Ridgewood December 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Officials approve $613,000 spending on Sandy by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council approved $613,000 in spending to repair the damage left behind by Hurricane Sandy -- but resident Body Loving asked officials to be more specific about how much was being spent on the removal of trees and branches. “I’m asking what is going to be the exact cost of tree removal and who’s going to get the contract,” Loving said after the council had voted the resolution at an off-schedule but advertised public meeting on Nov. 28. Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert told Loving the exact figure was not available at the council meeting because the municipal staff would augment the outside contractors for some of the work. Loving sent a note to the mayor and council after the meeting reiterating his concern that he had not been shown a contract for the removal of debris, and that he hoped to see one before the next work session. He said at the meeting that Glen Rock and Paramus appeared to have done a better job of tree removal than Ridgewood had. The list of resolutions voted by the council included several items related to trees and storm debris in the aftermath of the hurricane, which left some parts of Ridgewood without power for 12 days, though five or six days appeared to have been the average. Some parts of Ridgewood never lost power at all. The key resolution was 12-314, which appropriated a total of $613,000 for all materials and work to repair damages from Hurricane Sandy as they were specifically listed in the other ordinances. Resolution 12-293 included $258,000 for initial overtime costs for all departments due to the storm. Resolution 12-294 included a special emergency appropriation of $211,000 for removal of storm debris. Resolution 12-304 awarded a contract for extraordinary unspecified services in the initial phase of tree removal of $19,000 to David’s Tree and Lawn Care in Fair Lawn. Resolution 12-305 approved $40,000 for stump removal work by Downs Tree Service in Hawthorne. Resolution 12-306 approved $15,000 for the removal of tree stalks and logs by Downs Tree Service. Resolution 12-307 included $60,000 for the disposal of processed tree debris at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Vegetative Recycling Facility. Environmental Renewal of Woodland Park will carry out the work. Resolution 12-308 included $100,000 for the initial phase of repair of streets and curbs caused by uprooted trees. D&L Paving Contractors of Nutley will carry out this work. Resolution 12-309 covered the use of six gasoline-powered generators for traffic signals at a total of $5,850 from United Rentals of Ridgefield Park. Resolution 12-310 awarded a $32,000 contract to David’s Tree and Lawn Care of Fair Lawn for the initial phase of tree removal work. Resolution 12-311 awarded an $11,461 contract for the purchase of wiring, alarm cable, and mounting hardware to Power and Tel of Randolph, Vermont. Resolution 12-312 awarded a $3,585 contract for the purchase of three reconditioned Gamewell three-fold fire alarm pull boxes to LW Bills in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Resolution 12-312 approved $75,000 for Ridgewood Water Utility capital improvements for roof and fence repair and replacement needed by the Ridgewood Water Utility. Saint Elizabeth’s Church, located at 169 Fairmount Road in Ridgewood, will host its Holiday Boutique at two events. On Thursday, Dec. 6, there will be a Wine & Cheese Preview Party from 7 to 9 p.m. Open to the entire family, parents may sip wine and mingle with friends and neighbors while children do their holiday shopping. The cost is $10 per adult. Children are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Church hosts Holiday Boutique At the Holiday Luncheon, Boutique, and Bake Sale, set for Friday, Dec. 7, homemade soups, salad, quiche, and dessert will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Luncheon tickets are $15, or $12 if reserved in advance. Bring a friend and browse a wide array of gifts from vendors offering handcrafted items, jewelry, paintings, poinsettias, chocolates, and baked goods. To purchase tickets in advance, call the church at (201) 444-2299.