NEWARK, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 252 months in prison for robbing 14 hotels in New Jersey and New York, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.
Tremone Burnett, 46, of Orange, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal court on Sept. 12, 2018, to two counts of an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery and threaten physical violence, and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Judge Hayden imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From April 24, 2014, through June 19, 2014, Burnett robbed 12 New Jersey hotels and two New York hotels at gunpoint. The New Jersey hotels were located in Carteret, Lebanon, Newark, Rockaway, Secaucus, Avenel, Parsippany, Paramus, Weehawken, and Edison; the New York hotels were located in Airmont and Nanuet. In each robbery, Burnett wielded a handgun and, in some instances, tied the victim’s hands and feet. During one of the robberies, Burnett discharged his firearm.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Hayden sentenced Burnett to five years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II; and the Newark Department of Public Safety, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea. He also thanked the Carteret, Edison, Lebanon, Rockaway, Parsippany, Weehawken and Woodbridge Township police departments in New Jersey; the Clarkstown and Ramapo police departments in New York; the N.J. State Police; and the Bergen County, Hunterdon County, Middlesex County, and Morris County prosecutors’ offices for their work on this case.
Ridgewood NJ, Several schools in Bergen and Union counties have recently been vandalized with graffiti containing hateful messages and symbols. In Bergen County, a student at Ridgewood High School alerted officials on December 4 of a swastika alongside a Star of David carved into a bathroom stall.
On November 30, swastikas and racial slurs were found on a bathroom wall at Pascack Hills High School in Montvale. That incident follows several others since September in which anti-Semitic and racist graffiti had been drawn at nearby Pascack Valley High School in Hillside. In Union County, students reported on November 30 that swastikas had been scrawled inside bathrooms at Summit High School.
The symbol and other offensive drawings had been discovered a day earlier on bathroom walls at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School. Superintendent of Summit Public Schools June Chang told parents that swastikas were also seen at the middle school before the Thanksgiving holiday break.
On November 29, Edison Intermediate School Principal Matthew Bolton told families a student at the Westfield school “defaced school property with messages of hate directed at various groups.” Similar incidents in the area occurred over the past two months, as a swastika was drawn in a bathroom at Franklin Elementary School and misogynistic, racist, and anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered on exterior walls of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
Trenton NJ, Another Murphy hire bites the dust . It seems the more past transgressions have been brought to light , according to Politico, Maryellen Cervenak, who was hired by the State Department of Education as the acting department director of the Professional Learning Network was fired after it was brought to their attention that she had been suspended when she was a teacher for, among other things, making fun of special education students.
Ridgewood NJ, the Valley Hospital has settled with Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey the day before a trial was set to begin on allegations that the insurer pushed smaller community hospitals out of the market, according to NJ.com.
Newark NJ, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark Field Office arrested 37 individuals during a five-day operation that concluded Friday, as part of the agency’s ongoing public safety efforts. The operation targeted criminal aliens who were previously incarcerated at the Middlesex County Jail (MCJ), and who were subsequently released to the community by MCJ, without honoring the ICE detainer or advising ICE of their release. The operation also targeted other criminal aliens residing in Middlesex County.
Of those arrested, 16 subjects had been previously released by MCJ without honoring the ICE detainer and 78% had prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.
“ERO New Jersey will continue to enforce ICE’s commitment to public safety,” said Ruben Perez, acting Field Office Director of ERO in Newark. “Middlesex county, which aspires to be a ‘sanctuary county’ by protecting criminal aliens, in the process assists criminals in undermining federal law, and creates a dangerous environment in the community. It also overburdens local law enforcement. ICE will continue to execute its mission in such communities.”
The individuals arrested as part of the operation were nationals of Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, and Turkey.
These individuals range from 21 to 68 years old and all were previously arrested or convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the arrests and convictions included: aggravated criminal sexual contact, aggravated assault, DUI, hindering apprehension, endangering the welfare of a child, battery, theft, burglary, possession of a weapon, forgery, domestic violence assault, disorderly conduct, and illegal entry.
The 16 subjects that were released by MCJ and arrested during this operation include:
A 68-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on January 23, 2009, in Middlesex County for the crimes of murder–purposely and hinder prosecution-false info and was booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On June 14, 2011, he was convicted of aggravated manslaughter and hinder own prosecution-false info and was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment in state prison. On May 5, 2015, the subject was transferred from state prison back to the custody of the Middlesex County Jail as he appealed his convictions. On May 5, 2015, ICE issued a detainer to Middlesex County Jail. On May 22, 2018, the original charge was overturned and he was found guilty of a single felony charge of hindering-oneself-give false information and sentenced to time served. Even though an ICE detainer was previously issued he was released.
