Waldwick December 15, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Borough council won’t bid out grass cutting Waldwick Department of Public Work employees will continue cutting the grass on borough property during the spring and summer for the foreseeable future. The Waldwick Council was evenly split last week on whether the borough should hire an outside contractor to do the work and free up DPW workers for other duties. Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult cast the tie-breaking vote to drop the matter from consideration. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz had recommended bidding out the work to see whether there would be any savings in contracting out the duties. The savings could then be used for other needs within the 2011 budget, he said. In voting yes for the defeated motion, Councilwoman Anita Bozzo said she would be interested in “seeing the numbers.” “A contractor would be able to cut the parks and around buildings more frequently than the DPW and the grounds would look better,” Kratz said. “It would free up DPW time to do more skilled jobs, such as clean out catch basins, pot hole repairs and seam work on roads, which forestalls bigger repair jobs,” he added. He said the DPW has little time for these jobs under normal circumstances, and less time now that it is down one employee since July. The administrator said that the DPW only has time for catch basins that are falling apart or on roads being resurfaced. He said that if the storm drains are half filled with leaves, they create flooding. In winter, he said, the trapped salt eats into the concrete and prematurely deteriorates the basins. Councilman Charles Farricker pointed out that savings could be applied to road resurfacing projects. “If we do less roads, they need more care,” he said. Resident Chuck Wanamaker noted during the public portion of the meeting that equipment maintenance and replacement costs must also be factored in when computing savings. Kratz said the borough has 70-80 acres of property that needs to be cut and that it takes two or three men a week to do the job, including the parks, ball fields and the water tank property on Wyckoff Avenue. Councilman Thomas Giordano said that students who count on this work over the summer would be out of a job. Kratz noted, however, that the students are not available until June or July, while grass cutting season starts much earlier in the spring. “We have better accountability if we use the kids,” said Councilman Frank Palladino. “If the bids are higher than it costs us now, we can reject the bids,” Kratz explained. He said the bids would have been in in January but would not have had to be awarded until March, giving the council time to make a decision as part of the 2011 budget process. Call about our Special Occasion Catering No job too big or too small! ������� ������������ 99 West Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ Phone: 201-327-2423 Fax: 201-327-9550 PLEASE TAKE MY HUSBAND ! Need someone to help tackle the honey-do list ? Mature local resident can work on anything from cars to faucets. No job too small. If you are looking for a responsible individual to help you around the house … Mike Canova-Owner, Graduate of Culinary Institute of America Monday thru Saturday 6am to 3pm • Sunday 7am to 2pm PLEASE CALL MIKE AT 201-327-3255 BerniesBagelsGeneric2x2(2-17-10) For Mike from Janine 2 x 2” Adrian Jewelers Is Counting Down the 12 Days of Christmas! Please check out AdrianJewelers.com or stop by to see our daily specials of • Diamonds • Pearls 20% -40% off • Gold • Silver • Pens • Glass • Baby Gift Items • and much more LAYAWAY GIFT WRAP on FREE FREE PING FREE G IN Turn Your Old Jewelry into Holiday Cash! Holiday Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-8:00 Sat 9:30-5:30 or by appt. All Major Credit Cards Accepted ENGrRAV dise ou merchan Discount does not apply to repairs, prior sales or layaways. Not to be combined with any other offers. 637 Wyckoff Ave Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-5588