A decision to go with resident only parking is not elitist. It is based in simple economics. If Ridgewood taxpayer funds are used for the parking structures and for the lots and on-street parking, why shouldn’t the people who pay those taxes have preferential access to that parking? They have already contributed to the costs. I commuted by train for a while. Parking in Ridgewood anywhere near the station was almost impossible, but it was very easy to park in the HHK lot (not so easy now). Why would we give preference to non-residents? If they pay the same parking fee but do not pay Ridgewood taxes that support the parking, then they pay less for the same usage. That would be unfair to residents.
Nice letter in the Ridgewood News from Mr. Halaby…in order to keep the CBD viable in 30 years, we should build the garage, which in turn will revitalize the CBD and make our grandchildren proud. Funny that some are willing to spend $10 million plus on a garage but will debate and attack the Schedler plans to no end( I am neither pro or con at the moment). Give me a break. Welcoming the future is not looking 5 years out sir….even looking out 2 years, it’s very clear that this town needs to adapt to the dominance of online shopping and the increased use of car services like Uber. This garage is not the future. In listening to Mr McCandless at the council meeting, where he clearly and concisely pointed out that this town does not have a parking shortage, i find it incredible how one can argue that this garage will solve an imminent problem in this town. This council needs to deal in the world of facts, not unicorns and rainbows….taxes are already high and agreeing to build this garage on the belief that it will solve a non existent problem is not what you were voted onto the council to do. The argument that this has been debated for 40 years and so we should build it is laughable. In 1980, maybe they should have built one, and we’d probably be arguing today on how to get rid of it. The current and future council members have got to be way more fiscally responsible then they have been, this towns tax base is not a piggy bank for special interests and backdoor dealmakers.
Make the citizens of Ridgewood Great again.Stop this bullshit boondoggle..it’s not too late..the carpetbaggers housing and politicos will be long gone with the cash and moving onto their next victim communities..clear case of others peoples (OUR) money and future higher taxes to pay for the bonding which will have to be paid as a priority obligation to the banks and funding sources..they love town infrastructure debt..they know the taxpayers have to be assessed to Pay them Back,Stop this huge mistake..we are not talking about the health bond or turf fields here..this is a forever damaging proposal.Pave ,insert concrete curbing ,storm sewers lighting and lines for car stalls and get back to work VC
VC, listen up. Lease the Hudson lot to a developer for 99 years. Let the developer pay for it completely. Let them charge what they want to make it a profitable. Let them pay the cost of maintenance. Let them cut deals with local merchants, banks and restaurants for validated parking, and take nothing from them except the usual property taxes. Then, see how many developers step up. If the number is ZERO, then you have an indication that the idea is a LOSER. The Village already collects taxes from the CBD property owners, so why LOSE money by going into the garage business?
A land lease is a type of financial arrangement in which the ground under a structure is leased, rather than sold to the builder, meaning that the land and the structure are owned independently.
The Village should enter into a long term land lease with parking garage company who will pay to construct and operate the parking facility.. Since they are an independent business they should be able to charge whatever rates they wish.. Ultimately the market will determine how much people are willing to pay.
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council Special Public Budget Meeting – Friday, March 2, 2018 5:30pm (tonight)
Introduction of 2018 Budget Process – Village Manager and Chief Financial Officer
Discussion Items:
a. Review of Departmental Budgets and Capital Budgets
Building Department
Zoning
MIS
Parks and Recreation Department
Graydon Pool
Streets Department
Fleet Services
Recycling
Solid Waste
Yard Waste
Water Department
b. Wrap-up and Next Steps
BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE: March 2, 2018 – 5:30pm to 10:00pm March 9, 2018 – 5:30pm to 10:00pm March 16, 2018 – 5:30PM to 10:00pm March 21st at 5:30pm – final budget overview & setting the tax rate Tentative: March 28, 2018 Budget Introduction April 25, 2018 Budget Adoption
Ridgewood NJ, A large tree located on the property of the St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, fell to the ground on Friday morning, 03/02 blocking the street and causing power outages in the immediate area. Ridgewood PD, FD, and Shade Tree Division personnel responded to the incident. A PSE&G Electric Division employee was also observed working at the scene. No injuries were reported and the tree did not strike any structures during its fall.
Ridgewood NJ, Alfred Doblin is out at the Bergen Record . He either quit or was forced out. Nancy Meyer also left on Monday . It looks like a big shake once again at the failing daily . Ridgewood residents may remember Doblin for attempting to interject his bigoted opinion in the Ridgewood “Rainbow Flag” controversy . Doublin along with the “Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock” and Councilmen Jeff Voigt called the mayor Susan Knudsen a Homophobe because she dared to attempt to figure out what the law was and would not fall for the bullying attempt by the group.
