>8/7/06 Update: PROPOSED ATHLETIC FIELDS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES — USE POLICY**A Public Hearing on the proposed Athletic Field & Recreational Facilities Use policy will take place August 9th at 8pm at the Village Council Public Meeting, Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave.
Author: admin
>I could be way off base but……
>
Well once again its all about the train station and I only have a couple of questions ,first if the train station is going to bigger ,how come there is going to be less ,that’s right less parking? I agree the old place needs a bit of a fixing up, but $27 million dollars worth? Isn’t that the very size of the budget deficit of New Jersey Transit? Are there not some more effective cost solutions like perhaps double Decker trains? What about the air quality for the senior citizens living over the proposed track extension? Perhaps we could have full time porters to help anyone needing help boarding or leaving the train, I don’t think that would cost $27 million.
Highlights from 8/3/06 Village Council Work Session:
>The subject of creating a redevelopment district to facilitate rapid construction of a parking garage again surfaced. Council members seem intent on finding a legal method of distancing themselves from the word “condemnation.” Block 3806 (Oak/Walnut between Franklin & Maple) is the targeted redevelopment district
Although in agreement that NJ Transit’s plans for a $27 million ADA upgrade to Ridgewood’s train station make no fiscal sense whatsoever, Council members agreed that conceptual plan number three would be the lesser of three evils. An appropriate resolution is being drafted and will be forwarded to NJ Transit.
To appease taxpayers living near Linwood Avenue and Sollas Court, Council members agreed to formally request the County of Bergen not to bring their planned bike path extension onto Village of Ridgewood owned property north of the Wild Duck Pond area.
It was revealed that the Planning Board is estimated to overspend their 2006 budget allocation by $66K. Council members were less than amused at the news that legal & other professional services fees exceed plan. Note: Mayor Pfund and Councilwoman Ringler-Shagin sit on the Planning Board but seemed surprised by the news also. Duh?
Plans to expand the Village Hall parking lot by 13 spaces were approved. The additional parking area will be located near the northeast corner of the building.
Council Members grilled Building Department Director Tony Merlino for over 45 minutes regarding his progress, or lack thereof, in implanting recommendations made last year by an external auditor. Clearly, those on the dais were not happy with Mr. Merlino’s progress report.
The Village’s Health, Building, and Tax departments will be folded into a new “Department of Community Services.” A Director is will be recruited (most likely from within).
Plans to discontinue use of a water meter reading system based on use of telephone lines were approved. Replacement water meters will be read using a two way radio system.
A revised commercial filming ordinance will be introduced.
The 2007 Village Calendar theme will center around famous people from Ridgewood. “Pioneering Women” was originally suggested as a theme; it died a quick death at the suggestion of Councilwoman Kim Ringler-Shagin.
>Be cool
>Cooling Center – Village of RidgewoodThe National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for Bergen County for Tuesday, August 1st and Wednesday, August 2nd. The Ridgewood Cooling Center will be located in the Community Center, lower level of Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood
>need a quickie?
>
If you have any late night snack food desires ,Ridgewood has a new merchant called “the quickie mart “ open late it’s a drive thru place to pick up those last minute things like snack items ,dairy products, baby products or some groceries. Located at 121 Franklin Ave, you can call in in advance for your last minute late night or early morning needs.(201)689-0099 or fax (201)689-0066 or check them out on the web at https://www.thequickiemartstore.com/
>Let me Show You how to take Advantage of the Flat Yield Curve
>
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2. Check the rating of the bank. Stick with higher quality banks.
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>Update: the fly on the wall
>The fly on the wall has learned that another village employee got into a bit of a tiff with another motorist and did some serious damage to themselves and the other car….
Rumors continue to fly that the story has been suppressed by higher powers and the county paper has dropped the ball, let’s see when the editor at large returns from her vacation will she be willing to put it on the line at the local level….
>Garage Sale’s for Saturday July 29th
>Garage Sale at 54 Washington Place 8am to 2pm Saturday July 29,2006 ,Nikon Cool Pix Camera,Marrantz receiver 2215b,Gate Way Computer with Monitor and key board, glassware ,octagon wood coffee table , chairs ,binoculars, Movodo watch , an official Jetzen Jacket and much more …….NO EARLY BIRDS PLEASE
Just around the Corner
>$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.
Ridgewood to Start RevaluationThe Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.
>Sports Emergency?
>How could Mayor Pfund, Deputy Mayor Wiest, and Councilmen Harlow and Mancuso have possibly classified the need to complete a study of recreational fields as an emergency, and accordingly have voted yes to authorize a “Special Emergency Appropriation” in the amount of $42K to hire an external consultant for such a study? What is the big emergency? We’re talking about sports here. Do they really think the public is gullible enough to buy such an argument? A sports related emergency? How absurd!
