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PORT AUTHORITY AUTHORIZES PLANNING FUNDS FOR FIRST PHASE OF PATH EXTENSION TO NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

300px-33rd_St_PATH_platform_jeh
May 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark NJ, Extension would provide access to the airport via a one-seat ride from Manhattan and add transit access to the Dayton Street neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward

The Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners today authorized $57 million in planning funds for the first phase of the PATH system extension to Newark Liberty International Airport, a projected $1.7-billion project that is a key component of the board’s 2017-2026 capital plan and essential to improved regional rail service for the commuting public.

“The Port Authority is committed to making critical investments in a transportation network that supports regional growth and meets the demands of the millions of people who live, work and visit the region,” said Port Authority Chairman John Degnan. “This planning effort will provide analysis of key components – ridership data, cost updates, environmental and economic impacts – to help the agency continue to evaluate the project before moving forward with construction.”

“Our 10-year capital plan dedicates $32 billion towards strategic investments to support the modernization of critical transportation infrastructure,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. “This project improves transportation access to Newark Airport while extending PATH’s trans-Hudson network in Newark.”

Subject to completion of the environmental review process and project authorization by the Port Authority board, the project would include a new station in Newark’s South Ward Dayton Street neighborhood, a new rail yard facility and modification of existing platforms at Newark Penn Station to accommodate increased passenger flow.

Today’s authorization provides funding critical to move the project through preliminary design and the required environmental review process. It includes funds for environmental and transportation services, including preliminary engineering work as well as program and project management services.

Currently, the PATH Newark-to-World Trade Center line’s western-most point is Newark Penn Station. The project will extend the line west through the Dayton Street neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward, ending at the Newark Liberty rail link station.

Once approved, construction of the extension is expected to begin in 2020 with full revenue service to start in 2026. As a multimodal transportation hub, the new station also will reduce traffic congestion and provide environmental benefits through increased use of public transportation.

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The 13 N.J. counties with the worst dead deer problems

deer_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

In Bergen County the deer are plentiful and the number of dead ones collected by the Department of Transportation from its roadways back up that fact. In 2016 308 deer carcasses were picked up. That’s 43 more than were removed in 2015

 

Updated May 01, 2017
Posted May 01, 2017

Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com

There was a time in New Jersey and the northeastern U.S. when white-tailed deer were a rarity. A little over a century ago local newspapers heralded the news when the state Game Commission sent deer for release in local woods. A deer sighting was an item of note. How times have changed. Today deer are everywhere in New Jersey from the most rural to residential and even urban areas.

Accidents involving deer common

Deer cause millions of dollars of damage to crops in New Jersey, according to one Rutgers University overview of the population. They can also carry tick-borne illnesses. One of the greatest dangers, however, is when deer and motor vehicles meet. Especially in rural areas of the state, motor vehicle accidents involving deer are commonplace, sometimes resulting in major damage and injuries.  In many cases, the deer becomes the victim when it runs into a road into the path of an oncoming vehicle. One of the most dangerous times for motorists — and deer — is in the breeding or rutting season from mid-September through November.

https://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2017/05/13_nj_counties_with_the_worst_dead_deer_problems.html?ath=a661ed5d8cb41fa9dc524c06f451a07d#cmpid=nsltr_strybutton

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Leaked document reveals Facebook conducted research to target emotionally vulnerable and insecure youth

facebook-dislike-1

A SECRET document shows in scary detail how Facebook can exploit the insecurities of teenagers using the platform.

Nick Whighamnews.com.au@NWWHIGHAM

FACEBOOK has come under fire over revelations it is targeting potentially vulnerable youths who “need a confidence boost” to facilitate predatory advertising practices.

The allegation was revealed this morning by The Australian which obtained internal documents from the social media giant which reportedly show how Facebook can exploit the moods and insecurities of teenagers using the platform for the potential benefit of advertisers.

