Wyckoff August 10, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Sump pump search, dog-walking area approved by John Koster The Wyckoff Township Committee has adopted an ordinance that will allow inspectors to search for sump pumps, which are already illegal, to protect the Waldwick sewer treatment facility from wasting time, energy, and money by processing water that is not contaminated by sewage. “This eliminates the need for rate payers to pay for clean water to be treated,” Mayor Kevin Rooney explained briefly. The ordinance adoption was uncontested and there were no comments from the audience. The implementation of the ordinance will reportedly aid the township by limiting and reducing the inflow of additional water into the sanitary sewer systems. By prohibiting the discharge of water from any roof, surface, or ground sump pump or swimming pool into the town’s sanitary sewer system, the township expects to reduce the costs for the treatment of water that has not been contaminated by fecal waste, kitchen grease or soap, and does not require treatment as sewage. In the past, the township’s sanitary sewer system has been overloaded and even flooded by having illegal sump pumps add clean water to the sewage from toilets and internal drains. Residents or businesses with illegal sump pumps have until the end of the year to disconnect them, but are urged to notify the township of their existence immediately. If they fail to do so, they face fees when the township disconnects the sump pump. The ordinance also provides for inspection of any prem- Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox has urged residents to report anyone riding a motorcycle at low speeds on residential streets after a July 26 burglary in which a motorcycle was seen leaving the driveway of a house that had just been looted. On July 26, at 4:33 p.m., a burglar alarm was triggered at a house on Nancy Lane. The homeowner arrived just as the alarm was going off and observed a man on a motorcycle exiting her driveway as she heard that the alarm had been activated. Wyckoff Police Department officers who arrived confirmed that the house had been illegally entered by prying open a rear window. Jewelry was reported stolen. “There have been a number of home burglaries recently in both Wyckoff and nearby Franklin Lakes,” Chief Fox reported. “Residents are asked to watch for suspicious people or vehicles in their neighborhood. They should be especially attentive to a motorcycle driving slowly through their streets. Information has been developed that the Chief warns of burglar using motorcycle ises where a sump pump may be located, and levies a surcharge of $50 a month for any homeowner who declines inspection. Residents may apply for a waiver of the surcharge if they have exhausted all reasonable methods of maintaining drainage, such as gutter extensions of drywells, and still experience interior water problems. The enforcement is expected to focus on the 160 Wyckoff homes that are directly uphill from Waldwick, and some of which reportedly overload the Waldwick septic system during heavy downpours with water generated by sump pumps. The second ordinance will allow dog owners to walk their dogs on leashes in the portion of Wyckoff Community Park between Wyckoff Avenue and the edge of the parking lot -- but not in the recreational fields of Wyckoff Community Park. Dog walking is also permitted on the area around the Larkin House. Dog walkers in both areas are required to remove any dog waste. motorcycle operator in the July 26 burglary in Wyckoff may be responsible for the additional burglaries in this area. Residents should never be uncomfortable in contacting the police for something that they deem is suspicious. The police department would rather check hundreds of calls that are unfounded than have someone not call about something that turns out to be important.” On July 22, a resident reported that she had parked her bicycle in front of Marshall’s in the Boulder Run Shopper Center and placed a lock on the wheels. On exiting the store, she discovered that the bike had been stolen. The black and white mountain bike was valued at $150. Also on July 22, a resident of Caldwell Drive reported a burglary at his home. The homeowner reported that the house had been vacant since 8:30 a.m. and that he discovered that the burglary had occurred when he returned home at 4 p.m. Jewelry was reported stolen. (continued on page 17)