Week in Review: School Budgets Approved, Sebastian Bests New York's Finest

The Oradell school district approved its $10,475,410 budget for the 2012-13 school year which allows for  to be installed and the implementation of a full-day kindergarten program. The tax levy of $9,846,269, a 2% increase over the prior year, calls for a $62.19 increase on the average household of $531,810.

Instead of the usual packed crowd for a River Dell Regional Budget hearing, this year the Board of Ed presented its finalized before the smallest audience to date - one single resident. The $30 million budget with a $26 million tax levy calls for a $41 increase to Oradell residents and a $33 increase for River Edge taxpayers.

With the , the  formally approved the $14.6 million budget for the 2012-13 school year. The budget calls for an increase of $68 per household on the average assessed value of $436,000.

Bergen Catholic's Johnny Sebastian proved he is one of the top wrestler's in the state after competing in the New York vs. New Jersey Charity Wrestling Challenge in West Nyack, NY over the weekend. The sophomore Crusader took done Staten Island senior Rrok Ndokaj.

Late last week, both River Edge and Oradell learned they were two out of 47 Bergen County municipalities that will share more than $7.5 million in NJDOT Local Aid grants for paving projects. Each borough is set to receive $146,500.

For 113 years, the  has been serving the community from the days of horse drawn water cart to the current engine and ladder trucks. And for half of the departments history, firefighter and Ex-Chief Charles May has been a staple among the ranks. May had dedicated the past 50 years to the department.

With an hour to go until  was expected to open its doors for the lunch crowd, members of the  responded to an outlet fire that expanded into the walls. Crews were on scene for 30 minutes and the Steakhouse was given clearance by the Health Department to open later that day.

Four members of 's varsity squad from last season are already playing their way into significant roles at the NCAA level as freshmen this spring at their respective schools. Crusader stars Toby Schwartz, Eric Flanagan, Dylan Reid, and Mike Rucereto are each off to fast starts in their collegiate careers.