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Tax Foundation Study Confirms that Bob Gordon’s Policies are Destroying New Jersey’s Economy

Kelly Langschultz,

Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Kelly Langschultz for NJ Senate LD38

NEW MILFORD, NJ – New Jersey once again is grabbing headlines as the worst state to do business in. The Tax Foundation, a non-partisan Washington-based think tank, released their 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index earlier this week, ranking New Jersey 50th overall in tax policy.

“While attempting to start a business and raise a family, all while being a constituent of Bob Gordon’s for the last fourteen years, I have personally experienced the unintended consequences of our Senator’s voting record that has led us here.” said Kelly Langschultz regarding the Tax Foundation’s findings.

“Voters in Bergen and Passaic have seen enough of Bob Gordon’s policies, which is why I’m campaigning aggressively to replace Gordon in three weeks and put our state back on the right track.”

The Tax Foundation rated New Jersey dead last in overall business climate, 42nd in Corporate Tax competitiveness, 48th in Individual Taxes, 46th in Sales Taxes and ranked New Jersey’s Property Taxes the highest in the nation.

“Whenever any legislation is on the Senate floor and Bob Gordon gets the opportunity to stand up for his constituents, the Senator fails every time. Every effort to seriously reform our state’s tax code and put New Jersey on the path to affordability and economic sustainability, Bob Gordon balks at every attempt to save those struggling in the 38th District. The sad truth, Bob Gordon has yet to meet a tax increase he didn’t like.”

While serving as councilwoman in New Milford, Kelly Langschultz presented a fiscal stability plan earlier this year that will continue to contribute towards the borough’s taxes remaining flat and will give New Milford a path towards responsibly paying down its debt while protecting taxpayers.

“The stability plan and financial know-how I’ve been providing to New Milford residents is exactly what Trenton needs, and I plan on providing the same kind of relief to the residents of New Jersey when I’m sworn in this January.”

Kelly Langschultz is a mother of four, small business owner, councilwoman in New Milford and a candidate for State Senate in New Jersey’s 38th Legislative District. Learn more about Kelly on her website, KellyLangschultz.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/kelly4njsenate.

District 38 – (Bergen and Passaic)  Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook

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Flood Plains In The Village Of Ridgewood

VillageHall_floods_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

October 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Village Of Ridgewood has a number of streams with a flood plain associated with it, Ho-Ho-Kus BrookSaddle RiverGoffle BrookDiamond Brook, and SproutBrook a nondelineated stream behind Gateway Road.

These streams are limited in capacity and tend to exceed there banks during heavy rain falls similiar to Tropical Storm Floyd on September 16, 1999 and Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011 (both of which can be considered a 100 year flood event).  Additionally, the Nor’easter on April 15, 2007 can be considered a 20 year storm event.

As each storm event varies in duration and inches of rainfall, flow varies through each section of the stream dependant on flow restrictions ie, bridges, culverts, dams and weirs. Preventitive maintenance to keep these areas clear is the Village’s primary goal in keeping flooding to the minimum.

Flood information for the Village is available in the Engineering Division Office. Flood maps from FEMA and the New Jersey Department Of Environmental Protection are available. Documentation from FEMA is available stating the property and/or structure is located in the floodplain.


Flood Insurance

The Village of Ridgewood participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) and has a rating of Class 7, which is administered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Because we participate in the CRS program, anyone in the Village of Ridgewood can purchase flood insurance. Please note that standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage from floods. Most homeowner’s who have paid off their homes do not continue the flood insurance as required by most mortgage companies. Here are some common Myths and Facts about the National Flood Insurance Program.


Flood Plain Resources

Bergen County Preliminary Flood Map – These are the proposed flood maps for 2017.
Map of Ridgewood Homes in the Flood Plain circa 2006 – link to follow
USGS Saddle River Flood Gauge
USGS HoHoKus Brook Flood Gauge

Community Outreach Resources

Annual Letter to Residents in the Flood Plain 2016
Annual Letter to Realtors 2016
Repetitive Loss Outreach Letter 2016
Flood Plain Management Plan
Flood Plain Management Plan 2015 Annual Report
Elevation Certificates for Homes in the Flood Fringe – link to follow
Open Space Lands within the Flood Plain – link to follow


