Ridgewood NJ, Tax Day is here and the personal finance website WalletHub today released its Tax Day 2016 By The Numbers report, which features an infographic filled with fun facts as well as insights from a panel of leading tax experts.
You can find a handful of highlights below:
30.5 Minutes: Wait time for calls to the IRS in 2015.
62%: Of calls went unanswered in 2015.
6.1 Billion Hours: Time it takes Americans to do their taxes each year (16 hours per person).
35%: Of taxpayers would rather discuss sex with their kids than do their taxes.
27%: Of Americans would get an IRS tattoo to avoid taxes for life.
700%+: Increase in tax-related identity theft cases since 2010.
23%: Decrease in IRS enforcement staff since 2010.
Ridgewood Nj, The Village Council’s move to increase taxes in the Village brings up an old issue that never seems to die . OPRA Request submitted to the Clerk’s Office on April 24, 2015 regarding: Property tax payment history from 1/1/2012 through 4/1/2015, date payment received, amount of payment, interest charged, if any, for blocks & lots #3214-23, #2011-3, #1601-27, #2901-2, #4201-22.02.
The OPRA request indicated Council Women Gwenn Hauck has had issues in the past paying her property taxes on time .
In case you did not know, generally payments are considered late only they are received after the 10th calendar day; if day 10 falls on a weekend, it’s moved to the next day of business at Village Hall.
Ridgewood NJ, Ordinance 3523 , known as Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli’s ordinance regarding video taping at public meetings.Has brought about some discussion as the proper wording and ordinance and whether is relevant .
If you remember the ordinance was introduced after the Deputy Mayor made threats to residents during a public meeting and resident Dana Glazer was threaten and harassed at a council meeting by another resident.
Ellie Gruber stated in Public Comment during the April 13th Village Council meeting ,that she was against the ordinance in general as it is not enforceable and it addresses a non issue since all public meetings are in the public domain and can be shared on social media, etc.
But more importantly let’s not forget that the video ordinance is being pushed because Aronsohn was caught on video acting badly and lying at the HPC meeting. He wasn’t set up, he was not even suppose to be at that meeting but came to intimidate residents who were questioning the HPC on their support of a garage 12 feet on the street before the November vote, whereas Paul, et al. did not disclose the 12 foot floor plan to the HPC. Not, because members were upset that it wasn’t announced.
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council Candidate asked for clarification with candidate yard signs after the incident earlier this week were “Ramon Hache” signs were targeted for removal . Bernie asked Village Clerk Heather A. Mailander, “Just for clarification. During the Vote Yes for the garage campaign. The Village manager and Village Council approved and allowed signs to be placed in planters throughout the CBD. I’m assuming this practice will be permitted for the Village Council campaign.”
Heather Mailander responded , “To clarify, based on last Fall’s regulations, the campaign signs may be placed in the public right of way (planting strip between the curb and sidewalk) anywhere in the Village, including planters in the CBD. However, they may not be placed on Village property. This includes all parks, the train station parking lot and green spaces near the train station, or other Village-owned property (Village Hall, both library properties, water properties, DPW properties, the Recycling Center, etc.). The signs cannot be a sight hazard or a pedestrian hazard. If you are unsure whether or not you can place a sign somewhere, please contact me. Also, please be aware that any signs found on Village property will be removed and not returned. ”
Resident Boyd Loving responded , “Last Fall’s regulations?” What “regulations?” I don’t recall any regulations ever being announced last Fall.
In fact, “Vote Yes for Parking” signs WERE prominently placed along the Garber Square side of the train station, along the Linwood Avenue side of Vets Field, at the entrance to the Village Recycling Center, AND within/around numerous municipal parking lots.
So clearly the “regulations” are different now that there are messages the “Council Majority” isn’t interested in seeing.
What a joke this Village government of ours has become”
Ridgewood Nj ,The Village Council introduced a $47.7 million budget Wednesday, which according to the PATCH would result in the average homeowner’s municipal tax bill going up $67.40, or 1.6 percent, if the $31.8 million tax levy is approved. Whats happened to the 0% ??
The Village council meeting on April 13th produced several proclamations .Of the several proclamations this evening, two are of interest.
April is Tree Planting Month in the Village. There was no mention of any plantings by the village, just that residents should consider planting a tree. Also that we should be mindful of our wooded areas. No mention of clear cutting the Schedler woods which would be a great place to begin.
May 1-7 is Drinking Water Week.Once again no mention of the contaminated sites which should have been remediation 8 years ago.
The Budget Presentation: We will have a Qualified Purchasing Agent on the payroll. No mention of how this job has been handled in the past and what the salary will be. There will be a tax increase of 1.6 percent ( I believe that is correct) and a budget hearing in May.
