Wyckoff August 3, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 Sump pump ordinance slated for August adoption by John Koster An ordinance that effectively reinforces the ban on illegal sump pump connections in Wyckoff and permits inspection in the 160 Wyckoff homes that are connected to the Waldwick sanitary sewer system, is expected to be adopted at this week’s meeting of the Wyckoff Township Committee. Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney sketched out the need for the ordinance at the work session before the July public meeting at which the ordinance was introduced. Based on Waldwick’s newly-approved sump pump ordinance, the proposed ordinance is aimed at preventing residents of either town from discharging overflow water from their basements, gutters, pools or other part of their property down the drain and into the sanitary sewer system. By eliminating the illegal sump pump discharge, the township would not only alleviate needlessly overtaxing the sewer treatment facilities but it would also reduce its bill to the Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority, since clean storm water would no longer be treated as sewage. Waldwick officials estimate the borough can cut in half its $2 million annual sanitary sewer treatment bill to the authority by eliminating the illegal connections in their town. Mayor Rooney noted at the work session that council approval of the Wyckoff sump pump ordinance was a foregone conclusion since sump pumps that discharge into the sanitary sewer system are already illegal in Wyckoff. He said a clause permitting inspection is an alternative to a far more Draconian solution: the use of smoke bombs launched into the sewer system that would send smoke curling up inside Wyckoff homes with sump pumps connected to the sewer system. “The (Wyckoff) Township Committee has decided to adopt a best practice measure to eliminate any illicit connections which are taxing the sanitary sewer system with clean water and re-route that clean water to the storm sewer or other less invasive areas,” the preamble to the ordinance states. The ordinance would allow an amnesty until the end of this year for owners of sump pumps discharging into the sewer system to disconnect those pumps without penalty. The Wyckoff Board of Education has appointed four new full-time teachers for the K-8 system and moved several other teachers into different positions in preparation for the coming school year. Paige Dehler has been appointed a leave replacement teacher for the pre-school disabled class at the Sicomac School at Step 1 with a master’s degree at $52,655. Jennifer Langenfeld has been appointed a seventh grade language arts teacher at the Eisenhower School, at Step 1 with a BA degree at a salary of $47,655. Melissa Miller has been appointed Board hires new teachers the resource room teacher at the Lincoln School at Step 1 with an MA, at $52,655. Melissa Mattiace has been appointed a fifth grade teacher at the Sicomac School with an MA at a salary of $52,655. Beth Lowry has been appointed a parttime special education teacher for 32.5 hours a week at a salary of $22,124. Gayle Hirsch has been reassigned from resource room teacher at the Lincoln School to district learning disabilities teacher consultant with an MA plus 30 additional credits at a salary of $94,019. J. KOSTER After Dec. 31, Wyckoff would enforce disconnection of sump pumps. The owner of any home or business who declines an internal inspection would face a surcharge of $50 a month as long as the pump is in operation or inspection is denied. If the property owner does not pay the surcharge, a lien would be placed on the property, which must be satisfied before the house can be sold. Residents can install a dry well system, connect to a storm sewer and/or use their own property for discharge of the water so long as the discharge does not affect any neighboring property. A waiver may be granted if the resident can prove that all possible remedial measures have been exhausted, which would be the case in areas where the water table is high. However, if a remedy is made available by the township, the resident with a waiver must comply within 120 days, or face a surcharge. Christian Singles of North Jersey will host a Potluck Dinner and Music Night on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Faith Community Christian Reformed Church Barn, 530 Sicomac Avenue in Wyckoff. Attendees are encouraged to bring a favorite main dish, salad, soup, or appetizer Christian Singles host dinner to share (to feed approximately six people). Desserts, coffee, tea, soda, and snacks will be provided. Dinner will be followed by music from s John Jurich, Tom Sheehan, and Pat Nash. The cost is $4 per person. For more information, call (201) 337-7492.