Category: village of ridgewood

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New Jersey, 67 percent of moves were outbound

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd loving

What the Top 5 States People Are Moving From Have in Common

Salim Furth / @salimfurth / January 06, 2016

Salim Furth, Ph.D., researches and explains how public policy affects economic growth as a research fellow in macroeconomics at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Data Analysis.Read his research.

Americans are moving to places with affordable costs of living and strong labor markets (or good retirement communities). The top destination states of 2015could hardly be more different geographically and culturally: Oregon and South Carolina. What they have in common is that both states are relatively affordable places to live.

The data on moving comes from United Van Lines, which ranks the states based on the proportion of interstate moves that were inbound or outbound.

In Oregon, 69 percent of moves were inbound. The state with the worst ratio was New Jersey, from which 67 percent of moves were outbound.

The top five outbound states of 2015 were:

New Jersey
New York
Illinois
Connecticut
Ohio

In metro Portland, Ore., the average owner-occupied home cost $305,402 in 2013, compared to $380,420 in Seattle or a budget-busting $730,156 in San Francisco. But even in Portland there is room for improvement: Easing regulation a bit could make the average house $39,000 more affordable.

In South Carolina, homes are even cheaper, with free-market competition keeping the price of a new home close to the actual construction cost.

Where urban and suburban land use regulation is modest, builders can meet demand with new supply. In places like San Francisco and Boston that lack that flexibility, people leave despite those cities’ high wages and dynamic economies.

Moving patterns show how important cost of living is to American families. With perfect weather and a booming, high-tech economy, California ought to be the #1 destination. Instead, more moving trucks are leaving the state than entering.

The top five inbound states of 2015 were:

Oregon
South Carolina
Vermont
Idaho
North Carolina

Policymakers can lower the cost of living by removing unnecessary regulations and licensure requirements, streamlining bureaucracy, and ending protections that have been granted to favored industries.

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Ridgewood singer makes it to Hollywood with American Idol

Ridgewood 'American Idol' Caroline Byrne

FEBRUARY 5, 2016    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016, 12:31 AM
BY DIANA OLIVEIRA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Singing was something that burgeoned into a private talent for Ridgewood resident Caroline Byrne. Always too shy to perform in public, the 26-year-old mostly practiced at home until college, when her friends encouraged her to audition for television talent shows.

“My friends pretty much started telling me, ‘You would be crazy not to audition for one of these shows,’” recalled Byrne. “And I always thought to myself, ‘OK, when I’m ready.’”

After participating in preliminary competitions — the first that “lit a fire” under her was a contest in which the winner would be featured on a new track by Swedish DJ John Dahlback (she was runner-up) — Byrne leaped at the opportunity to audition for the 15th and last season of Fox’s singing competition “American Idol.”

And she earned that coveted golden ticket to Hollywood.

https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/music/local-singer-makes-it-to-hollywood-1.1506653

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Town Garage site in Ridgewood and the village owned property in that area still a DEP declared it a remediation site

town_garage_theridgewoodblog

February 4,2016
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj , Reader offers a little recap . Seems that most of the neighbors are accepting the fact that the Health Barn is coming and as long as they get some concessions as to signage, sidewalks, lights and that tithe village is maintaining close control it is the best they can do.

Another issue has popped up regarding the Town Garage site and the village owned property in that area.  The DEP declared it a remediation site 10 years ago.  Nothing has been done and their is an underground water stream running through the property that is compromised by seepage from the hydraulic and diesel fuel tanks still buried there,  The village spent 35,000 dollars to identify what needed to be done several years ago and I have not heard a thing until last weeks meeting at the very end where the council discussed briefly the abandoned property ordinance, eminent domain and the fact that there is a toxic flume at the site which is adding to the contamination and needs monitoring so as to minimize the effect on the water and I believe wells were mentioned.  I have more information which I will forward to you.  Saw in old minutes where Keith Killion and Pat Mancuso saw the need to clean the site and put a garage there.  It is so much more centrally located and would be used by employees, shoppers ,diners as well as commuters more readily than HUdson Street.

So wish we would clean the site and have two smaller decks at both sites. Currently the Town Garage site owners are current on taxes but have done nothing else and Matt Rogers was asked to look into the abandoned property ordinance.  If we gained ownership of that property, it would give the town so many more options as to the best use of the property.  I think Kennsington is almost out of the picture.  Assisted living facilities are so expensive for the client and those people who would reside there are not the shoppers and diners.   55 and older might be a good fit and those people would bring business to the town.

