Mahwah NJ, the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association got approval from the local utility company to use its poles for the eruv, Mahwah says the materials violate township’s 20 year old ordinance against posting on utility poles. At a meeting on Aug. 18 the council voted to issue summonses if the eruv was not removed.
The Bergen Rockland Eruv association claims the order violates their constitutional and civil rights. The religious group has threatened to sue Upper Saddle River if the town tries to remove the markers. And a federal lawsuit, has already been filed against Mahwah . Mahwah has brought in Holwell Shuster & Goldberg LLP to represent Mahwah Township in the lawsuit brought upon by the Rockland Bergen Eruv Fund.
Residents and elected officials of both Mahwah and Upper Saddle River have reacted with outrage and concern after seeing the eruv markings given their view that no one asked their permission. Most of Northern Bergen County has viewed the eruv expansion as a power grab and a threat to their community autonomy .
A group called Mahwah Strong has been establish by local residents who have come together for the purpose of preserving the welcoming, inclusionary lifestyle of Mahwah Township. The group not a fan of the eruv but also distanced it self from recent acts of vandalism , reiterating they do not condone acts of vandalism.
Vandalism of the eruv pushed Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli to issue a statement saying in the area of East Crescent Avenue the eruvim was hit with “some type of blunt object” that damaged the piping. The incidents, according to the chief, likely happened on Friday evening. There were no reports of anyone seeing or hearing the vandalism occur.
Chief Batelli said it “appears that the eruvs were specifically targeted,” and that the department is already investigating similar incidents that happened in July as a hate crime. Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the vandalism.
So what is an eruv , an eruv, in modern terminology, is a technical boundary that allows Jews to carry in public areas on Shabbat. It is one of those traditions which has blossomed from a basic Torah principle into a highly complicated legal matter.
Under Jewish law on Shabbat, it is forbidden to carry anything–regardless of its weight, size or purpose–from a “private” domain into a “public” one or vice versa, or more than four cubits (approximately 6 feet) within a public domain. Private and public do not refer to ownership, rather to the nature of the area. An enclosed area is considered a private domain, whereas an open area is considered public for the purposes of these laws.
Practically, it is forbidden to carry something, such as a tallit bag or a prayer book from one’s home along the street and to a synagogue or to push a baby carriage from home to a synagogue, or to another home, on Shabbat.
The answer is a technical enclosure which surrounds both private and hitherto public domains and thus creates a large private domain in which carrying is permitted on Shabbat. Colloquially this is known as an eruv. The eruv is usually large enough to include entire neighborhoods with homes, apartments and synagogues, making it possible to carry on Shabbat, since one is never leaving one’s domain.
A wall can be a wall even if it has many doorways creating large open spacesIt is technical, because theoretically the eruv should be a wall. However, a wall can be a wall even if it has many doorways creating large open spaces. This means that a wall does not have to be solid. Therefore, the eruv enclosure may be created by telephone poles, for example, which act as the vertical part of a door post in a wall, with the existing cables strung between the poles acting as the lintel of the doorframe. As such, the entire “wall” is actually a series of “doorways.” Added to that there may be existing natural boundaries and fences.
While there are an increasing number of eruvs being established throughout the world in traditional Jewish communities, support for the practice is not universal.
There is the concern that if there is an eruv in a community, those who rely on it may very easily forget when they travel to communities without an eruv, and carry on Shabbat.
A second concern is that if the eruv breaks during Shabbat, no one will know. As a result, they will conduct themselves as if there still is a functioning eruv, this breaking the rules of Shabbat.
It is imperative that an expert rabbi oversee the construction of any eruv The final and perhaps the major concern is that because an eruv allows an exception to the prohibition against carrying on Shabbat, it is quite natural for anyone regularly using an eruv to forget that this is an exception; forgetting that there is a prohibition against carrying on Shabbat
Mahwah NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal issued a warning to the Township of Mahwah over the enforcement of Township Ordinernce 1806 limiting access to Mahwah’s recreational facilities .
Yesterday ,Grewal sent a strongly worded letter to Mahwah Township Police Chief James N. Batelli, directing him not to enforce Mahwah Township Ordinance No. 1806. Copies of the letter were also delivered to Mahwah Mayor William Laforet, members of the Mahwah Township Council, and the Mahwah Township Attorney.
In the Letter Grewal spelled out problems he had with the ordinance including saying , enforcement raises serious legal issues such as “racially influenced policing ” and “violations of individual constitutional rights”.
The Township of Mahwah had passed the ordinance, which took effect Thursday hopping it would provide protection against what residents have called an organized incursion from Rockland County of Hasidic families who’ve recently swarmed parks in Mahwah, Montvale, Ramsey and Upper Saddle River by the busload.
