Ho-Ho-Kus December 21, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Official gathers information on sump pump regulations by Jennifer Crusco After hearing from a concerned resident, Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli began gathering information from other communities -- Waldwick in particular -- regarding potential regulations for sump pumps. Ho-Ho-Kus resident Seymour Zuckerman, who has addressed the council on prior occasions, attended a recent public meeting to discuss his situation: the periodic backup of the local sewers into his basement on Clearwater Drive. Zuckerman, who has lived in the borough since 1998, told the council he first experienced the problem after he moved into his home. At that time, the backup left three to four inches of sewage in his basement, he said. After that event, he had a plumber install a check valve. However, during a later storm, Zuckerman said paper lodged in the check valve, and his basement was damaged again. The resident told the council he has already thrown away carpet twice, and has installed a larger check valve, which he said “could stop the Hudson River,” and a gate valve. Zuckerman said he had been told by a building department official that, during a heavy rain, sump pumps run and overload the system. The resident suggested that an ordinance to regulate the use of sump pumps might help the situation. Mayor Thomas Randall acknowledged that Waldwick had passed a sump pump ordinance earlier this year. Waldwick’s ordinance, which was adopted in May, established home inspections to check for illegal sump pumps. The ordinance requires residents to disconnect illegal sump pumps or face monthly surcharges. Approximately 40 percent of the homes in Waldwick were found to have illegal hookups. Most Waldwick residents have already taken corrective action by allowing pumps to discharge water into the street or into their yards. The goal of the sump pump ordinance was to eliminate illegal discharge, which was overtaxing the Derby Lane pumping station and driving up water treatment charges. The change could help Waldwick cut its $2 million bill from the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority in half since storm water is treated as sewage if sump pumps are connected to slop sinks or other drains inside a house. In September, Waldwick officials reported that the borough’s sump pump ordinance had helped reduce water flow to the Derby Lane pumping station during Hurricane Irene, which hit New Jersey in late August. Zuckerman also told the council that he had spoken with Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Engineer David Hals. Zuckerman said Hals had recommended that the resident build an elevated cesspool in his back yard or put a pump tank outside his house with a gravity feed to the sewer system. “It’s not my sewage,” Zuckerman said. “I’m a victim.” He added, “I’ve had it three times now.” The resident said he had closed the valve, which stopped the backflow, but ultimately had to reopen the device. He also told the council that, during the last storm, the massive check valve did not work. “I can’t live this way,” he told the council. “I know this in an ongoing problem at your property, and no one wants to see the problem exacerbated,” Mayor Randall said. “If the town is derelict…can the town be sued?” Zuckerman asked. “I can’t give legal advice,” the mayor responded. Zuckerman pointed to Waldwick’s success with sump pump regulations, adding, “Starting with the sump pumps (in Ho-HoKus) would be a good start and could make a difference.” Mayor Randall said the borough’s officials would look into the situation and dis- cuss the issue with the engineer. After the last Ho-Ho-Kus Council meeting, Cirulli prepared a report for the governing body regarding Zuckerman’s situation and the borough engineer’s visit to the resident’s property. Days get merry and bright The Ho-Ho-Kus Public School Student Council partnered with Oasis, a haven for needy families in Paterson, by sponsoring a Giving Tree. This school-wide effort inspired students to share compassion and generosity to make the holiday season brighter for others. Teachers and students delivered hundreds of gifts to this deserving organization. Pictured are Coordinator of Student Services Martha Walsh, and Counselor Jannette DiPasquale, Student Council Vice President Juliet Witzmann, Student Council President Nicole Kaiser, Principal Dr. Alexis Eckert, and Oasis President Jean Gaviglio.