The problem is neighbors constantly reached out to council & others usually no one responded to concerns. That’s why neighbors got falsely accused of harassment because someone in village hall is forwarding emails to Stacey or she OPRAs them. Stacey is just an awful person who thinks the park is hers. Someone needs to say enough is enough!!!!! Supporting Healthbarn barn is supporting bad behavior Council needs to step up and put the taxpayers 1st not this horrible business.
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Partial Award of Contract – Southside Reservoir Rehabilitation
2. Additional Award of Contract – Pipes, Appurtenances and Service Materials
3. Partial Award of Contract – Ames Tank Rehabilitation
4. Award Professional Services Contract – Passaic Valley Water Commission Pipeline Project
b. Parking
1. Ordinances #3660 and #3661 – Parking Meter Rates and Hours
2. Parking on Overbrook Road
c. Budget
1. Award State Coop Purchasing Contract – Portable Radio Purchase – Police Department
2. Award State Coop Purchasing Contract – Two Tahoe Pursuit Vehicles – Police Department
3. Award State Coop Purchasing Contract – UHF Vehicle Radios – Police Department
4. Award State Coop Purchasing Contract – Emergency Vehicles Lights and Equipment – Police Department
5. Declare Surplus – Bullet Proof Vests – Police Department
6. Award County Coop Purchasing Contract –Chipper Truck Chassis – Parks
7. Award County Coop Purchasing Contract –Lawn Mower – Parks
8. Award Contract – HVAC Upgrades at Village Hall
9. Award Contract – Treatment Chemicals –WPCF
10. Award Contract – Laboratory Services – Water Pollution Control Facility
11. Capital Ord. – Redesign Train Station Parking Lot
12. Capital Ord. – Reappropriation of Funds – Ord. #3644 – Acquisition of Stretchers
13. Capital Ord. – Purchase of Hook Lift Body – Parks Department
14. Discuss Award of Contract – Epic Management – Hudson Street Parking Garage
d. Policy
1. Ordinance #3655 – Smoking
2. Licensing Sellers of E-Cigarettes
3. Amendment to A-Frame Sign Ordinance to Allow Displays
4. Proposed Zoning Amendments – Encroachment of Stairs, Front Yard Setback –District B2
e. Operation
1. Memorializing Changes to Bus Stops on Route 17
2. Bus Station at Van Neste Square
3. 2019 Village Council Meeting Schedule
7. Review of August 8, 2018 Public Meeting Agenda
8. Manager’s Report
9. Council Reports
10. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
photo courtesy of Village of Ridgewood Mayor Ramon Hache
July 30,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, its been far too long but it that time of year we like to pay a visit to Van Dyk’s Ice Cream. Many insist its best ice cream in Bergen County if not all of the northern new jersey area. Van Dyk’s Ice Cream is home made, old school ice cream. The Portions are large and plentiful. Van Dyk’s Ice Cream is an institution in Ridgewood .
Van Dyk’s Ice Cream
145 Ackerman Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Many many neighbors contact the council the right way about their concerns which are safety, fire code, the amount of large busses and chartered buses, lights and intensity of use of a small park. Stacy Antine owner of the private business Healthbarn accused 2 neighbors of racism. It is terrible that people stoop so low!
RIDGEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL *CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC
New for this year…we will be partnering with the Paramus Chamber of Commerce
Paramus Golf and Country Club on Wednesday, September 26, 2018
RAIN DATED-October 3, 2018 RSVP by August 31st, 2018
Included for the day:
Registration – 11am-12:30pm
Putting Practice – 11:45am-12:15pm
Putting Contest-12:45pm*
*Putting contest: sink a 50ft putt-WIN $5,000
LUNCH 11am -12:45pm
SHOT-GUN Start-Scramble-Best Ball 1:00pm
Mini Golf & Networking – 3:30-5:30pm
Happy Hour 5:15pm – 6:15pm
Dinner &Awards – 6:15pm**
**takes place across the street at
“The Terrace” at Biagio’s Ristorante
Invited:
Foursomes, Individuals, Sponsorship opportunities,
Mini golfers, Longest Drive & Closest to the Pin,
Hole-in-one winners,
Raffle items, Donations
This year, with both chambers, we are offering
a fantastic, double power networking opportunity for
you and your business partners.