A 21-year-old citizen of Turkey was arrested by the South Brunswick Police Department on May 10, 2017, in Middlesex County for burglary entering structure and theft by unlawful taking, and was booked into Middlesex County Jail. On May 10, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. On July 15, 2017, he was arrested for resisting arrest, obstructing the administration of law, and possession of marijuana. On October 12, 2017, he was arrested by ICE officers in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey and was subsequently released on bond by the Immigration Judge. On April 12, 2018, he was arrested for a third time for simple assault, harassment, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and was booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On April 13, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored again and he was released.
A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on August 12, 2016, in Middlesex County for Aggravated Sexual Assault- Helpless Victim, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact, Sexual Assault-Force/Coercion, and Criminal Sexual Contact and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On August 16, 2016, ICE issued a detainer. On May 18, 2018, he was convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact and sentenced to 644 days’ time served, parole supervision for life and registration under Megan’s Law. On May 21, 2018, Middlesex County Jail refused to honor the detainer and he was released.
A 26-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the North Brunswick Police Department on February 17, 2017, in Middlesex County for driving while his license was suspended and on his court date of May 23, 2017, he was found guilty and sentenced to ten (10) days of incarceration at the Middlesex County Jail. On May 31, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. He also had a prior conviction for DUI.
A 46-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Carteret Police Department on December 15, 2017, in Middlesex County for domestic violence/simple assault and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On December 25, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored by Middlesex County Jail and he was released. On June 28, 2018, he was convicted of Domestic Violence Assault.
A 34-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Edison Police Department on May 29, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On May 30, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released.
A 42-year-old citizen of Honduras was convicted of illegal entry on November 10, 2009, and removed. On June 12, 2017, she was arrested by the Woodbridge Police Department, in Middlesex County for shoplifting, and released. On March 11, 2018, she was again arrested for shoplifting, and released. On April 21, 2018, she was arrested for a third time for shoplifting, and booked into Middlesex County Jail. On April 21, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and she was released.
A 21-year-old citizen of Guatemala was arrested by the Green Brook Police Department on June 20, 2018, in Somerset County for driving under the influence of alcohol and by the Middlesex Police Department (later that same day) in Middlesex County, for burglary-entering structure, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and hindering oneself/ false information and was booked into Middlesex County Jail. On June 21, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored by Middlesex County Jail and he was released.
A 21-year-old citizen of Honduras was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on May 29, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On May 29, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but he was released.
A 37-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on November 25, 2017, in Middlesex County for driving without a license, and booked into the Middlesex County Correctional Facility in North Brunswick, NJ. On November 25, 2017, an ICE detainer was issued but he was released.
A 25-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on May 25, 2018, in Middlesex County for harassment, hindering, and obstruction, and was booked into Middlesex County Jail. On May 29, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. He also has prior arrests for domestic violence and forgery.
A 27-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on January 25, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault – significant bodily injury to a victim of domestic violence, criminal restraint – hold victim, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On January 30, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released.
A 41-year-old citizen of Honduras was arrested by the New Brunswick Police Department on September 18, 2017, in Middlesex County for driving with a suspended license and was booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On September 18, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. Subject has prior arrests for forgery.
A 29-year-old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Perth Amboy Police Department on March 12, 2018, in Middlesex County for aggravated assault on law enforcement and possession of CDS/analog and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On March 13, 2018, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and she was released. She has prior arrests for assault by auto and DUI.
A 28-year-old citizen of Peru was arrested by the Union City Police Department in Union City, New Jersey on May 08, 2018, for simple assault and booked into the Hudson County Jail (HCJ). At the time of his release from HCJ, it was discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for contempt from the Perth Amboy Police Department, in Middlesex County. He was transferred to the Middlesex County Jail on the warrant. On May 15, 2018, ICE issued a detainer to Middlesex County Jail but the detainer was not honored and he was released.
A 29-year-old citizen of El Salvador was arrested by the Carteret Police Department on September 1, 2017, in Middlesex County for Endangering-Abuse/Neglect of a Child and booked into the Middlesex County Jail. On September 5, 2017, ICE issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released. After his release, he was arrested for DUI and subsequently convicted on March 15, 2018 for the same offense.
