Ho-Ho-Kus February 22, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Police, borough officials ink three-year agreement by Jennifer Crusco Members of Ho-Ho-Kus Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 353 have a new three-year salary contract. The agreement, which covers 2011, 2012, and 2013, was signed last week by the borough and by PBA representatives, Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli reported last week. Under the terms of the new agreement, PBA members will receive pay raises of two percent for each of the three years covered by the pact. The contract eliminates longevity-based increases for any member of the department hired after Jan. 1, 2011. Those hired before that cutoff date will not be affected by the change. The contract also calls for one extra personal day, bringing the total to three personal days per year. Cirulli noted that personal days cannot be “banked.” That is, any unused personal days would be lost at the end of the year. The new contract also includes an additional $25 for the uniform allowance. “I think this is a fair contract and accounts for the new economy in which public employees work,” Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor Thomas Randall said of the agreement. Cirulli said the police department was very cooperative throughout the process. PBA President Michael LaCroix was not available for comment at press time. The PBA’s original requests were not made available to the press. The previous PBA contract, which extended through Dec. 31, 2010, took effect Jan. 1, 2007. That agreement included salary increases of 4.25 percent for each of the three years. The PBA contract covers the majority of the police department’s personnel, except for Ho-Ho-Kus Police Chief John Wanamaker and other personnel at the top of the organization. The PBA is involved in various community activities and events. PBA members have volunteered at the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School’s fair and had hosted the Junior Police Academy until personnel issues forced the cancellation of the one-week event in the summer of 2011. This month, the Ho-Ho-Kus Council will consider for final adoption an ordinance that would adjust water rates in the borough. Ordinance #1005 proposes a new fee schedule that includes increasing rates for those who use the most water. At present, there is only one rate charged to all water users. The ordinance states that, effective Jan. 1, 2012, all water taken or consumed would be charged to consumers at $5.25 per 1,000 gallons, with a minimum charge of $42 per quarter, or any part thereof. If the ordinance is approved as introduced, water customers would be charged at the rate of $5.25 for the minimum of 8,000 gallons through 19,999 gallons of water used. Those who use 20,000 to 39,999 gallons would be billed at a rate of $5.51 per 1,000 gallons; those who use 40,000 to 79,999 gallons would be billed at $5.79 per 1,000 gallons; and those who use 80,000 gallons or more would be billed at a rate of $6.08 per 1,000 gallons. A borough official noted that the new rate schedule would make the charges more equitable for those who Water rate hikes under consideration patronize the borough’s water utility. The current rate is $5 per 1,000 gallons, with a minimum bill of $40 per quarter. That charge is for the minimum usage rate of 8,000 gallons; however, the $5 rate is applied to all users regardless of the number of gallons they use. The council wants to raise the water fees in an effort to help the Ho-Ho-Kus Water Utility support itself, as is required of this self-liquidating entity. The rates charged must cover repairs and upkeep along with other expenses associated with providing water to borough consumers. A municipal official said that the rates being proposed in Ho-Ho-Kus are comparable to those being charged in other local communities. Last year, the borough was fined for exceeding its allowed water usage, which is limited by the State of New Jersey. Municipal officials are hopeful that the increased water fees for those who use the greatest number of gallons will encourage conservation. J. CRUSCO