Category: Village of Ridgewood

file photo by Boyd Loving

“I take exception to the above statement that Valley gave us big donations. In actuality, Valley used Ridgewood’s services without any payment. Several years ago, a Judge declared that hospitals could be charged money in lieu of taxes–but the Council did not want to charge them. The law was also passed that hospitals had to pay town taxes for all the property they owned that was used “for profit entities”. Valley owns a ton of property in Ridgewood–all being used for profit making endeavors! Do they pay taxes? I know they do not pay for all the Police and Fire calls–not even for the mandatory use of Vet’s field–which requires both police and fire to stand by–for their inbound patient helicopters. Residents are charged for fire calls that exceed a certain number. Valley probably exceeds this number the first week of every month. This use of the fire department includes police to stand by. Do they pay–not likely! And, even when they technically “leave the Village years from now”, they are legally responsible to continue to pay (if they had ever started!) for money in lieu of taxes and real estate taxes for all the profit making buildings. Just think how much tax could be paid on just the 200 building near the Duck Pond? I am quite sure that no physician or other use “donates their time” but are instead well paid for it. I can’t understand why the Village refuses to collect all that money that is legally owed to them as well as all the unpaid money due from Fire, Police, and other services we supply for free! At one time, the Village even picked up their garbage for free! Remember, YOUR tax money is paying for all of these FREE services!”