Those arrested will remain in ICE custody pending removal or immigration proceedings.
ICE is focused on removing public safety threats, such as convicted criminal aliens and gang members, as well as individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws, including those who illegally re-entered the country after being removed, and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges.
For the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2018, ICE arrests comprise over 66 percent convicted criminals. Of the remaining individuals not convicted of a crime, approximately 23 percent have either been charged with a crime, are immigration fugitives, or have been removed from the United States and illegally re-entered, reflecting the agency’s continued prioritization of its limited enforcement resources on aliens who pose threats to national security, public safety and border security.
Trenton NJ, Motorists traveling to New Jersey’s beaches, parks, and other spots to celebrate Fourth of July can fuel up with confidence thanks to a statewide inspection of gas stations to ensure consumers get what they pay for at the pumps during the busy holiday week, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced today.
“Operation Summer Octane,” a two-week campaign of unannounced fuel quality tests led by the Division’s Office of Weights and Measures (“OWM”) tested the quality of gasoline at 371 stations across New Jersey – about 10 percent of the 3,000 licensed stations in the state – and found only two allegedly selling fuel with octane levels lower than advertised.
“With the busiest travel holiday of the summer upon us, we want motorists to have confidence that when they purchase gasoline at New Jersey stations, they’re going to get their money’s worth,” said Paul R. Rodríguez, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Operation Summer Octane was a proactive sweep to let stations know we’re watching to make sure they’re not charging consumers premium prices for low-grade gasoline.”
According to the Automobile Club of America (“AAA”), this year’s Independence Day holiday gas prices are the highest in four years. In New Jersey, consumers are paying an average of $2.884 a gallon for regular gasoline and $3.358 a gallon for premium, a price gap of 47.4 cents a gallon, according to AAA.
“When stations are charging nearly 50 cents a gallon more for premium gasoline the potential for illegal profit can be a temptation for unscrupulous station owners,” Rodríguez said “The good news is, our unannounced inspections found that 99 percent of the stations were pumping the proper grade of fuel. The small minority that weren’t will be held accountable. “
The unannounced inspections, which ran weekdays from June 11 through June 27, were conducted at stations located in all 21 counties within the state, including those on toll roads. An “Octane Task Force” comprised of inspectors from 17 state, county, and municipal Weights and Measures Offices used portable octane testers to field test unleaded gasoline rated from 87, 89, 91, 92, and 93 at each station.
Any fuel sample that appeared to present a violation, presented unclear results, or could not be tested on site for any reason, was sent to a laboratory for comprehensive testing.
A total of 7 samples were sent to the labs. Samples from two stations – Runway Gas on Greenwood Avenue in Trenton and USA Gas on Landis Avenue in Vineland — allegedly failed to deliver the octane levels advertised by the stations.
Operation Summer Octane also resulted in citations against 20 stations for a variety of other alleged violations of OWM and NJ motor fuel laws and regulations:
In Passaic County:
Rose Fuel, 308 Union Ave., Paterson – Failure to display mid-grade pricing atop fuel dispenser. (6 counts)
Delta, 216 Redwood Ave., Paterson – Failure to display credit card pricing atop fuel dispenser. (4 counts)
In Somerset County:
Exxon/Warren Food Inc., 171 Mt Bethel Rd, Warren –Failure to have inspection certificate available. (1 count)
In Morris County:
Shell/Ellahi Fuel, 411 W Main St., Boonton – Faulty 5-gallon test measure.
