The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Palisades Park NJ, is once again witnessing a shift in leadership within its Police Department, marking the sixth officer in charge in just five years. This change comes amid a long history of internal strife, lawsuits, and frequent turnover in top positions.
Continue reading Palisades Park Police Department Faces Yet Another Leadership Change
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Palisades Park NJ, Two Palisades Park police officers who sued the borough over a hostile work environment and retaliation have received settlements totaling $300,000, along with long-awaited promotions.
Continue reading Palisades Park Settles Police Lawsuits with $300K Payout and Promotions
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Palisades Park NJ, the borough has filed a lawsuit against its former administrator, David Lorenzo, to recover nearly $300,000 in allegedly unauthorized payouts for unused sick and vacation time between 2015 and 2024.
According to the lawsuit, Lorenzo, who served as the borough’s business administrator from 2008 until his termination in 2024, improperly claimed and received $276,334.85 in compensation, which included $81,226.65 for unused sick time and $195,108.20 for unused vacation days.
Continue reading Palisades Park Sues Former Administrator Over $300K in Alleged Improper Payments
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Pailisades Park NJ, in a controversial move, Palisades Park’s mayor and Borough Council are considering legal action to bar Councilman Michael Vietri from attending future closed-door meetings. The action comes amid allegations that Vietri disclosed sensitive and confidential information discussed during these private sessions, potentially putting the borough at a disadvantage in ongoing negotiations.
Continue reading Palisades Park Council Explores Legal Action to Ban Councilman from Closed Meetings
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Palisades Park NJ, a six-month investigation into the costly and unused police trailer in Palisades Park has stalled, with allegations of “deliberate stonewalling” by former borough employees. The project, initially intended as a temporary relocation for the Police Department during mold remediation, has already cost taxpayers more than $900,000.
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Palisades Park NJ, in a unanimous decision during a special meeting, the Palisades Park Borough Council approved an ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in one- and two-family homes. The move is part of the borough’s response to increasing affordable housing demands following a recent court ruling.
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Palisades Park NJ, in recent years, a growing trend has emerged among local governments: hiring professional public relations firms to manage municipal communications. Towns like Palisades Park and Clifton are among the latest to join this movement, which aims to streamline how information reaches residents.
Continue reading Why Local Governments Are Turning to Public Relations Firms for Communication
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Palisades Park NJ , Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 32-year-old WILMER HERNANDEZ-BARRERA of Cliffside Park, NJ on charges of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Fairview Police Department under the direction of Chief Vincent Bellucci.
Continue reading Cliffside Man Charged with Sexual Assault of a Minor in Palisades Park
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Palisades Park NJ, without public discussion, a long-serving borough employee, Cindy Gardenier, was terminated during a council meeting on November 25. The decision came after Gardenier, who had been out of work since April 2023 due to health issues stemming from mold exposure in Borough Hall, raised workplace safety and harassment concerns.
Continue reading Palisades Park Employee Terminated Amid Mold Concerns, Harassment Allegations
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Palisades Park NJ, the Borough of Palisades Park is launching an investigation into potential overpayments of vacation and sick time to borough employees, raising new concerns about financial oversight. This follows a history of scrutiny, including a 2021 comptroller’s report that revealed significant taxpayer losses due to improper sick leave payouts.
Continue reading Palisades Park Investigates Possible Overpayment of Employee Vacation and Sick Time
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Palisades Park NJ, Palisades Park is taking a significant step toward addressing the region’s affordability crisis by introducing a new ordinance to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for one- and two-family homes. This move comes in response to a court order requiring the borough to develop a comprehensive affordable housing plan.
Continue reading Palisades Park Moves Toward Accessory Dwelling Units Amid Affordable Housing Push
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Palisades Park NJ, in a recent decision, a judge ordered the Borough of Palisades Park to create a “comprehensive fair-share housing plan” and a revised land-use ordinance within 90 days. This decision comes after six “builder’s remedy” lawsuits filed by developers who sought to increase affordable housing options in the area. Judge Christine Farrington ruled that the borough’s current zoning ordinance does not adequately support the development of affordable housing, mandating that the borough take swift action.
Continue reading Palisades Park Faces 90-Day Deadline to Address Affordable Housing Needs
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Palisades Park NJ, late on October 28, 2024, Palisades Park Police responded to an alarming call regarding a burglary in progress. Captain James Rotundo reported that at around 8:21 p.m., officers arrived at the scene to discover the home’s rear kitchen sliding door had been shattered by a flowerpot, providing the intruder a point of entry.
Continue reading Palisades Park Police Investigate Home Burglary Interrupted by Waking Homeowner
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Palisades Park NJ , Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 46-year-old PEDRO A. OSORIO-ESTRADA of Palisades Park, NJ on charges of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal sexual contact. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Palisades Park Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge James Rotundo.
Continue reading Palisades Park Man Charged with Sexual Assault of a Child
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Palisades Park NJ, Gina Kim, the former Borough Clerk of Palisades Park, has filed a seven-count lawsuit in Bergen County Superior Court, accusing Mayor Paul Kim and others of creating a hostile work environment, engaging in gender discrimination, and retaliating against her. The lawsuit stems from her 15-year tenure with the borough, including her role as Borough Clerk since 2015.
Continue reading Former Palisades Park Clerk Files Lawsuit Alleging Harassment and Retaliation