NO!! it’s not the gas station that is the problem, James, it is the building, being constructed on the same lot of the gas station. It blocks the clear site of the entrance into Ridgewood as you are driving down the highway, RT 17. It is dangerous. You no longer can see clearly what is going on with cars exiting that entrance. Cars may crash into you exiting the wrong lane. Also, the gas station lot will be too crowded to safely move your car once you have gotten gas. Damn’t . The new Dunkin Donuts makes it dangerous for anyway going into that lot. I am talkin about the entrance into Ridgewood into Franklin Tpke after a Park and Ride where they are constructing a huge drive-in Dunkin Donuts. Read Friday’s Ridgewood News. First it was going to be a seven -eleven. NO matter what it is the building blinds the site of drivers who want to enter into Ridgewood. The town approved that construction because they do not care about the safety of people. Only about money.
For years ,since 1978 when I moved here, there was only a gas station there. Then it was not crowded and safe. Now on the highway it is a death trap to enter into Ridgewood because you are blinded by the building and getting gas will be dangerous because too crowded with Dunkin drivers. The lot of the SHell station was small to begin with.
I find it amusing and perhaps indicative of where our society is today that there is no mention of the dog owners in this article. All of the responsibility has been laid on the person who is bitten and/or the dogs natural instinct.
Even dog owners know…… There are good dog owners and bad dog owners.
Dogs are animals, the owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs
How about a list starting with: Train your dog Leash your dog Hold on to the leash Keep the leash at a reasonable length Maintain control over your dog at all times – make sure they know who their master is. Don’t assume everyone wants your dog to jump all over them and/or their children Do not encourage strangers to pet your dog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood police report that on January 1st, patrol units responded to a Godwin Avenue business on a report of a theft of services. Upon arrival patrol was advised a male and female actor fled from the restaurant without making payment for the services rendered. The amount of the theft was approximately $30. Patrol checked the area but could not locate the actors.
A dine and dash is a form of theft by fraud, in which a patron orders and consumes food and beverages from a restaurant or similar establishment with the intent not to pay. The act may involve the customer leaving the restaurant with the intent of evading payment, or, less commonly, of the patron eating the food and then stating that they do not have any money.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on January 3rd, a McKinley Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report a theft in the past. The victim reported a contractor removed construction plans and permits from the residence without authorization. The stolen items were valued at approximately $20,000. The victim reported the contractor has failed to respond to communications at this time and wished to document the incident at this time.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that Patrol units responded to 223 North Van Dien Avenue on a report of a stolen vehicle on December 31st. Upon arrival, the victim reported he left his 2013 Toyota Corolla in the parking lot unsecured with the motor running and when he returned a short time later the vehicle missing. A stolen vehicle report was taken and the vehicle entered into N.C.I.C. as a stolen vehicle.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Health Department offers these guidelines for staying safe around dogs. According to a study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care. These are scary statistics. But scary becomes a lot less so when you’re armed with the right information. From accounting for your own behavior around animals, to why dogs actually bite in the first place, we’re giving you an arsenal of information in this article so you can bite back in the dog bite debate.
Why does a dog bite? • Dogs bite as a reaction to a stressful situation. • They may be scared or threatened. • To protect themselves, their puppies, or their owners. • They’re not feeling well or if they’re startled. • They may nip or bite during play (which is why rough play should be avoided to ensure you don’t overly excite your animal).
Keep these triggers in mind anytime you’re around a canine. Your awareness of their mental state will help you recognize a potential bite situation more quickly.
While we’re not absolving the canine completely of its own responsibility in a dog-bite situation, there are always two sides to a story — even a bad one. When it comes to your side, there are more than two things that you can do to decrease your chances of an attack.
Just like people, there are always good pets that snap. Even though the dog never displayed any aggressive attitudes, even though you didn’t provoke him to attack, there are still those unaccountable instances that no one can explain or rationalize. However, more often than not, this isn’t the case.
That’s why, when dealing with any dog, you should maintain confident, but cautious body-language. Below are a few things you can do to make sure your attitude doesn’t trigger an attack. • Don’t approach an unfamiliar animal. • Do not run from a dog, panic or make loud noises. • If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, remain motionless. Do not run or scream. Avoid direct eye contact. • Don’t disturb a dog while they’re eating, sleeping, or taking care of their puppies. • Allow a dog to sniff and smell you before you attempt to pet it. Afterward scratch the animal under the chin, not on the head. • Report strays or dogs displaying strange behavior to your local animal control. • If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and remain motionless. Be sure to cover your ears and neck with your hands and arms. Avoid eye contact and remain calm. • Don’t encourage your dog to play aggressively. • In some situations when a dog is approaching you just giving the command “no” or “bad dog” will make the dog back off.
