photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
May 19,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, No injuries warranting ambulance transport were reported in a two (2) vehicle crash at the intersection of Paramus Road and West Century Road, Paramus on Friday morning, 05/18. Separate flatbed tow trucks removed both wrecked vehicles from the roadway. Paramus Police investigated.
may 18,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wyckoff NJ, The Assembly Environment committee passed legislation today preventing public pension funds from investing in companies that are not meeting Superfund cleanup obligations. Corporations that file bankruptcy to avoid paying for environmental remediation are targeted by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney’s bill (R40) (A997).
The Superfund program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with individual states. In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Site Remediation Program oversees the Superfund program. As of 10 March 2016, there are 105 Superfund sites listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). Thirty-six additional sites have been cleaned up and deleted from the list.
Rooney said ,“We cannot allow companies to benefit from state investment while they are walking away from an environmental disaster,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “This bill sends a clear message that irresponsible behavior and dubious tactics will not be tolerated. We will hold them accountable for poisoning our environment.”
A previous version of the bill (A4814) was unanimously approved by the Assembly and the Senate during the previous legislative session, but Gov. Chris Christie did not sign it.
Rooney drafted the measure after an American-based subsidiary of an Argentinian company declared bankruptcy to avoid paying $1.4 billion to remediate a heavily polluted stretch of the Passaic River. The Diamond Alkali Company, now known as Maxus Energy, owned and operated a facility in Newark manufacturing agricultural chemicals including Agent Orange and DDT. Over decades, chemicals were dumped into the river in what is now a Superfund site.
“This negligence had a devastating effect on the environment,” said Rooney. “Hundreds of thousands of gallons of dioxin were recklessly poured into the water. The poison is incredibly toxic and can take decades to degrade naturally.”
The parent company of YPF SA intentionally placed their subsidiary into bankruptcy just months after the Environmental Protection Agency announced a cleanup plan.
“These actions set a dangerous precedent,” continued Rooney. “New Jerseyans cannot be expected to clean messes made by those exploiting our system. Our state cannot afford it, and neither can our environment.”
The New Jersey pension fund owns more than 860,000 shares of YPF, valued at approximately $18 million.
The site is one of the most polluted stretches of water in the nation, and eating fish and crabs from the area is prohibited. The remediation plan is considered the one of costliest and most extensive projects ever undertaken.
The Senate approved the legislation in February.
Kevin J. Rooney represents the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly. Rooney was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a lifelong Bergen County resident and grew up in Upper Saddle River. He graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, New Jersey, and attended Ramapo College for Business and Cook College of Rutgers University for arboriculture.
May 18,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Law enforcement officers from the Paramus Police Department will join with police from around the country in cracking down on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Beginning May 21 and running through June 3, the annual “Click It or Ticket” national mobilization utilizes high visibility seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, in combination with local and national publicity efforts, to reiterate the life-saving value of seat belts.
“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a driver and his or her passengers to protect themselves when traveling,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “In 2016, it is estimated that more than 14,500 lives were saved nationally by the proper use of seat belts.”
Poedubicky added that a key focus of this year’s campaign is to promote seat belt usage by adults in all seating positions in the vehicle, both front AND rear seats. The front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey currently stands at 94.07%. However, adults riding in rear seats are buckling up at a significantly lower rate, only 48% in the most recent survey. “For whatever reason there seems to be a disconnect with people feeling they don’t need to buckle up when riding as a passenger in rear seats, and this is a concern,” he said.
During the 2017 “Click it or Ticket” campaign, 350 New Jersey police agencies participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 17,792 seat belt citations, 6,363 speeding summonses and made 976 impaired driving arrests.
May 17,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police Department reports that ,Parents as you are aware one our buses was involved in a serious motor vehicle crash, while enroute to Waterloo Village, with East Brook 5th Graders on board.
We are working as fast as we possibly can to obtain further information concerning the well-being and exact location of your child. All information will be provided in person in the auditorium of the East Brook Middle School.
Dismissal of grades 6, 7, & 8 is ongoing. The remaining 2 buses of 5th graders have returned to East Brook Middle School. Those children will be re-unified and released to their parents shortly. Children will only be released to a parent or guardian. Updates will follow as soon as additional information becomes available.
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, Westwood’s newest council member Alyssa Kaye Dawson, at 24 is New Jersey’s youngest councilwoman . Alyssa Dawson, a former staffer to LG Kim Guadagno was sworn-in tonight to a council seat in Westwood to succeed retiring Councilman Peter Grefrath a 23 year veteran to the Borough of Westwood . Dawson had announced her candidacy to run for Council in November alongside incumbent Ray Arroyo last month.
Former Westwood council members, Ingrid Quinn, Cindy Waneck, Jay Sciara and Bill Phayre came to the meeting to say thank you along with former LG Kim Guadagno and assemblywomen Holly Schepisi.