In Gloucester County:
Mobile/Creative Management, 102 N Delsea Dr., Glassboro – Water in storage drop around fuel storage tank. (3 counts)
Citgo/Clayton Food and Gas, 435 S Delsea Dr., Clayton – Water in storage drop around fuel storage tank. (1count)
In Atlantic County:
Riggins/Hammonton Fuel Stop, 12th & Chew Rd, Hammonton – Water in storage drop around fuel storage tank. (1 count)
In Union County:
Quick Check #90 1999, Routes 1 & 9, Rahway – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (10 counts)
Delta/Sadana Fuel, LLC 104 Westfield Ave., Clark – Pump meter continuing to run after dispensing stops. (3 counts)
Valero/Khalsa Fuel, LLC, 105 Chestnut St., Roselle, NJ – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on marquee. (1 count)
Delta/A-1 Union Gas, 35 North Ave., Crandford – Unregistered weighing and measuring devices. (18 counts)
Conoco/Jersey Mart Inc., 419-431 Routes 1 & 9, Elizabeth – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (3 counts)
In Middlesex:
Sunoco #7013, Thomas Edison Service Area, NJTP, Woodbridge – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (4 counts)
In Essex County:
Fuel 4/NCK Fuel, 1126 McCarter Hwy., Newark – Failure to display security seal on fuel dispenser meter. (4 counts) Failure to have 5-gallon test measure on premises. (1 count)
Speedway, #3485, 895 Springfield Ave., Irvington – No Price Per Gallon signage atop fuel dispenser. (3 counts)
Delta/G & R Fuel Corporation, 822-828 Clinton Ave., Newark – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (9 counts)
JPG Enterprises, 754 Lyons Rd., Irvington – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (2 counts)
07205 Management, 242 Elizabeth Ave., Newark – Failure to have 5-gallon test measure on premises. (1 count)
Saveway LLC, 221 Central Ave., East Orange – No security seal on fuel dispenser meter. (13 counts) Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (4 counts) Failure to have 5-gallon test measure on premises. (1 count)
Mobile/1139-1153 Broad St Petroleum, 1139-1153 Broad St., Newark – Improper numeral size on Price Per Gallon signage atop fuel dispenser. (13 counts)
Stations found to be in violation of OWM and NJ motor fuel laws and regulations face civil penalties from $100 to $1,500 per violation. Fines are assessed on a case by case basis in relation to the business history, and the severity of the infraction in relation to deceptive business practices.
The Division of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Weights and Measures thanks Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union county Offices of Weights and Measures, and the Trenton Office of Weights and Measures, for their participation in this statewide effort.
Octane is a hydrocarbon liquid found in gasoline and other fuels. When octane levels are too low, gasoline can self-ignite during compression, causing much higher pressures than engine components are designed for. This can lead to a persistent knocking sound in the engine and, in severe cases can lead to significant engine damage such as broken connecting rods, melted pistons, or other damaged components. The risk is especially acute with high-performance vehicles for which a higher octane rating is recommended, but can affect any vehicle if the octane level is substandard.
Ridgewood NJ, The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for outstanding work assisting customers impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The award is presented to EEI member companies to recognize an outstanding response in assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s Winter Board and CEO Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In the wake of Irma, PSE&G dispatched 154 employees and 84 vehicles to assist Florida Power & Light power restoration efforts. The PSE&G contingent included line workers, managers, engineers and support personnel.
“When disaster impacts a region, electric companies from across the nation are called on to assist impacted companies in need – mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “When Hurricane Irma struck, PSE&G answered the call to help. PSE&G’s assistance to restore service to impacted customers is a terrific example of mutual assistance in action.”
PSE&G’s Senior Vice President of Electric and Gas Operations John Latka said, “We were fortunate to be in a position to assist FPL. We know the importance of getting the lights and power back on as quickly as possible so people can begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”
Ridgewood NJ, Casting director Kelli Calabrese gives us her pitch on keeping your New Years Resolutions and goal setting .
Calabrese says , “Do you know someone who sets a goal and runs after it with massive action? I have friends who act like androids continually crushing their goals and rising to the top at whatever they set out to do. I realize they are rare, however far too many give up too easily on their dreams.
A select few give their dreams their all. They are in the minority.
So what’s the difference between making excuses and quitting versus putting your head down and being fully sold out and attached to reaching the most excellent outcome?
You need to sell yourself. You need to sign yourself up fully for what ever it is that you want to do, be, have or give. Your belief in the outcome must be unshakable.
If you were Thomas Edison, would you have invented the lightbulb? Would you have failed over 1,000 times and kept believing it was possible and putting all of your resources into making it a reality?
The truth is that some of you already quit on your 2018 goals because you never fully believed it was possible. You might say that you want to lose weight or quit smoking or pay off debt or take that dream vacation, but do you know that you know that you know, deep in your soul that you will make it happen? Are you willing to invest the resources and do what ever is necessary to achieve it?
How can you increase your chances of achieving your 2018 goals?
Write them down, read them daily, make them public.
Build EXTRAORDINARY belief in yourself, your product or service and your ability to make it happen.
Recruit others to share the vision, advise, hold accountable, support and mentor you.