If you are bitten by a dog you must get the information of the owner to see if the dog is current on vaccinations. You must also report the bite to the local Health Department and/or Police Department to investigate. It is also recommended that you see a physician to prevent any infections. Dog bites can get infected.
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Police on December 27th, a representative from Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report criminal mischief damage was discovered to an equipment storage box located at Citizens field. The storage boxed was reported to have been vandalized by an unknown party. The incident was documented as a matter of record.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
JANUARY 9, 2019
7:30 P.M.
7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Award Contract – Eastside Reservoir Improvements
Award Second Year Contract – Landscaping Services
Award Second Year Contract – Line Stop and Valve Insertion
Award Second Year Contract – Servicing and Repairing of Electric Source
Award Second Year Contract – Water Billing and Data Collection Services
Award Second Year Contract – Furnishing and Delivering Sodium
Hypochlorite Solution
Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Pumping
Facilities
Award Professional Services Contract – Per-and Poly-Fluoroalkly
Substances Planning and Treatment Study
Award Contract – Asbestos Abatement and Boiler Replacement
Award Second Year Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services
Parking
Parking in Train Station Lot after 6:00 P.M.
Maturity Schedule for Funding the Hudson Street Parking Garage
Amend Parking Permit Ordinance – Hudson Street Parking Lot Permit
Budget
Award Second Year Contract – Landfill Disposal of Solid Waste
Declare Property Surplus – Parks Department Log Pile
Declare Property Surplus – Various Vehicles
Authorize Release of Escrow Funds – 143 and 147 West Glen Avenue
Award Contract – Recreation Program Instruction for 2019
Approve Shared Services Agreement – School Resource Officer
Graydon Pool Membership Fees
2019 Bond Ordinance – Various Capital Improvements
Resolution to Amend Temporary Capital Budget
Policy
Amendments to Outdoor Café Ordinance
Amendments for Regulations for Dumpsters on Private Property
Operations
Confirm Endorsement of Application for Community
Development Block Grant – Care Plus NJ, Inc.
Place to Place Liquor License Transfer – 54 East Ridgewood Landmark
Review of January 16, 2019 Public Meeting Agenda
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Closed Session
Legal – Board of Education Elections, Ridgewood Water Rate Litigation
Ridgewood NJ, Pierre & Michel Authentic French Bakery, of Elmwood Park , has opened another location in Ridgewood.
Mayor Ramon M Hache welcomed Pierre & Michel Authentic French Bakery and recommended ” the delicious chocolate croissants and warm French baguettes.”
One chef graduated pastry school at Ecole de Boulangerie et Patisserie in Paris plus trained at Lenotre the French culinary brand .
The bakery currently offers traditional pastries, cakes, macarons, breads (brioche, baguettes) and more. The 1200 foot space houses approximately 40 seats.
Pierre & Michel 38 East Ridgewood Avenue Ridgewood, NJ
Go west (or south) young families as leaving Ridgewood is sad but apparently, financially prudent. State and local governments have little leeway to manage their budgets given their contractual salary, healthcare and pension obligations. Population trends, prevailing taxes, and budget stress are tell tale signs that our Village and State’s financial problems are not revenue but expense related. Decades long deficits and massive unfunded pension obligations are proof that state and local fiscal strategies are out of sync.
Unlike the private sector, government wage and benefit payouts are not flexible. They increase with the passage of time. We in the Village have been served this sandwich for years and now people are moving faster to greener pastures that offer a different menu. With that said, it is encouraging that some of our state level elected officials recognize our financial crisis for what it is, as a spending problem. It would be nice to hear that locally…Our only hope is that the same political and perhaps certain union leaders will act bravely to modify current arrangements that mitigate growing budget deficits. In this matter, all interests are aligned.
Real and sustainable fiscal management is difficult to implement. It takes compromise and commitment but the resulting policy changes are not hard to understand. Some are obvious such as i) 401Ks for new hires versus a pension, ii) altering timing on pension payouts, iii) means based health care programs versus the gold standard regardless of house hold income, and iv) eliminating revenue draining white elephant projects such as municipally run/owned parking garages. (Sorry, I could not help myself.)
It is likely naive of me to hope that our leaders (again be they elected or union leaders) will deflect our current financial trajectory But it is a must because it is the only way to ensure what was contracted is delivered. A deal is a deal and we should stand by what we agreed to pay. However, all have to recognize that will be true only if there is money to pay for what was promised. The balance is we all have a line in the sand on how much more we will pay to support current services.
