August 31, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 19 Water ordinance (continued from page 3) borough has been pumping significantly more than its million gallon per day allotment as defined by the state. The mayor urged cooperation from the residents, noting that the fine from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection had been negotiated down to $11,250 from $23,000. Councilman Kevin Shea, who said he was pleased to see a large and interested audience, offered an apology for what had happened to Buffa’s daughter. He said the water situation is not a supply and demand equation, and pointed out that overuse of water could lead to a safety problem in the event of a fire. Shea said he had personally traveled around the borough and had seen people violating the current watering regulations, with people watering on nondesignated days, even while it was raining. “It’s a collective problem that we have to deal with,” Shea said. Buffa and Shea then discussed the difference between usage and supply. Shea noted that the borough has a usage issue. “We don’t have a supply problem,” Buffa said, “so houses won’t burn down (if there is a fire).” Mayor Randall said the borough’s water is stored in tanks and said the supply in the tanks cannot be replenished at the rate the water is being used. “That’s why there’s no watering on Monday,” Randall said, explaining that the water levels in the tanks are allowed to recover on that day. “I urge you to table your vote on this ordinance and reconsider the language,” Buffa said. “Shutoffs are not what we do. It’s vindictive and not in the spirit of Ho-HoKus.” “No one likes to see shutoffs,” Randall acknowledged. “They were done last year under state statute (due to the drought conditions in 2010).” He added that the borough is attempting to work with two audiences by showing good faith with the state and attempting to gain compliance from the residents. Councilman Shea said the concept is not to begin with a water shutoff, but to escalate to that level through a gradual process. Buffa asserted that the process is not clear. Shea said the borough had tried to get in touch with Buffa prior to the resident’s water shutoff, but the family was not at home. Buffa asked if the shutoff seemed appropriate. Shea said yes, given the drought. The councilman added that the borough has employees available to restore water service following a shutoff. Buffa said the borough should issue a summons or send a registered letter to ensure that the person who is being charged with a water use violation is present so there would be no surprises. “How we notify you is something we can talk about,” Randall said, agreeing that residents should be given fair warning. He added that recent statistics show that there have been over 340 instances where residents did not follow the watering regulations. Resident Brian Hekemian told the council that several businesses, which he said use a great deal of water, have moved into Ho-Ho-Kus since the state calculated the borough’s water allocation in the 1980s. He asked if the borough had filed for an increase in the water allocation. Borough Administrator Don Cirulli said the borough has been pursing an allocation increase, and had recently sent its professional representatives to Trenton to meet with the DEP. Hekemian also discussed the borough’s sandy soil, which he said tends cause water to percolate quickly and not provide maximum benefits to plantings. He said he believes people are watering more on the two days they are permitted to water because they used to be allowed to water three days a week. He asked about checking the system for leaks. Cirulli said this would be the last step, and Randall added that this would be the most expensive process. The resident also asked if the borough has looked into the possibility of purchasing water. Randall noted that purchasing outside water is an option that can be discussed. Councilman Doug Troast said he is interested in what other municipalities are doing in terms of limiting water use. He asked Cirulli to look into that situation. Resident Bonnie Weller said there is some confusion among residents about what is being allowed. She noted that watering with a hand-held hose is permitted on any day except Monday, and commented that people with private wells or rain barrels are free to water when they like. Cirulli confirmed that the use of hand-held hoses is permitted any day except Monday. Randall acknowledged that people’s private wells and rain barrels are not covered in the watering regulations. The mayor added that enforcers know which homeowners have private wells, and the borough now knows that the Wellers have rain barrels. The following, three-zone watering schedule is currently in effect in Ho-Ho-Kus: Area 1, west of West Saddle River Road and south of Hollywood, may water on Thursday and Sunday. Area 2, west of West Saddle River Road and north of Hollywood, may water on Wednesday and Saturday. Area 3, east of West Saddle River Road, may water on Tuesday and Friday. Resident Stan Kober said he was under the assumption that private wells were included as the local aquifers are the same regardless of the wells that tap into them. Ho-Ho-Kus Water Superintendent James Montag said private wells are not figured into the equation because the DEP considers the use of those wells insignificant. Susan McKee suggested the borough examine the water being used by each residence, urging the council to tie penalties to usage, not to watering on the wrong day. She said she is concerned about the potential for a high fine and for jail time for non-compliance. McKee added that her husband had been “written up” by a passing police officer for watering on the wrong day. She said that penalizing people for watering on the wrong days does not solve the problem. If residents are using too much water, she said, it does not matter on what day the over-use occurs. The mayor told McKee that some people are willing to pay a lower fine and continue watering when they wish. Randall added that the proposed fine would not match what the DEP would do to the borough. Councilman Shea said the resident made good points, but added that the borough has a responsibility to everyone. “Those who obey must share the cost, too,” he said. McKee recommended that the costs be divided up per house, but Montag cautioned that change could not be (continued on page 21)