Politics & Government

Ridgewood School District Violates Water Restrictions

Sprinklers seen shooting water on Glen School's field on Saturday – and other days, a resident claims – despite restrictions forbidding such use.

Although a reported  seems to indicate that residents have — by and large — abided by restrictions on lawn irrigation, the  hasn't been quite as responsible.

Salem Lane resident Frank Mason told the Ridgewood Village Council – which serves as Ridgewood Water's board of directors – that for the past week, he's observed the sprinklers on at The Glen School's playing field when they're not supposed to be.

stipulate that no watering is allowed to take place on Mondays and use of sprinklers is to follow an odd-even schedule, based on one's property number. The Glen School is located at 865 E. Glen Ave. and can irrigate with sprinklers on odd days.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I got up Wednesday morning and at Glen Field all the sprinkler systems were working so I called up [the water department] and said, 'Isn't this a violation?'" Mason told the council. "They said we've talked to the board of ed and I'm sure it will be taken care of. Of course, I get up Thursday and it's the same thing."

According to Mason, it wasn't taken care of. The sprinklers were on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well, he said. The long-time resident claimed Ridgewood Water Director Frank Moritz did not make himself available to discuss the alleged violations.

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Superintendent of Schools Daniel Fishbein confirmed the Glen School had improperly been watered, but said it only occurred on Saturday.

"I have personally informed our facilities people of the restrictions upon receiving the notice of the Saturday watering," he said.

Fishbein said he was not aware of other violations at other district properties.

Ridgewood Water officials did not respond to requests for comment Thursday. Village Manager Ken Gabbert also did not respond to questions posed by Patch.

Gabbert informed the council Wednesday night that , a 21 percent increase in about a week. Water restrictions remain in effect.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor James Kleimann at James.Kleimann@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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