March 13, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 15 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. Vista approved (continued from previous page) screening will be installed if required by township officials. The applicant will install and maintain landscaping as approved by Wyckoff Zoning Board of Adjustment, including the irrigation of ornamental landscaped areas. The applicant will explore providing additional landscaping and buffering along the loop road in the vicinity of the residents living on Emiline Drive when the applicant seeks approval from the Borough of Hawthorne. Perimeter lighting will have back shields on the light fixtures. Most of the other stipulations apply to necessary permits and compliance with Wyckoff’s building code.