August 18, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ho-Ho-Kus Council gives approval to pair of bond ordinances by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council recently approved two bond ordinances that will fund new equipment, vehicles, and various local projects. During the public hearings on the ordinances, borough resident Leo Strauss asked a series of questions of the council, including the interest rates being charged and the length of time associated with the bonds. Councilman Doug Troast told the resident the borough secures bond anticipation notes at a very low rate, and Mayor Learn how to better prepare for the threats of terrorism, disasters, public health issues, and similar events whether at home at work or on vacation, by participating in the Ho-Ho-Kus Community Emergency Response Team training. The basic course this fall will be conducted for eight sessions Wednesday nights at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute, 215 Campgaw Road, Mahwah. Sessions will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. from Sept. 29 through Nov. 17. CERT was developed in 1985 by the Los Angeles Fire Department, whose leaders recognized that citizens would very likely be on their own during the early stages of a catastrophic disaster. Accordingly, the LAFD decided that some basic training in disaster survival and rescue skills would be necessary to improve the ability of citizens to survive until emergency personnel could arrive. Teams were created to provide vital services in the absence of emergency responders. Today, almost every state in the Union and several foreign countries use the CERT system. CERT is a part of the Citizen Corps Program. CERT members have been used to: ● Search for lost or kidnapped children ● Promote awareness of potential hazards and preparedness measures ● Assist in evacuations and local traffic control CERT training to begin ● Staff emergency operations centers ● Provide emergency operations center security, driving, information, assist disabled visitors and perform minor first aid ● Supplement staffing at special events such as parades ● Manage “spontaneous/convergent” volunteers ● Assist Red Cross and other relief organizations on mass care ● Light search and rescue operations Ho-Ho-Kus CERT personnel have been activated for pedestrian and traffic control for numerous school evacuations and at Halloween, Bergen County H1N1 clinics, borough events, Ridgewood Fourth of July fireworks, shelter operations, and downed electrical wire guards. They have also provided child safety seat assistance for the local police department, assistance in Ridgewood’s Valley Hospital drills, and have been participants in the active shooter exercise. Pick up a CERT expression of interest card at the Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Hall or at the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department or contact Ho-Ho-Kus CERT Coordinator Stanley A. Kober at (201) 445-1121 for an application and schedule. After the basic course, there are continuing courses at the local and county level to increase the CERT members’ skills and knowledge. Thomas Randall added that the borough rolls many projects together to secure favorable rates. Addressing the length of time the various improvements and projects would be bonded, Mayor Randall said the items would be paid for over several years. Periods of usefulness for each item are expressly stated in the ordinances. Councilman John Mongelli suggested Strauss ask for specifics regarding the bonds from Ho-Ho-Kus Chief Financial Officer Joseph Citro, with whom Strauss planned to meet to discuss the borough’s budget. “I strongly disapprove,” Strauss said of the bond ordinances, adding his view that the council should “eliminate a good number of projects until the economy turns around.” A resident of Sheridan Avenue told the council she had attended the meeting because she believes short-term equipment should not be bonded. Mayor Randall advised the citizen, “By law, equipment must have a certain life to be bonded. We don’t make that up.” Strauss then asked why Scott packs for the fire department were being bonded for 30 years. Councilman Gordon Hamm pointed out that the bonding period for the Scott packs was not 30 years. The text of Ordinance #967 states the period of usefulness of the Scott packs, LDH supply hose conversion, pagers, and fire hose is five years. Ordinance #967, which was subsequently approved by the council, appropriates $600,000 for various purchases. The council also voted in favor of Ordinance #968, which appropriates $78,000. Ordinance #967 includes a down payment of $200 for the borough’s share of a tub grinder cover. The tub grinder is used jointly with the Borough of Waldwick. The cost of the cover is listed at $4,100, and the balance of the borough’s portion of this expense will be funded by bonds. This ordinance also includes the acquisition of a new dump truck with a plow for the use of the department of public works. The estimated cost of the truck is $61,000, with $3,000 to be funded by a down payment and the balance covered by bonds. Acquisition of a salt spreader for the DPW is also included in this measure. The cost of $16,300 will be funded by an $800 down payment and bonds in the amount of $15,500. Ordinance #967 also includes an appropriation of $249,400 for the resurfacing of various roads and the reconstruction of curbs where necessary. The down payment for this year’s resurfacing project is $11,900, with the balance of $237,500 to be funded by bonds. Streetscape improvements in the vicinity of Sheridan Avenue, identified by a borough official as the proposed town green r e nova t ion p r oje c t , h ave a l s o b e e n (continued on page 10) Princess 7 Nails & Spa $ HARDING WINE SPIRIT & Wow! We knew it was good, but not in our wildest imagination did we think Coastal Vines would become such a success in our store. We have people coming from towns all over Bergen County buying cases of Coastal Vines. Thanks to Coastal Vines and this newspaper, at our last count we have sold almost 3000 bottles. Remember it tastes like a $10 bottle of wine but we are selling it for only $5.01! 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