Ramsey NJ ,A motorcyclist was airlifted to a trauma center following a Saturday afternoon crash on Route 17 southbound near North Franklin Turnpike in Ramsey. Mahwah EMS, Mahwah Police, and Upper Saddle River Police assisted at the scene. Two (2) travel lanes and the right shoulder of Route 17 southbound near the crash scene were closed for an accident investigation. A field sobriety test was observed being administered to an adult male who was apparently involved in the crash. A black colored, 4-door sedan with out of state license plates and heavy rear end damage was seen parked in a nearby gas station with police inspecting it.
Paramus NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi hosted a meeting on June 15th at Bergen Community College to talk about OVERDEVELOPMENT, affordable housing and the biggest issues affecting Bergen County local communities.
The event was packed with legislators, mayors, engineers, planners, environmental experts, school superintendents, non-profit housing groups and others who joined Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi at the Thursday night legislative hearing to address New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis.
The hearing will provided the first significant legislative discussion addressing New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis in 5 years.
The meeting was very well attended given how little publicity from New Jersey main stream press .Senator Gerald Cardinale, Assemblymen Robert Auth and Kevin J. Rooney and the several hundred people took time to talk about overdevelopment and affordable housing.
The Speakers included Mayors and former Mayors from Closter, Haworth, Demarest, Dumont, Upper Saddle River and Montvale. Council members from Park Ridge, Ramsey and Dumont. Elected officials and representatives were also present from communities including Westwood, Mahwah, New Milford, Old Tappan, Emerson, Paramus, Allendale, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Hillsdale and Woodcliff Lake. Tom Toronto and Lynn Bartlett, the heads of non-profit affordable housing agencies United Way and the Bergen County Housing Authority, along with Bruce Young, the President of the Bergen County School Boards all provided great testimony.
Captain Bill Sheehan from Hackensack Riverkeepers for discussing environmental concerns. I was disappointed that none of our other Bergen County legislators chose to attend. This is an issue that every municipality is struggling with regardless of political party lines. We must work together to assist the communities we represent.
Joanne Minichetti, mayor of Upper Saddle River, told Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi and other state officials that the analysis leading to the obligations was “ridiculous” and “stupid.” The obligations were created by the Cherry Hill-based Fair Share Housing Center.
Derek Michalski also from Upper Saddle River recounted to the Ridgewood blog ,” in the case of USR two developers father and son “forced” rezoning Apple Ridge property on USR mayor and Council and after obtaining the “rezoning signature” re-sold the same property to Toll Brothers for $20-30milion quick gain. if the town did this deal for its own benefit(residents) we wouldn’t have to raise taxes for decades to come. Thus such chaos is creating enormous benefit to developers and leaving communities in fear.”
Schepisi has recently introduced two bills to freeze municipal affordable housing obligations through the end of the year, and establish a commission to study the issue and determine each town’s obligations. Over fifty municipalities throughout the state of New Jersey have passed a resolution urging action on Schepisi’s bills.
However NJ Housing and Development Chairman Jerry Green (D) is not going to release those two bill to the floor for vote (IMHO). They will die waiting…..in the meantime the town in fear of loosing this issue in court are marketing (horrible deals with developers). For instance in the case of USR two developers father and son “forced” rezoning Apple Ridge property on USR mayor and Council and after obtaining the “rezoning signature” re-sold the same property to Toll Brothers for $20-30milion quick gain. if the town did this deal for its own benefit(residents) we wouldn’t have to raise taxes for decades to come. Thus such chaos is creating enormous benefit to developers and leaving communities in fear.
And you guessed it Green is a major fund raiser for Murphy (he told me that himself in his office) so this issue is almoeast a dead issue.
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
By Adam Hochron April 17, 2017 5:58 PM
Courtesy of United States Department of TransportationIf last year is any indication, police in some of New Jersey’s smallest municipalities will be giving out the largest number of distracted driving tickets during the month-long crackdown that ends April 21.
Bergen County
Fairview: 114 tickets
Allendale 2
Alpine 2
Carlstadt 19
Demarest 5
Glen Rock 1
Hackensack 4
Hasbrouck Heights 13
Haworth 5
Leonia 4
Lyndhurst 19
Midland Park 4
North Arlington 19
Northvale 9
Norwood 2
Ramsey 1
River Vale 1
Upper Saddle River 19
Westwood 9
Wood-Ridge 4
And how will the “low and moderate income” residents afford living in towns like Upper Saddle River, Ridgewood, Wilton, Chappaqua and other towns in the northeast? Will the courts order the local taxpayers to subsidize their living costs as well? I can’t afford to live in Ridgewood. Why should anyone who does not have the means be entitled?