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Reader says the Ridgewood Council Majority has Nothing but Contempt for Residents

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

I’m constantly amazed at the contempt that these 3 have for so many of their own neighbors. People that comment at meetings are generally well-meaning and highly involved residents. Many of them are serial volunteers that make great contributions to our Village. The Council majority is at best dismissive and at worst obnoxious to anyone that dares to voice an opinion that differs from the conclusion that they’ve already reached or the deal that they’ve already made. They hold civility hearings and are completely uncivilized, they point fingers claiming conflict of interest and all have conflicts themselves, they disregard their own rules and flagrantly collaborate outside public meetings in violation of the Sunshine Laws.

History has shown again and again when governments try to silence their own citizens, citizens rise up and overthrow the government. Mr Aronsohn has confirmed that he will not seek re-election but there has been no word from the other 2 – one can only assume that they will run again. Please spread the word to your neighbors and send out links to the various recordings of this horrific behavior. We have to make sure that neither of the remaining Council majority gets another term.

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Habernickel Park: Only One Resident Showed from the Affected Neighborhood

Habernickel HealthBarn USA protest

photo by Boyd Loving

February 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Only one (1) resident from the affected area showed up at the meeting last night.  The plan seems to be moving forward with just some minor tweaking required in the contract language.  The main sticking issues from the neighborhood’s point of view are:  1) increased traffic, including large school buses during the school year between 10 AM and 3 PM, 2) signage on the building and, 3) possible field use conflicts (with softball, soccer, etc.).  Most could not believe that only one (1) person took the time to show up given the amount of new bus traffic in the neighborhood and the potential interference with local sports , possible loss of property values as well as the potential conflict with Green Acre funding.

see below

Good Afternoon 

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns.  While the change in zoning from residential to business is not under Green Acres’
jurisdiction, the use of Habernickel Park most certainly is.  The Village was forthcoming in educating Green Acres in the business
looking to lease the Habernickel Gate House.  The Village sent me a brochure and directed me to the HealthBarn USA’s website. However, while I did see the popularity and many accolades of this business it did not translate into the number of potential students
you have given me.

You are correct that busses bringing students to the Park on a regular basis would be disruptive to community as
would 60 to 75 students attending classes on a daily basis in addition to the park’s regular visitors.  However, I do want to point
out that the programing will go through the Village Recreation Department or Community School and that ultimately the Village
has control of the course offerings.  Additionally, private clients cannot be served in this location; Ms. Antine would need
to bring her classes / workshops to her private clients.  

You are also correct that the classes being proposed to be held are not all recreation / conservation oriented however Green Acres has stressed and the courses encouraged the use of the parkland in the programing.  N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.7(f) (attached) allows for the use of a building that existed on funded parkland at the time of receipt of

Green Acres funding as a recreation center provided the town complies with the change in use procedures at N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.6.  

Green Acres believes that the type of classes / workshops that will be offered at the Habernickel Gate House are of the sort that would be found at any community or recreation center.

I appreciate your concerns regarding traffic and the business getting bigger.  Green Acres does not want the size of the Business,
HealthBarn USA, to negatively impact the park due to the business they are conducting onsite.  Green Acres looks at HealthBarn USA as a concession, providing to the residents a service the Village could not do on their own.  It will
not be allowed to become the headquarters for HealthBarn USA.

I am copying Janet Fricke on this email as she is responsible for addressing the public’s concerns regarding this change in use.  I
encourage you to voice your concern at the Public Hearing scheduled for Wednesday evening so that you can get the answers to your questions regarding how many classes, how many students, traffic, etc. .

Thank you for taking the time to contact me.  If you have further questions please let me know.  The State Offices are closed tomorrow, Election Day.  However, I will do my best to respond back in a timely fashion.

Regards,

Nancy Lawrence
Compliance Officer
Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship
NJDEP Green Acres Program
Mail Code 501-01, P.O. Box 420
501 East State Street, 1st Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
609.341.2054 direct
609.984.0608 fax

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Ridgewood Emergency Services (RES) adds a new ambulance to its fleet

Ridgewood Emergency Services (RES) adds a new ambulance
February 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Chief Tony Lillo announced that the department purchased a new 2016 Ford F-450, four-wheel drive,Type I Horton ambulance from VCI Emergency Vehicles.   “In accordance with our fleet replacement plan, this new ambulance will replace a 2000 Ford E-450 Type III PL Custom ambulance, one that has been in service for 15 years, well beyond its expected replacement date,” Lillo said.

The new ambulance, Ambulance 12, is now in service with the RES Ambulance 11, a 2003 International Freightliner and Ambulance 10, a 2007 Ford E450.Horton Emergency Vehicles Group, based in Grove City, Ohio, designed the state of the art ambulance in conjunction with RES Officers. The vehicle was manufactured with improvements in design and safety for the Emergency Medical Technicians and the patient. Improvements include 3 point restraints, privacy glass, airbags for EMTS in the patient compartment as well reverse cameras and blind spot cameras as well.