The group pursued its bigoted agenda and pushed both Glen Rock and Ridgewood into displaying its “white only” bigoted rainbow flag . According to the group ,”Black Lives Matter ” flag installed in Ridgewood and Glen Rock is the racist white only rainbow flag . The new multi cultural rainbow flag includes black and brown stripes. “The black and brown stripes are an inclusionary way to highlight black and brown LGBTQIA members within our community,” said one source involved with the flag-raising event who asked not to be named. “With all of the black and brown activism that’s worked to address racism in the Gayborhood over the past year, I think the new flag is a great step for the city to show the world that they’re working toward fully supporting all members of our community.”
Doblin even doubled down on attacks and character assassinations of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Kundsen . Alfred P. Doblin is the editorial page editor of The Bergen Record. In his latest column he once again praises Councilmen Voigt and goes on the offensive against the Mayor. Doblin continues to cling to the silly fallacy his editorial led to the flying of the rainbow ie gay pride flag at Ridgewood’s Van Nest square . ( https://theridgewoodblog.net/doblin-doubles-down-on-attacks-and-character-assassinations-of-ridgewood-mayor-susan-kundsen/ ) .
This character attack led OPRA requests flying and many attacks as well as counter attacks between the Mayor, her supporters, Doublin and councilmen Voigt ,some of it even being settled in Bergen County court.
Ridgewood NJ, Nominating Packets for Ridgewood Village Council are still available ,but the deadline for filing completed nominating petitions is March 5, 2018.
Nominating packets are available for Ridgewood residents who are registered voters of the Village of Ridgewood and wish to run for, and serve on, the Ridgewood Village Council. They may be picked up at the Village Clerk’s Office in Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. This year, there are two positions, with four-year terms, to serve on the non-partisan Village Council which will be voted on at the May 8, 2018 Municipal Election. The newly elected Councilmembers will be sworn in and take office on July 1, 2018.
Any questions concerning the Municipal Election should be directed to the Village Clerk’s Office at 201-670-5500 ext. 205 or by email to: [email protected]. or [email protected].
Ridgewood NJ, at the Wednesday evening meeting resident Bill McCandless called the Walker analysis deeply flawed , he went on ” the facts are very clear the Walker report is a reference point we all use , page 15 shows multiply lots weekday day time under 85% , page 16 weekday evenings shows open parking throughout the entire Village , page 19 weekend nights we have an empty parking lots , Walker shows large surplus parking exist in the Village .”
“Weekday existing conditions 57% parking occupied , and weekends 194 spaces go empty .There is no parking deficit , we paid for it twice . to hear this from Walker the fact is the parking Garage unnecessary and unneeded in Ridgewood.”
Apartment builders need a lot. Make the builders pay for a large portion of the garage IF WE BUILD ONE. Otherwise, make them provide adequate parking in their construction. This “most of the residents won’t have a car” stuff is as big of an imaginary concept as “There will almost no new school children” is a pipe dream. Even though Ridgewood’s education is no longer good enough for national bragging, it is better than some school districts. You say “people buy and leave the second their child graduates”. Renting an apartment will accomplish the same thing at a much cheaper cost. Those are the families who will fill the apartments. Is Ridgewood going to set a limit for the number of people in each apartment? These people, like many of our current apartment dwellers, are used to being crowded. It would be worth it to many if it meant putting their children into a better school. Now, each of these families must have at least one, if not two, cars to get the parents to work. And they’ll need much more water than a single older couple would utilize, etc. etc. Ridgewood taxpayers shouldn’t need to pay more than a very few dollars if the builders must pay and the big businesses (most of whose owners are not Ridgewood residents) should be forced to contribute also. They’re the ones screaming that “their businesses will fail w/o a garage”. Let them “put their money where their mouth is”!.
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT anticipates regular weekday service on its rail, bus and light rail systems for the service day on Friday, March 2 and regular weekend service on Saturday, March 3 as parts of the state are subject to an intense Nor’easter with coastal flooding, high winds, heavy rain, and even snow in northwestern New Jersey predicted. Cross-honoring is in effect for rail, bus and private carriers and light rail for Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3.
Bus Route Nos. 196/197 only bus tickets and passes will be accepted during this time on the Port Jervis Line trains to/from Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg. Additionally, Shortline Bus will also cross-honor in Orange County, N.Y. The Warwick plan will be instituted if conditions warrant.
NJ TRANSIT will have personnel and assets in position to address any issues that may arise during or after the storm, which is expected to bring strong wind near the coast and flooding to low-lying areas.
NJ TRANSIT’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will open during the early morning hours on Friday and key personnel will monitor any impacts on the system throughout the duration of the storm.
Customers are strongly advised to monitor the status of the system by checking njtransit.com frequently. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for My Transit Alerts, which provide customized notifications via email or text message based on a customer’s preferred mode of travel. My Transit alerts can be accessed by creating a free account on njtransit.com. In addition, customers are advised to monitor NJ TRANSIT’s social media feeds on Twitter and Facebook, as well as tune in to broadcast traffic reports for the latest information.
Important Notes:
Cross-honoring will be in effect for Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 on NJ TRANSIT bus and private carriers, rail and light rail services. At this time, it is not anticipated that there will be cross-honoring on PATH or NY Waterway ferries.
