October 31, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Ho-Ho-Kus Council approves sewer connection for Boyds by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council has approved a resolution authorizing a sewer connection agreement for two residents of Saddle River who are in the process of selling one home and purchasing another. The council’s action effectively resolves Jim and Patty Boyd’s impediment to closing the deal on their Mill Road home. In September, the Boyds approached the Ho-Ho-Kus Council to outline their situation. Their Saddle River home is under contract and, as they attempted to install a new septic system as part of the sale, they ran into several obstacles. Various restrictions involving nearby wells and a creek led the Boyds to pursue a sewer connection through nearby Ho-Ho-Kus as an alternative. At a subsequent meeting, Jim Boyd advised the council that his application to the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority had been approved, and that Saddle River officials had approved the connection contingent upon the Ho-Ho-Kus Council’s action. Earlier this month, Mr. Boyd asked if Ho-Ho-Kus might be able to take action in October. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole said the council could vote on the Boyds’ request in October if the approval were effected by a resolution, rather than an ordinance. After reviewing the situation, Bole determined that the action could be taken via resolution to expedite the Boyds’ move. Bole noted that the engineers involved with the project had given their nod to the connection, and the escrow account had already been arranged. Sewer connections are typically approved via ordinance, but Ho-Ho-Kus generally introduces an ordinance in one month and approves it the next. Municipalities are required to leave at least 10 days between the introduction of an ordinance and the related public hearing and adoption vote. However, Ho-Ho-Kus holds its work sessions and public sessions just seven days apart. The council agreed to expedite the Boyds’ approval by using a resolution, which does not require a waiting period. Mr. Boyd previously advised the council that the closing on the Saddle River property had been scheduled for September, and had already been postponed until late October. Had the council introduced an ordinance at last week’s meeting, the final approval would have taken place at the November council meeting, or at a special session, which would have to have been advertised. In September, the Ho-Ho-Kus Council approved an ordinance to allow the owners of a property on Twin Brook Road in Saddle River to connect to the Ho-Ho-Kus sewer system. That ordinance was introduced in August. When property owners from other municipalities connect to the system in Ho-Ho-Kus, the individuals pay for the service, which can cost between $2,500 and $3,000 for the initial hookup. Property owners are then billed for use on an annual basis. Ho-Ho-Kus has 36 sewer connections from Washington Township, eight from Waldwick, and – as of last week -five from Saddle River.