Networking, networking, and
***help children, while having some fun!
Ridgewood NJ, Sizzle into Summer……Ridgewood’s Famous Summer Sidewalk Sale Days are fast approaching…do not miss this one!
Side Walk Sale Days…
– If raining-sales will be in side…
– call store to see if they will be
extending sale until Monday.
Mark your calendars!
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
August, 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2018
Traditional store hours
When shopping make sure you visit E. Ridgewood Ave., the side streets all through the business district and the West side business district.
E. Ridgewood Ave. stores participating…
Gardiner and Co.
Beauty Plus Salon
Lucky Brand
P. Smith
Bookends
Jekyll & Hide
Loft 41
Shoe Inn
Victors Men’s store
Red Velvet Luxe
Duxiana
P. Smith
Learning Express Toys
Little Skye
Double Take Consignment Boutique
Savvy Chic Consignment Boutique
Hot Jewelry Box
Femmebot Clothing
GAP
Jack Rabbit
Parks Wealth Management
Woofgang Bakery, Grooming & Spa
Ridgewood Bootery
Oasis
East Your Spinach-if rain SALE on Monday
GiGi’s
Biltmore Tuxedo
Town and Country
Side Streets
DPARZ – 112 S. Broad St.-if rain will extend to Monday.
RACEFASTER-11 N. Broad St.
S. Walnut St.
Just Our Shoes/Mephisto
No Walnut
201
West Side
Olive R Twist Olive Oil-34 Wilsey Squ.
Lora Celli Salon – 39 Godwin Ave.
WOSTBROCK – 225 Goffle Road
In front of the park – if the weather is OK
Charlotte King
Coldwell Banker
Iron Side Fitness
Advance Family Eyecare
Mothers In Training
Venture Studios
Endless Possibilities
Primrose School
Huntington Learning Center
Thu, August 02, 2018– Sat, August 04, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Business District, E. Ridgewood Ave and Side Streets
Ridgewood NJ, Valley Hospital presents in partnership with the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Summertime Restaurant Week 2018 For ten days, participating restaurants and caterers are offering you the chance to “experience” dining in Ridgewood or in your home.
Each chef is preparing a tantalizing 3-course, prix-fixe menu at $30.17. Call the restaurant for selections.
Sunday-Thursday
August 12-16 and August 19-23rd, 2018
Participating Restaurants:
-Cravings
-Finca
-Latour- lunch only
-Leon Mexican- Dinner only
-Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine
-Manjal Indian Cuisine
-Office Tavern Grill
-Park West Tavern
-Pearl Restaurant
-Piccolo Bistro Italian
-Raymond’s
-Roots Steakhouse-lunch only
-Smoked
-Steel Wheel Tavern
-Truly Sichuan
-White Maple Café
Trenton NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a prominent Ocean County attorney who hosted a radio show and taught seminars on elder law pleaded guilty today to stealing millions of dollars from elderly clients of his law firm and laundering the money through various bank accounts, including his attorney trust and business accounts. The victims generally did not have close relatives to guard their interests and in some cases suffered from dementia.
Robert Novy, 66, of Brick, N.J., pleaded guilty today to first-degree money laundering before Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins in Ocean County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Novy be sentenced to 10 years in state prison, including three years and four months of parole ineligibility. In pleading guilty, Novy admitted that he stole millions of dollars from law clients. The state’s investigation revealed that he stole nearly $3 million from at least two dozen victims. Novy is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28.
Novy must pay restitution to his victims out of two funds totaling $4 million that are being created using assets previously seized from him by the state: one fund of $3 million to provide restitution to client victims, heirs, estates and trusts already identified through the state’s investigation, and a second fund of $1 million to provide restitution, with court approval, for others not previously identified who come forward with proof that they were victims of thefts. Novy also must surrender his license to practice law in New Jersey and pay $500,000 to the state as an anti-money laundering profiteering penalty.
