R'Wood Looking to Work on Ho-Ho-Kus Brook

Ridgewood got the go-ahead to begin some work in the but the village has not been given the tools to complete the work efficiently, according to officials. As a result, residents around the low-lying areas are hoping some clearing of debris in the brook's bed can happen before the wet spring season arrives.

Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser told the council that Ridgewood to go into the brook by the DEP.

"We're not allowed to put any machinery in the river," Rutishauser said. "The permit that we have been granted is basically hand work – chain saws, wheel barrels, shovels along the water course. We can't put a loader or excavator to remove sand bars unless we apply and get granted a higher tier permit from DEP."

To get machinery into the brook, the village would need to complete another full permit. It's a long process, Rutishauser said. 

Unfortunately, Village Manager Ken Gabbert remarked, work with hand tools to clear some of the debris and rock beds that have formed and exacerbated flooding is very labor-intensive work. Given the higher priority projects – like the missing and , in addition to storm and leaf pick up – and busy staff, there's still no immediate plan to clear the brook.

"Anything other than putting our own staff literally into the brook with shovels and wheel barrels, is going to cost time, money and also DEP approvals," Gabbert said.

"It's on the to-do list," Rutishauser said of at least getting workers in the Zabriskie ditch and clearing some of the debris. "Hopefully in January or February when things quiet down and wrap up."

Work should be done before the winter snow thaws out and the spring rains come, Burnside Place resident Judith Kraft said in her address to the council.

Mulberry Place resident Doug Goodell added that he's concerned the sand bar is raising the river bed. The level of the brook at its lowest discharge levels recorded is now 5-6 inches higher than it had been before Hurricane Irene, perhaps caused in part by sedimentation and silting, Goodell said.

"I'm beginning to think the reason for the higher water level is that sandbar and its backwater effect that we're seeing," he said.

To this point, there are no grants or other funds available for financial help.

Deputy Mayor Tom Riche, however, suggested an unusual cleanup plan. He said the village may want to look into inmate work programs carried out by the county sheriff's department or the state corrections department.

In related news, Gabbert said no bidders brought forth any proposals for work done to repair 's first floor, which was heavily damaged during Hurricane Irene. The bid process will have to begin again, officials said. could be over $200,000.