Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • November 16, 2011 Ho-Ho-Kus Storm water control ordinance receives green light by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council recently approved new storm water control regulations that require covers for outdoor dumpsters and other refuse containers, and specify that those who wish to seal their driveways cannot interfere with drain inlets. At the public hearing on the ordinance covering those regulations, borough resident Cindy Tharayil asked the council to clarify what Ordinance 999 includes. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole explained that the ordinance had been requested by David Hals, the borough’s professional engineer, and would attempt to keep refuse out of the storm water. Bole also explained that the ordinance covers private retrofitting for drainage systems and specifies that topcoats or seals on driveways cannot interfere with the storm water system. He pointed out that the construction code official would enforce these regulations, which are required by the state. Infractions would carry fines of up to $200 in each case. Resident Stanley Kober asked if residents would still be permitted to apply top coats to their own driveways. Councilman Kevin Shea said residents would be able to seal their driveways, but could not block the drains. The ordinance requires “dumpsters and other refuse containers that are outdoors and exposed to storm water to be covered at all times and prohibits the spilling, dumping, leaking, or other discharge of liquids, semi-liquids or solids from the containers to the municipal separate storm sewer system(s) operated by the Borough of HoHo-Kus and/or the waters of the state so as to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.” Storm water refers to precipitation that runs off the land and is captured by storm sewers or other drainage facilities or is conveyed by snow removal equipment. The term “municipal separate storm sewer system” refers to a conveyance or system of conveyances, including catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, channels, or storm drains that are designed and used to collect and convey storm water. The ordinance clarifies that refuse containers include dumpsters, trash cans, and plastic trash bags. Any person or company who owns, leases, or operates a refuse container or dumpster must ensure that the container is covered to prevent refuse from spilling out or overflowing, and must not allow the container to leak liquids, semiliquids, or solids into the municipal storm sewer system(s) operated by the borough. Exceptions to the prohibition include permitted temporary demolition containers; litter receptacles, other than dumpsters and other bulk containers; an individual homeowner’s trash and recycling containers; refuse containers at facilities authorized to discharge storm water under a valid state permit; and items such as furniture, bound carpet and padding, or white goods placed at the curb for pickup. Article III of the ordinance covers private storm drain inlet retrofitting. This section of the ordinance will require the retrofitting of existing storm drain inlets that are in direct contact with repaving, repairing, reconstruction, or resurfacing, or alterations of facilities on private property to prevent the discharge of solids and floatables, including plastic bottles, cans, food wrappers, and other litter, to the municipal separate storm sewer system. Solid and floatable materials also include sediment, debris, trash, and other floating or suspended solids. Under the newly-approved ordinance, “no person in control of private property (except a residential lot with one single family house) shall authorize the repaving, repairing (excluding the repair of individual potholes), resurfacing (including top coating or chip sealing with asphalt emulsion or a thin base of hot bitumen), reconstructing or altering any surface that is in direct contact with an existing storm drain inlet on that property unless the storm drain inlet either already meets the design standard (listed in the ordinance) to control passage of solid and floatable materials; or is retrofitted and replaced to meet the standard in Section V (of the ordinance) prior to the completion of the project.” According to the ordinance, design engineers who are planning to use a grate in the pavement or other ground surface to collect storm water, should use the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s bicycle safe grate. Another type of grate may be used “if each individual clear space in that grate has an area of no more than seven square inches, or is no greater than 0.5 inches across the smallest dimension.” Other options would be also permitted in instances where the municipal engineer finds that this standard would cause inadequate hydraulic performance that could not be addressed by using additional or larger storm drain inlets that meet the standards. The design standard also would not apply in cases where the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection determines, pursuant to New Jersey Register of Historic Places rules, that meeting the standard would constitute an encroachment or would damage or destroy a listed historic property. Floodwood alumni Ho-Ho-Kus Boy Scout Troop 54 had a busy summer attending both Camp Turrell in Cuddybackville, NY and Floodwood Mountain Scout Reservation in the Adirondacks. The boys enjoyed rock climbing, hiking, cooking and waterskiing while at Floodwood. They also went on a High Adventure Canoe Trek and visited the Adirondack Museum and the Wild Center Natural Museum. The Boy Scouts were accompanied by adult leaders Hal Hayward, George Hewitt, Dave Stuhr, Phil Resch, Jamie Tittensor, Rick Moore and Richard Saunders. Troop 54 is actively planning more campouts, hikes, badge attainment and rank advancement throughout this upcoming year. Pictured: Some Troop members at Floodwood Mountain Scout Reservation.