May 23, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5
Ho-Ho-Kus
Bridge open sporadically; NJ Transit project to begin
by Jennifer Crusco The Warren Avenue Bridge is now open on a sporadic basis, and work could be complete by the end of this month. However, Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli cautioned local motorists that New Jersey Transit is now planning to begin work this week (on or about May 21) on the tracks and roadway on the Ridgewood side of the bridge. Issuing his report at last week’s council meeting, Cirulli said, “The bridge is sporadically open. It could be open for an hour or two (at a time); it depends when the work is being done.” The bridge had been closed for repairs since the fall of 2010, when Bergen County launched a complete refurbishment of the structure. Plans had called for the project to be finished at the end of 2010, but winter weather conditions did not allow for certain aspects of the project to be completed. Since that time, unanticipated construction issues and cost overruns further delayed the project. The bridge project involved new reinforcements, resurfacing of the deck, new sidewalks, and new lights. Last week, Cirulli said he had contacted the county concerning the lights that were installed on the bridge. He said plans called for two standing lights and a gooseneck in the middle. He told the council there is now one light and the gooseneck. Built in 1905, the Warren Avenue Bridge is a through truss bridge that allows vehicular and pedestrian traffic to cross over the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook on Warren Avenue. The bridge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. After reporting on the progress at the bridge, Cirulli told the council he had received a visit from New Jersey Transit
officials, who plan to repave the roadway near the bridge. He said the work may involve changing the tracks in that area, but that aspect of the project might only involve new padding. The administrator said New Jersey Transit anticipates that the project will take a week to a week and a half. Councilman Phil Rorty said he has seen grade crossing projects completed with alacrity. “It’s in their best interest to do it quickly,” Rorty noted. This is the second time New Jersey Transit has announced its intentions to work on the track and roadway repairs. Work was slated to begin April 1, 2011, but funding issues reportedly kept the project on hold until this spring.
Rauch
(continued from page 3) council meeting for his contributions.” Born in the Bronx, New York, Rauch met his future wife, Sherry, in high school. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he married his high school sweetheart. The two later moved to Upper Saddle River, where they raised their family. The Rauches have resided in the borough for 44 years and are currently celebrating 50 years of marriage. Asked about his decision to join the fire department, Rauch said, “I knew I wanted to do something for the town. One day, I was driving past the firehouse and saw people coming back from a call. I pulled in and said, ‘What do I need to do to join?’” Rauch has spent 17 years of his service on the Upper Saddle River Fire Department as an officer, having served as chief, assistant chief, and all of the ranks leading to those top posts. In addition to his continuing service to the department, he serves as chief of training at the Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, and is the state fire coordinator for Bergen County. As fire coordinator, Rauch is called out for fires of four alarms or greater, because he is authorized to move the necessary fire apparatus around the county and the state. He indicated that he receives calls for this purpose approximately two to three times a year. The 200 Club of Bergen County is committed to providing financial and emotional support to Bergen County law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel and their families in the event of death or serious injury in the line of duty. The organization also provides scholarships and special needs appropriations to agencies that serve Bergen County’s communities.