My comments are not intended to offend anyone. Their purpose is to be a call to action and compromise because I love it here. I enjoy my neighbors, the schools, teachers, the community, and I don’t want to bailout when my kids are off to college. I want to be apart of the solution and not just a piggy bank. I know others feel the same but we will vote with our feet if our leaders lead poorly and without reasonable foresight.
Village Counsel and union leaders, is there a willingness to make reasonable contractual changes now before it is too late or do you prefer the status quo? Your responses and actions are very powerful. Your decisions will dictate how fast our tax base erodes and how the Village will deliver on the benefits of your bargain. I respectfully suggest that your challenge is now because time is money and money is finding other places to live.
You know it’s a shame because so many of us love small towns and love New Jersey. But it’s just too expensive to live in the state. What the hell happened so many of us are selling our homes and moving out not because we want to we have to to survive. Especially the retirees they’re not going to give their pension checks for taxes .why would anybody do that even if they have the funds. It just doesn’t make sense.
TRENTON NJ, A new study showing that more residents moved out of New Jersey than any other state underscores the need for fiscal reforms that will make the state more affordable and allow for the types of investments that will retain and attract workers and their families, said Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Senator Sweeney noted that the United Van Lines 42nd Annual National Movers Study, which tracks state-to-state migration patterns, found that there were twice as many outbound moves from New Jersey as inbound moves. New Jersey’s outbound relocation percentage of 67 percent was the highest in the nation in 2018. The findings in the relocation report are consistent with recent migration patterns driven by such factors as cost of living, job growth, state budgetary challenges and the appeal of a warmer climate, according to a top public policy economist at UCLA.
“We can’t do much about the weather, but we have the ability to make the reforms needed to address deeply rooted state fiscal problems, to help make New Jersey more affordable, and to make the investments needed to foster job retention and long-term economic expansion,” said Senator Sweeney, referring to the Path to Progress report issued by the bipartisan, blue-ribbon Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup.
“We need to make New Jersey a place where current residents choose to stay, where young people can have a future, and where businesses and people from other states want to move to,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “If we don’t make the structural reforms needed to fix our state finances, pension and health benefit costs will continue to grow and consume all of our revenue growth. Because of this, we won’t have the resources we need to support education and job training programs, to improve our infrastructure and to invest in the development of new technologies that are critical to economic growth.”
Senator Sweeney also took note of the just-released WARN notices showing that more than 11,000 workers at 55 companies in New Jersey were issued layoff notices in 2018. The figures, compiled by the state Department of Labor under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, signal that their jobs are in jeopardy.
“These WARN notifications are bad news for the jobholders and serve as a warning sign for the state’s economic well-being,” said Senator Sweeney. “They serve as an advance notice of potential large-scale layoffs and they cut across a broad sector of businesses, including retailers, healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. It is something to take seriously.”
The Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup was co-chaired by Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), Senate Republican Budget Officer Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D–Camden). The panel met for more than six months and produced a series of recommendations designed to fix the underfunded pension system, reduce healthcare costs, improve education and expand shared services to hold down property taxes.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood will be holding its inaugural Floodplain Management Symposium on January 21, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the Court Room, Level 4, located at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue.
Staff from the Engineering Division and Building Department will host an open forum on topics ranging from purchasing in the floodplain to filing flood related insurance claims with your insurance agent. Village staff would like to hear from realtors and insurance agents about their experiences. These experiences will help our residents gain valuable information from these lessons learned.
Residents are invited to come and learn firsthand. Topics will also include flood preparedness and flood protection.
If have any specific topics or further questions please contact Jovan Mehandzic at [email protected]
The Ridgewood Police department and the U.S. Postal Police are currently investigating unlawful mailbox entries in Ridgewood’s central business district. These thefts have also occurred in surrounding towns, the Ridgewood Police Department is advising anyone who may have placed mail in mailboxes in the Central business District from 12/30/18- 12/31/18 to check with the intended recipients of the mail as the items may not have been successfully delivered. Affected parties should also monitor their credit reports and bank accounts for any suspicious activities. If you determine you are a victim of a crime, please report it to the Ridgewood Police Department immediately. If you have any information regarding these thefts please contact the Ridgewood Police Detective Bureau at 201- 251-4537.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog wanted to close out 2018 with the Big Zucchini awards . After consulting many readers and staff ,most came up with a similar list ,however one respondent listed them all .
A Big Zucchini is given for what readers and staff consider the biggest screwups in the Village of Ridgewood for 2018, but remember a screwup to one is a triumph to another.
Almost everyone listed the first two
Approval of $12 million parking garage.
Purchase of Elks Club property.
“Lemon” leaf vacuum.
Unauthorized payments to Parkmobile.
Horrendous leaf pickup process
Increased parking meter and hang tag fees.
Closing Village Hall for ½ day to facilitate installation of generator.
