Ho-Ho-Kus April 4, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Eagle candidate gains approvals from troop, borough by Jennifer Crusco Nicholas Hewitt, an Eagle Scout candidate from Ho-Ho-Kus Troop 54, has completed his Eagle Scout community service project, and recently received approvals from the Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Council and from the Troop Committee. In order to be eligible for his Eagle Scout Award, Hewitt must now complete his Family Life merit badge requirements. Hewitt’s Eagle project involved the construction and installation of bat houses at various locations in the 16 Acres, an undeveloped property within the borough. In the spring of 2011, Hewitt approached the Ho-Ho-Kus Council, seeking permission for the bat house project. During his presentation, he noted the role bats play in insect control. One bat, he explained, can eat 600 mosquitoes per hour. Bats also play an important role in the pollination of local plants. Hewitt acknowledged the devastation caused by white nose fungus, which has reportedly killed approximately 90 percent of New Jersey’s bat population. Bats have also suffered from the use of pesticides and widespread habitat destruction. Bat houses provide appropriate shelter, and could encourage bats to flourish in HoHo-Kus. In his project description, Hewitt noted that his effort would involve fundraising, researching the bat house construction, and building and installing the houses. Hewitt worked with adult supervision in his personal wood shop. He noted that he has had two years of wood working in high school. During the fall of 2011, Hewitt put out a call for assistance from the community. He raised funds in support of his project, and offered special commemorative opportunities to donors. In addition, he provided bat houses with instructions to those who donated $75. Hewitt’s project continues efforts undertaken by other New Jersey Scouts, including Girl Scout Katherine Riccobene of Franklin Lakes, who recently presented a program about bats at New Jersey Audubon’s Lorrimer Sanctuary. Riccobene earned the Gold Award for her project. Boy Scout Thomas Osborne of Clifton constructed a number of bat houses for Audubon locations throughout New Jersey. Lorrimer Sanctuary Director Patrick Scheuer said six of Osborne’s boxes were for the Franklin Lakes location. Nicholas Hewitt (with drill) and his assistant install a bat house. Inset: Nicholas Hewitt.