Carlstadt - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on March 16, 2018 January 21, 2019

NJ TRANSIT OFFERS EXTRA BUS SERVICE FROM RIDGEWOOD TO NEW YORK FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

file photo

Beverages will not be permitted on any train, light rail vehicle or bus

March 16,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Saturday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. Trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.

IMPORTANT NOTE: No beverages of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on board trains, buses or light rail vehicles on Saturday, March 17, and Sunday, March 18. This policy will be strictly enforced.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers traveling to/from the parade in New York City.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

To New York – PABT:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:20 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford.

From New York – PABT:

No. 163 (New York – Ridgewood) additional local service from PABT to Hackensack (Arcola in Paramus) operating local route through East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Wood-Ridge, Hasbrouck Heights and Hackensack every hour beginning at 3:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Travel Tips

Ticketing: To speed your return, purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip from bus operators inbound to New York or at ticket vending machines where available. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion before and after the parade may affect bus travel times to New York City. Customers should plan accordingly.
Parking: Customers traveling from Park/Rides at Allwood Road, North Bergen, Willowbrook Mall, Mothers and Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center are advised that parking fees still apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No beverages, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken. This policy will be strictly enforced. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

Posted on February 9, 2018 January 20, 2019

8 towns in Bergen County that lowered property taxes form 2016 to 2017

February 9,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, surprisingly there were actually 66 towns in NJ where property taxes actually went DOWN. According to NJ105 radio , while the Village of Ridgewood had a 2.80% property tax increase from 2016 to 2017.The were however 8 towns in Bergen County that lowered property taxes , none of them bordering Ridgewood.

RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE
2017 avg: $17,667
2016 avg:$17,181
Change: 2.80%

Towns that border Ridgewood :

PARAMUS BORO
2017 avg: $9,440
2016 avg:$9,098
Change: 3.80%

MIDLAND PARK BORO
2017 avg: $11,571
2016 avg:$11,272
Change: 2.70%

HO-HO-KUS BORO
2017 avg: $15,957
2016 avg:$15,583
Change: 2.40%

GLEN ROCK BORO
2017 avg: $15,805
2016 avg:$15,462
Change: 2.20%

WYCKOFF TWP
2017 avg: $13,778
2016 avg:$13,481
Change: 2.20%

HAWTHORNE BORO
2017 avg: $10,481
2016 avg:$10,331
Change: 1.50%

WASHINGTON TWP – Bergen
2017 avg: $10,777
2016 avg:$10,693
Change: 0.80%

7 towns in Bergen county had property tax decreases :

ROCKLEIGH — Bergen County
2017 average: $14,315
Cut from ’16: -8.%

NORTH ARLINGTON — Bergen County
2017 average: $9,631
Cut from ’16: -2.2%

CARLSTADT — Bergen County
2017 average: $6,886
Cut from ’16: -2.%

WOODCLIFF LAKE — Bergen County
2017 average: $15,467
Cut from ’16: -0.6%

HAWORTH — Bergen County
2017 average: $17,696
Cut from ’16: -0.4%

SADDLE RIVER — Bergen County
2017 average: $17,172
Cut from ’16: -0.3%

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS — Bergen County
2017 average: $10,707
Cut from ’16: -0.2%

LODI — Bergen County
2017 average: $10,275
Cut from ’16: -0.1%

Posted on January 26, 2018 January 20, 2019

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking information on Carlstadt Hit and Run

January 26,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Carlstadt NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the investigation into a hit and run accident that occurred at approximately 6:05 p.m. on January 22, 2018 near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Road A in Carlstadt, N.J. The victim was crossing Washington Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle travelling northbound on Washington Avenue. This investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Carlstadt Police Department under the direction of Chief Thomas Nielson.

The victim suffered serious injuries that required surgery. She is currently listed in critical but stable condition at an area hospital. The subsequent investigation revealed the striking vehicle to be a Nissan Murano, model years 2003 to 2007. The vehicle sustained damage to the passenger side headlight area, fog light area, and hood. Witnesses stated the vehicle swerved after it struck the victim and continued northbound without stopping.

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking information from anyone who was in the area of Washington Avenue in Carlstadt at the time of the crash. Anyone with information should contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-226-5631. All information will be kept confidential.