This is not just a NJ issue but a national one. The courts have overstepped their power.
While the courts are at it let’s have them rule that “someone” build luxury housing in Camden to “equalize” things.
We’ve become a stupid, politically correct, entitled, crybaby, country.
Ridgewood NJ, in a Bloomberg report on America’s 100 Richest Places ,cities and towns with ties to Wall Street and the Silicon Valley, and a smattering of communities in between, boasted the highest U.S. household incomes in 2015, according to a Bloomberg analysis of census data. Ridgewood came in 67th on the list with and avage household income of $219,566 .
Atherton, California, in the technology corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, topped the list as America’s wealthiest town, while more than one-third of the nation’s 100 richest households were located within 50 miles of New York City.
Here are some of the top 100 from New Jersey
19. Upper Saddle River, $276,982
34. North Caldwell, $251,248;
41. Franklin Lakes, $243,441;
43. Rumson, $242,158;
49. Upper Montclair, $236,382;
56. Glen Ridge, $227,198;
61. Tenafly, $222,633;
67. Ridgewood, $219,566;
70. Summit (Union), $215,515;
72. Chatham (Morris), $213,408;
73. Woodcliff Lake, $211,473;
79. Bernardsville (Somerset), $206,277;
92. Glen Rock, $197,914.
Allendale NJ, At this time, emergency repair on the gas main is still ongoing. Schools are closed and detours are still in place. Please continue to avoid the area.
Last night Allendale Fire Department and Allendale Police are on scene at a natural gas leak on West Crescent near West Maple. W. Crescent Avenue is closed by Crestwood. Keep away from area. Because of numerous road closures residents were asked to please try and avoid this area of Allendale if possible. Still an unknown timeframe as to when emergency work will be completed.
USRVAC 926 is operating on scene of a natural gas leak in Allendale in the area of W. Crescent and Hillside. USRVAC is supporting AllendaleOffice of Emergency Management, AVAC, AFD and fire units from Ramsey, Waldwick, Wyckoff and Saddle River. Additionally Upper Saddle PD is on scene for support to APD. ,AVAC 208 is operating on scene of a natural gas leak in the area of W. Crescent and Hillside. AVAC is supporting Allendale Office of Emergency Management, AFD and fire units from Ramsey, Waldwick, Wyckoff and Saddle River. Additionally Upper Saddle River EMS is on scene along with THV EMS. Also on scene is PSE&G.
Franklin Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Crews were standing by at Allendale Fire HQ to assist their town on a major gas leak
Due to gas leak and road repairs, Allendale schools will be closed today February 17th. Archer Cooperative Nursery School is also closed today due to a gas leak in Allendale.
Residents ,as the process of repairing the gas leak is completed there may be residual gas odor in areas around town. Please be patient as may roads have been closed off in an abundance of caution.
The gas leak emergency repair is still ongoing, but good news, if you were evacuated as a result of this, you MAY return to your residence at this time!
PSE&G repair is still going on. W Crescent Avenue from Borough Hall to W Allendale Ave and Hillside from W Crescent to Forest Rd will remain closed until the repairs are completed.
Allendale Borough Hall and The Lee Memorial Library will be opened today. Please access these building via Brookside Avenue.
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.
Pictured (L-R) are Ferne Lambert, Special Properties Mahwah Office Manager; Daniel Hynes, a senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School; Alexandra Gregorek, Public Relations Manager; William Dator, Broker Associate; and Linda Dator, Realtor Associate.
November 8th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Upper Saddle River NJ, On October 30, 2016, team members from Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC were among a gathering of donors, local leaders and members of the community who gathered at the rededication of the Hopper Slave Cemetery in Upper Saddle River. The restoration of the cemetery, made possible through individual and corporate donors, like Special Properties, was led by the Upper Saddle River Historical Society and Daniel Hynes, a local high school student who made the cemetery restoration his Eagle Scout project.
Special Properties Real Estate Services embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah and Franklin Lakes, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call (201)962-9555.
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced today the arrests of 40 people from August 28, 2016 through Thursday, September 1, 2016, as the result of “Operation Helping Hand” – an innovative and collaborative law enforcement and public health initiative targeting the heroin and opioid crisis in Bergen County.
Ridgewood had two residents Christopher J. O’Brien and Lyndsay A. Paul, both 32, who were charged with possession of heroin.
