Ho-Ho-Kus February 23, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Council plans to reintroduce updated registry ordinance by Jennifer Crusco The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association, Inc. recently lodged its opposition to the Ho-Ho-Kus Council’s proposal to require landscapers who work within the borough to register with the municipal clerk. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole summarized the issue at last week’s council meeting, explaining that the association said home improvement contractors are already required to register with the state, and the state’s regulations supersede any municipal requirements. However, Bole drew a distinction between home improvement/landscape contractors and companies that are mainly involved with cutting and fertilizing lawns and providing spring and fall cleanup services. He then recommended the council pull Ordinance 976 so he can review and refine the measure. Mayor Thomas Randall questioned the association’s objection. He pointed out that, when a contractor is fined, the cost is passed along to the homeowner, who might then be inclined to fire the contractor. Bole noted the Ridgewood and Franklin Lakes currently have landscaper registry ordinances. He pointed out that the registries allow the municipalities to maintain a roster of contractors and their contact information. New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James S. Simpson recently advised Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall that the borough has received a $150,000 grant for an emergency vehicle traffic signal. The signal will be installed near the borough’s firehouse on Sheridan Avenue. “Each year, NJDOT’s Municipal Aid Program becomes more popular and is very competitive statewide,” Simpson wrote in a letter dated Jan. 26. “This year’s solicitation resulted in 677 applications received totaling more than $246 million for the $78.75 million available in funds from the Transportation Trust Fund. “NJDOT is committed to providing statewide assistance for local governments for improvements to and preservation of the local transportation network. The completion of your project will help achieve this goal and pursue a transportation strategy that provides mobility through managing the local roadway system.” The grant does not require the municipality to dedicate matching funds to the project. Borough receives $150,000 grant for light The control signal, also known as a preemptive light, is to be placed near the firehouse at a location to be determined. Its function is to alert area motorists to exercise caution, or to stop, when fire trucks are leaving or entering the station. The primary function of the signal is to improve safety and to provide adequate warning that fire trucks are being maneuvered in the area. Officials have said the aim is to have motorists slow down. When firefighters return from a call, two individuals usually step off the truck and stop the traffic, so the driver can pull back into the firehouse. However, several borough officials indicated that some drivers weave around the trucks, others speed through the area, and still others are inattentive. The signal has been proposed as a safety precaution with the goal of protecting the local volunteer firefighters. The borough also has plans to add more striping to the roadway outside the firehouse. J.CRUSCO Lynn’s Pet Care Going on vacation? Away for the weekend? Work long hours away from home? We’ll care for your pets when you can’t. Please call 201-493-8442 Lynnspetcare18@Yahoo.com SAT LAST DITCH? Your SAT Verbal-Writing-Math scores can go up 100 points or more before the cut-off. We’ve been doing it for years. Verbal-writing $60 per hour. Math $70 per hour. References from Princeton, Cooper Union, Cornell, NYU, many from Rutgers Councilman John Mongelli added that the Ho-Ho-Kus Shade Tree Commission is now updating its ordinance. He added that some contractors might be registered with the state, but could be subject to local fines if they cut one of the borough’s trees. “We should pull it for now,” Mongelli said of Ordinance 976. Councilwoman Maryellen Lennon added that time is of the essence. “Landscapers get busy soon,” she observed. The borough attorney said the ordinance as introduced in January could be pulled and an updated one could be introduced this week (Tuesday, Feb. 22). The ordinance as introduced last month states, “No person shall landscape or engage in any landscaping or tree removal on any public or private property within the borough for hire without first registering with the municipal clerk on forms to be supplied by the borough. The purpose of this chapter requiring landscaper and tree removal company registration is to ensure that the borough knows the names of landscape and tree removal companies within the borough to assist residents seeking to avoid those who engage in improper or unscrupulous business practices since the borough determines that it is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the borough for this protective measure.” The ordinance called for annual registration at a fee of $10 per year. The council would have had the right to revoke contractors’ registrations. Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall previously explained that the move toward registration was prompted by the desire to have some control over when contractors place fall leaves out for pickup. In some cases, leaves are being piled in the borough’s streets, rather than behind the curb as required -- sometimes well in advance of the scheduled collection. The borough asks that leaves not be placed at the curb more than seven days prior to the collection date. Concerns associated with the practice of piling leaves in the street include the narrowing of the borough’s streets – a safety issue for motorists and pedestrians, and the effect the leaves have on the waterways. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulates the disposition of leaves due, in part, to the effect of leaves on the acidity of local streams. The state does not permit leaves to be piled within 10 feet of any storm drain. 201-445-1343 11-17-10 janine JohnKostner2x2(11-17-10) 2x2 Richard A. Cutler, CFP® Craig R. Cutler, CFP® 48 South Franklin Turnpike Suite # 301, Ramsey, NJ 07446 201-934-6400 www.lpl.com/cutlerfinancial craig.cutler@lpl.com richard.cutler@lpl.com