Deputy Attorneys General Peter Gallagher and William Conlow prosecuted Novy and took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau. The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau, assisted by the New Jersey Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation.
As an expert in elder law, Novy hosted a bi-monthly radio program “Inside the Law,” focusing on topics of concern to senior citizens. He was arrested on Oct. 18, 2016. Detectives executed a search warrant at the time at his firm, Novy & Associates, on Ridgeway Avenue in Manchester, seizing billing records and other evidence. The Attorney General’s Office obtained court orders freezing over $4 million in assets held by Novy and his firm and appointing a trustee to oversee the firm’s business operations.
“By exploiting elderly clients and stealing their life savings, Novy sank to the lowest levels of greed, dishonesty, and callousness,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This guilty plea serves justice by ensuring that Novy will face a substantial prison sentence and that his victims will receive restitution from assets already seized from him by the Division of Criminal Justice.”
“A fundamental concern in this case was to secure restitution for Novy’s many victims, including his elderly clients and the heirs and beneficiaries who had millions of dollars stolen from them,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Through this guilty plea, we have achieved that goal and have sent a strong message that lawyers and others who hold positions of trust will be held accountable if they betray that trust and steal from those who are vulnerable.”
The case was referred to the Division of Criminal Justice by Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran. Novy also was investigated by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics, which issued an ethics complaint against him on Jan. 26, 2016, and assisted the Division of Criminal Justice.
The investigation revealed that Novy stole funds from elderly and deceased clients who often did not have a close relative to claim their estate or challenge Novy’s actions. He used the stolen funds for his own benefit, paying personal and business expenses. Novy gained control through wills, powers of attorney, and trust documents, making himself the sole financial decision-maker for the clients. When clients had sizeable assets in the form of an annuity or life insurance policy, Novy directed insurance companies to redeem the policies and send the money directly to him. In some cases, when challenged by trustees or relatives about particular funds that had been withdrawn from client accounts, Novy claimed they were “administrative errors” and repaid the funds.
The Division of Criminal Justice obtained a state grand jury indictment on April 30, 2018 charging that Novy engaged in three different schemes by which he stole funds from clients:
In one scheme, Novy simply transferred funds from his clients’ personal bank accounts or from his clients’ liquidated personal assets into his own bank account.
In the second scheme, Novy transferred funds from his clients’ personal accounts or liquidated assets into IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Account) sub-accounts that he controlled. The powers of attorney executed by the victims legally required Novy to place their assets into independent trust funds selected by the victims that would manage their assets, so the act of placing the funds into accounts that he controlled constituted a theft by Novy.
In the third scheme, Novy transferred client funds from various accounts – including the clients’ personal accounts, the clients’ IOLTA sub-accounts, or the firm’s attorney trust account – into the firm’s operating and disbursement accounts. Novy excessively billed the clients for power of attorney fees without any supporting invoices.
Novy was charged with money laundering because he engaged in transactions involving the stolen funds and the various accounts – primarily his attorney trust accounts and/or attorney business accounts – by which he concealed the source of the stolen funds and used them to promote his criminal activities.
Deputy Attorneys General Gallagher and Conlow prosecuted the case for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Mark Kurzawa and Deputy Division Director Christine Hoffman. The case was investigated by Detective Michael Arduini, Detective Michael Woods, Lt. Anne Hayes, Investigator Jordan Thompson, Investigator Wayne Cummings and Analyst Terri Drumm. Deputy Attorney General Derek Miller and Investigator Debra Maiorano handled the state’s forfeiture action. Attorney General Grewal thanked the Ocean County Surrogate, the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics and the Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Special Agents Mike Mullane and Will Makar investigated for the Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation.
Persons, relatives, heirs, estates or trusts who believe they are victims of Novy and can offer proof of damages should write to Deputy Attorney General Kara R. Webster in the State Office of Victim Witness Advocacy at [email protected], or if they do not have email access, phone (609) 376-2444.
Ridgewood NJ, August can be very hot . Reader says , “The pool is lovely this year. The water is crystal clear. In the deep end (12 feet deep) a lifeguard recovered a person’s sunglasses that had dropped to the bottom. Love Graydon so much. And the flags are helpful. No complaint about that minor addition.”