This investigation was the result of a multi-jurisdictional task force consisting of local and county agencies coordinated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Chief Robert ANZILOTTI. Assisting in this investigation were members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO. These detectives and officers formed the backbone of the multiagency task force. The municipal police agencies participating in this investigation were: Bergenfield Police Department; Cliffside Park Police Department; Dumont Police Department; Englewood Police Department; Elmwood Park Police Department; Fort Lee Police Department; Lyndhurst Police Department; Mahwah Police Department; New Milford Police Department; Saddle River Police Department; Tenafly Police Department; and Upper Saddle River Police Department. In addition, valuable assistance was provided by Bergen County officials, including Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III, and Bergen Regional Medical Center.In 2015, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Intel Unit and Narcotic Task Force analyzed overdose data as well as deployments of NARCAN, the overdose reversal drug, in
Bergen County. That analysis revealed the following with respect to 2015:
288 total reported overdoses, 231 of which were heroin/opioid-related;
87 overdose fatalities, 71 of which were heroin/opioid-related; and
187 NARCAN deployments by law enforcement officers, resulting in 170 lives saved.In 2015, the hardest hit municipalities were:
Garfield with 23 overdoses;
Lyndhurst with 20 overdoses;
Fort Lee with 15 overdoses;
Lodi with 15 overdoses; and
Cliffside Park with 14 overdoses.Similar analysis of available data for 2016 year-to-date, revealed the following:
202 reported overdoses, 158 of which were heroin/opioid overdoses; and 48 total overdose fatalities, 40 of which are believed heroin/opioid-related.
In an effort to address this issue in a novel way, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office collaborated with Bergen Regional Medical Center to set aside a number of 5-day detox beds for a one-week period for individuals arrested on drug charges, who were battling addiction. Thereafter, on August 28, 2016, members of the multiagency task force described above began enforcement actions in areas known for narcotics sales, namely heroin sales. As a result of those operations, the task force arrested the individuals reflected on the attached spreadsheet. In addition to arresting them, task force members presented the option of participating in a voluntary detox program at Bergen Regional Medical Center that was available to them. The detox program was not in lieu of criminal charges. Approximately 12 individuals have afforded themselves to the detox option, and task force officers then either transported or are presently in the process of transporting those individuals to Bergen Regional Medical Center to enter into the detox program.
Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that the charges against the defendants identified on the attached spreadsheet 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 Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Bergen County Executive and Bergen Regional Medical Center, as well as all the municipal departments that participated for their assistance with this initiative.
Will the kicking of the can continue with the Teachers contract??? Now is the time to stop this nonsense!!
Let’s hope we can at least put a dent in the can! One would think the REA has gotten the message by now. It would appear that most of Ridgewood (excluding the teachers who actually live in town) oppose their union’s demands. Why are we paying our teachers more than surrounding towns with better or comparable ratings? There goes your real estate values. Wyckoff, Allendale, HoHoKus, Franklin Lakes, Upper Saddle River are all lovely towns with lower taxes. I just can’t get that photo of those teachers’ and their mean, arrogant and angry faces out of my mind. The blonde and one next to her wearing sunglasses look particularly nasty! If they knew who my child was I’m sure there would be ramifications in the classroom for this comment!
They are having committees to study why people over 55 are leaving. Shiela Brogan is on the committee. The survey showed that moving is a financial decision. She needs to pay attention.
Complete agreement with all of the above. Taxes are out of control. And as for the moving truck option, don’t think for a minute that Ridgewood taxes will make the town and your home desirable to young families. Nice towns with lower taxes and higher rated schools surround us. Pay for your own pre-K and Ridgewood teachers need to get a grip on reality when it comes to their demands.
Driving out seniors is not going to help the school population or tax base. Add-ons like this may be the last straw for many who already get nothing from approximately 2/3 of their enormous property tax bite. Tired of hearing that good schools help property values, etc. The fact is that this school system has been going down the tubes for years and the world at large is finally starting to realize it. Throwing more millions at it won’t help. Eliminate half the jobs at the Ed Center and resolve the teachers’ contract dispute before coming to taxpayers for more and more.
As for property values: People will just look at other towns – Allendale, Wyckoff, HoHoKus Upper Saddle River, Ramsey, Montvale, Woodcliff Lake all have lower taxes and comparable if not better schools. Yes, Ridgewood may have a certain status and reputation in its favor but times are different now. The town has changed and more changes are could be on their way. BOE needs to keep a strong position that considers taxpayers. Our teachers are already higher paid than most and pre-school should be the parents’ responsibility.
Schools used to be top class in the entire country 25 years ago. Now it’s all on fumes of past reputation. Current teachers care more about their health benefits than they do about our students, which is sad.