NEW!!! Hurricane Sandy Mitigation Assessment Team Report 
FEMA P-942, Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York
FEMA Building Science & Resources


Flood Plain Regulations

NJDEP – NEW 2016 Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules N.J.A.C.7:13
NJDEP – Division of Land Use Regulation
E-Code for Village of Ridgewood, NJ
International Residential Code 2015, New Jersey Edition – See section R322 on page 59



Links

FEMA
FEMA Flood Guidance Manuals
Flood Insurance: Top 10 Things Every Homeowner Should Know
FEMA – What to do before, during and after
FEMA Fact Sheet – Cleaning Flooded Buildings
FEMA Map Service Center
Floodsmart.gov – Facts & Statistics
National Weather Service
American Red Cross
Bergen County Office of Emergency Management

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Pastor Running for State Assembly in District 38 

chris wolf dist 38

October 8,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Saddle Brook NJ, its election year and the Ridgewod blog is once again looking at some of the more interesting stories of this election year . We found one in near by District 38 with a  gentlemen named Christopher Wolf. Chris’s home town is Fairlawn ,he is the Pastor at First Reformed Church of Saddle Brook, and he is running State Assemblyman in District 38.For Glen Rock readers that’s you .

Chris is an author of With You Every Step of the Way (2011) and Giving Faith a Second Chance: Restarts, Mulligans and Do-Overs (2007) and he is the host of radio show ,Walk With Me, Wednesday nights, 7pm Est/6pm Cntrl on WYFN 94.9 FM – NY; yfnradio.com .

Chris has been a pastor for 15 years, 7 here in Saddle Brook. The congregation averages about 70 people on Sundays.  Chris said , “As the NJ Legislature is part-time, my main priority is my congregation. There are set days for business in Trenton, Mondays and/or Thursdays so I will adjust my congregation hours around that but will remain at the same they are now. My main issues are making NJ more affordable, helping small businesses , creating a Main Street economy, Social Services reform, and bring the community partnership concept to the other towns in the District.”

Chris got the political bug while working at the state assembly many years ago and now feels that in order to practice what you preach in church you need to go out and engage the community .

We asked Chris has his Christian faith ever been an issue on the campaign trail and he said surprisingly ,”No” .

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Christopher Wolf is running for assembly, with Kelly Langschultz for Senate, and Billy Leonard for assembly against long time Senator Bob Gordon, assemblymen Tim Eustace and Joe Lagana.

Chris has been spreading the message of affordability, leadership, and community , in in towns like Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, and Saddle Brook  . He love events , but he says ,”going door to door in the D38 towns is the best. I love the purity of it , just meeting and talking neighbor to neighbor. And it’s working. People are responding well to our team. Part of the purpose of New Jersey’s Second Chance is to inspire people to believe in leaders and in government again.”

That’s right Chris calls his platform New Jersey’s Second Chance , and says ” it’s because I believe in redemption for New Jersey (Trenton) and it’s a play on the title of my first book, Giving Faith a Second Chance “.

Chris described his life to us as , “Improbable. So many of my stories could be described as improbable. Where I am now, after growing up in a garden apartment in Fair Lawn. You know, I was the kid who played baseball in sneakers because there were times when we couldn’t afford cleats. Becoming a minister and much more. Now I’m on the brink of the most improbable chapter yet – two months from being elected to represent you in the New Jersey General Assembly. You know me, I’ll bring principled, passionate, honorable, game-changing leadership to District 38 towns and to Trenton. It’s a critical time for the campaign”

Chris summed it all up for us , “I want people to look back on November 2017, and know that they were a part of New Jersey’s Second Chance – the season in which we began to redeem our state from financial and social ruin – and started over with affordability, thriving small businesses, and connected communities.”

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GYMGUYZ Western Bergen County is # 1 in Home Personal Training!

Manny GYMGUYZ

September 9,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, need some exercise ,but don’t like the gym or just cant get away? Meet the GYMGUYZ. GYMGUYZ is a mobile fitness company. Manny has a van with over 300 pieces of workout equipment and will travel to his clients, rather than meeting them at a gym. This provides comfort for those who might be anxious going to a gym. It also allows for flexibility for the clients. If a parent has young children and don’t want to pay for a babysitter while they got to the gym they can have their trainer come to their house while it is nap time! Or, if it is a nice day outside you can meet in a park for a workout.

