October 10, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Allendale Residents cooperating with sump pump enforcement by John Koster Allendale Councilwoman Jacqueline McSwiggan told the governing body that the new sump pump ordinance is being enforced with the cooperation of most residents who have been contacted. McSwiggan said that, as of the most recent public council meeting, 84 inspections had been conducted and 11 violations had been discovered. She indicated that borough officials were working with generally grateful and cooperative residents to correct the violations and stop residents from inadvertently discharging their sump pumped water in the wrong places, thereby driving up sewer costs for all residents, including the majority who do not have sump pumps. “So far, so good -- we think it’s been positively received and we hope this will lead to an impact on our sewer charges,” said Mayor Vince Barra. The ordinance, adopted in September, forbids residents from discharging basement water, ground water, or anything other that sewage into the sanitary sewer lines. This sometimes happens when residents have sump pumps that are improperly installed and divert clean rain water into the sanitary sewer lines instead of the regular storm drains. Water discharged into the sanitary sewer lines is billed as sewage by the utility company, even when it is not contaminated by feces or other matter requiring treatment. Mayor Barra estimated informally some weeks ago that the use of sanitary sewers for clean rain water probably cost every household in Allendale about $200 a year in needless charges. Residents were given until March 31, 2013 to inform local authorities if they have sump pumps, and were promised amnesty from fines for the illegal sump pumps and help in rectifying the discharge systems. After that, property owners who will not permit interior inspections will be subject to fees of $1,000 for the violation if it is discovered and additional charges of $100 a day as long as the violation continues, along with inspection fees. Mayor Barra noted that Allendale’s sump pump policy appears to be encouraging voluntary compliance from most sump pump owners, just has he and the council had hoped when they introduced and adopted the measure after prolonged discussion. The Allendale Borough Council has introduced a new pay-to-play ordinance. Allendale Borough Attorney David Bole told the council that the new ordinance, which is scheduled for a public hearing and potential adoption on Oct. 11, is based on the New Jersey Division of Local Government Services recommendation, but is slightly more stringent. The Allendale version would forbid contractors or other (continued on page 27) Pay-to-play ordinance introduced by council