Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • August 29, 2012 Waldwick Waldwick’s sidewalk improvement program is ongoing, with residents in voting District No. 4 scheduled to upgrade their walks this year. And the borough will do the same with its sidewalks. Joseph Mysliwiec, the borough’s zoning officer, has inspected the 400 or so houses in the area West of Crescent Avenue and North of Wyckoff Avenue and placed orange dots on the sidewalks in need of replacement. Notice of violation were then sent to about 150 property owners notifying them that repairs had to be made within three months and giving them the opportunity to ask for an extension, if needed. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said that a small number of residents receiving the letter had complained but were cooperative once the procedures were explained to them. The policy has been in effect for about 11 years, and the seven sidewalk replacement zones in town have been inspected at least once. There are six voting districts, with a seventh for county roads and schools. Some residents, said Kratz, pointed out that the town itself had some decaying sidewalks in need of repair, most noticeably in the area of the Waldwick Pool. “The borough does not hold itself above its own laws, so if we have sidewalks in disrepair, they will be taken care of,” Kratz said. He said Mysliwiec would identify the town sidewalks needing the work, and it would be contracted out. “We don’t want anybody to get hurt. We want to protect our property and the residents,” he said. Property owners have to hire their own contractor to do the work because it is not feasible for the borough to be involved,” Kratz said. Unlike roadways, sidewalks are part of the right of way but are the responsibility of the Town to repair its own sidewalks alongside residents’ property owners, not the town. Kratz said when the sidewalk replacement program first started, the town kept a list of contractors willing to hold to a certain price for the work, but one year the concrete batch was bad and homeowners complained to the town. He said bidding out the work in hopes of getting more favorable pricing for the residents does not work out, either, because contractors want to be guaranteed a certain amount of work for the lower price, and if the minimum is not met, someone would have to absorb the price adjustment. At a recent council meeting a resident complained that a sidewalk in the district done last year was in disrepair. Councilwoman Anita Bozzo suggested going back to that property, worried about a possible dangerous situation and concerned that failing to do so would expose the borough to certain liability. “You have an established program. If you deviate from it, you’ll have an enforcement problem. You might as well eliminate the program and go back to reacting to complaints,” said Borough Attorney Craig Bossong. Kratz said he would have the sidewalk in question checked out and suggested the problem could be solved by issuing a notice of violation, if applicable. The Waldwick Lions Club will be running Waldwick Day this year in conjunction with its traditional Ducky Derby fundraiser. Waldwick Day will be on Sunday, Sept. 30 from 12 to 5 p.m. at Borough Park. When the Wyckoff Chamber of Commerce chose not to sponsor the popular event this year after eight years, the Lions decided it was too important a community activity to let it drop by the wayside. “It’s a nice event to have for the people in town, so we decided to pick it up. It will be a fun family day,” explained Rich Audrychewicz, who is chairing the event. “The chamber concentrated its efforts this past year Lions to continue Waldwick Day tradition on the 5k and other business-related chamber events,” explained Chamber President Christine Figliuolo of the organization’s decision to drop the event. “We wish the Lions Club much success with their event,” she added. Audrychewicz said plans are still being formulated, but there will be a DJ, rides and games for children, a clown, karate and remote control car demonstrations and reasonably-priced food, among other attractions. The Ducky Derby takes place in the adjoining brook. Participants pay $5 per duck, with the two ten winners getting prizes. All proceeds go to support Lions Club charitable causes. Waldwick Police Chief Mark Messner (right) accepts the donation of a DeadStop Equalizer Ballistic Chield from Saxon Security, Inc. CEO and Waldwick resident David Jones. Saxon Security worked closely with LCOA Defense to develop this shield, which is the lightest in its class. Jones said he was proud to be able to provide Waldwick’s officers with a new tool to better protect themselves and the public. Shield donated