Manny, a military vet, who always had a passion for fitness but was never at the right stage in his life to open his own business is finally making his dreams come true and becoming a franchise owner with GYMGUYZ.

GYMGUYZ Western Bergen County is # 1 in Home Personal Training! Our coaches focus on individualized one-on-one fitness, group sessions, and corporate fitness. GYMGUYZ has an amazing team of certified coaches that use a unique philosophy that targets all aspects of health and fitness. GYMGUYZ provides Convenient, Customized, and Creative workouts. The GYMGUYZ vans are stocked with state of the art equipment that our coaches bring to clients to provide excellent one-on-one or group workout sessions. Our services include weight loss, body sculpting, bodybuilding, weight training, therapeutic/athletic stretch, strength training, senior fitness, obstacle course training, kickboxing, group training, corporate fitness, post & pre natal exercise, pool workouts, youth and teen fitness training, cardio fitness, professional sports conditioning, nutrition counseling and birthday parties. GYMGUYZ supplies the tools and techniques to get you in shape in the comfort of your own home, office, or setting of your choice. We welcome all individuals of all levels regardless of experience, age, or ability. We follow each client’s progress by assessing their fitness goals, calorie intake, measurements and progress. GYMGUYZ teaches lifelong habits that will keep one looking and feeling their best.

GYMGUYZ service Ramsey, Fair Lawn, Montvale, Mahwah, Allendale, Oakland, Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Haledon, Maywood, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook, Elmwood Park, Hawthorne, Township of Washington, Ho Ho Kus, Waldwick, Saddle River, Woodcliff Lake, Park Ridge, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Glen Rock and the surrounding areas.

https://www.gymguyz.com/western-bergen-county/

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UPDATE : Water Main Replacement Project at Stream Crossings in the Village of Ridgewood

RidgewoodWaterLogo_theridgewoodblog
August 20,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water’s contractor, Fred Devens Construction, has begun site clearing and necessary road work in preparation for the water main replacements at each of the below stream crossings.  Unfortunately, tree/shrub removal is required at each of these locations to access specified work areas. We remain sensitive to the environment and landscaping will be restored. As construction work is scheduled to continue into the winter months, final restoration of trees/shrubs is planned for the Spring of 2018.

Linwood Ave. at the Saddle River
North Irving St. at the HoHoKus Brook
East Ridgewood Ave. at the HoHokus Brook
Spring Ave. at the Hohokus Brook

Fred Devens Construction will continue to coordinate with the Ridgewood Police Department for all traffic control measures as needed. We anticipate that there will be ongoing road closures and detours at these locations depending on the schedule of construction activities. The next phase of construction will be focused on the E. Ridgewood Ave. stream crossing, followed by the N. Irving stream crossing. For project updates, please check back on our website or like us on Facebook @RidgewoodWater.

.

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Ridgewood Residents Raise Concerns Over Shabby Condition of Wild Duck Pond

Duck Pond

July 24,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Saddle River County Park is a 577-acre linear park that meanders with the Saddle River and its tributary brooks. It consists of five park areas that are linked by a multi-use path, including circular paths around some ponds.

Multi-use pathway/Bicycle-Pedestrian Path: This bike and pedestrian path travels from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park and is approximately 6 miles in length. This continuous path runs through Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Saddle Brook and Rochelle Park and under Route 4. This path also follows the Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and passes by the Historic Easton Tower at Route 4. The path features a scenic waterfall at Dunkerhook Park, and there are three ponds, tree shaded picnic areas, pavilions, playgrounds, tennis courts and athletic fields accessible along the path.

IMG 0992

Readers have often commented on the poor shape of some of the recreation areas as well as the actual duck pond it self .

One read asks ,”So why does the Duck Pond look like such sh$t! It is the first thing you see when you come into Ridgewood and it looks horrible. When are they going to fix it once and for all!

Another reader commented , the “Water flow at duck pond should be fixed ..the active Brook river water flows and curves through the south side of the park..creativity please

Save the Pond from its stagnant phases create a conduit into and out of the Brook with Storm shut off valves to protect the ADJOINING properties on the north side of the Pond..storm water discharges into the pond in heavy rail..but not enough through volumes to keep the pond alive.”