Regardless of Village Attorney Matt Roger’s opinion, the legality of such an action based on existing NJ Municipal Funding Laws is clearly in question. In light of opposing comments voiced by a taxpayer at the ordinance’s Public Hearing, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate, and respectful of the taxpayer, to have requested a ruling from Trenton prior to the Mayor’s call for a vote? Oops, I forgot; they had an emergency at hand; no time for such a consultation. Excuse us.
Undoubtedly, one of the first official actions undertaken by Mayor Pfund’s recently reorganized Council was highly suspect, to say the least, in nature. Hopefully, their consultant’s report (which is hopefully made available for public review) will be worth every penny of the $42K in tax dollars Mayor Pfund personally signed off on.
Events Around the Village….
>8/1 Bucky Pizzarelli
Sponsored by Daily Treat Restaurant and Ulrich, Inc.
Kasschau Shell will feature Bucky Pizzarelli, Jazz Guitarist, on Tuesday, August 1 at 8:30pm on Veteran’s Field, behind the Library. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy music under the stars! For recorded information call 201/444-1776
8/3 Kasschau Shell
Sponsored by Village of Ridgewood
David Cedeno and his Orchestra will play salsa music at *8:30pm at the Kasschau Shell on Veteran’s Field, behind the Library. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music under the stars! For recorded information call 201/444-1776
8/3-5 Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale
8/8 Kasschau Shell
Sponsored by The Valley Hospital
The John Lesko Orchestra will perform swing music at 8:30pm on Veteran’s Field, behind the Library. Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy the music under the stars! Recorded message at 201/444-1776.
8/10 Kasschau Shell
Sponsored by Brogan Cadillac & Buick Inc., and Feeney Funeral Home
Andy Cooney and His Band will perform Irish music and more a the Kasschau Shell, Veteran’s Field, behind the Library at 8:30pm. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this free music under the stars! For recorded information call 201/444-1776.
9/8 Fall Car Show
Chamber of Commerce Car Show from 6 to 9PM at Van Neste Square at E. Ridgewood Avenue. Call the Chamber for more details.
9/17 Fall Craft and Art Street Fair
Organized through a vendor by the Village of Ridgewood Recreation Department. Booths of crafts and food will be set up along E. Ridgewood Avenue from Noon to 5PM
>Village Council Work Sessions
>08/02/06
7:30pm
Village Council Work Session
08/09/06
8:00pm
Village Council Public Meeting
09/06/06
7:30pm
Village Council Work Session
09/13/06
8:00pm
Village Council Public Meeting
09/27/06
7:30pm
Village Council Work Session
>Ridgewood’s own water …hummmm
>Ridgewood Water – Consumer Confidence ReportFederal regulations require that water utilities report specific information about the quality of the water they supply to their consumers and the general public. Ridgewood Water has published and mailed the report for 2006 to all of its customers. Copies of the report are also available at the public libraries and municipal buildings within the service area. To read the report, Click Here
>Water Water Everywhere ? hummm here we go again…
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Stage II Water Restrictions Now in ForceDue to high temperatures and lack of sufficient rain, Ridgewood Water has imposed Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions. Irrigation of properties with odd-numbered addresses is allowed on odd-numbered dates, and irrigation of properties with even-numbered addresses is allowed on even-numbered dates. No irrigation of any kind is allowed on Mondays. Irrigation using a hand held hose is allowed on any day except Mondays.
Some would suggest there is a leaky pipe somewhere perhaps running near Linwood Ave. across the Ho Ho Kus brooke …well they say just another mess from Floyd…dont fool with mother nature..
>lesson learned with the Village Hall fiasco
>Citing their desire to avoid the commonplace delays & cost overruns associated with municipal construction projects (lesson learned with the Village Hall fiasco, thankfully), Village Council members last night informally approved plans to have a private corporation build and operate the proposed downtown parking garage.
An as yet to be created municipally managed redevelopment agency would designate the area intended for garage construction, and take whatever steps are necessary to acquire needed property (hint: eminent domain). Following the assembly of all required parcels, the designated private corporation would build and operate the garage. Funding/leasing arrangements have not been finalized.
At this time, Village Council members want the garage constructed on the west side of Walnut Street, between Franklin and Ridgewood Avenues. Property said to be under consideration for “redevelopment” includes lots occupied by The Town Garage, Just Our Shoes, and a strip of land behind stores along the east side of Oak Street.
