Ho-Ho-Kus October 19, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Water use restriction proposal updated, hearing set by Jennifer Crusco This month, the Ho-Ho-Kus Council will again consider for final passage an ordinance concerning the enforcement of water use restrictions. The proposed ordinance, which was introduced in late September as Ordinance 998, is an update of Ordinance 994, which was introduced and subsequently tabled after residents expressed concern that the language of that measure seemed draconian. Residents urged the council to reconsider how individuals would be notified of violations, and whether a water shutoff after a first offense would constitute an appropriate penalty. Ordinance 998 will be up for public hearing at the council’s Oct. 25 meeting, and will be considered for passage after the conclusion of that hearing. “The water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall be enforced during a water emergency by the local authorized official,” Ordinance 998, Section 81-33 states. “Whenever a local authorized official shall find a violation of the water use restrictions, such authorized official shall give the violator a written warning for the first violation and explain the penalties in writing for a second, third, and fourth offense as provided herein and by Section 81-34 of this ordinance. In the case of the first written warning, there shall be no fee. In the case of a second written warning, there will be a $100 fee imposed on the violator. The written warning shall be served upon the violator either personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The local authorized official shall keep on file a proof of service for each such written warning as well as other records as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of determining the persons and businesses who have been warned upon a first and second offense. The local authorized official is hereby empowered to write summonses for the violation of the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this ordinance.” Section 81-34 of the proposed ordinance covers viola- Contemporary Club holds shopping benefit Eurica gift shop in Wyckoff will host the Contemporary Club of Ho-Ho-Kus on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. The shop is located at 648 Wyckoff Avenue. The event will feature shopping and club announcements. Eurica is offering its merchandise at a 10 percent discount and has pledged a donation of 10 percent of the evening’s proceeds to the club. Prospective members are welcome. For additional information call Debbie Staniar at (201) 444-2476. Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Ho-Ho-Kus will hold its annual Bistro on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. The event, which will be held at the church at 70 Sheridan Avenue, will feature a special auction, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a selection of wines. Music will be provided Saint Bartholomew’s Church hosts Annual Bistro by Bill Moraites, Bobby Knee and Ralph Bibeau. Tickets are $75 per person, and $140 per couple. Proceeds from this event will benefit the church’s projects and programs. For more information, call (201) 444-5025. tions and penalties. That section states, “After a first and second violation in accordance with Section 81-33 of this ordinance, any person or business who thereafter violates the water use restrictions imposed pursuant to this ordinance shall be subject to the penalties set forth in this section. For a third offense, the violator shall have his/its water supply service discontinued and such water supply shall not be turned on unless and until such person or business pays a fee of $250. For a fourth and subsequent offense, the violator shall have his/its water supply service discontinued and the water supply shall not be turned on unless and until such person or business pays a $250 fee. In addition, for a fourth subsequent offense, there shall be a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for 30 days, or both.” The water superintendent, any borough police officer, and any department of public works employee would be authorized to enforce the ordinance. Several residents who appeared at the August council meeting expressed concern that they might not receive a first violation notice due to time spent away from home or a delivery glitch and would then be subject to having their water service discontinued. Other residents said jail time, which was mentioned in Ordinance 994, seemed an extreme penalty. Current water violation penalties, which are covered by Ordinance 8134, include fines and imprisonment after a first offense. Additional offenses thereafter include a $1,000 fine and 10 days in jail, or both, and rise to a fine of $2,500 or 30 days in jail, or both. Borough officials have stated that the intent of the proposed water use restriction penalties is to gain compliance.