Waldwick November 2, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Waldwick Borough officials are questioning some of the expenses of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority and hope to have adjustments made before the authority’s budget is finalized in December. The preliminary budget was due to be introduced this week, with a public hearing set for Dec. 6. During last week’s meeting of the Waldwick Mayor and Council, Councilwoman Anita Bozzo took issue with the fact that the authority had recently hired a public relations consultant at a cost of $24,000. “They (the authority) work for us, and they hire a PR person for what? To put him between us and them? Is it because of pressure problems?” said Bozzo. “This is really disturbing. We should reach out to the other towns to look for a solution,” she added. The firm of McEntyre Associates of Rockaway was hired in September at a fee of $2,000 a month, not to exceed $24,000 per year to handle public relations. Bozzo also singled out expenses for refreshments, which she said amounted to $200 the previous month.” Most towns don’t pay for refreshments. We don’t do it. The taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for that,” she said. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz suggested that the appropriate forum to raise the council’s complaints might be at a meeting the authority had scheduled with representatives of the Northwest Mayors Association to discuss the budget before it is finalized. Howard Hurwitz, the executive director of the utilities authority, whose offices and treatment plant are located in Waldwick, said that McEntyre Associates had been rehired after a six month lapse. He said they are familiar with the operation of the Authority’s hiring of PR consultant questioned authority and handle press releases and other issues related to the operation of the agency, such as public safety and emergency plans. “There is no one here to do the writing,” Hurwitz said. On the refreshment issue, Hurwitz commented that no dinners or other food are served at authority meetings. Hall of Fame induction Brian Taylor, top runner from Waldwick in the Chamber of Commerce’s 5K Run last May was recognized at the Waldwick Mayor and Council meeting last week as the recipient of the David Dunne Memorial Spirit Award. His name, and that of top female winner Kelsey Dunn, will go on the Hall of Fame plaque on display at Waldwick Borough Hall. Pictured from left, Councilman Tom Giordano, who introduced Taylor, Chamber President Christine Figliuolo; Taylor, Mayor Russell Litchult and Race Director Stan Kowalski. Taylor completed the 5K run in 17 min. 20 sec. Kowalski noted that the top three runners were Waldwick residents, as well as five of the top eight, bringing Waldwick a reputation in the running world. Dunne, a long-time Waldwick resident and long distance running star who died in March at the age of 58, was well-known on the local running scene with the North Jersey Masters and other groups.