Waldwick October 24, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Waldwick residents who need barrier free access to their homes have received assistance from the Waldwick Lions Club in building access ramps over the years, but dealing with the borough requirements for such ramps has sometimes proven rather burdensome. The Waldwick Borough Council is mulling easing those requirements and anticipates discussing the matter at its December workshop session. At present, borough ordinances classify handicapped ramps as accessory structures and therefore subject to setback requirements and not permitted to be erected in the front yard, where it is typically most convenient to build them. On a small property with limited flexibility, the building permit applications are routinely denied by the building department, forcing the property owner to apply for a variance. “The process is intimidating, expensive and time consuming,” said Councilman Greg Bjork in urging the ordinance revisions. Bjork, chairman of the council’s buildings and grounds committee and a Lions Club member, has spearheaded efforts on behalf of the Lions to build six to eight such ramps for needy residents. He said neighboring Special treatment proposed for handicap-access ramps towns have streamlined permit requirements that make the process more practical. “We’re not talking about building something crazy in the front yard. The exception would only apply to access ramps or vertical wheelchairs or some other structure needed for accessibility,” Bjork said. “If you have a need, you would present a simple drawing to the construction official and he could approve it,” he added. Currently a property owner needs to hire an architect to draw the plans, apply to the zoning board of adjustment for the variance and notify property owners within 200 feet, all of which can delay the process by two or three months. “Let’s just make it so that accessibility ramps don’t have to go through that process,” he said. Bjork explained that the handicapped ramps are typically aluminum, painted steel or pressure treated lumber and present a light load, able to be safely erected on patio blocks. The ordinance now requires permanent concrete footings, which Bjork said are not only expensive to put in, but also present a problem when the ramp needs to be removed. One of the essential conditions of any relaxed proce- dures, he said, would be that the structure would have to be removed when the handicapped person no longer occupies the premises. He said the Lions is now investing in a modular prefabricated structure that would be able to be reused at another location. Bjork said the construction official and the board of adjustment will be working on the proposal in time for the council’s discussion in December. The Waldwick Community Alliance will host its Ragamuffin Parade on Saturday, Oct. 27. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Public Safety Building on East Prospect Street and conclude at the train station located on Hewson Avenue. Following the parade, the public is invited to Greenhouse Golf at 140 Hopper Avenue to continue the fun. A portion of the proceeds until 1:30 p.m. that day will be donated back to the WCA. Community members are invited to enjoy free refreshments, pumpkin painting, and visits with miniature horses. For additional information visit www.WaldwickCommuni- Cap off Halloween fun with golf for a cause tyAlliance.org. Golf fun will continue on Sunday, Oct. 28, when Greenhouse Golf is hosting a special Halloween golf party for children 11 and under from 2 to 5 p.m. Stop by to play some mini golf, enjoy a snack and have a ghoulishly golf time. Activities will include a “frightfully delightfully” Halloween-themed mini golf course for youngsters, prizes for best costumes, games and activities, 11 large-screen TVs, 10 projectors playing G-rated Halloween movies and video games. Great seasonal snacks such as apple cider, Halloween cupcakes, and other treats will be on hand! For details,call 201-652-GOLF (4653).