STOP making excuses. Once you complain or make excuses you have one foot on the breaks and are close to quitting.
Find someone doing what you want to do (or be or have or give) and duplicate their success.
Set up rewards along the way and have a celebration planned for when you achieve your goal. Recognition, fun and celebration make the hardness in transforming, stretching and growing more manageable.
Have a daily method of thinking and acting that moves you closer to your goal each day.
If someone quits after a month or 2 or 6 they weren’t truly committed. They didn’t even give the seeds of their work time to grow.
How could you expect someone else to commit and follow you when you weren’t TRULY committed?
The moment you recruit yourself is the moment when everything changes. It won’t typically happen right away but it will happen!
When your goals are achieved you will enjoy the sweet spot of your passion, purpose and profit coming together! It’s priceless”
Ridgewood NJ, Tuesday November 7, 2017 is Election Day. Polls will be open in New Jersey from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The following candidates are running on the local and county level :
Ridgewood Board of Education (two, three-year terms): Sheila Mary Brogan and Christina Krauss are all running unopposed.
County Board of Chosen Freeholders (two seats): Democratic incumbents Joan Voss and David Ganz are running against Republicans John Driscoll Jr. and Raymond Cottiers Jr.
State 40th Legislative District, Senate (vote for one): Republican incumbent Kristin Corrado is running against Democrat Thomas Duch.
State 40th Legislative District, Assembly (vote for two): Republicans Kevin Rooney, an incumbent, and Christopher DePhillips are running against Democrats Paul Vagianos and Christine Ordway.
New Jersey will also holding an election for governor and lieutenant governor on November 7, 2017. Gov. Chris Christie (R) is term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. Phil Murphy (D), Kim Guadagno (R), Peter Rohrman (L), Seth Kaper-Dale (G), Matt Riccardi (C), Gina Genovese (I), and Vincent Ross (I) are running to fill the governorship .
Questions on the Ballot:
NEW JERSEY LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION BOND ACT
PUBLIC QUESTION # 1
Do you approve the “New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act’? This bond act authorizes the State to issue bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $125 million. The proceeds of the bonds will be used to provide grants to public libraries. The grants will be used to build, equip and expand public libraries to increase capacity and serve the public.
Interpretive Statement on the Ballot:
Approval of this bond act will allow the State to sell $125 million in State general obligation bonds. Proceeds from the bonds will be used to provide grants to construct, expand and equip public libraries. Municipalities or counties that fund public libraries will match the grant amount. The municipality or county may solicit private funding to support its match. The State Librarian, in consultation with the President of Thomas Edison State University, will set eligibility criteria for the grants.
NEW JERSEY REVENUE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES LAWSUITS
DEDICATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AMENDMENT
PUBLIC QUESTION #2
Do you approve amending the Constitution to dedicate all moneys collected by the State relating to natural resource damages in cases of contamination of the environment? The moneys would have to be used to repair, restore, replace, or preserve the State’s natural resources. The moneys may also be used to pay legal or other costs incurred by the State in pursuing its claims.
Interpretive statement on the Ballot:
“This amendment would dedicate moneys collected by the State relating to natural resource damages through settlements or awards for legal claims based on environmental contamination. These moneys would be dedicated to repair, replace, or restore damaged natural resources, or to preserve the State’s natural resources. These moneys would be spent in an area as close as possible to the geographical area in which the damage occurred. The moneys could also be used to pay for the State’s legal or other costs in pursuing the claims. Currently, these moneys may be used for any State purpose.”
Judge ruled South Brunswick must build 3,000 units of affordable housing, but township wants decision set aside due to ‘appearance of impropriety’
New Jersey’s only municipality to receive its affordable-housing obligation from a judge’s order is continuing to appeal that number, even as construction is underway on the first new developments since the Supreme Court got back in the middle of the Mount Laurel housing controversy. The township is claiming the Superior Court judge was compromised by a relationship with the developer.
It’s been almost two-and-a-half years since the state’s highest court took control of affordable housing matters away from the “moribund” New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing and tossed it back to the courts, which had been the original deciders of low- and moderate-income housing claims following the Supreme Court’s landmark Mount Laurel rulings. In those cases, which date back to 1975, the court ruled that municipalities must zone for their “fair share” of their regional need for affordable housing.
