Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • February 15, 2012 Area Allendale introduces ordinances on pay, water rates by John Koster The Allendale Council last week introduced the salary ordinance for borough employees not covered by union contracts, and introduced an ordinance to help gradually equalize the water rates for residential and commercial customers. Public hearings on these proposals have been set for Feb. 23. The water rate ordinance proposes a water rate increase of five percent for residential consumers and approximately eight percent for commercial customers, whose rates may differ based on the amount of water they consume. “This is the least amount we can out forward without being a burden on the taxpayers,” said Councilwoman Jacqueline McSwiggan. McSwiggan and Mayor Vince Barra explained that low rates of water consumption did not reduce the cost of water to the borough’s water company, which is contracted to purchase a specific monthly minimum from United Water, which supplies some of Allendale’s water. The rest of the water comes from Allendale’s own wells. The low water consumption, particularly in what Mayor Barra described as the wettest August in memory, when nobody turned on a sprinkler, tended to drive rates up rather than down. This pattern was also reported by the Ridgewood Water Company, which supplies Wyckoff, Midland Park, Glen Rock, and Ridgewood. “We are committed to reducing the difference in the rate for residential customers and the rate for commercial customers, but the Water Committee did not feel that we should do it all in one fell swoop,” Barra said. The disparity between residential and commercial water prices was something the members of the present council inherited when they took office. They decided to work on a gradual equalization. The salary ordinance provides ranges of $135,000 to $150,000 for the chief of police, $60,000 to $95,000 for the borough clerk/administrative officer, $65,000 to $100,000 for the chief financial officer, $85,000 to $1145,000 for the director of operations, $75,000 to $100,000 for the superintendent of the water authority, $30,000 to $42,000 for the tax collector, and $50,000 to $68,000 for the construction subcode official, who works a half-time position. The council also adopted a bond ordinance to defray $605,000 in tax appeal refunds for appeals already granted to commercial properties located on Boroline Road. The properties involved were deemed over-assessed. Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club Awards Chairman John F. Royle has announced that applications for the annual John Royle Rotary Awards are now available. Forms may be obtained at the guidance offices at Ramsey, Mahwah, and Northern Highlands high schools, by calling Royle at (201) 529-4919, or by visiting www. bergenhighlandsrotary.org. The awards are named for John F. Royle’s father, who was a Rotarian for over 35 years. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s need, ability, and contributions to school and community. Awards consist of $1,250 at the beginning of each recipient’s freshman year and another $1,250 at the beginning of sophomore year. Awards are offered annually to graduating seniors who reside in Allendale, Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, and Upper Saddle River who are going on to higher education. The awards are offered to all seniors, regardless of other scholarships applied for or granted. Applications must be completed in full and delivered to Royle before April 30. Completed applications should be forwarded to: John F. Royle, 123 Macintosh Drive, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Royle Scholarship applicants sought The Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club has been supporting educational and charitable needs in Allendale, Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, and Upper Saddle River since 1952. The club provides college scholarships for local students and funding for local causes such as the Center for Food Action. Members run the children’s rides at Ramsey Day and Mahwah Day, with proceeds going toward the club’s charitable activities. As part of Rotary International, the club also raises funds to support educational, medical, and sanitary facilities in Nicaragua and Haiti. Rotary International is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club holds weekly meetings on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. at Houlihan’s in Ramsey. For more information about club activities or becoming a member, call Membership Chairman Bob Baron at (201) 934-1222, e-mail bob@baronpoolservice. com, or visit www.bergenhighlandsrotary.org.