Former Mayor Officially Installed As Utilities Commissioner

The Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority (NBCUA) has officially installed two new commissioners on its governing board. They are Christopher P. DePhillips of Wyckoff, NJ, and John DaPuzzo of Mahwah, NJ.

Both men, with distinguished resumes in public service and career success, were recommended by the Bergen County Executive and approved by the Bergen County Board of Freeholders.

In addition, the NBCUA Board of Commissioners named sitting Commissioner Brian Chewcaskie of Allendale, NJ, as Chairman, replacing William Dator of Mahwah, NJ, whose term had expired. Michael Kasparian of Ho-ho-kus remains as Vice-Chairman, he heads MDK Development, of Paramus, NJ.

DePhillips is a principal of the law firm Porzio, Bromberg & Newman and member of its Complex Litigation Practice Group and Government Affairs Group. Throughout the years, he has won special recognition as national and local counsel on asbestos, pharmaceutical product liability, and environmental contamination matters.

A noted author and featured speaker on a host of critical legal issues, DePhillips, who now serves as Mayor of Wyckoff,  has served with the Wyckoff Township Committee and as Trustee for Community Blood Services of Bergen County, also the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as the Wyckoff Educational Foundation. His interest in government affairs advocacy was inspired many years ago while working as legislative assistant to then Congresswoman Marge Roukema.

An accomplished local businessman, John DaPuzzo has served as Mahwah Mayor and township council president. He is Chief Operating Officer of The Fountain Spas, Ramsey and Hackensack, Vice President of Squires Insurance Agency and Managing Partner of North Bergen Holdings, both in Mahwah.

A scout leader and coach in Mahwah, DaPuzzo has been a director of the Ed Syder Scholarship Foundation, the West Bergen Mental Health Organization, and Building Committee Leader for the Center for Food Action. Bergen Highlands Rotary Club, where he served as president and board member, has twice honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary’s highest national award.

Newly-named NBCUA Chairman Brian Chewcaskie, has already served the Authority with distinction for years. The new Chairman has been a resident of Allendale, NJ, since 1993, and is a New Jersey native.  He earned a B.S. degree cum laude from Fordham University, followed by a law degree, also cum laude from Seton Hall University.  He was admitted to the bar in New Jersey in 1984.  His firm has a distinguished track record of success in acting as special counsel to a number of New Jersey municipalities. 

Chewcaskie has focused practice areas, particularly on corporate and commercial transactions, land use and development, municipal, banking and real estate.  He has performed successfully in a wide range of important posts for municipalities throughout Bergen County.  His resume lists a host of titles from Borough Attorney to Zoning and Planning Board Attorney, as well as Redevelopment Counsel and Public Defender, to name just some.

Stated Chewcaskie following the appointments at the recent NBCUA public meeting, “We are very gratified to have these two outstanding new commissioners join our team. They have demonstrated extraordinary personal and professional accomplishments that will certainly enhance the Authority’s ongoing mission to deliver the most cost-effective, environmentally-advanced sewer services to our member communities.”

From its plant operating in Waldwick since 1969, the Authority's service area accommodates the sewer requirements of 75,000 residents.  Current municipal members include Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Ramsey, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick and Wyckoff.  The Village of Ridgewood also has a service agreement with the Authority.

NBCUA also recently launched a $5.2 million construction project to provide state-of-the-art sewer service to the Franklin Lakes Central Business District, replacing six treatment plants and septic systems in use there for business, retail, school facilities and some residential areas.

The above is a release from the NBCUA.The above mentioned hirings come after the who were taking stipends and benefits for their positions.

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