Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-May 11, 2011 Issue

Franklin Lakes May 11, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Pool fence vote postponed until next council meeting by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council’s vote on a controversial ordinance to require all pools installed prior to 1977 to have fences installed around them, or the properties on which they are located, has been postponed until May 17. The vote was postponed because two council members were not present at the last public meeting, and the council wanted to review a letter from John Spizziri, the borough’s planning board attorney, after that board reviewed the ordinance and made some recommendations to amend it. Spizziri advised the council that the planning board had approved the ordinance, but recommended that the text be changed in one of the paragraphs by adding the words “constructed after 1977” in the first line after the word “tubs.” “The reasoning behind this,” Spizziri explained, “is that there is an apparent conflict between the paragraph A as it exists and paragraph B” and this slight amendment would clarify that apparent conflict. In addition, Spizziri wrote that he had advised the planning board that he had received information that hot tubs that meet certain criteria may be exempted from the requirements of the ordinance that imposes fencing. Several members of the public spoke in opposition to the ordinance, and Mayor Frank Bivona stated his reasons for supporting the ordinance. Demetrois Stratis, a Seneca Road resident who has voiced his objections to the ordinance at previous meetings, claimed last week that the borough’s proposed ordinance would be contrary to New Jersey Uniform Construction Code, which exempts pools installed prior to 1977. “You can’t impose on homeowners something contrary to state law,” Stratis said. “This issue has already been argued in court and before the New Jersey Supreme Court. You cannot do something contrary to state law and you cannot act contrary to it.” Stratis also argued that the proposed ordinance is based on the premise that something could hypothetically happen, and said it would negatively affect the savings that senior citizens have in their homes. “Please do not pass this onerous ordinance on the backs of those who are the backbone of this community,” he asked the council. Bivona countered by claiming that 500 kids up to four years of age die every year in pools, and there are 3,000 more near-drownings that result in brain damage. “Having 3,500 incidents in the country is not hypothetical,” he said. “The potential to save lives is not hypothetical.” Bivona also claimed that the cost of fencing a pool would be less than two percent of the value of an average home in the borough and he did not think that is material. (continued on page 27) Spring into... Co ns ul FR ta EE tio n RESULTS BY SUMMER TO LOSE UP10-15 POUNDS Visit our friendly, helpful staff for all your landscape and garden needs. AS DIETFRAM T™ OG PR ASK ABOU T OUR NE W Beautiful Selection of Flowers & Gifts! Freshly Stocked Trees & Shrubs Pesticide-Free Herbs & Vegetables Container Gardens & Window Boxes “Proven Winners” Premium Annuals & Hanging Baskets Handmade Wreaths CALL NOW! 24 Godwin Avenue 21 DAYS 1973 - 2011 38 Years of Excellence IN JUST 201-652-4447 MIDLAND PARK 201-818-5673 $ �� With this coupon. Exp. 5/31/11. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Any Purchase of $50 or more 5 off $ With this coupon. Exp. 5/31/11. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Any Purchase of $100 or more 10 off 246 No. Franklin Turnpike RAMSEY Stop by from 9:00am to 6:00pm We are located at the corner of �� OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK �� PROPANE �� Paterson Ave. & Gofﬂe Rd. in Midland Park 201-444-9995 Perennials Buy 3, Get 1 With this coupon. Exp. 5/31/11 �� “Proven Winners” Hanging Baskets With this coupon. Exp. 5/31/11 10 off % Quart-size Free Screened Premium Organic Dark Topsoil Hardwood Mulch 2 cu ft $ With this coupon. Exp. 5/31/11 3.95 Reg. $4.75 $ 1.99 40 lb. bag �� With this coupon. Exp. 5/31/11 Enough with the Showers... Let’s Plant Some Flowers! ��