Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-November 3, 2010 Issue

Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • November 3, 2010 Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor urges councilman to use ofﬁcial channels by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall has again urged Councilman Lee Flemming to use official channels of communication when dealing with matters of public importance. Randall previously urged Flemming not to use e-mail as a means of communication, adding that the councilman should bring concerns directly to council meetings. At last week’s council meeting, Randall said Flemming’s questions regarding the ongoing permit process for Well #1, especially those relating to fines, should go through official channels; that is, Hazen and Sawyer, the borough’s environmental engineering service. Randall again asserted the borough has not been fined in relation to Well #1, which had been pumping too much water following an equipment update. The borough is now in the process of obtaining a permit to allow the well to operate at the greater capacity. “My concern is that the constant communication with the DEP (the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) could result in a fine,” Randall said, referring to Flemming’s direct contact with state officials. After a brief exchange with Flemming, Randall said, “We’re working on it…I hope you stop (contacting the DEP). That’s not in the best interest of the town.” “I’m a citizen as well,” Flemming said, defending his right to communicate with the state. Randall referred to a letter from Eileen McCarthy Feldman at Hazen and Sawyer, which recommends that Flemming “cease contacting the NJDEP independently regarding drinking water permits.” The engineering firm’s representative expressed concern that the councilman is contacting the NJDEP without the knowledge of other borough officials, and said Flemming’s e-mails and contact with the NJDEP are not in the best interest of the borough. She urged that the standard channels – the department of public works, borough administrator, or her own firm – be used to reach out to the state agency. She added that her company and the borough have a positive working relationship with the NJDEP and she does not want that relationship to be compromised. Randall also commented on a letter he had received from a resident who said Flemming made an “invasive” visit to her property, where a soil moving project is underway. According to the resident’s letter, which Randall read at the public meeting, the resident asked why Flemming was there, and was told he was tying up loose ends before he leaves office. She said she did not understand the nature of his visit, and felt he had overstepped his bounds. She asked if the councilman was there in relation to a lawsuit filed by a neighbor regarding a wall. Flemming, she said, indicated he was unaware of the suit. Randall said he had contacted the resident and acknowledged that she is having an issue with a neighbor. The mayor said the councilman should not interfere. Flemming made no comment at the meeting. However, the he later told Villadom TIMES, “I just went over there and tried to put a project with a permit. I went to see what the soil movement project looked like.” Flemming said the property was “a flurry of activity” when he arrived, and he found the resident sitting on her porch. “She informed me of a lawsuit. I had no knowledge of it.” He asserted that he had no interest or motivation concerning the suit, and was following up on a soil moving permit he had voted on in July. PROSPECT MEDICAL OFFICES, LLC INTERNAL MEDICINE AND RHEAUMATOLOGY 301 Godwin Ave. • Midland Park, NJ 201-444-4526 We are pleased to announce that we now participate with AETNA as well as Horizon BC/BS, Cigna, Oxford, UHC, Healthnet and Medicare. (Evening and Saturday appointments available) VETERANS AND SENIORS! JOIN US ON WED., NOV. 10TH AT PARK PLACE FOR A SPECIAL SEMINAR ABOUT “ASSISTANCE WITH PAYING FOR LONG TERM CARE” 7PM - 8PM 644 GOFFLE ROAD, HAWTHORNE RSVP (973) 636-7000 �� Rima Kopelman, MD Evan Leibowitz, MD Arik Zaider, MD Bennett Leifer, MD Lisa Hope, MD Karola Prinz, MD Mary Giorlando, MD Karen Hart, MD Donald Beauchamp, MD Annemarie Valinoti, MD �� 11-3-10 janine �� Prospect Medical3x3(11-3-10) �� 3 x 3” �� Rev1 Celebrating 3 years in Midland Park �� Thank you for your patronage �� November Specials � � � � ��