Posted on September 25, 2017 January 21, 2019

SEVEN CHARGED AS MEMBERS OF A CHECK FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT RING IN BERGEN COUNTY PAYOLL SCAM

September 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the following arrests:

ANTHONY PEGUERO (D.O.B. 2/07/1994; single; and employed as a mover) of 272 S 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey; charged with Trafficking in Stolen Identities, Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;

DALESKA DILLERVA (D.O.B. 2/21/1995; single; and unemployed) of 272 S 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey; charged with Trafficking in Stolen Identities, Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;

LEZLIE MERCEDES (D.O.B. 10/07/1997; single; and employed as a concierge) of 27 Newman Street, Hackensack, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;

GUILLERMO LOPEZ (D.O.B. 8/04/1987; single; and unemployed) of 92 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;

ALYSHA VIERA (D.O.B. 12/04/1997; single; and employed as store clerk) of 313 2nd Street, Carlstadt, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;

FRANCISCO TROCHE (D.O.B. 10/27/1991; single; employed as a cook) of 20 Hiram Place, Harrison, New Jersey; charged with Check Fraud and Theft by Deception;

CLAUDIO RODRIGUES (D.O.B. 9/14/1991; single; and employed as an automotive service manager) of 117 Rutherford Place, Kearny, New Jersey; Check Fraud and Theft by Deception.

The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Financial Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.

In August of 2017, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint from County of Bergen financial officers regarding the fraudulent production and deposit of checks which were made to appear as if they were issued from a Bergen County payroll account. Along with the checks, it was determined that illicit wire activity had also occurred which brought the total theft amount to over $50,000.

The investigation revealed that DILLERVA and PEGUERO organized the illicit activities of a group of individuals who were responsible for forging and negotiating business checks. The checks were deposited in co-conspirators’ accounts and then the illicitly obtained funds were withdrawn before the forgeries and deception were uncovered. MERCEDES, LOPEZ, VIERA, TROCHE, and RODRIGUEZ acted in concert along with DILLERVA and PEGUERO to access and use the illicit bank accounts in which the forged checks were deposited. As a result of the still ongoing investigation, other suspected victim business accounts have been identified.

As a result of the investigation:

Alysha VIERA was arrested on Friday, September 8, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and VIERA is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on September 20, 2017.

Guillermo LOPEZ was arrested on Monday, September 11, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and LOPEZ is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on September 27, 2017.

Anthony PEGUERO was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten of more items pertaining to five or more persons, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime, one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a warrant and PEGUERO was detained pending a detention hearing.

Daleska DILLERVA was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Newark, New Jersey and charged with one count of Fraudulent Use, Distribution, Manufacture, and/or Possession of Items Containing the Personal Identification Information of Another (Trafficking in Stolen Identities), ten of more items pertaining to five or more persons, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17.3, a 2nd degree crime, one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and DILLERVA is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.

Francisco TROCHE was arrested on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $200 but less than $1,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 4th degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and TROCHE is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.

Claudio RODRIGUES was arrested on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and RODRIGUES is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.

Lezlie MERCEDES was arrested on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 in Paramus, New Jersey and charged with one count of Issuing or Passing Bad Checks, with a value greater than $1,000 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-5, a 3rd degree crime; and, one count of Theft by Deception, with a benefit greater than $500 but less than $75,000, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a, a 3rd degree crime. The complaint was issued as a summons and MERCEDES is scheduled to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court at 8:30 a.m. on October 4, 2017.

Posted on July 7, 2017 January 21, 2019

Reader says Home rule has a price

Home rule has a price, especially when you have 500 plus municipalities. Cops per capita and classroom sizes are not outrageous or out of the ordinary. The administrative overlay is. How many chiefs of police compared to NYC which has a similar population to the garden state. School administration duplication is also over the top because of home rule. Unfortunately merging and regionalizing has been an ugly process here. Look at the games when Wallington and Carlstadt were discussing regionalizing with East Rutherford. It’s still about who is the king dog and who is willing to give up on some levers of power.

Posted on May 16, 2017 January 21, 2019

Fatal plane crash near Teterboro: What we know about the accident so far

Updated May 16, 2017
Posted May 16, 2017

By Paul Milo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Paul Milo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A Learjet took off from Philadelphia and crashed on approach at Teterboro

The Learjet 35A, a twin-engine jet often used for business or personal travel, was built in 1981. It was coming in for a landing when it crashed in an industrial area of Carlstadt around 3:30 p.m. Both occupants of the plane were killed and the crash caused a fire with dark billowing smoke that could be seen for miles. Buildings in the area and parked cars caught fire but were quickly extinguished by local fire departments.

