Ridgewood NJ, resident Jacqueline Hone voiced concerns over the Schedler clean up .Jacqueline Hone said the $99,000 was very large and the residents were in the dark about many aspects to that cleanup , including sidewalks.
Hone went on to voice her concerns on the discovery of artifacts on the property and speculated on the lack of qualifications of the clean up crew dealing with antiquities .
Also Hone voiced fears over over development and the loss of a natural space and also the many inaccuracies and falsehoods on the 2009 application that have still not been addressed .
Janice Willett then followed up about transparency in public notices specifically with the potential costs for Schedler if the Village does not get any grant money resident could be on the hook for the whole $635,000 to renovate a property with no designated purpose .
Concerns were also voiced about the process of tree clean up on the property Mayor Knudsen reassured residents that the process would be thoughtful and residents would even have the opportunity to challenge some tree removal. Deputy Mayor Sedon chairs the Schedler ad-hoc committee which has already done a walk through of the property.
Ridgewood NJ, on Wednesday night the Ridgewood council voted to appropriate $1.6 million of Ridgewood Water funds to go forward with the purchase of the former Elks Lodge on Maple Avenue .
The council voted 3-2 in favor of the purchase with Councilman Jeffrey Voigt and Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh casting dissenting votes.
The appropriation,comes less than a month after a NJ Superior Court judge ruled against the village of Ridgewood in a lawsuit, finding that it had approved “capricious” and “unreasonable” rate hikes between 2010 and 2012.
No estimate was given as to how much will it cost to renovate that space or what is going in Ridgewood Water place at Village Hall.
1. VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD MASTER PLAN – Planning Board Master Plan update: funding for the Village Master Plan is in place and the Planning Board advanced the undertaking at the annual reorganization meeting on July 18. A Master Plan Committee was appointed to assist the Planning Board, the Ridgewood Village Council and the public with the Master Plan process including, but not limited to: project education, scheduling, milestones, budgeting, public engagement and participation, and to ensure an open and transparent process. Committee members include Mayor Susan Knudsen, PB Vice-chairman Joel Torielli, Planning Board members Debbie Patire and Melanie McWilliams. **Chairman Richard Joel will be substituting on an interim basis as needed. The Master Plan Committee is a preliminary step prior to formally advancing the Master Plan process.
2. As one of the most used sports fields the turf at Maple Park is now in need of replacement. Installed more than decade ago, the replacement will allow the field to continue to facilitate a variety of sports programs throughout the year. The Maple Park Turf Replacement is subject to a public hearing scheduled for August 9, 2017.
3. Purchasing the Elks Club Property allows for future planning ensuring a more efficient utility benefiting Ridgewood Water customers. The Water Capital Ordinance for $1,600,000 includes the purchase price of $1.1 mil for the property and $500,000 to renovate the building from the Water Utility Capital Fund.
4. Summer “School” ordinances: Amending Chapter 265 will prohibit stopping on portions of West Ridgewood Avenue allowing a safer approach to vehicular traffic around the Ridge School. Additionally, Enacting Title 39 on All Public School Properties authorizes the Ridgewood Police Department to enforce traffic and parking regulations on Board of Education property. Ordinance 3612 protects Ridgewood taxpayers from the unlawful enrollment of students in Ridgewood Public Schools through the Village Municipal Court.
5. Direct Village Planner to conduct a study for Redevelopment of the Hudson Street Municipal Parking Lot, allowing the Village more options moving forward with garage construction plans that could potentially save significant taxpayer dollars and build time.
Ridgewood NJ, for months now there have been constant complaints about Village streets and their poor surface conditions . Long term readers of the this blog will remember that for several years there seems to be almost constant complaints about the roads. Unfortunately for the Village as long as PSE&G continues in their gas line up grade program ,there is really no end in sight for poor road conditions .
Beginning in June, work was expected to take place Monday through Saturday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting. The gas main replacement portion of the work is expected to be completed by the fall. The paving and street restoration is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018. Folks it is what it is !
According to PSE&G :
• To upgrade the gas lines, PSE&G digs trenches, primarily in road surfaces, and lays new pipes block by block to minimize disruptions. There will be short-term road closures and detours during construction. Local police direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. At the end of each workday, the trenches are filled in and protective plates secured on any open areas so people can safely drive and walk. Customers always have access to their driveways.
• When possible, the utility does not dig on properties. If PSE&G does have to dig on a customer’s property, the utility restores any disturbance after the service line is installed. Grass areas are repaired and seeded, and concrete or asphalt openings are patched until final restoration work is scheduled.
• After construction, a PSE&G technician needs to access the customer’s home to connect the service line and gas meter to the new gas main. The utility contacts homeowners to arrange a date and time to do the work. During this reconnection, customers can expect to be without gas service for about 4 hours.
• If a gas meter is inside, PSE&G relocates it to the outside of the customer’s home or business. A technician relights all appliances and makes sure they are working safely before leaving a home.
• When work is finished, the utility repairs roads with temporary pavement until the ground settles. This takes about 45 to 90 days. PSE&G then restores the roads with permanent paving in accordance with town ordinance and paving requirements.