The confidential document dated this year detailed how by monitoring posts, comments and interactions on the site, Facebook can figure out when people as young as 14 feel “defeated”, “overwhelmed”, “stressed”, “anxious”, “nervous”, “stupid”, “silly”, “useless”, and a “failure”.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/leaked-document-reveals-facebook-conducted-research-to-target-emotionally-vulnerable-and-insecure-youth/news-story/d256f850be6b1c8a21aec6e32dae16fd

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Forget decriminalization. Time to legalize weed | Editorial

marijuana

Updated on April 30, 2017 at 3:46 PMPosted on April 30, 2017 at 3:45 PM

BY STAR-LEDGER EDITORIAL BOARD

[email protected]

New Jersey is clearly moving to join the many states that have legalized recreational marijuana – eight in just the last five years.

We could do this in two ways: either by making pot a legal substance and taxing it, or by permitting people to possess a small amount, instead of arresting them.

So now that a renewed effort is underway to reform our failed marijuana policy, time to revive that critical debate: legalization, or decriminalization?

https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/04/forget_decriminalization_time_to_legalize_pot_edit.html

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Times subscribers are fleeing in wake of climate change column

abominable-snowman-520169

By Chris Perez

May 1, 2017 | 1:06am

People are still hating on New York Times columnist Bret Stephens — with a “#ShowYourCancellation” movement growing on social media over the weekend — following his controversial piece on climate change.

Times columnist blasted by ‘nasty left’ for climate change piece

“I’ve been a @nytimes loyalist for over 15 years. But hiring a ‘climate agnostic’ has gone too far,” Heather Randell tweeted Sunday. “I’m canceling. #showyourcancellation.”

Beth Holbrook wrote, “Cancelled @nytimes subscription. As a scientist, I take offense at BS opinion pieces misrepresenting scientific facts #ShowYourCancellation.”

Marlene Amaro added, “Trusted NYT all my life……oh well.”

https://nypost.com/2017/05/01/times-subscribers-are-fleeing-in-wake-of-climate-change-column/

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PSEG WARNS SHUTTING DOWN NUCLEAR UNITS COULD DRIVE UP POWER PRICES

PSEG

file photo by Boyd Loving

TOM JOHNSON | MAY 1, 2017

Company head continues to sound drumbeat for nuclear subsidies, even though plants will remain profitable through 2019

Oyster Creek nuclear plant

The closing of nuclear power plants serving New Jersey could lead to higher electricity prices for consumers, according to Ralph Izzo, chairman, CEO, and president of Public Service Enterprise Group, the owner of the units.

Izzo, speaking Friday on a quarterly earnings call for the Newark energy company, continued the drumbeat of lobbying for incentives to subsidize the operation of the three units run by the company’s subsidiary, PSEG Power, in South Jersey.

“You cannot remove 40 percent of the supply without having an increase in prices in New Jersey,’’ Izzo said, in response to a question from a Wall Street analyst. “And that’s something New Jersey consumers should not like.’’

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/04/30/pseg-warns-shutting-down-nuclear-units-could-drive-up-power-prices/

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Jersey Shore town’s rule targeting Airbnb rentals to get public hearing

artchick_jerseyshore_theridgewoodblog

By Alex Napoliello | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 30, 2017 at 8:30 AM, updated April 30, 2017 at 8:33 AM

TOMS RIVER — The public will get a chance to chime in on a revised version of a controversial ordinance regulating short-term rentals, like those found on Airbnb and Vacation Rentals By Owner.

The amended ordinance eases restrictions on the minimum number of rental days on properties on the barrier island from three nights to two nights through April 1 through Nov. 30.

“It was determined that a minimum two-day rental during an extended season would be more workable on the barrier island and would not detract from the overall purposes of the ordinance,” it states.

A minimum 30-day stay will be enforced in all other parts of Toms River.

The township’s assistant attorney, Anthony Merlino, told the Asbury Park Press that the original ordinance was introduced after the council received complaints of houses advertised on Airbnb as daily rentals.

https://www.nj.com/ocean/index.ssf/2017/04/public_hearing_scheduled_for_jersey_shore_towns_on.html

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Time to find new (and creative) uses for malls

Xanadu_main_theridgewoodblog

April 30, 2017 at 3:00 AM
(LEVIN MANAGEMENT)

In an editorial a year ago, NJBIZ noted that Sports Authority was hitting the showers and closing its stores. Sports Authority stores? No offense intended, but who remembers them now?

