Allendale September 5, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Hearing scheduled for sump pump ordinance by John Koster A Sept. 13 public hearing has been scheduled for a proposed ordinance that would ban sump pumps from dumping water into Allendale’s sewer system. “Some other towns have taken a very iron fist,” Mayor Vince Barra said at the last Allendale Council session. “We have tried to be more of a velvet glove.” The ordinance follows an extensive study of sump pump restrictions in Waldwick and other places by Councilwoman Jacqueline McSwiggan. She was praised in her absence by Barra and the other council members, who concurred that McSwiggan had worked long hours to make things work out. The goal is to stop the discharge of water from basements into the sanitary sewer system, where it is unnecessarily treated by the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority. All of the borough’s taxpayers are charged to have the water processed. The cost to the average Allendale household is informally estimated at about $200 a year, regardless of whether they have sump pumps. “Sump pumps are illegal, but a lot of residents aren’t aware of that,” Mayor Barra said. “Every house will eventually be inspected to ensure that a sump pump is not in the house, or if it is in the house, it does not discharge water into the sanitary sewers.” As introduced, the ordinance states that Allendale officials have determined that an excess amount of “clean water” has been entering the sanitary sewer system, potentially jeopardizing the capacity of the system and creating unnecessary treatment costs. Steps must be taken, the ordinance states, to eliminate illicit connections and reroute the clean water to the storm sewer system or other areas. The ordinance would forbid anyone from discharging storm water, surface water, ground water, yard drainage, swimming pool or pond overflow, or unpolluted industrial water into the borough’s sanitary sewer system. The ordinance would also forbid connecting roof drains, foundation drains, or runoff drains to any building drain that leads into a sanitary sewer. The ordinance contains an amnesty clause so that anyone who asks for an inspection before March 31, 2013 to ascertain if the house connections are legal could have the inspection performed free of charge. This does not include remediation. After March 31, the homeowner or landlord would be liable for the inspection fees. Anyone found in violation, before or after March 31, would be required to have the connection remediated within 120 days unless that individual successfully applies for a waiver. The code enforcement official would be permitted to inspect the remediation to make sure it has been properly conducted. Owners or landlords who refuse an inspection, after a (continued on page 9) Funds will go far Members of the Allendale Woman’s Club presented a check for $5,200 to YCS Holley Childcare and Development Center in Hackensack. The funds will be used to implement the adopt-a-room project that provides all the necessary furniture and items for a comfortable and bright bedroom for two children. In addition, the money will help purchase sofas and chairs to provide comfortable seating for the TV room. Front row: Christine Martine, Delroy Reid (YCS), Lisa Katz, Heidi Gross, Cheryll Vellek, and Ann Fargis. Back row: Janet Bradley, Robin Peck (YCS), Ruthie Harper (YCS), and Fran Spiegel (YCS).