Ho-Ho-Kus October 24, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Ridgewood employee steps in at water utility by Jennifer Crusco A Village of Ridgewood employee who is a licensed water operator has been hired to assist Ho-Ho-Kus on a temporary basis while James Montag is on a medical leave of absence. The Ho-Ho-Kus Council approved the resolution hiring Eric G. Fooder Jr. at last week’s work session. Fooder’s licenses include a W4 water license, a T4 treatment license, and a C4 collection license. He will be paid $5,000 a month in his capacity as a temporary consultant. The resolution, which named Fooder as the borough’s temporary licensed water operator of record, was retroactive to Monday, Sept. 17. “Because our Licensed Water Official James Montag became unavailable due to a medical leave of absence, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection required that the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus obtain a temporary water official with the appropriate licenses to oversee the operation of the borough’s water utility,” Ho-HoKus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli told Villadom TIMES last week. “Eric Fooder Jr. was appointed to this position on a part-time, temporary basis. Mr. Fooder is an employee of the Village of Ridgewood, and he makes himself available to HoHo-Kus before or after his regular work hours with Ridgewood or during his lunch period.” In 2010, the borough decided to restructure the Ho-Ho-Kus Department of Public Works and divided the leadership responsibilities between the department’s two senior members. Montag was named superintendent of the newly-created department of water and sewers, and Jeff Pattman became superintendent of roads, buildings, and grounds. The State of New Jersey requires DPW superintendents to hold three licenses: a W2 for the distribution of water, a T2 for water treatment, and a C2 for sewer collection. Municipalities also prefer the head of the DPW to be a certified public works manager. Montag holds all of the required licenses. Pattman holds all but one of the licenses, and has been studying to attain the last one. The state runs the licensing courses, which are held at Rutgers University. Once a candidate completes the courses, that individual must sit for the licensing exams. Michael Frank, the former superintendent of public works and water, retired in December 2009. Frank had been superintendent since 2003, and logged a total of 35 years with the department. Montag was previously assistant superintendent, and Pattman was the foreman. Both men have been working together to prioritize their various projects while sharing staff members. At last week’s work session, the council also took action to name Ruthanne Frank as the borough’s Web master. Her appointment was retroactive to Sept. 1. She will receive $3,000 per year for her work as Web master. Frank is a current borough hall employee who is now assistant to the borough administrator. In other business, the council approved a leaf disposal agreement with RVH Mulch Supply, LLC at a price of $6.19 per cubic yard. This bid was the most favorable of the four proposals the borough received on behalf of Ho-Ho-Kus and Waldwick. The other bids included: Walnut Grove Farm, $6.80/cubic yard; Environmental Renewal, $8.24/cubic yard; and Reliable Wood Products, $8.90/cubic yard. The Ho-Ho-Kus Historical Association will host a Wine Pairing Dinner at St. Eve’s on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The event will feature a menu prepared by Chef Steven Christianson served with wines chosen by Chuck Russo of Carl Russo’s Wine and Spirit. The menu will include an appetizer, fish and Wine Pairing Dinner announced meat courses, and dessert. A vegan menu is available upon request. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. at 611 North Maple Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus. Tickets are $67. Seating is limited. Call (201) 857-4717 for reservations.