Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • November 18, 2009 Area THE CHOICE IS YOURS FOR 14 CONSECUTIVE YEARS CONSUMERS HAVE SAID THAT HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER HAS: THE BEST OVERALL QUALITY THE BEST IMAGE AND REPUTATION THE BEST DOCTORS THE BEST NURSES The National Research Corporation (NRC) recently recognized the nation’s top hospitals as 2009/2010 Consumer Choice Award winners. HUMC is one of the hospitals chosen for having the highest quality and image in more than 300 markets throughout the U.S. Since the award’s inception 14 years ago, HUMC consistently made the list as consumers continually choose the medical center as having the highest quality healthcare. Ridgewood Water, the utility that serves Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff in addition to the Village of Ridgewood, will be raising its basic rate in 2010 to $4 per thousand gallons. This represents a 21 percent increase. The previous rate increase was in 2004, according to Frank Moritz, the utility’s director of operations, who spoke a meeting of the Midland Park mayor and council earlier this month. Since then, he said, labor rates have increased by 24 percent and gas and electric rates by 35 percent. Chlorine costs have gone up 40 percent over the last five years. He said the operating budget is projected to increase by $400,000. “We build our surplus and then go into the surplus to support the budget when we don’t have the revenue,” Moritz said. “But we no longer can count on the revenue to fund our operating budget.” In addition to the 21 percent initial increase for 2010, the utility is proposing a 3 percent increase each year beginning with 2011. Moritz said this will help avoid the need for large increases all at once going forward. Moritz said that the $4 per 1,000 gallons proposed rate is in line with other water utilities in the area: $4.40 for United Water, $4.50 in Fairlawn, $4.25 in Waldwick, $3.80 to $8.05 in Allendale, $3.94 in Mahwah, $3.80 in Ramsey and $3.75 in Ho-Ho-Kus. The average residential consumption is about 25,000 gallons a quarter, he said. In order to promote water conservation, Ridgewood Water is also proposing a summer rate surcharge for all usage in excess of 35,000 gallons per quarter. The surcharge would be: 20 cents per 1,000 gallons of consumption from 35,000 to 50,000 gallons; 45 cents per 1,000 gallons from 50,000 to 75,000 gallons, and 75 cents per 1,000 gallons for usage over 75,000 gallons. These summer rates are expected to help curtail the tendency to use irrigation systems when unnecessary, Moritz said. He added, however, (continued on page 17) Water rates to go up after six years Trip to Israel planned for 2010 The Glen Rock Jewish Center will be Israel bound Feb. 6 through 16, 2010. Travelers will have the opportunity to experience the ancient history that is tied to current traditions, and the inspiring story of the founding of the modern State of Israel. There will be conversations with Israelis over shared dinners, wines sampled in the Golan Heights, and the wonderful works of art in Jaffa and Tsfat. “Our first trip to Israel was in 1980, before marriage and family,” said Neil Fishman, a member and past president of GRJC. “Returning for only our second visit, 27 years later, by way of the trip with our daughter and members of our GRJC community, was an extraordinary experience. The growth and development we observed throughout Israel during the comprehensive and informative tour, was nothing short of miraculous!” “It was beyond moving,” GRJC member Laurie Herman said of her experience on the previous tour. “I loved the trip for many reasons: the unexpected bonding experience with my fellow travelers, the unexpected places I had never been to despite my many prior trips. The glimpse of the young orthodox boys, dancing near the kotel in dark of night, wandering through the narrow corridors and touching the huge stones, standing on stones our forefathers had trod thousands of years ago while making pilgrimage.” Rabbi Neil Tow will accompany the group, sharing expertise in Jewish history, traditions, and spirituality along the way. He will also offer a series of classes before the trip, in order to introduce the sites to be visited, teach some useful Hebrew words and phrases, and open the door into the experience of Israel. A per person cost of $1,895 covers all land costs, and airfare is approximately $1,000, leaving from Newark. For further information, or to view the itinerary visit the website at www.grjc.org or call (201) 652-6624. For a renowned physician affiliated with Hackensack University Medical Center, call Hackensack University Medical Center Proudly serving the community since 1888. www.humc.com