Maple Field’s landscaping has been overrun by weeds and saplings. Just a few years ago, many in this village made donations for the installation of the turf field and the landscaping surrounding it. Now when one drives by, weeds as big as bushes grow wild. The main entrance walk is obscured, shallowed up by untrimmed plants. It is disgraceful that our Village Parks and Rec have allowed this happen. It is like spitting in the eye of all who live here and pay for the upkeep. If it is too much work for our village workers, then privatize the maintenance of the grounds. Jacobson’s does a wonderful job at our schools. It is time for the VC to either straighten out the Parks & Rec Dept or get someone else who will do the work.
>“Tradition of Excellence” : Readers make to key observations about quality of schools debate
Based on the previous eight comments, it sounds like the high school parents don’t care if we have the best high school in the state and have no interest in figuring out how we can get there. Pretty good seems to be OK with them.
and
To a growing number in town, having the best high school is not as important as having everyone who doesn’t actually live in town think that RW has the best schools.
It’s all part of placing more importance on feeeling good rather than actually being good.
>What we do not have is a “Master Plan” for how the town will survive financially.
This town will spiral into bankruptcy. When a home is sold, it is usually to a young family. No empty nesters have moved on to my block in the 20+ years that I have lived here. School populations have been growning, as has the “need” for more fields. My taxes have increased each year, this year I have an increase in the face of decreased services. What we do not have is a “Master Plan” for how the town will survive financially. We have a master plan for development and apparently one for for fields. How will we stay solvent with a constant population shift? I lived here for about 7 years before having children. When my kids are finished with the school system I will join my friends and former nerghbors in a move to a town with low taxes. There are many possibilities. My 5 bedroom house will probably be sold to a family with 3 children. They can pay my $31,000 taxes and enjoy the schools and other services that the town has to offer. If my husband and I stayed in town it would be better for the town financially – no kids in the school and $30k+ in taxes. I can think of a lot of things that I could do with a 20k savings (per year!in property taxes. Travel comes to mind. So think about this as you focus all your funds and energies on sports fields and the quest for sports fame. You will never have enough
>Ridgewood Council Meeting March 2, 2011 where ATT’s interest in the Firehouse is discussed.
See below minutes from Village of Ridgewood Council Meeting March 2, 2011 where ATT’s interest in the Firehouse is discussed. Village seemed to be ready, willing and able. Why is the Village stalling?
Dr. Gabbert said that the Village has been approached by a cellular carrier regarding a potential site for a cellular tower at the Fire Headquarters Building on East Glen Avenue. This would require a full bid process and the interested company may not be the successful bidder. This carrier has indicated that a 100 ft. monopole to support two carriers would meet their needs and the Village Engineer, Christopher Rutishauser, recommends bidding out a 140 ft. monopole that would permit a maximum of five carriers. Dr. Gabbert said that Mr. Rutishauser can explain this proposal in more detail to the Village Council or they could direct him to go forward with the specifications. These specifications would include an upgrade of Village communication equipment. Dr. Gabbert confirmed Mayor Killion’s thinking that the existing radio tower at the Fire Department would be removed.
Councilwoman Walsh asked if the proposed tower is similar in height to the tower near the Shell Gas Station. Dr. Gabbert said that the existing tower is 120 ft. and the technology has changed, resulting in towers with smaller bases. Councilman Riche questioned whether a zoning change would be necessary to accommodate the tower. Mr. Rogers indicated that it would be a good idea to bring that question to the Planning Board even though this is Village property and it would be exempt from Planning Board review.
Councilwoman Walsh recalled that a group came to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) recently about a 140 ft. pole at the Valleau Cemetery. Mr. Rogers said that this would require a use variance because it is outside of the zone where these towers are permitted. He knows of three sites that are under consideration now, with one that has actually reached the application stage. Dr. Gabbert commented that there are several areas of Village properties that are under review at the moment for the installation of cellular towers.