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2017/05/the_plane_crash_near_teterboro_what_we_know_what_w.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2#cmpid=nsltr_strybutton

Posted on April 19, 2017 January 21, 2019

Don’t get caught texting while driving through these small NJ towns

file photo by Boyd loving

By Adam Hochron April 17, 2017 5:58 PM
Courtesy of United States Department of TransportationIf last year is any indication, police in some of New Jersey’s smallest municipalities will be giving out the largest number of distracted driving tickets during the month-long crackdown that ends April 21.

Bergen County

Fairview: 114 tickets

Allendale 2
Alpine 2
Carlstadt 19
Demarest 5
Glen Rock 1
Hackensack 4
Hasbrouck Heights 13
Haworth 5
Leonia 4
Lyndhurst 19
Midland Park 4
North Arlington 19
Northvale 9
Norwood 2
Ramsey 1
River Vale 1
Upper Saddle River 19
Westwood 9
Wood-Ridge 4

Read More: Don’t get caught texting while driving through these small NJ towns | https://nj1015.com/dont-get-caught-texting-while-driving-through-these-small-nj-towns/?trackback=tsmclip

Posted on April 6, 2017 January 21, 2019

The most toxic sites in each New Jersey county

no its not the town garage in Ridgewood

BY S.P. SULLIVAN | NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

New Jersey has more places under the federal Superfund program, which prioritizes cleanups of dangerous contaminated sites, than any other state.

Many have histories more colorful than an oil slick: A massive chemical fire at a mob-controlled waste storage facility. Agent Orange in the Passaic River. Local wildlife turned green. And the only site ever to be put on the Superfund list twice.

While many of those sites have been cleaned up, they require longterm treatment and monitoring. With the EPA’s budget on the chopping block under President Donald Trump’s administration, advocates worry things will backslide for the Superfund, which has already been near-broke for decades.

“Just think about it: We’ve got over a hundred Superfund sites in this state. We’ve got 21 counties,” former Gov. Jim Florio, who wrote the Superfund law when he was in Congress in the early 1980s, said recently. “Nobody lives very far from these sites.”

BERGEN COUNTY

Garfield Groundwater Contamination

The former E.C. Electroplating company’s activity at this Garfield site spilled and leaked cancer-causing chromium into the ground, creating a plume of groundwater contamination at least a half a mile wide. One of New Jersey’s orphan sites, the EPA hasn’t identified a funding source for a cleanup, and says there’s “insufficient data” to measure the risk it poses to the surrounding community.

The city’s mayor appeared in front of a U.S. Senate hearing to plead for federal dollars for the site in 2014, but the cleanup still lacks funds.

Curcio Scrap Metal, Inc.

This active scrap metal yard in Saddle Brook saw a spill of oil containing PCBs in the 1980s and a major cleanup project in the 90s. Because of the nature of the work done there, it was also contaminated with heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, according to the EPA. Soil cleanup was completed long ago but groundwater cleanup is ongoing.

Fair Lawn Well Field

This site includes three municipal drinking water wells in the Bergen County borough. Volatile organic compounds were detected in the water in the late 1970s and traced to a nearby industrial park. Monitoring is ongoing, but the EPA says it has “insufficient data” to determine the site’s threat to human health.

(EPA)

Maywood Chemical Co.

The Maywood Chemical Works processed radioactive thorium ore from 1916 to 1955. The work generated chemical and radioactive waste.

The site is being cleaned up by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the company deemed responsible for the contamination. Cleanup of radioactive soil is “underway” and the rest of the plan is “in development,” according to EPA.

Quanta Resources Corporation

This site saw nearly a century of coal tar, paving and roofing material production along what was once an industrial wasteland along the Hudson River. Now surrounded by booming waterfront development, the EPA is overseeing cleanup of PCBs and other contaminants, but says it has “insufficient data” to determine the site’s threat to human health.

Berry’s Creek Study Area

A small chunk of the Meadowlands in Bergen County is home to three distinct Superfund sites along Berry’s Creek, a six-mile tributary of the Hackensack River. The area includes the Scientific Chemical site in Carlstadt, Universal Oil Products site in East Rutherford and the Ventron/Velsicol site, which spans Wood-Ridge and Carlstadt.

All three sites are laden with PCBs and Berry’s Creek is considered among the most mercury-laden locations in the country. Only the Scientific Chemical site is listed as “under control.”