Ridgewood NJ, On Wednesday afternoon, 08/09, Ridgewood Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a single family home located at 255 Prospect Street, Ridgewood for purposes of evaluating the structural integrity of the home following a motor vehicle crash in which a passenger car mounted a curb, drove across the front lawn and slammed into the front porch. The vehicle had been removed from the scene prior to arrival of Fire Department personnel. The structure was deemed safe for occupancy with no Fire Department action taken.
Ridgewood NJ, yes it’s FREE ,tonight , Wednesday 8/9 around 8:00pm at Van Neste Park , the Ridgewood Guild sponsors ‘Moonstruck” – Join us and enjoy this romantic comedy founded on emotional abandon and poignant truth. Not content with one romance, it involves five or six, depending on how you count, and conceding that some characters are involved in more than one. Play our trivia game and win prizes!
Current owners have to pay for remediation – can’t stick the taxpayers with that tab! Why should the village pay for their speculation? Fine them for not keeping it properly maintained in the meantime! It is quite an eyesore.
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. News has issued it top hospitals rankings and ratings. The U.S. News Best Hospitals analysis reviews hospitals’ performance in clinical specialties, procedures and conditions. Scores are based on several factors, including survival, patient safety, nurse staffing and more. Hospitals are ranked nationally in specialties from cancer to urology and rated in common procedures and conditions, such as heart bypass surgery, hip and knee replacement and COPD. Hospitals are also ranked regionally within states and major metro areas. The Honor Roll recognizes 20 hospitals with outstanding performance across multiple areas of care.
According to the U.S. News Hospitals Rankings and Ratings Hackensack University Medical Center was the top ranked hospital in New Jersey edging out local Valley Hospital at number 5 , Englewood Hospital and Medical Center number 13 and St. Joseph’s Healthcare System-Paterson also tied for 13.
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, NJ 07601-1914
#1 in New Jersey
Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ is nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty.
NATIONALLY RANKED in 3 Specialties & 1 Children’s Specialty
HIGH PERFORMING in 8 Procedures/Conditions
Supreme Court supplies a little heat by deciding fire districts are subject to OPRA, while law lets districts move elections into November, in hopes of boosting voter turnout
Fire districts — special geographical areas that have the power to levy local property taxes to support firefighting services — are coming under increased scrutiny due to new legislation and a state Supreme Court decision. The districts have operated well below the radar in many New Jersey communities, but statewide they spent $240 million from local tax levies last year.
The court issued an opinion Monday that the more than 180 fire districts are an “instrumentality of a political subdivision” and thus subject to the full terms of New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act, which requires public disclosure of basic documents like budgets and payroll.
That opinion was issued the same day Gov. Chris Christie signed into law a bill that will allow fire districts to hold their elections each year in November instead of late February. Up until now that’s when they’ve been required to be held, even though they typically draw very low voter turnout.
Ridgewood NJ, Movie Night on the Beach at Graydon Pool , Friday, August 11th (raindate 8/12th) . Movies begins at sundown. Admissions begins at 7PM. Tickets – $5 CASH ONLY
Ridgewood NJ, Joining the New Orleans Saints 10 days into 2017 training camp, Ridgewood native Patrick Murray will compete with Wil Lutz for kicking duties. The three-year NFL veteran has appeared in 18 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns, drilling 21-of-26 field-goal attempts and 34-of-35 PATs.
Murray attended Don Bosco (Ramsey, N.J.) Prep where he was a three-time letterman as a kicker and punter, earning All-State as a senior…Member of state championship teams from 2006-08…Played baseball and wrestled…Uncles, Ciaran and Brendan, and cousin Aeden, are national Gaelic football players in Ireland…Active in community as a member of Buccaneers, purchasing gifts for patients at children’s hospitals and visiting patients during the holiday season…Has also participated in events involving military veterans, service members and their families…Enjoys reading, playing guitar and playing golf in his spare time…Favorite movie is shooter and favorite TV show is Father Ted…Lists Christy Moore, Darius Rucker and The Pogues as his favorite musicians…Patrick Murray was born on June 22, 1991 in Ridgewood, N.J.
In his collage career Muarry appeared in 44 career games at Fordham, converting on 38 of 54 field goal attempts and totaling 7,985 yards on 186 punts…First-team All-American as senior, kicking 25 of 30 field goals and tallying 52 punts for 2,392 yards…Also won the Fred Mitchell Award, given to nation’s best non-FBS kicker…Earned Third-Team All-America honors as a punter during his junior year…Earned first-team all-league accolade as a freshman punter in 2009…Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance.
Ridgewood NJ, Little Nest Portraits in Ridgewood, NJ announced that “American Idol” singer and actress Pia Toscano will make a live appearance at the studio on Friday, August 18 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Pia has toured with J. Lo and recently released the EP “Belong.” At the Little Nest event, Pia shares posing tips she’s learned from years in front of the camera. Everyone will then have a chance to show his/her best side for Little Nest’s professional photographer. Attendees receive a photo compliments of Little Nest to use on social media. This free event is appropriate for all ages, from kids to grandparents.
