August 7, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Ho-Ho-Kus New parking meters installed at train station by Jennifer Crusco Commuters who use the parking lot at the Ho-Ho-Kus Train Station are becoming familiarized with the two new meters that were installed at the end of July. One meter is located in the upper parking area, and the other is in the lower parking area. Last week, members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Department of Public Works and the Ho- Ho-Kus Police Department were on hand at the parking lot to assist commuters who had questions about how to use the new meters. Councilman Kevin Shea pointed out that improvements in technology have made the new meter system more user-friendly. “The old system was taking a long time for the police and DPW to maintain,” Shea said. “The new system is much easier to use. . . and will free up our staff to do other things.” He added that the new payment options – which will soon include payment by phone -- will help reduce commuters’ stress. “The most exasperating thing was not having a parking sticker and realizing you hadn’t paid (for one of the metered spaces),” Shea added. Councilman Phil Rorty added that the new meters still allow those using the lot to punch their parking space number into the machine, pay, and get a receipt. How- ever, he said the new machines should be easier to use since people will not have to bend down as low to insert money into the meter. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli explained that the new meters are more modern versions of the machines that were previously being used at the lot. He added that the new meters take five-dollar bills in addition to quarters and dollar coins or bills. If necessary, the new meters will also provide change. Cirulli explained that, in a few weeks, commuters may be able to download an app (application) from the meter company, Amano-McGann, Inc., that will allow users to park, board the train, and pay for park- ing “on the go” via their cell phones. The administrator indicated that the app would be free of charge, but the company would charge a processing fee of approximately 40 cents when commuters choose to pay via the app. According to Cirulli, the pair of new meters and their installation cost $40,000, but borough officials anticipate that the machines will pay for themselves – a senti- ment Shea echoed. “We did this primarily for the conve- nience of our commuters,” Cirulli said of the meter upgrade. He noted that over 200 people use the train station lot each day. Most of the com- muters are from Ho-Ho-Kus, and some are from other nearby towns, including Ridgewood and Midland Park. Cirulli said there are now 114 metered, numbered spaces and 125 reserved for those who pur- chase the annual parking stickers. The administrator added that the bor- ough is working with Amano-McGann, the company that purchased the town’s prior meter company, Metric. Ordinance 1019, which was approved by the council this spring, updated the borough’s parking fee. The parking fee is 50 cents an hour, or $5 for up to 13 hours between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. The previous fee was $4 per day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Park- ing is free of charge in the train station lot between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. Councilman Shea called the new daily fee a steal, and said the $225 fee for an annual parking sticker is exceptionally low versus the fees charged in other towns. Senator shows support ECLC of New Jersey’s P.R.I.D.E. Programs Director Dot Libman (left to right), hosted U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, ECLC Board President Kathryn Hatfield, and ECLC Executive Director Bruce Litinger, to announce legislation providing more services to young people with dis- abilities after they graduate from school and become adults. ECLC operates a school in Ho- Ho-Kus. Its P.R.I.D.E. Center is located in Paramus.