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

Posted on March 17, 2017 January 21, 2019

NJT OFFERS EXTRA BUS SERVICE TO NEW YORK FOR ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

March 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Friday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. Trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and River Line will also operate regular weekday schedules.

Please note: liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken on March 17. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors will be on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers.

The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of New York City’s greatest traditions. The first parade was on March 17, 1762 — fourteen years before the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. The first NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade was comprised of a band of homesick, Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members serving with the British Army stationed in the colonies in New York. This was a time when the wearing of green was a sign of Irish pride but was banned in Ireland. In that 1762 parade, participants reveled in the freedom to speak Irish, wear green, sing Irish songs and play the pipes to Irish tunes that were meaningful to the Irish immigrants of that time.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:46 a.m. until 10:42 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford. Additional Turnpike Express (T) trips from Paramus (Paramus Rd. and Ridgewood Ave.) to NY/PABT at 8:57 a.m. and 9:17 a.m.

Posted on March 12, 2017 January 21, 2019

NJ TRANSIT ADDS EXTRA BUS SERVICE TO NEW YORK FOR ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

March 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors will be on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

To New York – PABT:

No. 163 (New York – Ridgewood) additional local service from PABT to Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) operating via East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Wood Ridge, and Hasbrouck Heights at 4:25 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Additional Turnpike Express (T) service from PABT to Ridgewood Terminal operating via Hackensack, Maywood, Rochelle Park, Paramus and Ridgewood at 3:20 p.m. and 4:58 p.m.

No. 321 (Vince Lombardi Park & Ride – New York) frequent express service from the PABT to Vince Lombardi Park & Ride every 30 minutes beginning at 12:45 p.m. through the late afternoon, then every 10-15 minutes during the afternoon peak hours.

Travel Tips

Ticketing: To speed your return, purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip from bus operators inbound to New York or at ticket vending machines where available. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion during the morning period and early to mid-afternoon hours before and after the parade may affect bus travel times to New York City. Customers should plan accordingly.
Plan Ahead: Extra bus service will operate a few minutes ahead of regularly scheduled trips on the routes listed above. Customers should arrive at their bus boarding location 10 minutes earlier than the departure time.
Parking: Customers traveling from Park/Rides at Allwood Road, North Bergen, Willowbrook Mall, Mothers and Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center are advised that parking fees still apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No liquids of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken. This policy will be strictly enforced. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

For schedules and fares, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

Posted on August 5, 2016 January 21, 2019

Reader says Just because we live in Ridgewood does not mean we are 1%ers

REA Members come out to greet our Board of Ed

Teachers in the photo above: Please read below written by a retired colleague. The taxpayers can no longer and will no longer agree to your sweetheart deals which is why so many of your brethren have retired early to “take the money and run.” So when you whine about your paychecks and benefits, remember, the rest of us have to live very carefully and save enough, cross our fingers Wall St. doesn’t do funny things just to make sure we might be able to retire (and we have to pay for our own supplemental medical insurance). Just because we live in Ridgewood does not mean we are 1%ers. Some of us, with college degrees earn less than you and have stressful demanding jobs so your protests fall on deaf ears. I don’t like or agree with much Christie does but this is one thing he got right and tried to fix.

