The Gazette from Hawthorne, New Jersey • A2

JULY 29,2010 THE GAZETTE Family remembers NEWS BRIEFS percent less electricity, and contain significantly less mercury than the mercury vapor units they are replacing. They provide a number of additional benefits over mercury vapor lighting. They are a white light source that allows the eye to see objects more clearly. An electronic driver in the fixture allows for maximum energy efficiency, as less than 5 percent of energy consumed is lost to heat. partnered with US Lighting Technologies (USLT) of Signal Hill, California, in developing a solution to replacing obsolete mercury vapor street lights.

street lighting team and USLT's design and engineering team developed an innovative cobra head replacement that delivers utility grade performance with contemporary styling. The fixture is called "The Jersey" and features a contemporary housing with utility grade latching and hinging components. When completed, the replacement program will save municipalities an estimated $1 million annually at today's rates. An additional benefit of the program will be the reduction of an estimated 21,000 tons of C02 gases and an estimated 45,000 megawatt hours annually. The schedule of replacements was developed to provide equity to all municipalities large and small who have mercury vapor street lighting with There are no upfront costs or charges to municipalities to participate in the program.

installs energy-efficient street lights has begun to install energy-efficient street lights in New Jersey municipalities, including Haledon. The lighting has also been installed in Prospect Park and North Haledon. The new fixtures are brighter, last four times longer, and cost less to operate than older, existing models. is the first utility in the nation to provide these new fixtures, which are expected to reduce municipal lighting bills by $1 million annually. The utility will replace 96,400 of the less efficient mercury vapor municipal street lights with new induction fluorescent lights.

The upgrades will provide an environmentally friendly source of light in addition to helping lower municipal lighting bills. "This program is a win-win for the communities we serve," said Ralph LaRossa, president and COO of "It brings a new green source of lighting to our neighborhoods as it provides some relief to municipal budgets." will invest $50 million to provide the energy efficient street lighting to the 220 municipalities in its service area. The lighting change-out is part of a $700 million capital program designed to stimulate the economy and provide jobs over two years by accelerating electric and gas infrastructure projects. The new "green" fixtures last up to 100,000 hours before they need maintenance, use 30 to 40 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN LABOR MUSEUM The Mandell family participated Haledon. An engraved brick was in the recent Silk Walk held by the American Labor Museum in given in the memory of Jack Mandell, a labor lawyer.

NORTH HALEDON Mayor stands behind his decision about fire company SEE BRIEFS, PAGE 8 Any Sandwich Buy 1Get 1 Free With Coupon (expires 8610) Small Coffee a Buttered Roll $1.99 Eggs $1.99 doz. Grill be utilized by the North Haledon Fire Department. He told the public that he arrived at his decision on April 19 after he met with five members of Fire Company No. 1 who rejected his request that they dispatch and train out of the Fire Company No. 2 firehouse.

George indicated that he received a call from a representative from Insurance Services Office, the borough's insurer, informing him that based on the borough's size, only one firehouse is necessary to ensure fire protection. Fire Company No. 1 members have previously indicated that the loss of the company would result in inadequate coverage for the borough. George also answered criticism from Rick Genberg, the newly elected president of Fire Company No. 1, and John Bleeker, a vocal spokesman for the company.

Genberg, who is a social member, sent a letter to borough officials and local media claiming that George had discouraged individuals from volunteering at Fire Company No. 1. "That's a lie," George said, adding that Genberg overestimated the value of a fire truck formerly utilized by the company at $350,000. George said the fire truck was worth $341,000 when it was purchased 12 years ago and was now worth far less. BY JUSTIN ZAREMBA Staff Writer Mayor Randy George answered criticism about his recommendation to dissolve Fire Company No.

1 at last week's council meeting. "It's over," George told members of Fire Company No. 1. "You are not firemen." Relations between the fire company and the borough have soured over the past three years due to the fire company's low membership and inability to respond to fire calls, the borough's removal of tax-deferred income benefits from firefighter accounts due to inaccurate recordkeeping, the enlistment of firefighters with convictions for arson and DUI, and, most recently, alleged threats made against a council member by a former assistant fire chief. "I'm not recommending the closing of the firehouse," George said.

"I'm recommending the dissolution of the fire company due to low membership." Fire Company No. 1 owns its firehouse. Ownership of the fire-house, according to the charter, reverts to the borough in the event that the fire company is unable to operate firematically. George said company membership dropped from eight active firefighters to one active firefighter over the past three years and the firehouse would continue to Additionally, Bleeker criticized the mayor's conditions for keeping the firehouse open. George previously told members of Fire Company No.

1 that they could save the firehouse if they agreed to observe the authority of the fire chief and the mayor and council. George also required that the fire company drop its lawsuit against the borough and that members of Fire Company No. 1 report to 50 percent of fire calls in the next three months. "That's blackmail, what you're doing," Bleeker said. Bleeker also asked whether the borough had performed a financial study to determine the operational costs for Fire Company No.

1. Councilwoman Elaine Vuonci-no, the fire commissioner, indicated that no study had been done. George said Bleeker's argument had some merit, however, the fire company still did not have enough members to respond to fire calls. Following several hours of heated discussion, the governing body approved the ordinance to dissolve the fire company on first reading by a vote of 4-0 with council members Ray Melone, Robert Dyer and Rocco Luisi absent. The ordinance will receive a second reading next month and, if passed, will go into effect 45 days later.

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