Page 14 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • May 2, 2012 Borough eyes leasing out leaf transfer station The Borough of Waldwick is looking into leasing out the vegetative waste transfer station off Wyckoff Avenue to a private contractor. The lease would potentially save the borough the nearly $100,000 it pays to run the station and transport the leaves and yard waste elsewhere for disposal. Last week, the borough council authorized Borough Administrator Gary Kratz to seek bids for a potential lease of the borough facility, which is also used by the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. Kratz said a private contractor approached him with the idea and the governing body agreed it was worth pursuing. “It was a difficult bid to write. The specifications are tricky,” said Kratz, noting that restrictions are different if the borough continues running the operation or if it is run as a for-profit business. He said an outside operator would need to get a variance from the board of adjustment and approvals from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. “We would need certain protections, and it can’t impact the neighbors,” he said. The facility, located behind the Boston Market, has been in operation for more than 20 years, Kratz said. The tub grinder at the site is shared with Ho-Ho-Kus. He said the neighboring town would also benefit is the site is leased out. Kratz said under the terms of any potential lease, the vegetative material would be transported elsewhere for composting, but then the mulch would be brought back on site and offered wholesale. He said the specifications call for an initial three-year lease, with options for two, one-year renewals. It would be contingent on the board of adjustment and DEP approvals. When the mayor and council initially discussed the possibility of leasing the site in March, council members expressed concern about traffic and said limit should be placed on how much vegetative waste a lessee could receive for processing. Borough Attorney Craig Bossong said that the industry is regulated and that state permits would be needed once the borough was no longer the operator. The Forum School, in partnership with Waldwick High School, will host a Walk-a-Thon on May 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. High school students will pair with Forum School students to walk a mile on the high school track. Participating students ask family, friends, and businesses to sponsor this effort through donations. Class sponsorships are also available. Proceeds will benefit the Forum School. To make a donation, contact Kathy Bruinooge at (201) 4445882. The Forum School is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian, stateapproved day program serving students ages three through 16 who have neurologically-based developmental disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorder and ADD/ADHD. For more information, visit http://www.theforumschool.com. School hosts Walk-a-Thon