The author of the guest essay below is a retired New Jersey teacher who considers her benefits package far too generous. Gov. Christie was right to confront the teachers’ union immediately after taking office, she says, since teacher benefits could eventually bankrupt the state, and many others, if outlays needed to pay those benefits continue to outstrip revenues. I have withheld the author’s name to protect her from retaliation by her former colleagues.
I watch with gratitude the commercial by Prudential that warns those who hope to retire to think about how much money they’ll need to do so comfortably. I am grateful because I need not worry so much about my money running out before my nest egg does. I am a retired New Jersey educator. My funds are as lengthy as my life. They will even continue to support my spouse after I am gone at a rate of 50%. His pension will additionally support me at a rate of 50% if he should pre-decease me.
I began teaching in 1972 at an annual salary of $7,700. It was not much. Incremental raises were small from year to year. I ended my career teaching after 30 years. I was 52 — three years below full retirement age. I decided for personal reasons to retire early at a penalty of 3% per annum below the full retirement age, which was recently moved down to 55. I was not concerned because the 9% decrease in my pension benefits would be more than offset by three additional years of benefits.
Although I am not well versed in the subject of finance, I am told that I would need to have amassed a nest egg substantially greater than a million dollars to provide as well for myself as New Jersey does. Since this is a near impossibility at my former pay scale, it is all the more amazing that New Jersey is so generously funding my golden years. Additionally, my healthcare benefits were covered by the state until Medicare kicked in. After that, my secondary insurance was picked up by the N.J. State Health Benefits Plan.
This is a rather lengthy prelude to the point I wish to convey about the state of pensions both in New Jersey and other states that confer similar benefits on government workers. It is clear that this level of pension funding cannot be sustained indefinitely. Public servants must be part of the solution to burgeoning budget deficits in every state in which they occur. I am not an actuary, nor am I an economist, but I can see the anger growing in the public-at-large that continues to question the demands of those who receive generous packages during their employment and afterwards. Surely, the cris de coeur about the plight of educators cannot reflect the economic realities of many of the constituents who pay the educators’ salaries.
Bergen County ‘Tops’ at $90K.
To give you an idea of how very generous teachers’ pensions are, I’ve appended average salaries for NJ districts in 2011-12 below. Benefits are calculated by taking the average salary of the last three years of employment multiplied by the number of years in New Jersey public education, divided by 60 (full retirement age). Thus, if you worked as teacher in Bergen County for 30 years, your annual pension benefit could be as high as $45,114 ($90,228 x 30 divided by 60). When I retired early, I received 30 years divided by 55 (which was for a short time considered full retirement age. Gov. Christie returned the full retirement age to 60 as a cost-saving measure). Tack on full health insurance until Medicare kicks in, plus, when you reach 65, the state picks up the supplemental costs. A pretty sweet deal, no?
Here are the salary averages, by county: 1. Northern Valley Regional (Bergen County) $90,228; 2. Ocean City (Cape May) $88,434; 3. Carlstadt-East Rutherford (Bergen) $87,502; 4. East Rutherford (Bergen) $86,624; 5. Edison (Middlesex) $84,159; 6. Margate (Atlantic) $83,820; 7. East Orange (Essex) $83,418; 8. Closter (Bergen) $82,558; 9. Wallkill Valley Regional (Sussex) $82,475; 10. High Point Regional (Sussex) $82,386; 11. Teaneck (Bergen) $82,116; 12. West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional (Mercer) $82,059; 13. Hackensack (Bergen) $81,900;14. Pascack Valley Regional (Bergen) $81,832;15. Mainland Regional (Atlantic) $81,100; 16. Trenton (Mercer) $80,886;17. Millburn (Essex) $80,774; 18. Pemberton (Burlington) $80,579; 19. River Dell Regional (Bergen) $79,564; 20. Freehold Regional (Monmouth) $79,185.

Often I feel like a traitor to my profession – or I am made to feel so by the constant postings of my former colleagues who seek every opportunity to defame Gov. Christie for his hardline stance on unsustainable obligations to retired educators. I am not, however, traitorous. A paradox arises out of this situation. Taxes rise to cover increasing costs. Retirees who cannot afford some of the highest property taxes and state taxes take their pensions out of state and live in tax free zones. It is time for us to become responsible adults and change a system which is antiquated and inequitable for those who are left to pay the price.

Posted on July 8, 2016 January 20, 2019

Why so many domestic killings this year in Bergen County this year?

July 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Deaths of former Ridgewood Deputy Mayor and wife are called suicide . Earlier this week
Police brought three Carlstadt children to safety over a backyard fence after their father shot and killed their mother on the front lawn of their home before killing himself.

These two incidents are just two more in a string of area domestic killings this year in Bergen County.
On June 1, a 53-year-old Fair Lawn man shot his elderly parents dead, started a fire and turned the gun on himself .In March, a 44-year-old Bergenfield man shot and killed his 36-year-old wife and then himself .Back in late January, authorities charged a 45-year-old North Arlington man with beating his 47-year-old wife to death with a hammer .

Different circumstances for sure but authorities continue to look for clues that could make these episodes more predictable.

Experts normally attribute domestic killings to many causes ,“Prior domestic violence is by far the number-one risk factor in these cases,however unemployment was a significant risk factor for murder-suicide but only when combined with a history of domestic violence.