The cases have been slowly winding through the Superior Courts throughout the state. The Fair Share Housing Center, the Cherry Hill-based organization leading the legal efforts to get more homes built, has reached settlements with 120 municipalities to construct more than 36,000 units from Bergen to Camden counties. Construction has even begun on projects in Woodbridge, Cherry Hill, Westfield, and Edison, welcome news to housing advocates after the process had been stalled by lawsuits and lack of action by COAH for about 16 years.
Other municipalities remain in the courts. For instance, a Mercer County judge is expected to rule within the month on the obligations for several communities in Mercer.
Ridgewood NJ, Westside Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood will be the venue for a choral spectacular of 200 voices from four New Jersey choruses, as the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus presents Carl Orff’s masterpiece “Carmina Burana.” The concert will be given on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 2:00 pm.
Conducted by John J. Palatucci, the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus will be joined in the performance by the Summit Chorale of Summit, NJ, the Columbia High School Chorus of South Orange, NJ, and the J. P. Stevens High School Chorus of Edison, NJ.
Tickets for the concert are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance purchase of tickets may be made online at the Orpheus Club’s website, www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org
The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus has been a keystone of the cultural life of the tri-state region for 108 years. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest cultural institution in all of Bergen County. Now fifty voices strong, it is directed by John J. Palatucci and accompanied by pianist Ron Levy.
The Summit Chorale too can trace its lineage to 1909, founded as the Summit Choral Society. It has delighted central New Jersey audiences over the years, never more so than today under the hand of music director Dr. Thomas Juneau and accompanist Beth Robin. The Columbia High School Chorus of South Orange, NJ, performs under the musical direction of Jamie Bunce, and the J. P. Stevens High School Chorus of Edison, NJ. performs under the musical direction of Matthew Lee.
This concert is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of the Cultural and Historic Affairs from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
A. Dad’s Night Days – Hawes School and Somerville School
B. Read Across America Day
C. Super Science Saturday
8. Swearing-in of Police Officers
Police Officer Douglas Busche
Police Officer Douglas Christopher
Police Officer Brandon Donnelly
Police Officer Jack Knudsen
Police Officer Zachary Knudsen
Police Officer Kyle Scarpa
9. Swearing-in of Police Lieutenant Brian Pullman
10. Swearing-in of Police Captain William Amoruso
11. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes
per person – 40 minutes in total)
12. Village Manager’s Report
13. Village Council Reports
14. ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
15. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-26 THROUGH 17-37 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
17-26 Title 59 Approval – Landscaping Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Landscaping Services prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
17-27 Award Contract – Landscaping Services (NTE $113,820) – Awards the second year of a two- year contract to the sole bidder, Pat Scanlan, 14 Plains Drive, New City, NY
17-28 Title 59 Approval – Cold Water Meters and Accessories – Approves the plans and specifications for Cold Water Meters and Supplies prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
17-29 Award Contract – Cold Water Meters and Accessories – Awards the first year of a two- year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Rio Supply, Inc., 100 Allied Parkway, Sicklerville, NJ
17-30 Title 59 Approval – Pipe, Appurtenances, and Service Materials – Approves the plans and specifications for Furnish and Deliver Pipe, Appurtenances and Service Materials for Water Distribution Maintenance prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
17-31 Award Contract – Pipe, Appurtenances, and Service Materials – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the following lowest responsible bidders in various categories of materials: Water Works Supply Co., Inc., 660 State Highway 23, Pompton Plains, NJ; HD Waterworks Supply, 61 Gross Avenue, Edison, NJ; and Capitol Supply Construction Products, Inc., 149 Old Turnpike Road, Wayne, NJ
17-32 Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Hypochlorite Solution –Approves the plans and specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Hypochlorite Solution prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
17-33 Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Hypochlorite Solution ($3.62/gallon)- Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the sole responsible bidder, Miracle Chemical Company, 1151B Highway 33, Farmingdale, NJ
17-34 Title 59 Approval – Servicing and Repair of Water Pumping Facilities – Approves the plans and specifications for Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Storage Tanks, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
17-35 Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of Water Pumping Facilities – Approves the plans and specifications for Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Pumping Facilities, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
17-36 Award Professional Services Contract – USEPA Compliance Services for Evaluation of Groundwater Wells (NTE $35,000) – Awards a Professional Services contract to Legette, Brashears & Graham, 600 East Crescent Avenue, Upper Saddle River, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s office.