IMG 0994

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Ridgewood Water to Upgrade Infrastructure Piping at Four Stream Crossings in the Village of Ridgewood

Ridgewood_water_theridgewoodblog

photo by ArtChick

July 22,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water announced that the contract to upgrade infrastructure water piping at 4 stream locations has been awarded to Fred Devens Construction.  The project will be managed by Consulting Engineer, Mott MacDonald.

Construction activities will take place at Linwood Ave/Saddle River, North Irving St/HoHoKus Brook, East Ridgewood Ave/HoHokus Brook and Spring Ave/Hohokus Brook.  Work is scheduled to commence in July with a contract duration of 180 days for completion.

The work will include replacing the existing water mains in the streams and tying back into the existing water mains in the streets.  No interruption of service is expected for the residents during mainline construction. Brief interruptions of service may occur when transferring house services on an as needed basis.

Sequencing of the 4 locations will be completed in stages starting with mobilizing of equipment & materials, saw cutting of the roadways, valve installations, shoring of stream crossings, installation of casing pipe and placement of new water main pipes within the stream, piping up into roadways, chlorination & testing, tie-in to existing water system, transfer of water services, and final restoration of disturbed areas both in the roadway & landscaped areas.

Fred Devens Construction will be coordinating with the local police who will be directing traffic around work areas. Expected work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7am – 5:30pm, weather permitting.

Ridgewood Water appreciates the patience of our residents while performing this important work as part of our ongoing commitment in upgrading our water system.

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BERGEN BURGLARY TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN ARREST OF BURGLARY DUO

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S

June 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced today the arrests of TYRONE GOINS (DOB: 02/14/80; single; and unemployed) of 90 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey and his brother, TRAVIS GOINS (DOB: 01/25/85; single; and employed as a driver) of 44 Brookway Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey. The arrests are the culmination of a three-month-long investigation by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, along with a multi-jurisdictional burglary task force comprised of detectives from Fort Lee, Paramus, Cliffside Park, Tenafly, Saddle River, and Teaneck police departments.

In response to a reported increase of residential burglaries in the eastern part of Bergen County, detectives from the affected towns met and shared information about the burglaries. As a result, a task force was formed and a joint investigation began.

On the evening of June 8, 2017, task force detectives were conducting physical surveillance in the Borough of Cliffside Park. TYRONE GOINS and TRAVIS GOINS were observed in a vehicle that circled the same blocks for a period of time. Shortly after the vehicle left the area, detectives confirmed that a burglary had been committed to a residence on Washington Avenue in Cliffside Park. Detectives were able to locate the suspects’ vehicle and conduct a motor vehicle stop.

TYRONE GOINS and TRAVIS GOINS were each charged with one count of Burglary, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C18-2A(1), a crime of the 3rd degree, for the Washington Avenue, Cliffside Park burglary along with an additional count of Burglary, for an April 27th, 2017 residential burglary to a Cliffside Park residence on West End Avenue. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.

Tyrone GOINS and Travis GOINS are currently lodged in the Bergen County Jail, pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Grewal states that the charges against the defendants are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Fort Lee, Paramus, Cliffside Park, Tenafly, Saddle River and Teaneck Police Departments for their assistance with this investigation.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING, Dogs, Trees and Shrubs , World War 1 , Valley and COAH

Village Council

VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

MAY 10, 2017

8:00 P.M.

Call to Order – Mayor

Statement of Compliance with the Open Public       Meetings Act

Roll Call – Village Clerk

Flag Salute and Moment of Silence

Acceptance of Financial Reports

Approval of Minutes

Proclamations

National Cancer Survivors Day
Emergency Medical Services Week
Proclaim May as Mental Health Month
Proclaim May as Older Americans Month
Proclaim June as Gay Pride Month
Proclaim June 2nd as National Gun Violence            Awareness Day

Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3       minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)

Scoping Hearing – Green Acres Diversion on South

Broad Street

Adoption of Ordinance 3592 – Establish a CAP Bank
2017 Budget Hearing

Overview of 2017 Budget
Village Council’s Comments
Public Hearing on 2017 Budget

Resolution 17-126 Adopt 2017 Budget

Village Manager’s Report

Village Council Reports

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER-NONE

ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER-NONE

RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 17-127, WILL BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE THE RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

