September 22, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Gas main was unknown to utility, municipal employees by John Koster Last week, a three-inch plastic gas main was ruptured by a Ridgewood Water Company backhoe and spewed gas leading to the evacuation of about 50 Oak Street residents. The presence of the main was unknown to the Ridgewood Water Company and apparently to workers from Public Service Electric & Gas, the local utility company. “The (PSE&G) workers were more or less astonished to find it,” said Ridgewood Water Company Director Frank Moritz. Moritz and Ridgewood Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser said that neither the water company workers nor the utility repair crew had any indication that the underground pipe had been installed. Rutishauser said it would have been best if someone had told Ridgewood officials about the pipe when it was installed, but that this notification was not legally required and no laws had been violated. The Ridgewood Water Company backhoe, operated as part of a four-man excavation crew, smashed into the unknown gas pipe about 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, and set off a whoosh that left one worker woozy. The police evacuated about 50 residents from their homes and 14 adults and four children were taken to Ridgewood Village Hall where they had access to water and bathroom facilities. The residents were allowed back into their homes within two hours. There was no explosion or fire after the pipe ruptured, and the workman who reported being dizzy was treated and released after about an hour at Valley Hospital and reported back to work the next day. Despite the noise of escaping gas, the smell, and the evacuation, no one reported a loss of gas service during the incident. U PICK PUMPKINS Celebrating 100 Years! Grand Opening Specials $5.00 OFF ANY SERVICE ANY SERVICE Parties Available Secor• Mahwah, NJ 07430 Farms 85 Airmont Ave 201-529-2595 secorfarms.com HAYRIDES Sat. & Sun, 10:00-4:00, Large & Small Corn Mazes, Small Petting Zoo Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 12/31/10 Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 12/31/10 with purchase of $20 of service or more with purchase of new set LCN Free Spa Pedicure with purchase of $50 of service or more $10.00 OFF Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 12/31/10 Can not be combined with any other offer. Exp. 12/31/10 with purchase of Pedicure FREE MANICURE FEATURING STATE-OF THE-ART EQUIPMENT 20 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 • 201-670-6807 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am - 7:30pm • Sat. 9am - 6:30pm 304 S. Van Dien Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-8200 9-22-10 JOAN/JANINE R e h a b i l i tat i o n C e n t e r f o SecorFarmsPumpkins3x3Color(9-22-10) r H o s p i ta l A f t e r C a r e 3x3” Rev1 The Van Dyk name is as good as our word. Simply stated, you can trust that we will treat your family as if they were our family. That care and compassion is the foundation that established our reputation in 1953. Our post-acute program, AfterCare, provides the patient with excellent medical and rehabilitation therapy between hospital and home. Van Dyk AfterCare includes post-acute care for: � 9-22-10 kathy/janine CozyNails3x3(9-22-10) 3 x 3” Rev1 WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR NEW LOCATION! ����� ��������� 266 Harristown Rd, Suite 102, Glen Rock GLEN ROCK PLAZA 201.345.5621 � � � � Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Physiatrist Assessments I.V. Therapy � Wound Care Stroke Rehabilitation Pain Assessment and Management LASER & COSMETIC DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY U.S. News & World Report Ranks Van Dyk Manor THE BEST IN NEW JERSEY FULL SERVICE DENTAL CARE • Orthodontics • Invisalign (Invisible Braces) • Porcelain Veneers • Implants • Teeth Whitening • Oral Cancer Screening • Periodontal Treatment Mayra Modesto-Garrido D.D.S We Offer Line Of Credits And Financing Plans Free Consultation • We Accept Most Dental Insurance We Offer Oral Sedation Van Dyk Health Care, Inc. represents a continuum of senior care services including: Van Dyk Manors of Montclair and Ridgewood offering rehabilitative and long term care services, Van Dyk Park Place Assisted Living in Hawthorne, and Van Dyk at Bald Eagle Commons Assisted Living and Senior Apartments in West Milford. Fa m i ly C a r i n g f o r Fa m i ly S i n c e 1 9 5 3 www.vandykhealthcare.com