Waldwick September 21, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Waldwick Mayor Russell “Buddy’ Litchult said last week he would form a committee of representatives from the borough council, department of public works, fire department and buildings and grounds to discuss how to best help residents in the aftermath of a future storm such as Hurricane Irene. The mayor’s committee is set to discuss the issue and formulate recommendations in anticipation of the council’s Sept. 27 meeting, where the issue is to be addressed.. Frustrated residents attended the mayor and council meeting last week to complain about the branch disposal procedures in place after the storm and received assurances from several councilmen that their concerns would be addressed. Rather than picking up fallen branches at curbside right after the storm, the DPW picked up storm debris as part of the regular grass, brush, and branch curbside collection day. That collection requires that branches be no more than 12 inches in diameter, cut in Committee to recommend options for branch pickups five-foot lengths and stuffed into no more than four barrels or bagged. The town provided branch disposal sites around town over the two weekends following the storm without a four-barrel requirement. Residents with branches on the ground are subject to a summons. “People put branches at the curb waiting for the town to take care of them, but that didn’t happen. In the past the town sent out the DPW with a chipper to help out, but not this time,” said Phillip Eastman of Smithfield Road. “We pay the highest taxes, but we can’t get the DPW to help after a catastrophe,” he added. “It was the best way to do it, considering the manpower. We made the decision in conjunction with the DPW,” said Councilman Charles Farricker. “We could revisit that decision.” “How cost-efficient was it to pay overtime for the weekend (drop-off sites)? If the DPW had done it during the week, it would have been much faster said John Livesey, adding: “Seniors have no way to get their branches into barrels, and people in their $30,000 to $40,000 cars don’t want to throw their branches into them.” “Why couldn’t you do it. We did it,” said Roy Schmidt, who had headed the local DPW for over 25 years. He noted that the current DPW has more and bigger equipment and more manpower. “Other work stopped, but we didn’t do it on overtime,” he added. At the council’s Sept. 6 meeting, former Mayor Frank McKenna urged the council to provide special services beyond the fourbarrel restrictions. “A historic storm requires the borough to take extraordinary measures. If it requires you to bend the rules, bend them,” McKenna said. The council decided at that time to stay with the program in place and not collect branches from the ground, unwilling to delay other DPW tasks or hire additional staff. Other residents at the meeting expressed concern about the danger the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook poses for residents and asked that the situation be addressed. “The brook is losing its banks from the water pressure. It’s dangerous. It looks like the Colorado River,” said Susan Tovey of Brearly Crescent, an area which suffered extensive damage and had to be evacuated. “We’re very concerned. It’s a beautiful area. It’s very scary,” said Councilwoman Anita Bozzo. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said that the council is in the process of trying to secure the necessary state permits to shore up the banks and desnag the brook under the Wyckoff Avenue bridge. “This won’t happen overnight,” Kratz cautioned. “The permit process can take six months or longer. And there are no guarantees. We did this work after Floyd, and here we are 12 years later; in the same position,” he added. At that time, the permit process was much less onerous, he said. Pizzarelli to perform for club World class jazz music legend John “Bucky” Pizzarelli will perform at a concert sponsored by the Italian Social Club of Waldwick on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. (gathering time: 6 p.m.) The event will be held at the American Legion Hall, Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick and is open to the public on a limited basis. A Saddle River resident and the pride of the Italian American community, Pizzarelli has spent close to seven decades in the music business and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame earlier this year. During his career, Pizzarelli has played with Skitch Henderson, Doc Severinsen, Tony Bennett, Kate Smith, Rosemary Clooney, and Paul McCartney. He also played for “The Tonight Show,” and went on a 1970 tour with Benny Goodman that brought Pizzarelli to 26 cities in six weeks. The performers even played behind the Iron Curtain. Light Italian fare will be served at the Oct. 1 event (cash bar). The evening will have special surprises. Donations will be accepted for the benefit of the IASCW’s educational endeavors. Reservations are needed; to reserve contact Kathy Scorzelli at (201)444-5816. Pizzarelli has been playing at the Kasschau Shell in Ridgewood for over 40 years, and plays at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. He also performs at jazz events in Texas, Georgia, and the Carolinas.