Gain in State Aid for Schools, Woodcrest Health Center Application Approved

The aid numbers that Governor Christie released for New Jersey school districts Thursday show that for New Milford this means , an increase of $265,518—or 18.1 percent—in total aid over last year. 

However, Superintendent Michael Polizzi told Patch that New Milford received $254,638, which represents a 17.6 percent increase over last year. He said that the $1,728,705 is a gross amount which includes the Assessment for Debt Service on SDA Funding. 

Meanwhile, state aid to the Borough of New Milford will remain flat under Christie’s proposed budget. 

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 received to erect a  to its existing facility on River Road Tuesday evening. The construction of an additional 33 parking spaces was also approved. 

The board approved variances for the additional parking spaces to be 9'x18' instead of 9'x20'. 

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Since the final approval process has begun on what is the most important development project in recent New Milford history—the —many readers have asked questions regarding the responsibilities of the planning board and zoning board of adjustment. 

Patch put together an easy-to-read guide to understanding  along with a summary of so readers can have a handy breakdown of responsibilities.

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Chief of Police and OEM Coordinator Frank Papapietro told Patch that he began looking into web-based services such as Nixle and gov-interact after Hurricane Irene. Throughout each major weather event of 2011, where power failed, proved successful in connecting emergency services to the residents of many Bergen County towns. 

Nixle and gov-interact allows verified government agencies to send messages to local residents via phone text messages, email and web. Information is delivered almost instantly to a subscriber's specific geographic area and any other geographic area of your choosing. (An added benefit if you have family, especially parents, that live in other areas.)

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Two New Milford students, Thomas Robalino and Matthew Johns, wrote essays that were chosen for consideration on the state level of the . This year's topic is "Why I'm Proud to Pledge Allegiance to Our Flag." 

The winning essay on the state level will move on for consideration at the national level. 

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held its kick-off event Friday at Gibbs Elementary School. This event was not nearly as well-attended as last year and organizers are asking for everyone's help in making this event a success. 

Currently, there are only 35 participants and eight teams. Visit New Milford's Relay for Life page here.

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In 2010, we interviewed a talented young artist whose life was sadly cut short Monday in a brutal hit-and-run attack. Aena Hong's heart was in her art.