The ambulance is licensed by the NJ Department of Health and is staffed by NJ EMT’s.

In 2015, RES responded to 1704 requests for assistance. This amounts to 19,236 hours donated by the volunteers to the Village of
Ridgewood on active duty — a cost savings of more than $1 million to the Village of Ridgewood. This does not include time spent on
training, meetings, meeting and event preparation.

As a volunteer organization, RES is always looking for those who would love to serve their community. If you are interested in becoming a part of our family, a tour of our facility is highly recommended calling (201) 670-5589 or by emailing us at
[email protected].

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Maybe we just suck as Parents : Doctor Links ADHD Diagnoses to Poor Parenting

helicopter-parents2

Startling comments which go against conventional parenting tips.
Annie Holmquist | February 2, 2016

You Are Here

Whoa… Doctor Links ADHD Diagnoses to Poor Parenting

Startling comments which go against conventional parenting tips.
Annie Holmquist | February 2, 2016

Dr. Leonard Sax has been making waves lately with his latest book, The Collapse of Parenting. The book’s basic premise is that American parents have failed to realize that they are their child’s authority, not their friend.

In an interview with NPR over the weekend, Dr. Sax again made some startling comments that go against conventional wisdom in today’s parenting, particularly in the realm of hyperactivity and anxiety disorders such as ADHD.

Although Dr. Sax believes that there are legitimate cases of ADHD, he also believes there are a number of false diagnoses. These diagnoses stem from:

Lack of respect for parents and over-reliance on friends.
Overindulgent parents who fail to establish appropriate limitations.

Dr. Sax explains further:

https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/whoa%E2%80%A6-doctor-links-adhd-diagnoses-poor-parenting

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New Jersey appeals court agrees to hear appeal of Dharun Ravi in Tyler Clementi Case

092910_tyler_clementi_400

Judges to hear arguments in Rutgers webcam spy case appeal

FEBRUARY 3, 2016, 7:50 AM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2016, 7:51 AM
ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey appeals court is set to hear arguments in the case of a former Rutgers University student convicted of spying on a roommate who later committed suicide.

Dharun Ravi in court in May.

Dharun Ravi was convicted in 2012 of bias intimidation, invasion of privacy and other crimes. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Ravi secretly broadcast images online of roommate Tyler Clementi in an intimate encounter with another man. Clementi later jumped off the George Washington Bridge.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/judges-to-hear-arguments-in-rutgers-webcam-spy-case-appeal-1.1504853

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Village of Ridgewood Council sticks it to taxpayers, again

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving

February 3,2016

by Boyd A. Loving

Ridgewood NJ, The Public Hearing for Ordinance #3519, “Leasing agreement with the Bergen County Improvement Authority,” was officially closed by a unanimous vote of the Ridgewood Village Council during a Special Public Meeting held on the evening of Wednesday, January 27, 2016.

At no time either prior to or during the Special Public Meeting was their any detailed financial information made available to Ridgewood’s taxpayers regarding the subject matter of Ordinance #3519, a “Leasing agreement with the Bergen County Improvement Authority.”  However, on Monday, February 1, 2016, a full five (5) calendar days subsequent to closure of the official Public Hearing on Ordinance #3519, a document entitled “Bergen County Improvement Authority Parking Financial Summary” was posted on the Village of Ridgewood’s official website.

I ask:  1) Why was the Public Hearing for Ordinance #3519, “Leasing agreement with the Bergen County Improvement Authority” even held if no detailed financial information about the “lease” was available for public review, and most importantly, 2) Why did all members of Ridgewood’s Village Council vote to CLOSE the Public Hearing on Ordinance #3519 prior to the availability of the document entitled “Bergen County Improvement Authority Parking Financial Summary?”

Mr. Aronsohn and Mr. Pucciarelli used the following adjectives to describe the behavior of a taxpayer who LEGALLY videotaped a recent Open Public Meeting.  I suggest that these same adjectives apply to the behavior of the Village Council with respect to closing Ordinance #3519’s Public Hearing prior to taxpayers having access to the document entitled “Bergen County Improvement Authority Parking Financial Summary.”

The adjectives are:

disgraceful
beyond the pale
not a way to conduct business
[should] not be tolerated
surreptitious
secretive
sneaky
awful
deceitful
hidden

Remember these adjectives and who they pertain to prior to casting your vote on May 10 in the Municipal Election.