Councilman Aronsohn questioned potential revenue and Mr. Rogers said that the Glen Rock site is generating $40,000 annually from each carrier but it depends on the site and the opportunity for coverage for the particular carriers. Dr. Gabbert said that an annual fee of $30,000 to $35,000 per carrier would be a reasonable amount that could be anticipated. A tower at the Fire Department property could accommodate 5 carriers if it were 140 ft. high. The bid proposal would include the removal of the existing tower, the erection of the new tower to Village standards, the deeding over of the tower to the Village at some point and escalating payments. This would be a revenue source with no outside expenses other than legal and engineering to prepare the specifications. Dr. Gabbert explained that that each carrier requires access to an area at the base of the monopole where there is a small structure which contains cellular related equipment. There is some flexibility in terms of location and it would be well blocked from any neighborhood. Mayor Killion said that the company that approached the Village indicated that they would be willing to upgrade their generator as well as the Fire Department’s generator which would result in a greater capacity.
Councilman Wellinghorst asked about the number of carriers that could be located on this tower. Dr. Gabbert said that a 140 ft. pole could accommodate 5 carriers; however, it depends on the areas that the individual carriers want to service.
Mayor Killion asked about notification to the neighbors. Dr. Gabbert said they would bring specifications back to the Village Council first with the next step being notification of the neighbors. Councilmembers agreed to move forward as described by Dr. Gabbert.
The text of these minutes confirms the contentions I made in a post a few days ago about the process through which T-Mobile is pursuing its increasingly-absurd application to place a cell-phone tower in an area zoned for residential use, despite the fact, ably and continually confirmed, that there are several, and much better, sites available to T-Mobile for its beloved “faux pine tree”. Set aside, for the moment, the proposed AT&T takeover of T-Mobile, the possible health hazards of exposure to cell phone radiation, the new technology that is coming on-line very soon that will make cell towers obsolete, the recent FCC legislation requiring carriers to initiate roaming benefits for all of their users, etc.
It seems to me that this application is being pursued to benefit the lawyers and consultants involved first, and secondarily, T-Mobile’s customers. Prediction, and I hope that this comes to fruition: T-Mobile will wake up, say “never mind” and withdraw its application. The cell phone companies should pursue, first and foremost, new cell towers in those areas that want them. There are countless municipalities that could use additional funding sources. The good people of Barnett Place should not bear the burden of the extremely high opportunity cost of permitting a cell tower within its proximity.
Union negotiations continued over the weekend before falling apart a second time
Two days after a contentious Senate committee hearing that ended with the approval of landmark pension and health benefit reform, Democrats in both houses of the Legislature and union leaders met to continue talks over a deal to soften the blow for public employees. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
Senate looks to Jam N.J. in cap and trade program down taxpayers throats
Environmental advocates won a symbolic victory today when a Senate panel advanced a bill to block Gov. Chris Christie’s retreat from a regional program to curb air pollution that contributes to climate change. (Baxter, The Star-Ledger)
Landmark pension and health benefit legislation marched inexorably ahead Monday, with government workers unions saying the bill would cause a race to the economic bottom and Democrats remaining deeply divided. (Method and Symons, Gannett)
Stepping up solar production before the administration slows it down
The state is moving to accelerate how much solar power will be produced in New Jersey, a step it hopes will rejuvenate a sector coming under increasing scrutiny from the Christie administration. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
>Jersey City and Ridgewood Adopt Complete Streets Policies, Bringing Statewide Total to 13 June 15th, 2011 by Jay Corbalis
When the state Department of Transportation adopted its Complete Streets policy in late 2009, it represented a significant step in the department’s ongoing effort to improve pedestrian safety, as well as a formal recognition that roads in New Jersey are meant for all users, not only drivers. The policy applies only to state roads, however, which represent only around 12 percent of all roads in the state. The rest are controlled by counties and municipalities, which are encouraged, but not required, to adopt their own Complete Streets policies.
>New Jersey winemakers worried by bottleneck on direct shipping
In the midst of a busy summer sipping season, New Jersey wineries can’t expand and new wineries can’t open because of a stalemate in the Legislature over a bigger issue: allowing the direct shipping of wine from out of state. (Nussbaum, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>‎”Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue?”
~ George Washington, From his Farewell Address (1796)
Advocates for medical marijuana, long at odds with Gov. Christie, were fuming at him Friday, a day after he said he was waiting for assurances from federal authorities that people involved in state-sanctioned sales of pot to patients would not be prosecuted. (Mulvihill and DeFalco, The Associated Press)
>The wind turbine dilemma: hurting preservation or supporting farmers in New Jersey?
Two bills moving through the Legislature would allow widespread construction of wind turbines on New Jersey farmland that the state has spent more than $1 billion over the years to preserve for strictly agricultural purposes. (Barlas, Press of Atlantic City)