Since then, the drop in brick-and-mortar retail sales and the closing of stores throughout New Jersey has become what we feared just 12 months ago — the new normal.

Reports of store closings come almost daily now. J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Payless, HHGregg, Rue21, Bebe — they all have closed stores in New Jersey and elsewhere in recent weeks. And the pace is accelerating. Credit Suisse has said that more than 8,600 stores will close in 2017 — a deluge worse than the record 6,163 stores that closed in the recession year of 2008. That would translate into 147 million square feet of retail space, the brokerage firm said in a research report. Sears, which owns Kmart — Sears! — has said it has “substantial doubt” that it can survive.

It all reminds us of Ernest Hemingway’s famous line in “The Sun Also Rises” about how a character went bankrupt: “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” Online commerce, of course, is the culprit. Approximately two-thirds of American consumers prefer to shop online, according to surveys.

The bad news about retail stores in New Jersey has been somewhat mitigated by the opening of seven Amazon warehouses in the state in recent years and plans to open three more. The largest so-called Amazon “fulfillment center” opened in Carteret less than two weeks ago, with more than 2,000 employees working in a 1-million-square-foot facility.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20170430/NJBIZ01/170429812/editorial-time-to-find-new-and-creative-uses-for-malls

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Dozens of these wildlife species in NJ could be headed for extinction

bald eagle

By Dino Flammia May 1, 2017 2:00 AM

The lives of more than 80 wildlife species in New Jersey are either in immediate danger or close to it.

Bobcats, bald eagles and multiple species of snake, sea turtles and birds should have a healthy presence in the Garden State, but they’re struggling to survive, according to the latest endangered and threatened list from the state Division of Fish & Wildlife.

The database describes endangered species as those whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are bleak “because of a loss or change in habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease, disturbance or contamination.” Threatened species may become endangered if conditions around them begin to or continue to worsen.

Several species on New Jersey’s list are endangered federally as well.

The piping plover, a small shorebird on both the state and national list, is considered “one of New Jersey’s most endangered species,” according to the division. “Without intense protection and management, it is unlikely that the piping plover would survive in New Jersey,” the species description states.

Read More: Dozens of these wildlife species in NJ could be headed for extinction | https://nj1015.com/dozens-of-nj-wildlife-species-could-be-headed-for-extinction/?trackback=tsmclip

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Reader asks why this plan was not considered less than eight years ago when the train station parking lot was last altered

ridgewood train station parkiong

I am curious why this plan was not considered less than eight years ago when the train station parking lot was last altered. Did Chris R not think it was a good idea then, was it never considered? Parking was surely an issue 10 years ago. Why are we considering renovations to a parking lot that was so recently modified – are we admitting that it wasn’t done very well, or at least did not maximize parking back then? Perhaps this was considered and determined to be a bad idea.

Would like to see the town engineers at the parking lot at 7am and again between 6 and 7pm when the traffic is at it’s highest. Adding more cars will only serve to create more gridlock at the traffic light on Ridgewood Ave. If more cars are added maybe something could be done to the traffic light to allow the cars to get out of the parking lot when trains arrive.

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Saraceno’s Apartments: By the Numbers

Saraceno's Apartments: By the Numbers
May 1,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The “rendering” of new apartments at Broad and Franklin by John Saraceno’s architect leaves a lot to be desired, like a connection to reality for starters. So let’s break down the reality of what Saraceno is planning. Built on the former home of the Ken Smith car dealership, the 66 unit apartment with thousands of square feet of retail space is allowed under new village laws championed by Ridgewood resident Saraceno and then-mayor Paul Aronsohn.

Frontage:

Franklin St- 198 feet
Chestnut St- 119 feet
Height: 5 stories, putting it above all neighboring buildings and higher than the train station. Saraceno says his 5 story building is 50 feet high. The “tower” is 57 feet. The new Chestnut apartments several hundred feet away are four stories and 53 feet high.

Parking:

155 parking spots, the arches at the ends of the building on Franklin and Chestnut are the lot entry/exits. The Chestnut entry is near the new 43 unit high-density apartments being built on the old vehicle inspection station lot.

