 gap to balance the district's proposed 2012-2013 budget, superintendent Bruce Watson said Thursday during a presentation of the budget's first draft.

“We’re faced with $738,000 now and we’re going to be spending the next two months with the board in committees talking about how do we close the gap," he said.

The proposed budget, which assumes a 2 percent tax increase, maintains the district's current assets and seeks to add new positions.

Bergen Readying for Weekend Snowfall

It's beginning to look a lot like winter – finally. Although a freak storm blew through the area in October and caused millions of dollars worth of damage, the past two months have looked little like a winter wonderland. That should all be changing this weekend, as forecasters are projecting as much as seven inches of snow between Friday night and Saturday.

A winter storm watch was issued by the National Weather Service Friday, warning of potentially dangerous weather conditions and "significant snowfall." The storm watch is expected to be in effect through Saturday afternoon.

Officials throughout Bergen County say they're ready for whatever flaky foes are coming their way. 

"Nothing is a surprise to our guys. We're ready when it happens," said Bergen County Public Works Director Joe Crifasi, whose agency covers about 450 miles of road.