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oakland Nj, Borough of Oakland Police Department is warning residents to beware of an email from a company named ontracksolutions requesting resident to pay their property tax payment to them through their website. This email which also states it comes from the Oakland Tax Assessor is not real and was not sent from the Borough Of Oakland. Do not pay this as it is a scam!!! See the below sample of this email:
To: “Your name will be here”
Subject: Invoice # 6856473259
Afternoon,
This is a friendly reminder that your bill from Oakland Tax Assessor is due soon. If you have not already sent or scheduled a payment, please do so now. Payment options are also available on link:
>>> https:// “The link has been deleted”
Thank you,
Oakland Tax Assessor
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Upper Saddle River Nj, In the spirit of the below Toll Brothers settlement GreenUSR member accompanied by his lawyer Garth Molander, Esq. filed criminal complaint against Toll Brothers with the local prosecutor‘s office for alleged intentional discharging storm water into Pleasant Brook and dumping remediated arsenic and lead sediment into local waterways. Instead of following the above settlement agreement Toll Brothers recklessly dumped heavy mud for four consecutive months and didn’t take any precautions to protect our beloved GreenUSR environment.
“EPA estimates the settlement will prevent millions of pounds of sediment from entering U.S. waterways every year, including sediment that would otherwise enter the Chesapeake Bay, North America’s largest and most biologically diverse estuary. The bay and its tidal tributaries are threatened by pollution from a variety of sources and are overburdened with nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that can be carried by stormwater.”
( https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/homebuilder-toll-brothers-inc-pay-741000-clean-water-act-penalty-and-implement-company-wide ) ”
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, The Glen Rock Police Department will be presenting a scam and fraud workshop on Wednesday May 23rd at 7:00pm.
On Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 at 7pm in Borough Hall Council Chambers, Glen Rock Police Department’s, Detective James Calaski will present Residents with information on:
Grandparent Scams
Craigslist/eBay/Online Postings
Diversion Burglaries
Fake Lotteries
Utility Scams
And More
photo courtesy of the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page
May 16,2918
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho Ho kus NJ, According to the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department , at approximately 16:52 hours Department 7 responded to a residence on Bernard Place for a fallen tree onto a house and vehicle with an occupant trapped inside the vehicle. Arriving units advised live wires were involved and reported access problems to the trapped occupant. PSE&G was dispatched before rescue operations could begin. Once power was secured to the area companies extricated the occupant who was transferred to the care of EMS with non-life threatening injuries. The home involved suffered extensive structural damage. This call was a unified effort by all Borough agencies. Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department , Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Ambulance Corps., Ho Ho Kus DPW
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, The Bergen County Mosquito Control Division provides for the safety of the community by controlling the population of mosquitos in Bergen County.
The Bergen County Mosquito Control Division, founded in 1914, has the goal of reducing the number of nuisance and disease-transmitting mosquitos within the county. The division employs numerous field-tested techniques in its efforts to control mosquito outbreaks and the insects’ impact on Bergen’s residents. All of this work is done with minimal impact on the environment. The program can be summarized as follows:
Water Management – When assistance is requested from municipalities, this division will carry out extensive efforts to remove blockages from Bergen County waterways and to maintain drainage systems as required. Such work is done carefully, with the potential impact on the environment in mind. This program helps to reduce the use on insecticides needed to control mosquitos.
Larval Control – Mosquitos all start out in water, as larvae, or “wrigglers”. In areas where water management is not feasible, larval control is necessary. Some locations are suitable for stocking with mosquito eating fish, which provide continuous biological control of mosquitos. In other areas, larvicides may be used to eliminate mosquitos. We choose only low-impact products for this purpose, and these products are distributed by our trained staff. Locations receive treatment only when surveys show that large numbers of mosquitos are a threat to populated regions. These products are put out by hand crews, by light ground equipment or by helicopter. Larval habitats are treated only when larvae are present.
Adult Control – Although this is the most visible aspect of mosquito control, the division considers this to be the last resort. We try to halt mosquitos before they are out and airborne. When adult control is needed because of severe mosquito infestation, we generally use truck-mounted sprayers which distribute a prescribed amount of material per acre. Sometimes, small hand sprayers are used to treat remote locations.
Bergen County
Mr. Peter Pluchino, Director
Bergen County Division of Mosquito Control
Department of Public Works
220 East Ridgewood Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
TEL: (201) 634-2880, 2881
FAX: (201) 599-2888
Email: [email protected]
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Following Senator Menendez’s embarrassing flip flop on the Iran Deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Hugin Communications Director Megan Piwowar released the following statement:
“After shamefully and disgracefully flip-flopping on the Iran Deal, it’s no surprise that Senator Menendez didn’t want to show his face at the U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem. New Jersey and the Jewish people deserve better than an empty suit career partisan political hack who flip-flops on stopping the terrorist regime of Iran from spreading hatred and destabilizing the Middle East.”
