Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES Area II • November 3, 2010 Ridgewood Water rates may increase by 15 percent by John Koster Wyckoff delegates who attended a recent meeting with Ridgewood Water Company officials and Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert said they learned at the last minute that the water rates for Glen Rock, Midland Park, Ridgewood, and Wyckoff could go up as much as 15 percent starting in January. “It could go up as much as 15 percent,” Wyckoff Mayor Rudy Boonstra said. “They didn’t offer any justification. They just sort of stonewalled it. “Ridgewood Water had their auditor there, and we brought our auditor, Gary Higgins. Ken Gabbert had a problem with us bringing our auditor and they almost canceled the meeting. Rather than cancel the meeting, we agreed that (Higgins) would not ask any questions.” Gabbert was not available for comment at press time. Boonstra said the increase in water rates was originally projected at five percent. He said that if the Ridgewood Water Company could not make expenses with its present operation, the company should consider reductions in staff before it passes on any major rate increases to customers. In an Oct. 20 letter signed by Gabbert and sent to administrators in Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, Ridgewood’s village manager wrote, “The approved increase is three percent per year. However, the financial projection for structuring a budget for the 2011 year now necessitates an additional increase of two percent. As mentioned in our previous correspondence, the utility will be moving forward with its capital plans as addressed in our capital planning document. These capital projects require a down payment, which must be included in the operating budget. It is anticipated that the elevated tank in Wyckoff and the installation of radio read water meters will impact future budgets. Revenues for 2010 are short of projections and will further complicate the utility’s financial strength.” The 2011 proposed rate per thousand gallons would be set at $4.20. The letter notes that the new rate would be in line with several other water utilities such as United Water ($4.76), Fairlawn ($4.50), Ho-HoKus ($4.50), Waldwick ($4.79) and Allendale ($4.40).” The impact of the possible 15 percent increase revealed at the Oct. 28 session was not covered in the letter. People who attended the meeting described it as frustrating and unproductive. While the Ridgewood Water Utility has a testing and monitoring center in Midland Park, a water treatment plant in Glen Rock, and a number of wells in Wyckoff, only Ridgewood’s elected officials vote on the rate increases. Wyckoff officials had presumed that the issue of an elevated water tank had been closed several years ago when Wyckoff neighbors of the site near the Passaic County border organized a financial reserve and retained an attorney to oppose the tank, described based on designs as “a monstrosity” that looked like “a German hand grenade.” Plans for the tank lapsed, and Wyckoff officials said that Gabbert’s letter was the first indication they had that the plans were still being considered. “This is kind of like subscribing to Cablevision and finding out that you can’t watch the World Series,” one official said. The meeting was attended by Ridgewood Mayor Keith Killion, Glen Rock Mayor John van Keuren and Borough Administrator Lenora Benjamin, Midland Park Mayor Joseph Monahan and Borough Administrator Michelle Dugan and Councilmen Bud O’Hagan and Nick Papapietro, and by Wyckoff’s Mayor Boonstra, Deputy Mayor Kevin Rooney and Township Administrator Robert Shannon. Glen Rock and Midland Park have now joined Wyckoff in a suit demanding an audit and an explanation as to why Ridgewood reportedly uses water fees not only to pay water company officials and workers, but also public employees who are not associated with the Ridgewood Water Company. Robert Steen will exhibit his oil paintings, including illustrations and portraits that focus on Disney, at the Stable Gallery during the month of November. A reception will be held for the selftaught artist on Sunday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. and a “Meet the Artist” event will be held on Monday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. All are Stable Gallery hosts Steen exhibit invited. The Stable Gallery, located at 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, contact the Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Office at (201) 670-5560. 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