file photo Boyd Loving
Crumbling pipes cause concern in Ridgewood
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014, 2:39 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
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Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the crumbling pipes, are calling for repair in Ridgewood.
According to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, who detailed the issue in her manager’s report at last week’s Village Council meeting, Ridgewood recently discovered that many of its sewer drainage pipes are “crumbling.”
The problem, she said, was discovered when a contractor employed by PSE&G was doing gas main work around Downs Street and Pearsall Avenue in August. The contractor noticed that the “pipe material was crumbling” in some nearby sewer drainage pipes.
The pipe cost about $1,300 to replace, she said.
According to Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser, the now-deteriorated, aluminum-corrugated metal pipes in Ridgewood’s sewer drainage system were installed 35 to 40 years ago, and are located “all over” the village. But “it’s hard to say” what percentage of the pipes – all in the storm drainage, not sanitary system – are made of this material and need replacement, he said.
Mayor Paul Aronsohn expressed concern when the pipe issue was raised at the meeting on Sept. 3.
“You’re saying this type of pipe, that crumbles at the touch, is all throughout the village,” he said. The mayor also asked Rutishauser if he was concerned.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/crumbling-pipes-cause-concern-1.1087035#sthash.28ETplWZ.dpuf
What is perhaps most interesting about this article is the fact that when he has testified about the effect of adding 500 new families to downtown with the apartment projects, Ruitshauser has not been concerned about the effect on infra structure. For instance, at one hearing he noted that new sewer pipes would need to be dug under the streets downtown to accept the flow of sewage from the projects, and these would feed into the old pipes. But, then he suggested there would be no effect on the existing decades old pipes that flow to the sewage treatment plants.
Its clear as the apartment projects move forward and as we hear remarks about “crumbling infrastructure” that we really don’t know what the ultimate cost to the Village taxpayers will be. The projects are going to be an eyesore as well as a pocketbook sore in years to come.
And to add to that #1 instead of bonding money to fix the infrastructure The 3 amigos would rather bond 8 million ( without cost overruns) to build their friend a parking garage . Yes Rev. Al your pictures. will not hang with the others who loved Ridgewood The residents will build a new wall a wall of shame and you and your running mates will be the first grace that wall.