Waldwick January 9, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Real estate developer K. Hovnanian Homes is once again looking to complete the townhouse complex at the former DePippo Farm on Crescent Avenue in Waldwick. In September, the Waldwick Planning Board denied Hovnanian’s previous application to build the remaining 31 units at Farm Estates of Waldwick because the developer wanted to deviate from the previously-approved plans for the 9.7acre property. This time Hovnanian, who was the contract purchaser in last year’s application, proposes to take over construction of the four remaining buildings approved in 2006, with Hovnanian wants to complete DePippo Farm complex Six Gees Development, the development’s current owner, maintaining ownership. Borough Administrator Gary Kratz said last week that Hovnanian has paid the town the $5,000 escrow fee required to have the borough engineer review the construction plans to verify compliance with the original approval. Kratz said that if compliance is verified and all outstanding issues are resolved, the developer could receive the necessary permits to begin construction without further delay. One of those issues, Kratz said, is Hovnanian agreeing to the terms of the developer’s agreement originally signed Former Waldwick Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult was honored last week as Waldwick’s Citizen of the Year for his lifelong dedication to the borough. A standing-room-only crowd, many of them his large extended family, witnessed the event preceding the annual reorganization meeting on New Year’s Day. “Buddy has a long history of service to our community. He had a deep love for Waldwick that will never fade away. Everyone in Waldwick knows Buddy and admires him for his unselfish love for his community,” said Mayor Thomas Giordano in presenting his predecessor with the coveted award. “Buddy, you are Waldwick, and Waldwick will always be grateful for all that you have done and will continue to do for us,” Giordano said . In thanking Giordano for the honor, Litchult said that he loves Waldwick and its citizens and would do nothing less. He noted that the Litchult name goes back to 1907 in terms of service to the community. He said his uncle Ed was a charter member of the fire department and his Dad served as the department’s chief in 1950. Litchult, who served as mayor from 2008 through 2011 (continued on page 23) ‘Buddy’ Litchult is Citizen of the Year by Robert Gallo Jr. of Six Gees, which would require the new developer to make a $70,000 contribution to the town’s affordable housing trust fund. The Farm Estates project was initially required to provide 11 affordable housing units in accordance with Council on Affordable Housing (C.O.A.H.) guidelines. Gallo chose to provide only seven units and contribute $140,000 towards the other four, making a $70,000 payment when he built the first half of the development in 2007. Any back taxes owed would also have to be brought up to date, Kratz said. (continued on page 23) Mayor Thomas Giordano presents the Citizen of the Year plaque to former Mayor Russell ‘Buddy’ Litchult.