Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 13, 2013 Chief: Company should not have shut-off rights by John Koster Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox won the approval of the township committee when he urged that the Ridgewood Water Company not be allowed to shut off Wyckoff water consumers of Ridgewood Water due to drought restriction violations. “I still have some concerns about the section of their proposal (it exists in our present ordinance) that allows Ridgewood Water to turn off the water supply to any premises in violation [of the watering restrictions imposed each summer by state mandate],” Chief Fox wrote on March 4.”Unknown fire suppression systems in a home/ business or other need for continued water supply make this a concern. At the meeting [of Jan. 23] Ridgewood Water stated that they ‘never really shut anyone off.’ By having this section in our ordinance, are we not a party to their actions? Should they chose to take such action, I believe that they should do it without the endorsement of Wyckoff through our ordinance and Ridgewood Water does it at their own peril.” Chief Fox noted in his letter that Ridgewood’s goal is to have some level of enforcement action to keep water use low in emergency situations, and to avoid fines from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Fox did not disagree with the entire ordinance proposed by Ridgewood: His concern is with allowing the Ridgewood Water Company, which supplies Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Ridgewood to unilaterally shut down Wyckoff water users who might have special needs or problems. “Their proposed ordinance...appears to address every issue that I brought to the table with them,” Fox noted. “Manual sprinklers, underground sprinklers, hours of operation, days of operation, and the use of a hand held hose have been changed completely. These changes make it easier for a resident to comply with the requirements. The changes and fairness that would come with such changes make enforcement less of a conflict between the police department and our residents. I believe that these changes would also encourage more compliance in general, making actual enforcement through issuance of a summons less necessary.” The members of the township committee concurred with Fox’s general approval of the proposed ordinance and with his specific concerns about the shut-off clause. The Wyckoff Township Committee agreed to forward Fox’s letter to the Ridgewood Village Council and Ridgewood Water Company for further consideration. Wyckoff, Glen Rock, and Midland Park are now involved in litigation with Ridgewood. The three plaintiff municipalities allege that the Ridgewood Water Company diverted water fee money to services in Ridgewood not directly involved in the supply of water to customers. Ridgewood has denied any wrong-doing. vice. Former Deputy Chief Bob Yudin of Company 3 and Dennis Blair of Company 2 were honored for 35 years of service. Former Chief Rick Alnor, a Company 1 member, and former Deputy Chief Ed Pruim of Company 3 were honored for 30 years of service. Frank Francica and Ken Wendelaar of Company 1 were honored for 25 years of service. Todd Graham of Company 3 and Rich Martin of Company 1 were honored for 25 years of service. Awards for 15 years of service went to Alex Cascardo and Joe Squillace of Company 1 and Tom Risseeuw of Company 2. Awards for 10 years of service went to Joe Gaeta and Walter Kozlowski of Company 1 and Rich Steiner of Company 2. Awards for five years of service went to Lieutenant Matt Tani of Company 3, Dan Charnesky of Company 2, and Joe Labarck of Company 3. Fire department members who became certified as emergency pump operators after an in-house course include Scott Amatea, Mike Labarck, Anthony Pars, Joe Alvarez, Tim Murray, and John Tamicilli. Graduates of the Firefighter I course at the Bergen County Academy included Joe Alvarez, Patrick Alvarez, Kevin Ciampo, Sean McGirr, and Will Pettit from Company 1 and Sam Russo from Company 2. Graduates of the Firefighter II course included Ed Lawler and Mike Schell from Company 2 and Tom Martin and Matt Capomaggi from Company 1. Inspection trophy (continued from page 17) said. The team of inspectors first visited Community Engine Company 2 on Wyckoff Avenue, then Sicomac Engine Company 3 on Sicomac Avenue, and finally Protection Fire Company 1 located behind Wyckoff Town Hall. The department also presented the annual Dana Hannon Distinguished Service Award to chief emeritus of the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department, Bruce E. Scott, who was also honored for 75 years of membership in the victorious Company 1. Dana Hannon, a Wyckoff resident and former and member of the FDNY, was killed during his courageous rescue attempts in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Wyckoff firefighters were honored for their service in five-year increments as part of the ceremony and festivities following the inspection. Former Deputy Chief Elmer Jeltes of Company 2 was honored for 60 years of service. Former Deputy Chief Ken Galenkamp of Company 3 was honored for 45 years of service. Former Deputy Chief Dave Zuckerman of Company 2 was honored for 40 years of ser-