17-37 Authorize Change Order – Installation of Backup Power at Critical Facilities (NTE $62,445) – Authorizes the change order which was necessary due to additional permitting work, including Planning Board approvals a the Township of Wyckoff and the Borough of Midland Park, as well as NJDEP flood plain and wetland permits
16. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3581 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Prohibit Parking – Sections of Sherman Place – Designates several areas for no parking at any time on various sections of Sherman Place, due to safety concerns
3582 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Angle Parking – Allows vehicles to be parked in parking lots with perpendicular parking stall spaces with either the front or rear of the vehicle facing perpendicular to the nearest curb line. Vehicles parked in angled parking stall spaces must park with the front of the vehicle facing the nearest curb line. Vehicles parked in parallel parking spaces must have the front of the vehicle facing in the travel of direction of the roadway nearest the parking space.
3583 – Amend Chapter 238 – Sewers and Sewage Disposal – Addition of Masticated Food Waste – Adds masticated food waste and its definition to the liquid waste acceptance program, including the basis for billing
3584 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Sewers and Sewage Disposal – Liquid Waste Acceptance Program Fees – Amends the fees charged for various acceptable liquid wastes including grey water/septage; masticated flowable food waste; wastewater meeting certain requirements; and pumpout FOG (fats, oil, and grease) of various concentrations
3585 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Bus Stops – Amends the Village’s bus stop ordinance so that the bus stops listed reflect the bus stops which exist in the Village. It also lists the bus stop numbers.
3586 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Significant Sewer Discharger Fees – Increases the fees for significant sewer dischargers from $4.03 per thousand gallons of flow in excess of one EDU as measured by water meter consumption to $4.27 per thousand gallons of flow. This increase is includes commercial/industrial/institutional as well as tax exempt and tax credited users. This fee was last increased in 2010.
3587 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Graydon Pool Fees – The fees for adult, child, and day passes will remain the same for 2017 and 2018. There will be a late season discount of 50% off of the price on or after August 1st. There will also be a 10% early bird discount for those badges purchased in the month of April.
17. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3578 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Day Camp Fees
3579 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Institutional and Religious Uses and Public Utilities
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-38 THROUGH 17-53 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
17-38 Authorize Membership Agreement – Cooperative Purchasing Program – North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System through Lead Agency Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission – Authorizes the Acting Village Manager and Mayor to execute the membership agreement with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission on behalf of the North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System
17-39 Title 59 Approval – Maintenance of Irrigation Systems/Water Fountains – Approves the plans and specifications for Maintenance of Irrigation Systems/Water Fountains for Contract Years 2017 and 2018, prepared by the Parks and Recreation Department, pursuant to Title 59
17-40 Award Contract – Maintenance of Irrigation Systems/Water Fountains – Awards this contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Tanz, Inc., 3 River Edge Road, River Edge, NJ
17-41 Award Contract under Cooperative Purchasing Program – Truck Chassis for Sludge Hauling Tanker Truck (NTE $153,895.85) – Awards a contract under Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission to Gabrielli Truck Sales, 2300 Route 130 North, Dayton, NJ
17-42 Award Contract under Cooperative Purchasing Program – Vacuum Tank Unit for Sludge Hauling Tanker Truck (NTE $60,890) – Awards a contract under Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission to Vacuum Sales, Inc., 51 Stone Road, Lindenwold, NJ
17-43 Award Contract under Cooperative Purchasing Program – Pumps for Ridgewood Lawns Sewer Pump Station (NTE $48,862.30) – Awards a contract under the North Jersey Wastewater Cooperative Pricing System administered by the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission to Pumping Services, Inc., 201 Lincoln Boulevard, Middlesex, NJ
17-44 Award Professional Services Contract – Surveys of Intersections for Upgrade of Traffic Signals (NTE $28,700) – Awards a Professional Services contract to Daniel M. Dunn of Dunn Surveying and Mapping, P.S., 40 East Prospect Street, Waldwick, NJ for intersection area surveys for upgrade of traffic signals. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
17-45 Award Professional Services Contract – 2017 Land Surveying Services Retainer for Preparation of Tax Assessment Map (NTE $1,700) – Awards a Professional Services contract to Daniel M. Dunn, of Dunn Surveying and Mapping, P.A., 40 East Prospect Street, Waldwick, NJ
17-46 Authorize Designation of Acting Municipal Court Administrator ($35/hour) –Designates Kimberly McWilliams, CMCA as the Acting Municipal Court Administrator, on a provisions basis to undertake the duties of the absent Municipal Court Administrator or Deputy Municipal Court Administrator during scheduled or unscheduled leaves. This is required under the new Criminal Justice Reform legislation.
