Villadom Times Weekly Local Newspaper

Waldwick May 19, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Manifold system recommended for surface water relief The Waldwick Council expects to use the carrot approach rather than fines to get homeowners to stop discharging their surface water into the sanitary sewer system. Cognizant of the fact that many homes with water problems now have nowhere to go to alleviate water conditions, the borough council is considering installing a shallow manifold system to run along the right of way, connecting into the existing storm drain system. Homeowners would connect into the new pipes to get rid of water from gutters, basements and yards, instead of sending this water down the drain. Borough Engineer Mike DeSena, who had been charged with devising a solution, recommended the system to the mayor and council at a recent meeting. “Once the system is in place, we expect the homeowners jump on the bandwagon,” said DeSena. “It’s a benefit to the homeowners in that now their yards would be useable.” DeSena said that the Woodside/Derby area would be the logical zone to tackle first. About 150 homes would be included. He said that if relief is not provided soon, the pump station at Woodside/Derby will have to be upgraded, a major undertaking last done in 1999. DeSena said that out of the 3,000 homes in town, 2,000 probably have sump pumps illegally discharging into the sanitary sewer system, many of them west of Crescent Avenue. The engineer said that the manifold system would be installed about 24 to 30 inches deep with T connections from the curb to every property. He estimated that the cost per homeowner to connect would be less than $1,000. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz reiterated what he had said at previous meetings: that at present taxpayers are paying $600,000 a year to the Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority to treat clean water. “Everyone has a vested interest in providing an alternate vehicle to dispose of the surface water,” Kratz said. “For every gallon of sewage we generate, we are paying for two gallons.” Kratz said that three homeonwers had asked for “absolution” from the discharge ban because their pumps run 24/7. Kratz said those homeowners with problems would not be forced to connect to the system, but illegal sump pump connections would be identified and forced to connect. He said an ordinance would be put in place allowing the building department to inspect suspect homes. Where storm drains are in place, violators would be required to connect to them, he said, noting, however, that many areas of town do not have storm drains. Possible ways of helping homeowners pay for the connection are being explored, according to Kratz. One way would be a special assessment payable over a number of years. Another would be for the town to provide financing, but he said legal experts are divided as to whether this is legally permissible. Baseball parks to be discussed Stanton Green, professor of anthropology at Monmouth University, will present “Baseball Parks and American Landscapes” at the Waldwick Public Library on Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. In his photographic tour of baseball parks, Professor Green will examine the complex relationship between baseball as a key aspect of American culture and the places and landscapes in which it is played. The program is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited and advance registration is required. “Baseball Parks and American Landscapes” is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The library is located at 19 East Prospect Street in Waldwick. For more information, call (201) 652-5104. Serving ty oun Bergen C ears r 25 Y fo Additions • Renovations Kitchen, Bathroom & Basement Remodeling Windows • Doors • Siding • Rooﬁng Interior & Exterior Carpentry Licensed & Insured • Free Estimates Home Remodeling LLC Irish All work performed by owner Hillsdale, NJ • 201-965-5281 �� Grand Opening Weekend! KITCHENS • BATHS • WINDOWS • DOORS • MOULDINGS LIBRARIES • WALL UNITS • WINE CELLARS • VANITIES �� 60th Anniversary 3rd June day, Thurs M - 8 PM 5P 4th June y, Frida - 8 PM Noon 5th June day, Satur M - 6 PM 10 A �� Spring Concert �� Sunday May23, 2010 at 5:00 PM Benjamin Franklin Middle School 335 Van Dien Ave. Ridgewood, NJ Tickets: $20.00 201-652-9653 33 Chestnut St. Ridgewood, NJ www.fokineballet.com 220 West Crescent Avenue • Allendale, NJ 07401 • 201-934-0100 • www.blackmillwork.com