Ho-Ho-Kus November 3, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Resident asks council about ‘Best Practices’ survey by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus resident Donna Cioffi told the governing body she was pleasantly surprised by the borough’s responses to the state’s “Best Practices” survey. The report, which was submitted to the state by the Oct. 1 deadline, indicates that the borough received a total score of 88 points. The survey asked local government officials to respond to questions regarding general management, financial management, public safety, public works, health, energy and utilities, and municipal school relations. Referring to the survey, Cioffi asked the council multiple questions, beginning with energy-related matters. She asked about the local ordinance regarding the installation of solar panels and noted that an individual who owned an installation company had told her the borough’s ordinance had made it difficult for him to work in town. Councilman Gordon Hamm said he had met with the same man and with other individuals who were promoting energy-efficient lighting. Hamm told the resident that when state and federal funds were more readily available to offset the costs of these projects, they were more feasible. He added that he has been advised that the payback of solar units is approximately 12 years, and the lifespan of the systems can be 12 to 15 years. The state and federal funding programs are dying out, Hamm said, and the systems are expensive. He acknowledged that some municipalities are funding solar power installations that are funded by tax dollars. Cioffi pointed to the Borough of Waldwick as an example. Hamm said Waldwick officials had used a surplus to fund that borough’s solar panel installation. “I’ve evaluated (solar energy systems) and it only pays to put them on large warehouses with good exposure to generate enough power,” Councilman Doug Troast added. Cioffi pointed out that solar panels do not necessarily have to be placed on roofs to be effective. She added that the public school is now looking into the possibility of a solar energy option as the district evaluates a new roof for the school gym. The resident then asked about the length of time the borough has been using the same law firm and engineering firm. She was told that Winne, Dooley, and Bole, the borough’s law firm, has been serving Ho-Ho-Kus since the 1980s, and the engineering firm of Schwanewede Hals has been serving Ho-Ho-Kus since 1995. Cioffi questioned whether long-term affiliations are a good idea. Councilman Troast said municipalities that have a significant amount of turnover in the area of professional services usually have pay-to-play issues. “That’s one way to look at it,” Cioffi said. “That’s the reality,” Troast responded. The resident also asked about ethics training and other education. Mayor Thomas Randall told Cioffi the League of Municipalities provides ethics training and other educational courses, which Ho-Ho-Kus officials attend. Cioffi asked about the annual league meeting, which she had viewed as a more social event. Randall advised her that the brochure for the league meeting, which is held in November each year, contains listings for 50 to 60 seminars. Councilwoman Maryellen Lennon said an entire agenda is available from the league. “Quite a few seminars are pertinent, and are not just for new council members. The league’s website has information,” she told Cioffi. “We rely on the league to provide us (with these courses).” Lennon added classes are offered throughout the year. Councilman Kevin Crossley said the borough receives a discount on its premium when borough officials attend meetings of the Joint Insurance Fund. Cioffi said the survey should have been easier for her to obtain. Councilman Lee Flemming agreed, adding his recommendation that more members of the community take a look at the borough’s answers to the state’s various questions. Cioffi asked if the borough planned to post the survey to its website. Mayor Randall said the survey is already a public document. He added that the survey was not intended as a means to punish local municipalities, but as a way of determining where people. He acknowledged that some questions were ambiguous and many local officials, who were asked to answer “yes” or “no,” also added an explanation. Survey questions included: Do you have a personnel manual and/or employee handbook? Has your municipality implemented cost sharing for health benefits of at least 1.5 percent of salary for all employees? Did you adopt your budget without a waiver from the (continued on page 12) PLEASE TAKE MY HUSBAND ! Need someone to help tackle the honey-do list ? Mature local resident can work on anything from cars to faucets. 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