WHAT HE SAID THEN:
“I have looked into my own soul and my devotion to principle may once again lead me to an unpopular course, but if Iran is to acquire a nuclear bomb, it will not have my name on it. It is for these reasons that I will vote to disapprove the agreement and, if called upon, would vote to override a veto.” (Menendez Delivers Remarks on Iran Nuclear Deal at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 08/18/2015)
“I believe we could still get a better deal and here’s how: We can disapprove this agreement, without rejecting the entire agreement…I will vote to disapprove the agreement…” (Menendez Delivers Remarks on Iran Nuclear Deal at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 08/18/2015)
“We can provide specific parameters for the Administration to guide their continued negotiations and ensure that a new agreement does not run afoul of Congress.” (Menendez Delivers Remarks on Iran Nuclear Deal at Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 08/18/2015)
WHAT HE’S SAYING NOW:
“The most surprising opponent is New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, who presented the most clear and compelling case against the accord back in 2015 and proposed a viable alternative (in answer to those who claimed no better deal was possible). But then Menendez, fresh off his corruption trial, is up for re-election. And in deep-blue New Jersey, anything that looks like support for Trump is a political liability.” (Post Editorial Board, “Schumer, Menendez and the other Iran-deal hypocrites,” The New York Post, 04/12/2018)
“U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was one of only four Democrats to oppose Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker joined most other Senate Democrats in supporting it…Menendez needed no convincing to oppose the deal.” (Jonathan D. Salant, “Menendez, Booker were on opposite sides of Iran deal. But both hate what Trump just did,” NJ.com, 05/09/2018)
“As the Senate Foreign Relations ranking member who opposed the deal, he said it’s a ‘grave mistake’ to walk away from it without a plan.” (Roll Call, “7 Lawmakers Who Opposed Iran Deal and Trump’s Decision to Withdraw From It, 5/8/18)
May 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of CHRISTOPHER CAMARGO (DOB: 10/30/1992; single; and unemployed) of 267 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ, on charges of Terroristic Threats and False Public Alarm. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, and members of the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Francesco Aquila.
On Monday, February 5, 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a telephone caller using technology to anonymize his calling line identity contacted the Hackensack Police Department and made a bomb threat against the Bergen County Courthouse. Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Hackensack Police Department initiated an investigation to trace the call.
As a result of the investigation, Christopher CAMARGO was charged on Friday, May 11, 2018 with one count of False Public Alarm Against Critical Infrastructure, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-3C, a 2nd degree crime, and one count of Terroristic Threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3A, a 3rd degree crime. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending an appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Hackensack Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
May 15,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, An aerial lift truck owned by a tree service rolled over onto its side in front of 387 Paramus Road, Paramus on Monday afternoon, 05/14. Fair Lawn Heavy Rescue and Rochelle Park Fire Department responded to the incident on a mutual aid basis because Paramus Fire Department and Rescue Squad personnel were engaged at a multiple alarm fire in Paramus. The driver of the truck self-extricated from the vehicle and was uninjured. A hazardous materials response team was summoned to evaluate/remediate a diesel fuel spill resultant from the crash. Paramus Police was assisted at the scene by members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Service Division. An overhead communications cable was also damaged in the mishap.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
May 15,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Paramus Fire was assisted by Oradell Fire Department in fighting a Monday afternoon, 05/14, structure fire in a single family home located on Arbor Road, Paramus. Paramus EMS was observed attending to an adult female who was apparently in the structure when it caught fire. The victim was conscious and alert while being attended to. Damage to the home appeared to have been severe enough that it was uninhabitable. Paramus PD and Rescue Squad also responded. No word as to what caused the multiple alarm blaze.
May 15,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget would use nearly $80 million to help fund affordable housing projects to fill gaps in his spending plans. Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi is having none of it.
At the conference of mayors a couple weeks ago in Atlantic City, Schepisi spoke to dozens of mayors who said that affordable housing obligations were crushing their own budgets.
“The affordable housing funds are already far below what towns really need to fulfill court-ordered projects,” said Schepisi (R-Bergen). “Mayors from both sides of the aisle have pleaded for help from the state on this issue and Governor Murphy is callously ignoring their calls by cutting the only funding they have, and that isn’t enough in the first place. The affordable housing issue will continue to crush our communities until the legislature and the governor decide to stop turning the other way and actually address this problem.”
Governor Murphy plans to redirect $59.3 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and another $18.5 million from the Housing and Mortgage Financing Agency. Those two funds are the largest source of relief for municipalities who are forced by courts to provide affordable housing, regardless of demand.
Schepisi introduced a package of bills to address the affordable housing crisis last year, but they have not yet been considered for a vote. Schepisi’s affordable housing package includes:
Ending municipal obligations and requiring COAH to calculate and administer a statewide obligation (A1645/A1647/ACR80).
Requiring COAH to determine if towns can afford new housing and establishing a challenge to the obligation (A1646/A1648).
Eliminating the urban aid exemption from affordable housing obligations and amending the constitution to prohibit exclusionary zoning (A1649/ACR79).
Terminating the builder’s remedy that coerces affordable housing (A1650).