Starting August 1, half-price season passes ($60/adult, $55/ages 2-15, free/under age 2) will be available to Ridgewood residents through CommunityPass or in person at the Graydon badge office until half an hour before closing. Nonresidents may still buy season passes at original prices.
Day passes and guest passes , many queries each summer from people in other towns who want to visit Graydon for the day without buying a season badge. Day passes ($10/day) for the buyer’s own use are sold on site to Ridgewood residents only. Guest passes($10/day) are sold to any current Graydon badge holder, who must remain present during the visitor’s stay.
Not everybody who complains about something is a racist, anti-disabled (whatever that means), etc. That is pure hogwash but unfortunately, becoming fairly common–too common to be true. The claim that residents who fought the new apartments are prejudiced, for example, is similarly flawed. It’s the number of new people, not who they are, that’s the problem. In fact, we don’t know who they will be. But we hate them anyway–even if they are white and able bodied and all went to Harvard!
Responding to complaints with accusations of bias is deeply offensive and demonstrates that the speaker has no better argument. In fact, most people would rather do anything than get embroiled in these things. They don’t speak out until the problem has become untenable. Then they’re accused of awful intentions. It’s a ploy used by bullies to silence their opponents and prevent others from joining them. Won’t work.
Trenton NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today named the members of a working group of criminal justice stakeholders that will review the scope and appropriate use of prosecutorial discretion in marijuana-related and other offenses in municipal court, as well as other issues relating to the role of municipal prosecutors.
The 20-member working group will represent prosecutors from the state, county, and municipal levels; defense attorneys; police; civil rights organizations; and other community leaders. This broad spectrum of stakeholders reflects the collaborative approach that Attorney General Grewal has taken with respect to all policy initiatives he has spearheaded during his tenure.
The Attorney General first announced that he would convene a working group to study and advise him on the scope of municipal prosecutors’ discretionary authority in a letter issued earlier this week. The Attorney General will consider the working group’s advice when he prepares a directive—expected in August—that will provide guidance about the scope and appropriate use of prosecutorial discretion in marijuana-related cases in municipal court.
In creating the working group, the Attorney General is taking action to respond to recent developments that raise concerns about quality of justice being administered in New Jersey’s municipal courts. First, last week, a New Jersey Supreme Court committee released a report that makes a series of recommendations for policy changes and legislative proposals aimed at promoting the fair administration of justice in municipal courts. Also last week, the Attorney General issued a letter addressing the proper scope of municipal prosecutors’ discretion in marijuana-related cases and invalidating a memorandum issued by a municipal prosecutor who purported to decriminalize marijuana.
“I look forward to hearing from this working group about how we can improve the equal, impartial, and uniform administration of justice in our municipal courts,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Every day, my Department works with criminal justice stakeholders to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. This working group will review how the municipal prosecutors under my supervision can contribute responsibly to the progressive solutions we are seeking.”
“Chief Justice Rabner has called on New Jersey’s municipal courts to adhere to the Judiciary’s high standards of integrity, independence, and fairness, without regard to any outside pressures,” Attorney General Grewal noted. “The working group that we are establishing today will kick start a parallel review of the scope and appropriate use of prosecutorial discretion in municipal court, including in prosecutions of marijuana offenses.”
The members of the new working group will include:
Veronica Allende, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice within the Department of Law and Public Safety, who will chair working group;
Matthew Berns, Counsel to the Attorney General;
Richard T. Burke, Warren County Prosecutor;
Pat Colligan, President of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association;
Claudia DeMitro, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice;
Annette DePalma, President of the New Jersey State Municipal Prosecutors’ Association;
Stephan Finkel, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Law and Public Safety;
Charles Fiore, Gloucester County Prosecutor;
W. Reed Gusciora, Mayor of Trenton;
Jake Hudnut, Chief Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Jersey City;
Van Lane, Deputy Public Defender for the Monmouth Trial Region;
Robyn B. Mitchell, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice;
Jiles H. Ship, New Jersey Police Training Commissioner and Past President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and
Commissioner of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP);
Ahmad Rasool, Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Newark (or a designee);
Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey (or a designee);
Richard T. Smith, President of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP;
Steven A. Somogyi, Assistant Director for the Municipal Court Services Division of the New Jersey Judiciary;
Sherry Stembridge, Assistant Essex County Prosecutor;
Esther Suarez, Hudson County Prosecutor;
John Zebrowski, Chief of Police, Sayreville Police Department.
