February 16, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood Proposed ordinance includes $4.25 million for meters by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council has introduced an ordinance that would appropriate $4,250,000 to purchase and install water meters that can be read from a radio hand-held device. Mayor Keith Killion directed Village Manager Kenneth Gabbert to have water company officials and engineers available at the council’s public work sessions before the adoption vote so residents may ask any questions while the experts are on hand to respond. The devices will reportedly render billing far more convenient for both the Ridgewood Water Company staff and for the residents, who will no longer need to either schedule a home visit by meter readers or to accept estimates, which are sometimes criticized as excessive. The Ridgewood Water Company provides water for Glen Rock, Midland Park, Wyckoff, and Ridgewood. The three member towns outside Ridgewood are now in litigation with the village, charging that Ridgewood has used water fees to subsidize police and local administrative functions that have nothing to do with the delivery of tap and hydrant water to homes and businesses outside Ridgewood. The water meter ordinance was introduced at the Feb. 9 council meeting and will be considered for adoption on March 9. The Ridgewood Police Department has charged three Paterson men with possession of cocaine and motor vehicle offenses. On Feb. 7 at 1:33 a.m., Patrolman Jeffrey Casson observed a vehicle that had been reported as having been involved in a drug transaction in Midland Park. The vehicle was stopped and the 23-year-old driver was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance believed to be cocaine. The driver was also charged with hindering apprehension and with driving without a license. He posted bail of $500 and was released, but was also turned over to the Paterson police. In addition, a 29-year-old man and a 36-year-old man were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous Police charge three with cocaine offenses substance and released pending superior court action. Two days before, in an unrelated incident, two 18-year-old brothers from Burnside Place were arrested and charged with making real property available for the consumption of alcohol. A patrol had arrived at 10:28 p.m. on Feb. 5 in response to reports of activities and the responding officer found a number of 17- and 18-year-olds at a party where alcohol was being consumed. In the first few days of February, police also learned that an iPod had been stolen from a boy’s locker at Ridgewood High School and that two cartons of cigarettes had been stolen from the Hess station on Goffle Road. Winter specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000