Pia Toscano said that she’s “really excited to be partnering with Little Nest Portraits for this event! Being in the Entertainment Industry for 10 years I’ve learned plenty of styling secrets and working the camera tricks of the trade. I’m thrilled to be sharing this with the families of Bergen County and what better way to do it than in front of the talented photographers at Little Nest Portraits in Ridgewood! ”
Attendees can show up any time between the hours of 11:00 am and 12:30 pm. Local businesses are scheduled to be on hand with giveaways plus Pia will raffle off a signed copy of her new CD. Cupcakes by Carousel provides complimentary baby cakes and Panico Salon helps primp with camera-ready makeup and hair. The Alkaline Water King will hand out free waters. Little Skye Children’s Boutique has exclusive discounts for our new social media stars.
Little Nest Portraits is a national luxury boutique brand of photography studios specializing in maternity photography, newborn photography, and family portraits. Little Nest’s Ridgewood studio is located at 168 E. Ridgewood Avenue.
MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH,
UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE
DATE TYPE OF MEETING LOCATION TIME___
July 18, 2016 Reorganization & Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
August 1, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
August 15, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
September 5, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
September 19, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
October 3, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
October 17, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
November 7, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
November 21, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
December 5, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
December 19, 2017 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
January 2, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
January 16, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
February 6, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
February 20, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
March 6, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
March 20, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
April 3, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
April 17, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
May 1, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
May 15, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
June 5, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
July 3, 2018 Reorganization & Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
Regular Meeting
July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting Village Hall Court Room 7:30 p.m.
All meetings are open to the public, except for closed sessions, which may be held at any time. Regular
meetings may include work sessions, at which no formal action is taken, and/or items involving formal action
of the Board.
An open letter to Mr. Matt Rogers, the Village attorney:
Dear Mr. Rogers:
I could not attend the Village Council meeting of 2 August on account of my delayed flight back home. Fortunately my plane had WiFi and I was able to stream quite a bit of the meeting.
In response to a question by Councilman Voigt you described some procedure the Village Council was following to short circuit the process to hire Pike to build the garage. As a layman I was unable to follow your answer. Could you possibly tell me what is happening?
More importantly, the Mayor appears to have her mind made up on using Pike and it is damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead. Compared to the previous Village Council which held innumerable public meetings to present various plans to the community, the Mayor in typical fashion is playing her cards close to the chest. The Deputy Mayor and Councilman Hache seem to be in on her plans but I was shocked how uninformed Councilmen Voigt and Walsh are.
Comments by some of the mayor’s supporters in the social media seems to indicate that some in her circle are in the know, but not two of her colleagues.
(Side note to Councilmen Voigt and Walsh: By allowing yourselves to be shut out, you are failing miserably in executing your fiduciary to your constituency.)
Thank you,
Rurik Halaby
Village Attorney Matthew Rogers responds : On Aug 4, 2017, at 13:42, Matthew Rogers <[email protected]> wrote:
Rurik, There is nothing nefarious afoot. I’m responding to you, the Council, present Village staff and your wife. You can always share with whomever you’d like. The Local Redevelopment and Housing Law permits municipalities to consider property(ies) within its borders for redevelopment if the property meets certain criteria. The Statute was designed to promote the rehabilitation and/or the reconstruction of properties that have long gone without attention, particularly in commercial locations or areas. There is a process prescribed by the Statute that must be followed in order to take advantage of the statute’s benefits, which allows the municipality to avoid the public bidding process and negotiate directly with one or any entities that the municipality wants to consider for the project in mind. The Council can start the process by requesting the a study be performed by the Planner to determine if the property, in this case the Hudson Street parking lot, meets the criteria of the Statute. If it does and the process is completed, then the Village can negotiate directly with any contractor it so wishes. As you know, there has already been a presentation from PIKE at a Council meeting, where it became apparent that they can both provide a design and build the garage. The thought is that by utilizing the statute, the Village can avoid the time it takes to bid out design and then bid out to find a contractor to build the design. Additionally, it is the hope that by directly negotiating with the a contractor, the Village can also save money on the cost for several reasons. It will hopefully work and provide those benefits. If not, then the bidding process can always be utilized. This is the process that was used several years ago with Kensington’s proposal for the development of Walnut Street garage and the age restricted housing, which although extensively negotiated, the contractor withdrew. I hope this answers your question and if not, please let me know.
Matt
Matthew S. Rogers, Esq. Law Offices of Matthew S. Rogers, L.L.C. 123 Prospect Street Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451
The Village would presumably be stuck with 100% of the remediation costs if it decided to obtain the property at a depressed price by formally declaring the area “blighted” and invoking its power of eminent domain. On the other hand, the Village could just make a free market offer with a lowball number that takes into account the anticipated costs of remediation. One wonders, however, if the current owners would be motivated to sell in that circumstance. More likely, they would take such an offer as an invitation to negotiate. In that event the Village would need to have a (closely guarded secret) topmost number in mind and be ready to threaten to walk, and then actually walk away from the deal, Trump-style, if (when) the current owners get too greedy.
