Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 12, 2011 Franklin Lakes Council praises first responders, seeks investigation by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona and the council have passed a resolution publicly commending the borough’s first responders and their fellow local officials throughout the state for their courage, selfless commitment, and tireless service before, during, and after Hurricane Irene. The governing body commended state and federal emergency management professionals and those at the county level who report to them, and Governor Chris Christie and his administration for their extraordinary efforts in dealing with this emergency, and for their helpfulness and handson approach in working with state and local officials. “In preparing for, dealing with, responding to, and recovering from the devastation brought to our state by the winds and rains of Hurricane Irene,” the resolution states, “New Jersey municipal officials and local police, fire, rescue, and emergency management service personnel, both paid and volunteers, once again ably demonstrated their selfless commitment to their hometowns, their neighbors and their duty. “By that commitment, and by their cooperation with adjoining municipalities, with county coordinators, and with federal and state emergency management agencies, local officials and first responders confirmed the need for a government close to the people and immediately available to them in their need.” Borough officials also welcomed a state investigation into the response of Rockland Electric to those citizens who lost power in the storm. The governing body is not satisfied The Borough of Franklin Lakes has rejected the lone bid it received for an equipment shelter ground lease on the cellular monopole site located at the rear of the police headquarters building. The site is adjacent to the northeast corner of the police building and at the rear of the municipal building. The property is located within the A-22.5 residential zone district and is irregular in shape. The borough received the lone bid from the New York SMSA Limited Partnership, which does business as Verizon Wireless, in September, but the bid contained several Lone cellular tower bid rejected exceptions that borough officials feel are material conditions of the bid. One exception would have potentially extended the time for entering into a contract with the borough and another exception would have added a due diligence period of an indefinite length to the contract. The borough council responded to the New York SMSA bid by passing a resolution stating that it is the opinion of the borough council that a re-bidding of the lease would be in the best interest of the taxpayers of the borough. (continued on page 7) with the response of Rockland Electric to the storm which deluged the area with rain on Aug. 27 and 28. Many homes and businesses in the area and the borough lost electric power, some for more than a week, which led to flooded basements where sump pumps were unable to operate. Borough officials pointed out in the resolution that when the needs of their fellow citizens called for a response beyond the power of local officials, immediate contact was made with responsible parties and the reaction of those concerned was closely monitored by the governing body. They point out that there were 1,500 Rockland Electric customers in Franklin Lakes without power the Monday after the storm and 250 homes without power on Sept. 1, four days after the storm left the area. “The lengthy wait of thousands of our fellow citizens for the restoration of essential utility services, such as electric, has angered and frustrated local officials and it calls for an explanation,” the resolution continues, and it informs that Lee Solomon, the president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has pledged that the BPU will investigate and review thoroughly the conduct of all utilities, and their parent companies during this crisis. According to Solomon, if the review, which will include public hearings, indicates that adequate preparations were not made in advance of the storm, or adequate resources were not dedicated to deal with its aftermath, the BPU will hold the utilities accountable. The borough council commended Solomon for his leadership in holding accountable those parties responsible for delivering vital utility services to their fellow citizens.