O'Toole Tours Ridgewood's Flood Areas, Promises Change

State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-40) toured several of Ridgewood's flood-ravaged areas Wednesday, telling residents he intends to work with the appropriate officials to eradicate problems that have led to , backed-up sewers, and over the past year.

Council members Mayor Keith Killion, Councilman Paul Aronsohn and Ridgewood's top administrators joined O'Toole and representatives of the DEP on a walking tour at Burnside Place, as well as the footbridge at the high school.

Walking along the banks of the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook on Burnside Place – where – the Republican state senator from Cedar Grove said he too has been a victim of flooding and feels residents' pain.

"It's heart-breaking and heart-rending to see devastation to one's home . . . I know what it feels like," he said.

Residents told O'Toole there has been an accumulation of debris in the bedrock and banks, which narrows the brook, causing rapid currents during storms. The brook hasn't been cleared since just after Floyd in 1999 and the Zabriskie ditch is also in bad shape, residents said.

Asked if the legislature bared some responsibility for the flood issues, O'Toole said he's not concerned with "pointing fingers" but rather, "finding solutions."

O'Toole said he's called the DEP commissioner and is asking the Village of Ridgewood to submit a proposal with the DEP of a "practical to-do list." He said he also believes bi-partisan support in the legislature will help address issues, which have touched virtually every municipality in the state.

"If cleaning up the river bed is an answer, [or whether it's] redirecting or fixing a permit process problem with their sewer, just give us a list," he said of Ridgewood potential request to the DEP. "We're going to work on it and we're not going to stop until these problems have been eradicated."

Angelene Taccini, Director of Communications for the DEP, said Ridgewood's engineers have been in communication with the state body and are working on "a realistic plan."

No permit request for de-snagging has yet been made, Taccini said, but remains another item on the "to-do list." So too do potential changes to the high school footbridge, which functions as a dam of sorts. Mayor Killion called the meeting "a breath of fresh air," but emphasised at the council meeting hours later it wasn't a catch-all. Some problems will still likely remain even with de-snagging and maintenance, he said.

Peter Post, a 25-year resident on Burnside Place whose basement flooded nearly half a foot during Irene, lost wedding photos in the devastation. It's one of the painful, acknowledged reminders of living near water, he said. 

"I always say we live on the brook, what more do you expect? But as long as the brook is maintained properly or things are done to help alleviate this problem, we can accept it. I haven't seen any work done since after Floyd," he said.

Post remained hopeful action would be taken. It must, residents said, suggesting money be dedicated to regular maintenance. The finances are a question, officials say in response, but all in attendance unified behind the idea that flooding can no longer be ignored.

"Don't just wait until a crisis," remarked resident Leslie Cimino, who led the tour Wednesday. "It can't just be crisis management every twelve years."