Public comment: Ellen McNamara spoke to the democratic process and the success of the petitions that have postponed the garage project with the possibility of reducing its size. Lorraine Reynolds brought up how the petitioners were maligned and treated as malcontents when in actuality they were able to inform us all about the 12-18 foot encroachment on Hudson Street and other details that would have made the garage a huge disaster for the area/ CBD not to mention that they have saved us money! Rurik Halaby chastised the petitioners as liars and against any parking garage what so ever. He prattled on and on Boyd Loving said,” Enough is enough!). As usual Mr. Hallaby’s entire statement was full of hyperbole, inaccuracies and untruths.
And of course Ordinance 3523 ( Albert’s ordinance regarding video taping at public meetings) brought about some discussion as the proper wording and ordinance # was not available to the public. Ellie Gruber stated in Public Comment that she was against the ordinance in general as it is not enforceable and it addresses a non issue since all public meetings are in the public domain and can be shared on social media, etc.
Ridgewood NJ, Perhaps some residents Leaving the village hall Couldn’t help but notice the mayors car had some pretty distinctive campaign information strategically placed in the rear window.
Please take these events serious only a few votes in 2012 launched the Village into this disastrous mess.
2012 Ridgewood Election Results
Albert J. Pucciarelli – 2078
Keith Killion – 1711
Rissell R Forenza – 817
Paul Aronsohn – 2479
Mary Jane Shinozuka – 1484
Gwenn H Hauck – 1727
Final voting registration for the May 10th Municipal Election is April 19th. To register to vote, individuals may register in the Village Clerk’s office from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or in the Ridgewood Library Lobby on April 19th from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Ridgewood NJ, Due to equipment failure yesterday, we are running about 1 day behind on our collection schedule. Please place your yard waste at the curb on your scheduled day. We will pick it up but we may be a bit delayed as we work to get back on our normal schedule.
NOTICE: PSE&G ELECTRIC UPGRADE IN RIDGEWOOD CBD – APRIL 14
April 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G has notified the Village that they will begin the electric upgrade project this week – starting at Highwood and South Broad, working their way northward. This is to alert you to potential traffic issues.
Ridgewood EMS transported one adult female victim to The Valley Hospital following a rear end crash
April 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood EMS transported one (1) adult female victim to The Valley Hospital following a rear end crash in front of 66 South Maple Avenue, Ridgewood on Tuesday, 04/12. Ridgewood PD & FD also responded to the incident. A passing BLS unit from The Valley Hospital assisted at the scene.
Over a year ago we embarked upon a multifaceted effort to revitalize and improve the operations and customer service of the Building Department. This effort was based on making significant changes with respect to people/organizational structure, process and technology.
We successfully implemented a new technology platform last year called Spatial Data Logic, and now I am delighted to tell you that we have rolled out a new capability for our residents to use called the Citizen Permit and Inspection Portal. The Portal allows residents, from their homes or offices or anywhere, to schedule an inspection, look up property information, view the status of a permit and more. Residents will need to register and create a user profile to be able to be a part of this new technology. I would encourage you to try it out and provide us with your feedback.
If you have dealt with the Building Department in the last several months, I hope you have noted improvement. The new technology coupled with staffing reassignments has resulted in a significant streamlining of overall operations and more effective delivery of services. Based on resident and contractor input, we are now open for business earlier (8 A.M.). We have also implemented a one page permit application counter form thereby streamlining this process and making it more customer–friendly. The new Building Department Director Thomas Yotka also has held open forums with the public and will continue to do so.
This is not in any way to suggest that we do not have more improvements to make……and for this, as you know, we rely on your input.
In the future the new Citizens Portal will be expanded to other services. More to come on this!
Best,
Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203
On behalf of the members of the Ridgewood Fire Department, I am pleased to present you with the 2015 Annual Report. This report provides a summary of the department’s activities from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015. In this report, you will learn about the personnel, facilities, equipment, and programs that serve you and our residents. You will also learn how we deliver this vital service through Fire Prevention, Public Education, and Emergency Response.
You will see how the firefighters are continually focused on improvements, implementing best practices, and developing performance enhancements in all areas of our department. The Fire Department is a proactive organization staffed with 40 professional firefighters, dedicated to the delivery of service to the citizens and visitors of Ridgewood. In 2015, there were four firefighters hired to replace firefighters that retired in 2014. Also Firefighter Tim Bombace returned from the NJ National Guard after a year of active duty in the Middle East. Lt.
Harvey Weber and I applied for and received a grant from the Assistance to Firefighter grant program administered by FEMA. The Fire Department was awarded a grant in the amount of $41,570.00 to create a Firefighter Wellness and Fitness Program. The grant will be used to create a program that will ensure that Ridgewood Firefighters are physically able to meet the extreme physical demands, potential deadly exposures and inherent hazards involved in firefighting.