17-47 Authorize Girl Scout Troop 1136 and Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission Project – Shade Tree Nursery – Authorizes Girl Scout Troop 1136 and the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission to remove the accumulated debris, trash, and garbage and establish a Shade Tree Nursery at 203 East Glen Avenue. This project has been reviewed by the Village Engineer and the Director of Parks and Recreation who have helped to address various safety issues.
17-48 Increase 2017 Deferred School Taxes – Increases deferred school taxes from $45,630,455.58 to $46,515,256.20, an increase of $884,800.62 from 12/31/15 to 12/31/16
17-49 Approve Budget Reserve Transfers – Resolution which transfers money in the 2016 budget from departments which have excess funds to those departments which do not have adequate funds
17-50 Authorize Application for Sustainable Jersey PSE&G Grant – Authorizes an application for a Sustainable Jersey PSE&G Grant for a professional to conduct a tree survey in the Village
17-51 Authorize Execution of Grant Agreement – Community Development Block Grant – Handicapped Accessible Ramp at Gate House of Irene Habernickel Family Park – Authorizes the Acting Village Manager to sign the grant agreement and the Village Chief Financial Officer to sign all County vouchers
17-52 Award Professional Services Contract – Noise Assessment – Schedler Park Property (NTE $6,100) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Sharon Paul Carpenter of Paul Carpenter Associates, Inc., 7 Columbia Turnpike, Suite 101, Florham Park, NJ
17-53 Award Professional Services Contract – Review of Village Hall HVAC System Operation (NTE $19,385) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to LAN Associates, 445 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
19. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
20. Resolution to go into Closed Session
21. Closed Session
Contract Negotiations – Potential Purchase of Property
Personnel – Village Manager’s Office; Village Manager Search
Legal – HealthBarn
22. Adjournment
All Village Council meetings broadcast LIVE – Tune in on Optimum Channel 77 or Verizon channel 34! Public Meeting – Wednesday, February 8 @ 8pm.
EDISON – New Jersey ranks No. 1 on the list of the most moved-from states in 2016, according to a study by the moving company United Van Lines released Tuesday.
It’s the fifth consecutive year the state ranks first.
The study found that 63 percent of moves in New Jersey were moves out of the state.
Daylight savings just another excuse to work on your Golf Handicap
Ridgewood Distracted by the Election, Did you forget to Fall Back this morning at 2am
November 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, its official this morning the time moves back one hour at 2 a.m. local time Nov. 6; unless you are out and about or have a late night rendezvous you should have reset your clocks before going to bed so you won’t arrive at appointments an hour early today .
While many question whether anyone in New Jersey really knows what time it is , Arizona and Hawaii are now the only two states that do not observe daylight saving time. During daylight saving time, parts of Arizona matchup with Pacific Time instead of the Mountain time zone that the state is in. U.S. territories where time simply does not have the same meaning like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas also do not observe daylight saving time.
In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act into law, making daylight savings time the law of the land . The U.S. Department of Transportation is the keeper of daylight saving time.
So why does it exist ; one argument for daylight saving time is that fewer accidents happen during daylight hours, so extending morning daylight in winter and evening daylight in summer results in a slight reduction in automobile accidents.
The idea behind daylight saving time is to take advantage of daylight hours and save energy. This theory has come under debate inn recent years ,with many “daylight deniers ” out there . In 2008 federal Department of Energy study, U.S. electricity use decreased by 0.5% for each day of extended daylight saving time, resulting in a savings of 0.03% for the year as a whole.
While the savings may seem small in percentage terms, in absolute terms, if the theory is true added up to 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours ,which is enough to power about 122,000 average U.S. homes for a year.
Others point to the time change is actually is rooted in an agricultural society. The idea of “extending” daylight was meant to provide more time to work in the fields.Remember humanity spent most of its pre-Edison existence siting around in the dark .
The staff of the Ridgewood blog would like to put forth one more theory , and that is golf . As we have witnessed through US modern history a good game of golf can not be under estimated by any administration with extended daylight adding much to handicaps .
Most pollsters will tell you that the majority finds it more a nuisance rather than a benefit but, they secretly take pleasure in their friends and coworkers who show up late or early the next day and we do too.