17-127   Award Professional Services Contract –           Engineering Services for Suez Corrosion         Control (NTE $15,000) – Awards a           Professional Services Contract to Mott                MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue South,           Iselin, NJ

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

3599 – Amend Chapter 260 – Trees and Shrubs –               Establishes rules and regulations for the          planting and removal of trees on both public and       private properties

3600 – Amend Chapter 212 – Parks and Recreation Areas –    Prohibition of Dogs Off-Leash in Certain Parks –      Prohibits dogs who are off-leash in both the        Irene Habernickel Family Park and the Schedler        Park Property

ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

3593 – General Capital Ordinance ($6,241,000)

3594 – Water Utility Capital Ordinance ($5,745,500) 3595 – Parking Utility Capital Ordinance ($210,000)

3596 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –                 Parking Restrictions – Bogert Avenue and                Cambridge Road

3597 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –                 Parking Restrictions – Pomander Walk

3598 – Construction of Handicapped Ramp at Irene                Habernickel Family Park ($70,000)

RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-128 THROUGH

17-139 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:

17-128    Title 59 Approval- Replacement of Firehouse            Roof – Approves the plans and specifications            for Roof Replacement at the Main Fire House,                201 East Glen Avenue in the Village of                 Ridgewood prepared by the Engineering                   Division, pursuant to Title 59

17-129    Award Contract – Replacement of Firehouse            Roof (NTE $126,760) – Awards a contract to             the lowest responsible bidder, NDP                         Construction, LLC, 200 White Road, Suite 207,          Little Silver, NJ

17-130    Title 59 Approval – School Bus Transportation      Services – Approves the plans and                       specifications for School Bus Transportation                Services prepared by the Parks and Recreation          Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-131    Award Contract – Rebid of School Bus                     Transportation Services – Day Camp (NTE                 $21,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest              responsible bidder, Durham School Services,               248 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ

17-132    Award Contract Under County Contract – Rock           Salt (NTE $56.86/ton) – Awards a contract             under County Contract to Mid-American Salt,            LLC, 4528 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne, IN

17-133    Authorize Additional Funding for Special                Attorney for RCRD Lawsuit (NTE $15,000) –                Awards an additional $15,000 for the Special             Attorney in the RCRD Lawsuit, Peter                  Scandariato of Eastwood, Scandariato, &                Steinberg, 336 President Street, Saddle                    Brook, NJ

17-134    Authorize Application – Designate Graydon              Park – Historic Designation – Authorizing               application to Historic Preservation Office            of the State of New Jersey to add Graydon               Park to the State and National Registers of               Historic Places

17-135    Authorize Shared Services Agreement –                     Borrowing of County Equipment (Bergen                   County) – Authorizes a Shared Services                     agreement with Bergen County for the sharing            of emergency and non-emergency equipment

17-136    Suspension of Ordinance for Certain                      Illuminated Signs – Suspends the ordinance             for certain illuminated signs in the Central                Business District until December 31, 2017

17-137    Approve Encroachment Agreement – The Office              Restaurant – 32-34 Chestnut Street – Approves         an Encroachment Agreement for a canopy over              the doorway of The Office Restaurant which             extends over the Village’s sidewalk and is                minor in nature. Also authorizes the Mayor            and Village Manager to sign the Encroachment               Agreement.

17-138    Authorize Addition of World War I Ridgewood           Resident Veteran Killed in Action to Memorial      Plaque – Authorizes the addition of the name                of Anthonie J. Wendels, a Ridgewood resident,           who was an Army Veteran killed in action in                World War I, to the plaque at Memorial Park                at Van Neste Square. Also authorizes the            Village to pay the cost of doing so.

17-139    Recognize the Designated Public Forum Space                in Memorial Park at Van Nest Square – Display          of the Gay Pride Flag – Designating the                     Public Forum space in Memorial Park at Van            Neste Square, resolving to display the Gay               Pride Flag for all of June 2017 in                      recognition of Gay Pride Month.

Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)

Resolution to go into Closed Session

Closed Session

A. Legal – COAH, Valley Hospital

B. Personnel – Appointments to Boards and    Committees; Appointments of Professionals

C. Contract Negotiations – Consideration of    Purchase of Property 24.  Adjournment

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Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi Continues to Push for A Sensible Housing Policy for Bergen County

CBD high density housing

May 7,2017
by Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi

Rivervale NJ, I have been on the front lines fighting for the legislature to do its job and provide a legislative solution to recent Court opinions on affordable housing in the State. Even the NJ Supreme Court agrees that the legislature should do something, anything, on this issue.

As a result of recent court opinions, I drafted bills to stop the costly litigations currently taking place in every municipality so that all interested parties, including the NJ League of Municipalities, the Executive Director of the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Executive Director of Fair Share Housing, professional planners and members of the legislature can sit together and develop a better way to ensure affordability in this State for all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. The current plan to have over 280,000 new affordable units or 1.5 million additional total units in a state that is already the most densely populated with a population growth rate of less than 0.3 percent, along with being one of the States that most people are fleeing, is irrational at best.

My bills have received support from Democratic mayors and councils, Republican mayors and councils and communities that are split between political parties. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, this is one of the most important issues affecting every community in the State and if we, as legislators refuse to address it, we do not deserve to be legislators.

Unfortunately, many times elected officials are unwilling to step up to the plate to address the more difficult issues for fear of the backlash. It is exceptionally unfortunate that in today’s political climate, the immediate “go to” for those who disagree on an issue is to insinuate the other person is a racist or a bigot or a whole host of other items. Today I found myself just in that place. As a result of my trying to bring all parties to the table to properly address an incredibly complicated and difficult topic, the head of the Bergen County NAACP, provided a letter to the Bergen Record today accusing me of “fear mongering”, “trying to advance my political profile” and alleging that I am affirmatively trying to keep minorities out of our communities. Anyone who knows me knows how totally off base his letter is with respect to how I operate or what I believe. I have reached out to the State NAACP President to request a sit down to openly discuss this issue. If we want our State to succeed we better start having the tough conversations now, while we still can. Wanting to figure out a better way to govern this State is a quality we want in everyone who represents us.

Please call your Mayors and your legislators and ask them to protect our State from ridiculous affordable housing court mandates (which may result in over 1.5 MILLION new units of housing in NJ) by supporting A-4666 and A-4667 to stop the Court actions and study the issue while we still can. If you don’t see your town below ask your elected officials why they aren’t fighting for your community.

Here is a current list of towns that have passed resolutions in support of my legislation to provide relief to our communities in the fight against the threat of over 1.5 MILLION new units of housing in NJ. If you don’t see your town on here ASK WHY. Many of our NJ residents are unaware that their communities will be forced to DOUBLE their housing population in just the next 9 years, destroying all existing housing prices.

Closter
Demarest
Dumont
Emerson
Franklin Lakes
Harrington Park
Haworth
Hillsdale
Mahwah
Montvale
Norwood
Old Tappan
Park Ridge
River Vale
Upper Saddle River
Westwood
Woodcliff Lake
Bloomingdale
Wanaque
Wayne
Saddle Brook
Fair Lawn
Oradell
Rochelle Park
Hackensack
Lincoln Park

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Why New Jersey gasoline prices are expected to continue dropping

gas station bike

BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer

May 1, 2017

New Jersey gasoline prices dropped more than 3 cents in the past week and are expected to continue falling because of a glut of inventory, an analyst said Monday.

An oversupply of gasoline exists as refiners ramp up production, said Dan McTeague, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy, a price-tracking website. The peak driving time in the U.S. is in the summer, when gasoline is generally more expensive than in the winter.

https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/why-new-jersey-gasoline-prices-are-expected-to-continue-dropping/article_48ec6355-95d4-5124-963e-e0f4594da75a.html

Lowest Gas Prices in New Jersey
Price Station Address City Time
2.09
Cash
Delta 381 River Rd & Madison Ave New Milford May 2, 8:45 AM
2.09
Cash
Delta 348 Market St & Blvd Elmwood Park May 2, 7:41 AM
2.09
Cash
Delta 390 Floral Ln & Midland Ave Saddle Brook May 2, 6:01 AM
2.09
Cash
Fuel 4 609 Market & Midland Avenue Elmwood Park May 1, 11:26 PM
2.11 Costco 67 NJ-23 S & N Leg Wayne May 2, 9:01 AM
2.13
Cash
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Read More: Jersey gas prices are dropping — here are the lowest prices in NJ | https://nj1015.com/jersey-gas-prices-are-dropping-here-are-the-lowest-prices-in-nj/?trackback=tsmclip