Reminder:

Saraceno and Aronsohn, who partnered to raise the density in this area to 35 units, said these two and three bedroom apartments won’t have a lot of school age families. The Ridgewood school budget has grown ~25% in less than 10 years on just about flat enrollment.

The Saraceno, Aronsohn, Hauck, and Pucciarelli dream of turning Ridgewood into high-density heaven is just a few months away. The most densely populated county in the most densely populated state in the union is about to get more crowded. Ridgewood used to be a place to get away from that, no more.

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NJT Apologizes for the Mess

penn station njt

April 25, 2017

Dear Valued Customer,

First, I want to thank you for your continued patience and understanding during the recent and ongoing delays to your train service, especially traveling in and out of Penn Station New York.

These delays have caused considerable frustration, inconvenience and stress for many of you as you travel to work, appointments, events and then back home. Traveling on NJ TRANSIT should be the easy part of your day, not the most challenging.

We share your frustration and are committed to earning back your trust. I personally met with Amtrak’s CEO recently to discuss the importance of NJ TRANSIT having a voice at the table around prioritization of track and other maintenance, tunnel evacuation protocols, customer flow at Penn Station New York among other topics. These issues are important to NJ TRANSIT, have a direct impact on you our customers, and must be addressed.

If you have experienced delays that have compromised your work situation, please stop by one of our Customer Service offices and pick up a delay letter for your employer. You also can obtain a letter by visiting our website and clicking here to access our Contact Us form on the website.

I will work every day to ensure that we do everything we can to improve your trip, and sincerely apologize for the inconveniences you, your families and fellow commuters may have experienced in recent days.

Thank you for remaining a loyal NJ TRANSIT customer.

Steven H. Santoro
Executive Director, NJ TRANSIT

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Democrats say they now know exactly why Clinton lost

wicked-witch

WASHINGTON — A group of top Democratic Party strategists have used new data about last year’s presidential election to reach a startling conclusion about why Hillary Clinton lost. Now they just need to persuade the rest of the party they’re right.

Many Democrats have a shorthand explanation for Clinton’s defeat: Her base didn’t turn out, Donald Trump’s did and the difference was too much to overcome.

But new information shows that Clinton had a much bigger problem with voters who had supported President Barack Obama in 2012 but backed Trump four years later.

Those Obama-Trump voters effectively accounted for more than two-thirds of the reason Clinton lost, according to Matt Canter, a senior vice president of the Democratic political firm Global Strategy Group. In his group’s analysis, about 70 percent of Clinton’s failure to reach Obama’s vote total in 2012 was because she lost these voters.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/politics/democrats-say-they-now-know-exactly-why-clinton-lost/ar-BBAz1Gn

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N.J. native at center of Fyre Festival fiasco says organizers were ‘overwhelmed’

Fyre Festival

By Craig McCarthy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 29, 2017 at 11:25 AM, updated April 29, 2017 at 1:28 PM

One of the people at the center of the Fyre Festival fiasco, Billy McFarland, is a New Jersey native and college dropout, who’s been referred to as Ja Rule’s “tech partner.”

The 25-year-old co-organizer told Rolling Stone on Friday the planners were “overwhelmed” and “a little naive” in trying to pull off the botched luxury festival in the Bahamas, which promised a genre-spanning lineup of bands.

https://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2017/04/nj_native_at_center_of_frye_festival_fiasco_says_t.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured

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Springsteen hasn’t done a day’s work since his teens

Bruce Springsteen

By Hardeep Phull

April 29, 2017 | 12:20am

Even though he has spent much of his career writing songs about the working man, Bruce Springsteen will be the first to tell you he hasn’t done much in the way of hard work himself.

As part of the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, the Boss sat down with actor Tom Hanks for a conversation about his life and music. “The only honest work I’ve ever done in my entire life was at 14 or 15 when I was a lawn boy,” he told the crowd at the Beacon Theatre. “I painted houses and tarred roofs in the summertime – that was to get the money to buy my first guitar.”

But the fans still love him all the same, and over the course of the hour, Hanks attempted to get to the bottom of that long-held affection. Here are some the highlights from their discussion.

https://nypost.com/2017/04/29/springsteen-hasnt-done-a-days-work-since-his-teens/