“In a seminar titled Men Who Murder Their Families: What the Research Tells Us, an expert panel discussed a recent spike in news reports of “familicide” cases. Panelists included Jacquelyn C. Campbell of Johns Hopkins University, author David Adams, and Richard Gelles of the University of Pennsylvania. Campbell, Anna D. Wolf Chair and professor at JHU’s School of Nursing, discussed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Violent Death Reporting System. Of the 408 homicidesuicide cases, most perpetrators were men (91 percent) and most used a gun (88 percent).

A 12-city study that Campbell conducted of these cases found that intimatepartner violence had previously occurred in 70 percent of them. Interestingly, only 25 percent of prior domestic violence appeared in the arrest records, according to Campbell. Researchers uncovered much of the prior domestic violence through interviews with family and friends of the homicide victims.

“Prior domestic violence is by far the number-one risk factor in these cases,” Campbell said. She also explained that most people who commit murder-suicide are non-Hispanic white males who kill their mates or former mates. Prior domestic violence is the greatest risk factor in these cases. Access to a gun is a significant risk factor, as are threats with a weapon, a stepchild in the home or estrangement. However, a past criminal history is not a reliable or significant predictor in murder-suicide. In the aftermath of a family murder followed by a suicide, communities, police, researchers and others search for explanations. In difficult financial times, it may be natural to look for economic influences, especially when the killer has recently lost a job or has enormous financial problems.

Campbell found that unemployment was a significant risk factor for murder-suicide but only when combined with a history of domestic violence. In other words, it was not a risk factor in and of itself but was something that tipped the scale following previous abuse. (https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/230412.pdf )”

Posted on February 14, 2016 January 20, 2019

“Which Areas Have The Lowest Property Tax” Is The Wrong Question

BY MICHAEL SHETLER
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Village Square Realty 0569304
February 10, 2016 08:30 AM

Every year around this time we see headlines about property taxes.”Which counties in NJ have the highest, lowest property taxes?” is one from NJ.com. “See what town had the highest property tax rate in Bergen County,” is another.

Headlines like these are deceptive – written expressly to get attention rather than inform the public.

The problem with these headlines is readers infer these areas have the highest/lowest tax rates, when it couldn’t be further from the truth.

In the case of one of the aforementioned articles, the first paragraph identifies Alpine, NJ, as having the highest average tax bill. While that is true, the article fails to mention the average home sale in Alpine over the last 12 months was $3,939,944. Or that Alpine has the lowest effective tax rate in Bergen County.

And Carlstadt, which is identified in the article as one of the areas with the lowest tax bills, has a tax rate over three times that of Alpine.

Wouldn’t you think some mention of home values in an area would be relevant when you’re talking about who pays the highest taxes?

The table below shows that actual tax rates of each area in Bergen County. And even more importantly, it lists the Effective Tax Rate. The latter takes into account that assessed values are not equal to market values. One town may be assessed at 95% of market value and another at 80%. They may have the same tax rate, but because the assessments are lower in the second town, the effective tax rate is also lower.

If you have any questions about property taxes in Bergen County, or are deciding which area to buy a home in, please call me at 201-421-0506 cell.

Download the chart below, sorted by Effective Tax Rate.

Posted on November 4, 2015 January 21, 2019

The definitive recap of Bergen’s Election 2015

Posted by Matthew Gilson On November 04, 2015 1 Comment

By Matthew Gilson | The Save Jersey Blog

Let’s dive right in, Save Jerseyans…

#1 – District 36 Got Even More Republican Locally

While things were dicey across the county, Republicans once again exceeded expectations in District 36, sweeping all the competitive races. The surprise of the night came in Wallington where two Republican challengers will join Chris Sinisi andSharon Robie on the council in January to create the first Republican majority in the town in decades.

In Carlstadt, though not unexpected Councilman Craig Lahullier scored a landslide victory along with his running mates to keep the town in firm Republican hands. Rutherford proved another solid victory for Mayor Joe DeSalvo and his team who now hold a 4-2 advantage on the council. While expected, it is nonetheless amazing that North Arlington, a town where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1, will now be completely Republican controlled as top vote-getter Brian Fitzhenry and his team clobbered the Democratic incumbents.

District 36 GOP’ers cleaned-up on a night with not a lot to be excited about elsewhere. They are the model for which the entire county should be running elections.

#2 – John Cosgrove Did More Than Enough to Cement Himself to Take on Bob Gordon

He may not have carried his running mates, but Mayor John Cosgrove was hundreds of votes ahead of his nearest Democratic competitor. I noted earlier that a big victory would set up Cosgrove to take on Gordon in 2017, and he put on a show made even more impressive by the fact that it was a dismal night for many in towns near him.

