Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • September 26, 2012 Ho-Ho-Kus Administrator poised to submit survey to state by Jennifer Crusco Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli plans to submit the results of the 2012 Best Practices survey to state officials this week. At last week’s council work session, Cirulli told the governing body he had reviewed the 50-question survey with Ho-Ho-Kus Chief Financial Officer Joseph Citro, and the borough would be able to answer “yes” to 49 of those questions. This mandatory state survey is worded so that affirmative answers are favorable for the responding municipality. After the meeting, Cirulli told Villadom TIMES that the borough had answered “no” to the following question: “An accounting policy manual documenting all internal accounting control processes, procedures, and authorizations is of great value for staff to understand these safeguards. Are internal accounting control processes, procedures, and authorizations designed to limit the risk of loss or misstatement?” Cirulli noted that the wording of some of the survey questions made it difficult to provide a “yes” or “no” answer. In the instances where a “yes” or “no” alone did not provide adequate information, or did not reflect the municipality’s actual practices, Cirulli provided additional comments. For example, one question asked: “The CFO should prepare a municipality’s annual budget. If your CFO does not prepare the municipality’s annual budget, are you retaining outside assistance to do so from an individual or entity separate from your municipality’s audit firm?” The administrator answered “yes” to this question, and added the comment, “Our CFO does prepare our annual budget.” (Emphasis supplied.) The survey also asks, “If your municipality does not participate in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), have competitive proposals for health insurance been solicited in the last three years, including from the Division of Pensions and Benefits for SHBP health insurance coverage?” Cirulli responded “yes,” and added, “We do participate in the SHBP.” (Emphasis supplied.) The survey also asks municipalities about their initiatives to share services with other towns, audit and budget procedures, personnel record-keeping procedures, and whether they limit the “carry forward” of accrued vacation time. The 2011 Best Practices survey prompted the Ho-HoKus Council to approve an ordinance that requires local elected government officials to attend educational courses. All elected borough officials are now required to annually attend at least one basic course concerning the responsibilities and obligations of local government. Appropriate courses include those that cover budgeting, policy setting, local government contracting, risk management, ethics, and compliance with the Open Public Records Act and the Open Public Meetings Act. The borough received credit for the 2011 survey response regarding these courses because “prospective implementation” was considered an affirmative answer. Last year, the borough also provided positive answers to 49 of the survey’s 50 questions. At that time, Cirulli said the one question to which he answered “no” concerned the specific type of physical exams the borough’s volunteer firefighters receive. The Best Practices survey was implemented by Governor Chris Christie with the goals of improving governmental efficiency and accountability and improving the management of taxpayers’ resources. The questionnaire, which was first required in 2010, requests information regarding the borough’s general and financial management, public safety, public works, health, energy, and utilities. The scoring of the checklist is also used to determine how much of the municipality’s final five percent of aid payment will be disbursed. In 2010, the survey included 88 questions and allowed respondents to answer “yes” or “no.” In 2011 and 2012, the 50-question survey could be completed online and allowed for more extensive answers. Ho-Ho-Kus Jottings Wine Pairing event announced The Contemporary Club of Ho-Ho-Kus will meet on Oct. 2 at the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn for a Wine Pairing event. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the restaurant at 1 East Franklin Turnpike. Members will learn how to pair various cheeses with suitable wines. The cost to attend is $25 and includes tastings of six wines and accompanying cheeses. Club members may pay at the door with a credit card. Prospective members are welcome. RSVP to Shannon Taliercio at (201) 444-7365. Fall Story Time under way The Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library, located at 91 Warren Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus, will host its Fall Story Time on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. The program is recommended for children ages three and up. Registration is not required. For more information, call (201) 445-8078 during regular library hours. Oktoberfest set The Community Church of Ho-Ho-Kus will host an Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 27. The event, which will be held from 7 to 11 p.m., will feature music performed by the New Jersey Polka Band, beer sampling, German food, savories, and desserts catered by Market Basket, special fundraisers, and door prizes. Tickets to this “bring your own beverage” event are $60 per person. To purchase tickets, for more information, or to donate a prize, contact Jeanne Hamlin at (201) 445-6310. The church is located at the Community Church of Ho-HoKus, 410 Warren Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus. Club plans Cabaret Night The Woman’s Club of Ho-Ho-Kus will host a Cabaret Night on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 70 Sheridan Avenue in Ho-Ho-Kus. The evening will feature the music of Steve Ross. Known as the “Prince of New York Cabaret,” Ross will entertain with the music of Cole Porter, Gershwin, Noel Coward, and more. Ross has a wide knowledge of popular American music and its history. He has hosted radio series and outdoor events. The event will include wine and cheese at 6 p.m. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. On Oct. 1, the club will host an Open House Luncheon. The event will be held at noon in Saint Bartholomew’s (continued on page 25)