The Ridgewood Fire Department, through its highly trained and dedicated employees, strives to deliver the highest quality fire protection and emergency medical services in the most cost effective manner with the utmost regard for the safety of its citizens, visitors and employees. We strive to make our partnership with the Village of Ridgewood stronger and will never take for granted the support we receive from our community.
On behalf of all the Firefighters and Administrative Staff of the Ridgewood Fire Department, I would like to thank you, the Village Council, and the residents of Ridgewood for their continued support. I want to also thank all the different departments in town for the prompt and professional assistance given to this department. Without their support we would not be able to carry out our mission.
FORMAT AND QUESTIONS FOR THE VILLAGE COUNCIL CANDIDATES NIGHT,
WEDNESDAY,APRIL 20 7:30-9:30 PM AT VILLAGE HALL COURT ROOM
SPONSORED BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF RIDGEWOOD
April 12,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,the Ridgewood blog has procured information on the League of Women Voters Village of Ridgewood Candidates night on April 20th at the Village Hall.
Please take these events serious only a few votes in 2012 launched the Village into this disastrous mess.
2012 Ridgewood Election Results Albert J. Pucciarelli – 2078
Keith Killion – 1711
Rissell R Forenza – 817
Paul Aronsohn – 2479
Mary Jane Shinozuka – 1484
Gwenn H Hauck – 1727
Final voting registration for the May 10th Municipal Election is April 19th. To register to vote, individuals may register in the Village Clerk’s office from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or in the Ridgewood Library Lobby on April 19th from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Please get informed and vote responsible as many have now learned the consequences can be dire to yourself and your family.
The Women Voters Village of Ridgewood Candidates night format for the evening will include welcome from the president, flag salute, and an introduction of our esteemed moderator and the candidates. The moderator will then take over.
Opening statements 11/2minutes each
Questions # 1 2 3 1 1/2 minutes each question
Cross talk on each question 5 minutes in total each question
Questions from the public 40 minutes
Closing statements 1/1/2 minutes each
1. During the recent budget proceedings, Ridgewood Water outlined a six year, approximately 40 million dollar capital plan to
update the facility which serves not only Ridgewood but also Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff. Should the town invest the money
to update the facility or should we consider selling the utility and why?
2. We are looking at potential new development in Ridgewood , in the downtown area and the Central Business District (garage and
multi family housing at several locations). What measures would you propose to minimize disruption to traffic flow, local businesses and home owners and to ensure pedestrian safety?
3. Regarding the Town Garage location on Franklin Avenue and the adjacent municipal lots, the Department of Environmental Protection has cited these properties for remediation due to underground fuel tanks that are leaking diesel and hydraulic fuel into
the surrounding ground water. There has been talk of charging the cleanup to a potential developer or acquiring the garage site by
eminent domain and doing it ourselves. How do we address this problem in the most expedient manner so that no further
contamination occurs and serves the best interest of the village?
Ridgewood NJ, Village council candidate Ramon Hache responds to Ridgewood blog reports yesterday that the Village’s Streets and Parks Departments were ordered to remove any campaign signs, specifically those belonging to Ramon Hache, found erected on Village owned properties.
“I am very troubled by the decision of the Village to take down my campaign signs. It is my understanding that, as of last November, there is no ordinance that prohibits them from being on village-owned properties. Although I didn’t personally place the signs at the locations in question, I understood that my supporters were not violating any local ordinances. It is very discouraging as a candidate, but especially as a resident, that a double standard has been applied when it comes to my signage. I guess my candidacy, unlike the “Vote Yes For Parking” initiative, is not in line with the Council’s agenda.”
Ridgewood NJ, Whole Foods Market is recalling ten ounce packages of Asparagus, Pea and Ricotta salad because it was mislabeled and actually contained miniature Asparagus, Sun Dried Tomato and Swiss Frittatas. Due to the labeling error, an egg allergen was undeclared. The product was produced at the Whole Foods Market North Atlantic Kitchen in Everett, Massachusetts.
People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. No illnesses or reactions have been reported.
The recalled product (UPC Code 0 36406 30344 5) contains frittatas and has a “sell by” date of April 14, 2016 and was sold on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at fourteen Whole Foods Market locations:
Connecticut:
Darien, CT
West Hartford, CT
New Jersey:
Millburn, NJ
Middletown, NJ
Montclair, NJ
Ridgewood, NJ
New York:
Upper West Side, NYC
Rhode Island:
University Heights, RI
Massachusetts:
Wellesley, MA
Cambridge (Prospect St), MA
Cambridge (Fresh Pond), MA
Dedham, MA
Hingham, MA
Wayland, MA
Signage is posted in affected Whole Foods Market stores to notify customers of this recall.
Consumers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market may return it to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact their local store or call 617-492-5500 between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST.