Republicans lost in the neighboring District 38 towns including Paramus and Glen Rock. While the lost Republican seats will be our top targets in 2017, Cosgrove gives Republicans a top-flight candidate to take on Gordon. Much like the “Scarpa or bust” chants of this year, the discussion of who should take on Gordon begins and ends with Cosgrove. But speaking of popular mayors in the swing district….

#3 – Popular Candidates Can Still Beat Machines

Nothing put on a smile on my face more than the re-election of Norman Schmelz in Bergenfield. Norman is truly one of the good guys and a dedicated mayor, but he faced an onslaught of dirty attacks by his opponents including a full-blown attack website. Knowing the overwhelming Democratic tilt of the town, Democrats tried to tie Norman to Chris Christie, Scott Garrett, Anthony Cappola and stopped just short of portraying him as a patsy of Nucky Thompson. Through the onslaught, through the excessive spending gap, through the bad night for everyone else, Norman Schmelz still eeked out a victory and proved good guys and popular candidates can still win.

https://savejersey.com/2015/11/bergen-county-election-results/

Posted on October 6, 2015 January 20, 2019

EILEEN AND TED WAGNER TO BE HONORED AT WEST BERGEN’S NOVEMBER 9TH FALL NIGHT OF FINE DINING

October 5,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Monday evening, November 9th, the area’s finest restaurants and caterers will join together at the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes for the 23rd Annual …A Fall Night of Fine Dining. On this special occasion, West Bergen is honored to present its prestigious Distinguished Service Award to outstanding community leaders, Eileen and Ted Wagner of Ridgewood.

In announcing the Wagner’s selection, Thomas H. Bruinooge, Esq., President of West Bergen’s Board of Trustees said, “I am so pleased that Eileen and Ted have been selected as the honorees. They are special individuals who give freely of themselves to benefit others. Their dedication is emblematic of the spirit of commitment to West Bergen that has enabled the Agency to serve others for over 50 years.” Their partnership with West Bergen began several years ago when Eileen became a Member of West Bergen’s Foundation Board. Over the years, Eileen and Ted have been active and dedicated West Bergen supporters. They have hosted numerous events at their home and have held leadership roles with many of the Agency’s events and programs.
Please visit afallnight.com for reservations and complete information. Tickets are $175 per person and are tax deductible. Seating is limited.

Participating restaurants include Biggie’s Clam Bar, Hoboken, Ramsey and Carlstadt; Blue Moon Mexican Café, Wyckoff; Esty Street, Park Ridge; Fiona’s Ristorante, Midland Park; Food Evolution, Montvale; Francesco’s Restaurant, Woodland Park; Indian Trail Club, Franklin Lakes; Mémoire, Ridgewood; NOVO Mediterranean Fare, Ridgewood; Paul & Jimmy’s Ristorante, New York, NY; The Plum & The Pear, Wyckoff; Restaurant L, Allendale; Roots Steakhouse, Ridgewood; Rosario’s Trattoria, Midland Park; Village Green Restaurant, Ridgewood and The Village Grille, Waldwick. Dessert selections will be presented by Ben & Jerry’s, Ridgewood; Carousel Cakes, Ridgewood and Nanuet, NY; Creative Chocolates, Woodland Park; Kilwins, Ridgewood and La Vie en Rose Bakery Café, Waldwick.

At the event, each restaurant will serve individual portions of their most innovative entrée, enabling attendees to experience a variety of cuisines. Chuck Russo, owner of Carlo Russo’s Wine and Spirit World in Ho-Ho-Kus, will select a variety of wines for the occasion. Music for dancing will be provided by Modern Jazz Quartet, which will perform classic standards and Broadway favorites by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and others.

Sponsoring this year’s event is Boiling Springs Savings Bank. Reservations for …A Fall Night of Fine Dining can be made on the new website, www.afallnight.com or by contacting Carol Cohen, Director of Development, at West Bergen Mental Healthcare, (201) 444-3550.

West Bergen is a non-profit organization providing a wide range of psychiatric and counseling services for all age groups with various levels of need. West Bergen is committed to meeting the psychological needs of each of its clients with sensitivity and responsive, innovative services of the highest quality. West Bergen strives to improve the quality of life in Bergen County and beyond – one life at a time. For further information on West Bergen and the services it provides please call (201) 444-3550.