December 25, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Ho-Ho-Kus Towns to merge construction departments by Jennifer Crusco As of Jan. 1, Ho-Ho-Kus and Mid- land Park will be merging their construc- tion departments under a shared service agreement that will cover building, con- struction, fire, plumbing, and electrical services. The pact will extend through Dec. 31, 2016, and will be subject to amendment and renewal. Ho-Ho-Kus expects to save more than $100,000 per year under the merger, as Ho-Ho-Kus will no longer need to employ a construction official or the vari- ous inspectors and sub-code officials. As the lead agency, Midland Park will provide the construction official and all inspectors and sub-code officials for both municipalities. Ho-Ho-Kus will retain its zoning offi- cial, property maintenance official, fire official, fire prevention official, and fire inspector. Ho-Ho-Kus will continue to maintain a basic construction department, which will initiate permits and other paperwork, and will maintain related files. According to the agreement, the shared construction code official will maintain hours at the Ho-Ho-Kus Construction Department on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 pm. to 6 p.m. to meet with residents and contractors. However, the municipali- ties may change this schedule by mutual agreement. The CCO will also be avail- able to answer questions by phone. Midland Park is not responsible for providing vehicles for code officials while they are working in Ho-Ho-Kus, and will not be responsible for mileage reimburse- ment. Fees will be collected in Ho-Ho-Kus, and that borough’s chief financial offi- cer will be responsible for maintaining a related account in conjunction with the Midland Park CFO. “Midland Park shall receive $80,000 per year or 75 percent of all fees collected, whichever is greater,” the agreement states. “Payment shall be made to Mid- land Park on a quarterly basis commenc- ing April 1, 2014 at the rate of $20,000 per quarter for the first three quarters with an adjustment for the fourth quarter as may be applicable.” Enforcement actions and procedures must be carried out by the appropriate municipality. “The sole cost for enforce- ment activities including, but not limited to, legal actions and collection of any fines and/or penalties assessed or received as a result of legal action shall be borne by the municipality within which the violation occurred,” the agreement states. Each party will maintain its own insur- ance coverage. “Midland Park shall defend, indem- nify, and hold harmless Ho-Ho-Kus from all suits, claims, costs, and damages, including attorney’s fees brought by any third parties and arising from any negli- gent act, error, or omission involving the CCO/sub-code official’s duties within Ho-Ho-Kus pursuant to the terms of this agreement,” the document adds. “In the event Midland Park is named in a lawsuit filed by anyone alleged to be aggrieved by or to void this agreement and to the extent such lawsuit is not covered by available insurance, Ho-Ho-Kus shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Midland Park and its officials from all liability and damages including attorney’s fees (at the Ho-Ho-Kus standard rate) and costs which may arise from such lawsuit. Mid- land Park shall have the right to select its own attorney to defend such uncovered claims.” The Ho-Ho-Kus Council adopted the merger resolution on Dec. 17. Midland Park, which previously voted to pursue the merger, was expected to finalize the agreement at its Dec. 19 meeting. Midland Park and Ho-Ho-Kus already have two inter-local agreements. Midland Park purchases gasoline/diesel fuel from Ho-Ho-Kus, and elected officials in Ho- Ho-Kus receive construction department services from Midland Park. In September, Ho-Kus Borough Administrator Don Cirulli reported that officials from multiple municipalities had contacted Ho-Ho-Kus concerning pro- posals for shared service agreements. The outreach came after a state-level official stressed that New Jersey is encouraging municipalities to pursue inter-local ser- vice agreements that involve departmen- tal mergers that will result in reduced costs and increased efficiency. Rockin’ season The Ho-Ho-Kus Party Rockers, the fourth grade travel softball team, finished its season tied with the best record of the 20 teams in the Bergen County Girls Softball League. Front row: Kate Darling, Maren Spence, Jennifer Pontoriero, Christina Hughes, Alyssa Demedici, and Skylar Gray. Middle row: Chase Zervas, Danielle Napierski, Amanda Castelano, Lindsay Sparago, and Rachel Long. Back row: Coaches Kevin Darling, Martin Spence, Cesare Ponto- riero, and Joe Castelano. Not pictured: Sydney Fairs.