September 26, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Ho-Ho-Kus Council revists burglar alarms, sump pumps by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Council is again mulling two ordinances: one that would create a burglar alarm system registry, and another that would restrict sump pump use. Both items were introduced and subsequently tabled for further review. At last week’s council work session, the council discussed reintroducing the burglar alarm measure, but without specific registration fees. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole noted that the police department favored the burglar alarm ordinance, which was under discussion early this year. He pointed out that there had been questions about whether an initial registration fee should be charged, whether there should be an annual fee, and what the procedure would be for alarm systems that are not connected to the local police department. Bole also noted that, if the ordinance were introduced without fees, the document could still be amended. “I think we can introduce it and make it more user-friendly,” Mayor Thomas Randall said. He said the ordinance is not intended to be a money-maker for the borough, but would allow the police to establish a database of contact information for those with alarm systems. Late in 2011, the council approved Ordinance 1001, which established a $100 fee for the installation of burglar alarm systems, which are to be registered with the Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department. In January, the council introduced Ordinance 1003, which included amendments to the original regulations. The newer ordinance included a series of definitions pertaining to alarm systems, penalties, details regarding registration, and additional fee information. For example, after the initial $100 registration fee, the proposal called for alarm users to be charged an annual fee of $25. In addition, the ordinance called for a $10 late fee that would be charged for any alarm device or system installed prior to Jan. 30 that had not been registered. When the earlier form of this ordinance was adopted in 2011, borough officials noted that the Ho-Ho-Kus police respond to many false alarms each year, and the registration program would allow the police to communicate with the individual homeowners regarding the causes of those alarms. In other business at last week’s meeting, the council agreed to keep an eye on Allendale’s experience with its new sump pump ordinance. Bole noted that Waldwick’s ordinance had been a template for other municipalities that wanted to stem the use of illegal sump pumps. Ho-Ho-Kus had worked on an ordinance similar to that being used in Waldwick, but sidelined the proposal due to concerns regarding inspections after a court said home inspections could not be carried out without a search warrant. Bole, who is also the attorney for Allendale, said that borough had been concerned with the increased water treatment costs that follow the use of illegal sump pumps. The attorney noted that Allendale conducted a public relations campaign and is conducting voluntary inspections of local properties. If an inspection is not carried out on a voluntary basis, he said Allendale will use external techniques to determine whether a property has an illegal connection. At that point, the borough could proceed with obtaining a search warrant to determine if there is a violation. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli commented that the Ho-Ho- Kus Department of Public Works should be asked to weigh in on this matter. He pointed out that the department is already short of staff at just six employees, and this ordinance would add to their workload. The council agreed to observe Allendale’s situation and leave the item on the agenda in Ho-Ho-Kus. Church hosts Bistro Night Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, located at 70 Sheridan Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus, will host its Fiesta Bistro Night on Sunday, Oct. 21. The annual event will feature live music, including a strolling guitar player. Participants will enjoy Latino-influenced appetizers, Spanish wines, decorations, and special fundraisers. Tickets for the fiesta are $75 per person, or $140 per couple. To purchase tickets, call the church office at (201) 444-5025. Front row: Wendy Dockray and Rita O’Neill. Back row: Kathy Gabrielle, Jodie Johnson, Jane Pierson, Janet Kreller (Fiesta Committee co-chair), John Alberti, Lisa Wysession, Mike Gnerre (Fiesta Committee co-chair), Jayme Wolff, Dave Ackerman, and Jackie Fisher.