Waldwick October 12, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 The Waldwick Borough Council last week agreed to proceed with plans to get the necessary NJ Department of Environmental Protection permits for restoration of the banks of the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, but not before a spirited debate among council members, followed by input from the public, about the extent of the borough’s commitment towards the project. The work will be done even if no outside help is available to underwrite the project. Work would entail stabilizing the east bank of the brook with rip-rap or other materials for approximately 485 feet in the area of Dow Avenue, where the brook follows an s-path. The activity will also involve the cleaning and de-snagging of the stream channel at the Wyckoff Avenue bridge. As previously instructed, Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said he had found the $22,000 needed to secure the permits in an old bond ordinance whose entire amount had not been spent. The funds would cover the cost of the engineering work and the NJDEP permits. Once the permits are secured, the borough would ask the Bergen County Mosquito Control Commission to do the work, as it did in the past. If the county cannot do the work, however, the project would cost approximately $160,000, and the town would have to pay for it out of its capital budget, Kratz said. “You have to make a long term decision on the $160,000 construction cost if we are successful in getting the grant,” Kratz said. “We have to be prepared to pick up the tab for the rest, otherwise we are throwing the $22,000 out the window,” said Councilman Andrew Brennecke. “Nowhere did we discuss that if the Borough council commits to brook restoration project Mosquito Commission can’t do it, we have an obligation,” said Councilman Frank Palladino. “Let’s do it step by step. Get the permit, ask the Mosquito Commission to see where that leads, then see what we do,” he said. “Let’s not consider anything further.” He added that the town doing the work would set a precedent for future flooding problems in other areas. The borough was asked to get involved with the project because only the borough can apply for the permits the NJDEP requires to do the work, since heavy equipment will be necessary. All property owners along the project route will be required to sign on to the project and provide surveys of their property. “We have no obligation. It’s private property,” said Councilwoman Anita Bozzo. “They (the residents) could decide to do it themselves.” “You can’t do that, leave them hanging,” said Councilman Thomas Giordano. “You can’t string them (the residents) along and then drop it. I saw the flood damage. It was horrible. You have to think it will get worse,” he added, noting that the area in question had been worked on twice before in the past. “It’s no joke for them.” Kratz cautioned that the work now being contemplated, for which less onerous permits are required, is not a “forever and a day” solution. The borough engineer made this clear at a previous meeting, and the Dow Avenue resident who has been pushing for the brook project acknowledged these limitations as well. Kratz said that he would seek FEMA funds for the project, but that the permits are needed first. He added that getting (continued on page 6) World-class performance World-class jazz musician Bucky Pizzarelli recently offered the gift of music to the Italian American Social Club of Waldwick. Pizzarelli was joined by special guest musician/vocalist Ed Laub. The IASCW showed a video documentary extolling the artistic guitar craftsmanship of Italian-Americans John D’Angelico, James D’Aquisto, and John Monteleone exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with featured commentary by Pizzarelli. The video was a prelude to Pizzarelli’s performance, which gave further dimension to the art of his music. The IASCW welcomed the crowded audience with the warmth of its homemade Italian fare. The audience was entertained for well over an hour by classic jazz selections, such as Jobim’s romantic ‘Girl from Ipanema,’ and a uniquely rendered version of the song long associated with Les Paul and Mary Ford, ‘How High the Moon.’ Donations received will support the IASCW’s educational and cultural endeavors. For further information about the IASCW, contact Andrea Mistretta at (201) 652-7531.