Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 9, 2011 Ho-Ho-Kus Borough seeks review of Reverse 911 system by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli is planning to ask Swiftreach Networks to meet with a committee of local officials with the goal of reviewing, updating, and fine-tuning the municipality’s Reverse 911 system. Cirulli noted that important messages that are distributed to Ho-Ho-Kus residents via Reverse 911 are created and recorded by borough officials and subsequently distributed by Swiftreach Networks through an electronic dialing system. If the system dials a phone number, but reaches a busy signal or a phone without an answering machine, Swiftreach waits and then redials up to three times in an attempt to deliver the message. Swiftreach is contracted to distribute messages for various borough entities, including the public school, the police department, and the department of public works. Cirulli said he would like to set up a meeting with Swiftreach that would be attended by a committee of officials, including the school superintendent, the police captain, the DPW superintendent, and a member of the council. The administrator noted that the borough now has various options available, such as delivering a message to the entire town, just to the businesses, or to the neighborhoods located east or west of Route 17. The school also has multiple options regarding message delivery to residents, teachers, and other district personnel. The charge to send a message to every home in the borough is just under $200, Cirulli said. Cirulli pointed out that some residents recently advised the borough that they are not receiving Reverse 911 calls. In some cases, he said, the residents have changed a telephone number, and their current numbers are not part of the municipal database. Residents who have unlisted phone numbers, and those who want to add secondary telephone numbers to the borough’s Reverse 911 listing, are urged to contact the non-emergency number at the police department, (201) 652-1700, or stop by police headquarters to update their information. Captain John Wanamaker said the required forms at kept at the front desk. He said the process is easy, and all information is kept confidential. The information collected from residents is forwarded to Captain Wanamaker, who is the administrator of the system. In recent weeks, Wanamaker said he has received approximately 10 updated telephone numbers from borough residents. Since the Reverse 911 system was instituted in Ho-HoKus, messages have been sent to alert residents to a bear in the area, the declaration of a state of emergency following a blizzard, changes in garbage collection dates, and lawn watering restrictions during drought emergencies. Helpful Hints Helpful Hints from Peter Says... ome “On sunny days open the blinds and drapes to capture the warmth of the sun. Close them at night to help insulate against cold outside air”. 27 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick Open Sundays 9-3 201-652-5666 Ho-Ho-Kus officials are now working to update the borough’s code book, and the governing body has introduced three interrelated ordinances that refer to the duties of the zoning officer and those of the construction code official. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole explained that, in many local municipalities, including Ho-Ho-Kus, the code books have mingled the certificate of occupancy provisions with zoning provisions. However, Bole noted that the zoning officer has a discreet set of duties. The attorney indicated that Larry Scorzelli, who serves as the borough’s construction code official and the zoning officer, wanted the council to amend the portion of the code that pertains to certificates of occupancy. Bole explained that the requirements concerning temporary certificates of Officials work to update borough code continued occupancy are currently located in the improper section of the code. The new ordinances, once approved by the council, will effectively move the requirements from Chapter 77 to Chapter 85 of the code. “The zoning official is responsible for enforcing the code under Chapter 85,” Bole continued. “The construction code official enforces Chapter 77.” A related ordinance that concerns Chapter 10, Bole said, would officially establish the office of zoning official, which he said was never set up in the borough’s existing code. Ordinance 978 proposes updates to Chapter 77, which concerns the uniform construction code department. (continued on page 8) ��������� ������������������ �������������������������������� ��������������������� ����������������������� SPACIOUS 2 BR APT. FOR RENT ED GOSTISSA WYCKOFF, NJ 201-891-1033 NJ Lic #13VH02050500 FREE ESTIMATE “A Carpentry and Remodeling Company” BASEMENTS • KITCHENS • BATHROOMS • ROOFING • SIDING DOORS • WINDOWS • DECKS • ADDITIONS • RENOVATIONS EBG CONSTRUCTION LLC 201-488-5085 ��������������������� “Architectural Millwork & Design” Keeping Families Warm ������������������� Since 1929. ���������������������� ���������� Serving All Your Home Heating Needs Prompt, Reliable Service You Can Depend On, Plus The Personal Attention You Deserve. • Oil Heat Systems Serviced & Installed • Automatic Fuel Oil Deliveries • Tank Insurance Available CHECK OUR WEBSITE 9-15-10 pat/janine EBGConst2x2(9-15-10) 2 x 2” Cash ts Discougn il n O On Heati s Deliverie 24 Hour 201-891-1000 Emergency Service ����������������������� www.waldwickchamber.com