May 30, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 23 Officials respond to charges against water company by John Koster The Village of Ridgewood’s official response to charges that residents outside Ridgewood paid the village’s police and administration bills through their own water bills called the charges of bill padding “outrageous claims,” and cited Ridgewood’s low water rates. “It’s become apparent and is unfortunate that my adversary in the law suit continues in his effort to try this case in the media and not wait for the court to adjudicate the legal issues and the merits of any claims,” Ridgewood Village Attorney Matthew S. Rogers said in an official statement. “In a surprise to the village, and certainly a detriment to any amicable resolution, my adversary called a press conference on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Generally, such tactics are used to inflame the situation due to a lack of confidence in the legal merits of their case. “Be that as it may, on behalf of the Village of Ridgewood and Ridgewood Water, we continue to scrutinize the applicable law and remain confident in our case and the legal process. Although my adversary wants to once again make outrageous claims, we feel it is important to continue the good faith and responsible effort we have made over the years to maintain the low rates changed by the Water Utility to the rate payers of Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff.” Rogers’ official statement was the first official response to the May 16 press conference in which Attorney Joseph Fiorenzo, former mayor of Wyckoff, charged that Ridgewood had used inflated water rate bills to cover the salaries and pensions of officials who reported only to Ridgewood, even though the same water rates were charged to Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff customers. Fiorenzo told reporters that, based on what he called forensic accounting, Ridgewood owed Wyckoff residents $1,640,492, Glen Rock residents $1,049165, and Midland Park residents $619,635 for money that residents from these three towns paid for water bills which did not go to cover the operating expenses of the Ridgewood Water Utility. He also estimated that Ridgewood owed its own residents $2,475,300 because a large portion of the water bill was earmarked for non-water expenses, though he admitted that this aspect might be more controversial because the money was paying Ridgewood employees who provided services to the Ridgewood residents -- but not for water services. The forensic accounting, Fiorenzo said, showed that Ridgewood had used money billed in 2010 and 2011 to pay for $2,413,737 for health insurance for Ridgewood employees, $645,362 for the Ridgewood Police Department, $570,374 in municipal attorney’s fees, $435,995 for Ridgewood engineering, $189,864 for the police and paid fire department retirement system, $180,600 for Ridgewood’s paid fire department, and $29,996 for the consolidated police and fire department retirement system. Residents of Wyckoff, Glen Rock, and Midland Park protested when Ridgewood unilaterally imposed a 21 percent water rate increase in 2010, followed by an additional five percent increase in 2011. The Ridgewood Water Utility cited a deficit in operating expenses to request the increases, but Fiorenzo showed figures that he said revealed a surplus of almost $1 million at the time the request was made. Attempts for another 2012 rate increase have been tabled at each Ridgewood Council meeting pending the result of the lawsuit, which has not yet been scheduled. Ridgewood was able to increase the 2010 and 2011 water rates because a 2007 state regulation allows utilities to impose increases without going before the Board of Public Utilities, provided that all customers in the service grid pay the same rate. Wyckoff initiated the suit, and was later joined by Glen Rock and Midland Park. of waterfowl that currently inhabit the reservoir. According to Gonzo, his project will benefit the entire town because everyone loves to see new and interesting wildlife and the wood duck population has been decreasing in New Jersey. “Hopefully, my project will help establish a population of wood ducks in our town,” he said. Gonzo explained that the wood duck is a striking bird with beautiful green and brown plumage and a high-pitched squeal call. Like the mallard, the wood duck is a dabbling duck, Gonzo explained, which means it will tip its head underwater in order to feed. In addition to aquatic plants, he said wood ducks will eat acorns, seeds, and insects. Wood ducks are migratory and can reach up to 30 mph in flight. “Anyone who has ever seen a wood duck finds it unforgettable,” Gonzo said. He described the activities of the wood duck, saying they lay their eggs in the cavities of trees that are near or in the water of a swampy environment. Their nests are generally anywhere from two to 60 feet off the ground. When ducklings are ready to leave the nest, they drop out of a cavity that can be 60 feet high and yet they are unharmed. Nesting boxes (continued from page 4) The water is so shallow where the nest boxes were being placed that the Boy Scouts waded into the water, rather than using a boat. Commenting on the project, Borough Administrator Gregory Hart said, “Not only will it be a pleasure for hikers and birders, but it will help increase the wood duck population which has been decreasing in the state. We are grateful for Raymond’s ingenuity and his interest in improving the lovely nature preserve.” Gonzo said it may take awhile for the ducks to locate the nest boxes, but they will be monitored to make sure the boxes are being used. Gonzo explained that he decided to undertake the project because he believes the preserve is a wonderful spot for people to hike and observe nature, and it is a precious resource for ecological studies. He claimed the preserve is sorely lacking in biodiversity, with only two to three types