Regular weekday service for rail, bus, light rail and Access Link will operate as long as conditions allow.
Bus Route Nos. 196 and 197 only bus tickets and passes will be accepted during this time on the Port Jervis Line at the Harriman, Tuxedo, and Sloatsburg Stations. Shortline bus will also be cross-honoring. The Warwick plan will be instituted if conditions warrant.
Before starting your trip, visit the Travel Alerts page at njtransit.com for up-to-the-minute service information. This information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Customers are encouraged to sign up for the My Transit alert system on njtransit.com, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone.
Allow extra time getting to and from your destination. Use extreme caution when walking on exposed sidewalks or station platforms and when boarding trains and buses.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT…
The Flood Watch continues for
* All of southern Connecticut, most of northeast New Jersey, and
all of southeast New York.
* From Friday morning through late Friday night
* A deepening coastal low late Thursday night into Friday will bring heavy rain across the area, with the potential for 2 to 3 inches of rainfall. Heavier bands could produce localized
higher amounts.
* Smaller rivers and streams across the area will be most vulnerable to the possibility of flooding. In addition, poor drainage urban flooding is possible and may be enhanced by the
effects of coastal flooding.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be
alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE FRIDAY NIGHT…
* WINDS…North 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
* TIMING…Strongest winds from Friday afternoon through Friday night.
* IMPACTS…Damaging winds will be capable of downing trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Limited visibilities will make travel difficult.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A High Wind Watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph…or gusts of 58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.
Ridgewood NJ, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for an approaching storm system that is predicted to bring heavy rain, gusty winds, snow and local flooding to the utility’s service territory beginning Thursday evening.
“This storm system has the potential to produce a little bit of everything, so we will be prepared to handle any resulting outages that may occur,” said John Latka, senior vice president of electric and gas operations for PSE&G. “We have additional personnel scheduled and on standby, with auxiliary equipment at the ready for this approaching storm.”
In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is taking the following steps to ensure that the utility is ready to respond to any resulting power outages:
Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce.
Ensuring that additional supplies, including poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand.
Refueling all vehicles.
Testing generators at utility locations.
Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts.
PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious during and after the storm:
Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline powered engine, including generators and snowblowers, in a garage or any other enclosed space.
Customers should report downed wires or power outages by calling PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Also, customers can report outages at www.pseg.com or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734). The utility’s mobile-friendly website includes an “Outage Map” that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service area.
Providing safe, reliable gas service to roughly 1.8 million customers across New Jersey is a big responsibility, and one we take very seriously at PSE&G. That’s why we have undertaken a multi-year program to update older portions of our network of 34,500 miles of underground pipes – enough to circle the earth and then some. About 4,000 miles of that network consist of century-old cast-iron and unprotected steel pipe that is showing its age. Although our service reliability continues to be excellent, we’re not waiting for problems to find us.
For the past two years, dedicated teams of PSE&G employees and contractors have been hard at work replacing hundreds of miles of pipes and service lines across the system as part of our Gas System Modernization Program (GSMP).
The investments we have made through GSMP have accelerated the modernization of our gas infrastructure that will allow us to continue to provide safe, reliable service well into the future. To date, we have replaced 312 miles of vintage or high-risk pipe and we’re on track to successfully replace a total of as much as 510 miles of pipe by the end of the program in December 2018. And I’m proud to say, our highly skilled workforce and experienced contractors have safely completed these upgrades with minimal disruption and inconvenience to our local communities.
But as this program moves toward completion, there is still much work to be done. We need to build on the momentum of GSMP and continue to advance the modernization of our gas system. And now is the perfect time to do this critical work. The price of natural gas is still hovering at historically low levels, with bills about 32 percent lower than they were eight years ago. PSE&G is also passing along savings as a result of lower federal taxes. The bottom line is that we can make these investments while still keeping customer bills affordable.
In July 2017, we filed a petition with the Board of Public Utilities to extend and accelerate our modernization efforts through GSMP II. If approved, this next phase of the program – which would be carried out over five years – would replace more than 1,000 additional miles of main, in addition to other necessary upgrades across the system.
GSMP II is a proactive and ambitious program. By choreographing critical upgrades during an intensive five-year period, we can work more efficiently than we could with piecemeal projects. In short, we can do more for less cost in a shorter amount of time.
There are added benefits to GSMP II. Replacing old pipe will reduce leaks, which not only makes the system safer, but reduces greenhouse gas emissions. And the work we will undertake will provide hundreds of sustained, full-time jobs and other economic benefits. Most importantly, GSMP II will continue the safe, reliable service our customers can depend on for decades to come. It’s a win-win-win.Throughout our 115-year history, we’ve always had an eye on the future, striving to stay ahead of service threats and resolve issues before they become serious problems. The investments in GSMP II are a natural progression of that legacy and will ensure we can fulfill the commitment to the people of New Jersey that we hold so deeply.