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The most toxic sites in each New Jersey county

town garage ridgewood

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

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Work making you sleepy? It’s happening to many in NJ

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By Patrick Lavery March 23, 2017 3:28 AM

SADDLE BROOK — New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but across the crowded state of New Jersey, something’s always going on. That may be why a recent poll of 1,000 workers, both here and around the country, found many of them are practically dozing off on the job.

The Accountemps survey released earlier this month revealed 74 percent of all professionals admitted being tired at work, 43 percent of them “somewhat often” and 31 percent “very often.” Millennials led the pack, with 86 percent of respondents saying they felt tired, compared with just half of workers age 55 and over.

A gender split was almost even: 77 percent of men reported work sleepiness, as did 71 percent of women in the survey.

To “get to the root of the drowsiness,” said Ryan Gatto, Saddle Brook-based regional vice president of Robert Half, the staffing firm agency that runs Accountemps, managers should keep an open dialogue with their employees.

“Encouraging your staff to take their scheduled breaks, I think, is important,” Gatto said. “Workers also tend to follow their managers’ lead, so if a manager’s taking the time to rest and recharge, then more often than not the employee will follow suit.”

One avenue that’s been explored to help sleepy employees is the concept of a “nap room,” but 31 percent of those surveyed were wary of that, for a few reasons. They said it might make them even sleepier, it would reduce the amount of work they were able to complete, and they might be perceived around the office as slackers.

“It’s an interesting idea that some companies have instituted, but at the same time, many of the individuals that responded just don’t believe that that would be a good use of their time,” Gatto said.

Read More: Work making you sleepy? It’s happening to many in NJ | https://nj1015.com/work-making-you-sleepy-its-happening-to-many-in-nj/?trackback=tsmclip

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Ridgewood Makes the List of Top 10 Safest Towns in Bergen County

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March 19,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, According to Backgroundchecks.org Ridgewood came in ,in the top 50 safest places to live in New Jersey .Ranking number 47,and scoring a top 10 in Bergen County and Passaic County . Ridgewoood scored well despite have a larger population than many of the top place towns, a larger school district , a local hospital and easier commuter access  with a train , bus station and highway park and ride .
Rounding out the Bergen County and Passaic County list were :

#2 Saddle Brook
#6 Mahwah
#14 Wanaque
#21 Tenafly
#27 River Edge
#30 Ringwood
#31 Hasbrouck Heights
#33 Wyckoff
#38 Franklin Lakes
#45 Hawthorne
#47 Ridgewood
#49 Rutherford
#50 Westwood

The Backgroundchecks.org  list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary BackgroundChecks.org research data.  Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 261 for violent crime and 1,734 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.

The website described #47 Ridgewood in glowing terms , “Located in Bergen County, Ridgewood is a village that is home to 24,900 residents.  Just 20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan, Ridgewood is considered a suburban bedroom community and was included on Money’s list of Best Places to Live in the U.S.  The violent crime rate here is 43.6, and residents of Ridgewood have a 1% chance of being affected by property crime.”

https://backgroundchecks.org/50-safest-cities-in-new-jersey-2016.html

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DARING RESCUE OF ELDERLY WOMAN FROM NJ TRANSIT TRAIN TRACKS CAUGHT ON CAMERA

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By A.J. Ross
Wednesday, March 08, 2017 11:33PM

SADDLE BROOK, New Jersey (WABC) -An elderly woman was crossing in front of an approaching New Jersey Transit train when a driver leapt from his car and rushed to save her, with seconds to spare.

Hunched over with two canes propping her up, walking from point A to point B is no easy task for the elderly Saddle Brook woman.

So when she suddenly became trapped in the middle of the train tracks Wednesday afternoon with precious moments to spare, one Good Samaritan didn’t hesitate to pull her out of harm’s way.

https://abc7ny.com/news/exclusive-daring-rescue-of-elderly-woman-from-train-tracks/1791236/