Waldwick September 28, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Waldwick officials credit the new sump pump ordinance with reducing water flow to the Derby Lane sanitary sewer pump station during Hurricane Irene last month. “It has certainly has an impact on the Derby Lane area,” Borough Administrator Gary Kratz told the borough council at a recent meeting. “I was glad to see storm water running down the street instead of into the sewers,” said Mary Ann Viviani, the borough’s CFO. The trailblazing ordinance, adopted in May, establishes home inspections to check for illegal sump pumps. The ordinance forces residents to disconnect the illicit pumps or face monthly surcharges on their sewer utility bill. Kratz said that there has been total cooperation from the 54 homes in the first area selected for inspections. The streets covered by Phase I of the enforcement initiative were: Anthony, Dante, Derby, Gerard, Beverly, Kathy, Roberta and Leonard; and all of Wyckoff Avenue from Leonard to Anthony. “We had access to all the houses, and most people have taken corrective action, connecting the pumps either to the street or their yards,” Kratz said, adding that 40 percent of the homes were found to have Sump pump ordinance worked, officials say illegal hookups. Kratz told the council that people were not “enthused” about the corrective action they need to undertake, but when asked to comply and realized the cost savings to the borough, they were compliant. “We appreciate the cooperation we have received. Hopefully it will result in some savings. We’re hoping to get 100 percent compliance (with disconnections) so we don’t have to assess any surcharges,” Kratz said. The administrator said that the 104 inspections in the second area of town to be surveyed are almost completed as well. That area includes Gerard Drive, Roberta, Cathy and Beverly lanes, Leonard Drive and both sides of Wyckoff Avenue from Birch to the border with Wyckoff. The next step, Kratz said, is to analyze the data and see how best to tackle the project. “We’ll see what we got; how many discharges there are and whether the flow is sufficient to divert into the catch basins or we need to build something,” he said, adding that the town wants to make sure the water flowing into the street does not result in icy conditions come winter. Kratz also expressed pride in the fact that other municipalities in the area are looking to adopt ordinances similar to Waldwick’s. Wyckoff has already put a like ordinance into practice and Woodcliff Lake and Hasbrouck Heights are considering similar measures. By eliminating the illegal sump pump discharge, the borough hopes to cut in half its bill to the Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority, since clean storm water is treated as sewage if the pumps are connected to slop sinks or house drains. The borough pays nearly $2 million a year for sanitary sewer treatment. Cutting down on the flow to the Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority sewerage treatment plant off Wyckoff Avenue in Waldwick would also ultimately preclude the need for an expansion of the Derby Lane pump facility, offi- cials said. “I’m thrilled the people responded. Their positive response made a difference. You should publicize that,” said Public Health Nurse Carol Shepard during the public portion of the meeting. Residents who voluntarily report an illicit connection at their home or business and submit a remediation plan by Dec. 31, will have all the permit, connection and inspection fees waived. After this date, the resident will have to pay all the fees. In either case, the actual cost of remediation will be borne by the property owner. Residents must contact the building inspector’s office at (201) 652-5300, extension 232 to schedule the inspection. Registration for the Saint Luke’s Basketball League will be held on Thursdays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the church gym at 340 Franklin Turnpike. The program is open to boys and girls of any faith in grades three through eight. Registration is $45; checks should be made payable to Saint Luke’s Basketball Program. Registration forms, available at the Basketball registration under way parish office, must be received by Nov.1. Forms may be dropped off or mailed to Saint Luke’s Parish Office, 340 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423. Envelopes should be marked “Basketball Program.” For more information, call Ed Sandve at (201) 445-8848 or the parish office at (201) 444 0272.