The working group may offer recommendations to the Attorney General on issues including the proper scope of municipal prosecutors’ discretionary authority, in general and with regard to marijuana offenses in particular; the manner in which chief municipal prosecutors exercise their authority over other municipal prosecutors, subject to the supervisory authority of the county prosecutors and Attorney General; and the ethics, integrity, and independence of municipal prosecutors from improper outside influence.
Earlier this week, Attorney General Grewal asked all municipal prosecutors in New Jersey to pause marijuana-related prosecutions in municipal court until September 4, 2018, while the Office of the Attorney General solicits advice from the working group and develops statewide guidance. The Attorney General’s directive from earlier this week does not affect law enforcement officers’ authority to make marijuana-related arrests or County Prosecutors’ authority to prosecute marijuana-related offenses in Superior Court. The Attorney General’s forthcoming directive will address how marijuana-related prosecutions may proceed in municipal court after September 4, 2018.
While the working group will advise the Attorney General on municipal court prosecutions of marijuana-related offenses—in time for the Attorney General to issue his directive in August—the working group may offer advice on other topics, to inform longer-term, progressive reforms concerning the role of municipal prosecutors.
In order to hold Stacey to her lease that would require tax $$ which is crazy. Since she is unable to follow what she presented in Nov 2015 & what’s in the lease the lease should be terminated. On top of taking neighbors to court she is the hostile one that needs to go. Anyone who thinks she does good things for the village must be getting free zucchini’s too. What should be noted is everyone entering the park is under surveillance because of Stacey. Blinding lights in the parking lot also the result of having this business in a park. Tim said all Parks & fields would have the same lights installed has that happened yet? Maple was redone did that part of the parking lot get the same intensity lights? If I owned a business in CBD I would be mad that I didn’t get the same perks as Healthbarn free advertising on Parks & rec website special events that are held at Healthbarn its favoritism at its worst. On top of all that Stacey still feels the need to falsely charge neighbors of harassment. Supporting Healthbarn is supporting this kind of behavior from the village who stands by her & Stacey who is doing it.
That’s right who is God. I never seen a church open up at 2 o’clock in the morning. Very very strange things going on all the windows are all smoked so you can see Jhuuu that’s right who is God. I never seen a church open up at 2 o’clock in the morning. Very very strange things going on all the windows are all smoked so you can see In , hummmmmmm, We’ve heard that at times they do not let the police or the 40 appointment for an inspection. We believe that’s been documented too. Refusal entry on many Municipality inspections.
River Vale NJ, Holly Schepisi (New Jersey State Assemblywoman for District 39 )” I will say this as clearly as possible. The current system does not work properly for anyone. Because I want the legislature to do its job and implement better policies for our communities does not make me a racist or xenophobic as stated by Kevin Walsh, the Fair Share Housing head. I am committed to focusing on providing affordability in housing for all that need it, including our seniors, our veterans, our disabled, new home owners, people who have lost their jobs or have a medical issue and the poor of all races. I do not care what race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation you identify with. If you want to be my neighbor I will welcome you with open arms. What I do not want is to have every last piece of green space in the already most dense state paved over with 1,000 unit complexes. These units are being forced to be built by Fair Share Housing in communities with no public transportation, no jobs, no infrastructure, all volunteer fire and ambulance corps while increasing populations of small communities by 30 percent or more. Excising concerns about these real life issues is not racism. Calling it such is outrageous. “
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood police report that a Southern Parkway resident reported a defiant trespass was discovered to have occurred in the past after the victim reviewed his surveillance camera footage on July 19th. The victim identified the person as a key holder who entered his residence without notification or authority to do so. The incident was documented as a matter of record.
