Ridgewood Water Case, Budget Issues For Wyckoff In 2018

WYCKOFF, NJ — Newly-appointed Township Committee chairman Brian Scanlan said the ongoing Ridgewood Water case and the municipal budget are two issues officials will address this year.

Scanlan, along with fellow Democrat Melissa Rubenstein, were sworn into three-year committee terms and Republican Timothy Shanley was sworn into a one-year unexpired term. Scanlan and Rubenstein ran on a platform that, despite being Democrats, would represent all of Wyckoff if elected.

Scanlan is the township's first Democratic mayor in decades and Rubenstein is the first Democratic woman to serve on the committee.

The ongoing class-action lawsuit was filed by the three municipalities the utility serves: Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park. A recently-released report outlines that the embattled utility overcharged customers in 2010 and 2011. Litigation with the case continues to drag on in court.

Scanlan said that the town's two-person budget committee completed its report on the 2018 budget and will be considered by the entire five-person Township Committee.

The former Township Committee eliminated the position of vice committee chairman, the de facto deputy mayor, last year, a position Scanlan previously held.

Scanlan has coached two dozen recreation teams and has served as a gold award advisory for local Girl Scouts. He and his wife Gail have three adult children, all of whom are graduates of Wyckoff schools and Ramapo High School. He is president of Thieme, a company that publishes literature for medical students and practitioners.

Rubenstein 37, is a realtor who volunteers with the Paramus Veterans Home and Rebuilding Together's North Jersey chapter. Rebuilding Together is nonprofit that assists low-income homeowners.

Scanlan is a member of Saint Elizabeth's Church where he was co-director of the soup kitchen, Sunday school teacher and a youth group volunteer.

Related: Rubenstein, Scanlan And Shanley Win Wyckoff Committee Seats
Related: Ridgewood Water Undercharged Customers In 2010 And 2011: Analyst

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Photo: Carla Pappalardo, Melissa Rubenstein and Brian Scanlan — the One Wyckoff Democratic team. — Courtesy of Melissa Rubenstein