December 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ho-Ho-Kus Six-year capital improvement plan eyed for utility by Jennifer Crusco When Ho-Ho-Kus officials begin working on the next budget cycle, they will be reviewing a six-year capital improvement plan for the borough’s water utility. Eric Fooder, the borough’s temporary licensed water operator, presented a brief sketch of the preliminary plan at last week’s council session. In his informal report to the governing body, he said the goal is to improve upon the existing system, drawing on the cumulative knowledge of the staff and incorporating lessons learned from recent storms, including Hurricane Sandy. Fooder said some of the suggested improvements include the replacement of obsolete water meters, a plan to replace non-operating valves in the water distribution system, the installation of emergency standby generators at the four sewer lift stations, and the replacement of the East Gate sewer lift station in its entirety. The interim official thanked Jeff Pattman, superintendent of roads, buildings, and grounds, for his exemplary work maintaining the department’s high standards, particularly under the trying conditions after the hurricane. Fooder said the water utility is functioning properly and is in compliance with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. He added that the borough’s sewer system is also functioning properly and in compliance with NJDEP standards. He said the system is constantly being monitored, but noted that the staff is looking to improve upon – not just maintain -- the existing system. For some members of the council, this was their first experience with Fooder, who was hired in October. HoHo-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall described Fooder as being extremely knowledgeable about his field. Fooder is a licensed water operator who was hired to assist Ho-Ho-Kus on a temporary basis while James Montag is on a medical leave of absence. Fooder holds a W4 water license, a T4 treatment license, and a C4 collection license. He is a Village of Ridgewood employee and is being paid $5,000 a month in his capacity as a temporary consultant to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. The resolution that named Fooder as the borough’s temporary licensed water operator of record was retroactive to Sept. 17. When Fooder was hired, Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli advised Villadom TIMES that Montag, the borough’s licensed water official, had become unavailable due to a medical leave of absence. Without Montag at the helm of the water utility, the borough was obliged to hire a temporary water official with the appropriate licenses to oversee the utility’s operation. Fooder was appointed to the post on a part-time, temporary basis, Cirulli explained. Fooder he makes himself available to Ho-Ho-Kus before or after his regular work hours in Ridgewood or during his lunch period. Two years ago, the borough restructured its department of public works and divided the leadership responsibilities between the department’s two senior members. Montag was named superintendent of the newly-created department of water and sewers, while Pattman became superintendent of roads, buildings, and grounds. The State of New Jersey requires DPW superintendents to hold three licenses: a W2 for the distribution of water, a T2 for water treatment, and a C2 for sewer collection. Municipalities also prefer the head of the DPW to be a certified public works manager. Michael Frank, the former superintendent of public works and water, retired in 2009. He had been superintendent since 2003. Montag was previously assistant superintendent, and Pattman was the foreman. Both men have been working together to prioritize their various projects while sharing staff members.