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Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee hosts the Northeast New Jersey Beekeepers Association

honey-bee-3810

BACKYARD BEEKEEPING – HEALTHY LIFESTYLE SERIES

Saturday, February 13th; 10am to 12:30pm, The Stable, 259  North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood

Backtard Beekeepping – Presented by the Northeast New Jersey Beekeepers Association, this introductory program is for those interested in keeping honey been and wanting to learn the very basics of this hand-on hobby.   INcluded with be discussion on equipment and supplies, the care and handling of bees, clothing, colony health, costs involved and where to go for resources, support and learn more…

Sponsored by Ridgewood Environmental  Advisory Committee – REAC

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Village of Ridgewood Releases Hudson Street Parking Garage Financial Summary Comparison and Drawings

parking garage cbd

BCIA RIDGEWOOD PARKING FINANCIAL SUMMARY

This document produced by BCIA Professionals contrasts BCIA County Guaranteed Financing with Village of Ridgewood Stand Alone Financing for debt associated with the Parking Deck Project.  Please note that the estimated differential between the two scenarios has changed since last week, due to changes in BCIA issuance costs amended by the BCIA on Friday, January 29, 2016.  Now, there is an estimated differential of $22,248 which averages less than $900 per year. Click Here for the document.

DESMAN HUDSON STREET DECK DRAWINGS – 1/29/2016

These drawings represent the site plan, floor plan & building sections for the revised design of the Deck at Hudson Street.  This Deck design was first considered in October 2015.  There will be 325 parking spots.  The height to the roof is approx. 43′ and 46′ 8″ to the parapet. Click Here for Drawings

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Arturo Fuente Casa Cuba Tasting Event at Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood

Arturo Fuente Casa Cuba Tasting Event at Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood

Dont miss our next event in the Davidoff Lounge!

The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood & Davidoff Lounge

10 Chestnut Street • Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 • 201-447-2204
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM • Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM

2,500 sq. ft. • Personal Humidified Lockers • Private Conference Room • HD TV’s • WIFI • Extended Hours
Personal & Corporate Memberships Available • Day Passes Available

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Deputy Mayor Moves to Stop Video Taping of Public Meetings in Ridgewood

Deputy_Mayor_Albert_Pucciarelli_theridgewoodblog
file photo by Boyd loving
February 1,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ ,Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarell at a recent council meeting said   “Im going to introduce an Ordinance” In regards to video taping of council meeting. Seemed after his recent out bursts he was not happy with being taped by outside sources .

You might want to run that one by the NJ Supreme Court .

At Village Council Meetings There are no expectations of privacy in a person in a public place.The meeting is already being videotaped, why is personal video a problem?

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey praised a New Jersey Supreme Court decision released today that protects an individual’s right to videotape public meetings.

“Videotaping is an invaluable method of documenting government activities or misconduct,” said ACLU of New Jersey Legal Director Ed Barocas. “We are pleased that the Supreme Court recognized that American freedom and democracy depend on the people having a right to access government information.”

So whats the problem ?

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BCIA Hudson street Garage Option , great for out of Town Commuters , not so great for Ridgewood

Hudson Street Parking Garage
February 1,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The reason why the project has been studied and studied but never actually built is because at the end of the day, although we need more parking, it does not make sense from a practical, logistical or financial sense to build one in the downtown proper

Going to the BCIA , once the money is approved, it tends to appear almost instantaneously, accruing interest long before the project can even get started. That is a significant reason to reconsider this plan or ploy and an excellent reason, if it does happen, not to ask for a cent more than is needed. But losing control over the way commuter spaces are priced is a huge problem and there are undoubtedly more.

There will be approximately 320 car garage. 4 levels. The mayor said in the last meeting that 2 levels may be dedicated to commuters. That’s about 160 cars for commuters. We currently already have one level, which is mostly used by Ridgewood commuters. Lets say the second level is used by Bergen County commuters at no extra money compared to Ridgewood commuters. So, 2 levels are either used by out of Ridgewood commuters or commuters who are already using this lot today without the garage.

With remaining 2 levels, we will get 160 new spot, presumably for non commuters. Cost – 12.3 million in new bond, 500K bond has been already spent + 450k already spent on environmental studies in 2014 & 2015 on this lot. = 13.25M.

That’s 82,800 for every new parking spot created for CBD. This assumes that the project will not go over the budget. With the way this council and village manager are spending the money, this is highly unlikely to stay in the budget.

How does putting a garage at one end of the CBD really help the rest of the downtown area ? This proposal, like Valley, is over the top and in no way needed. This country goes into a slowdown/recession and you can kiss going out to the real beneficiaries of this (the restaurants) good bye.

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Ridgewood Residents are starting to think the Village has ” lost its Luster “

Clock CBD
January 31st 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Sorry but the consensus is just that. The Village of Ridgewood is losing its allure. It’s a shame, so many people talking about moving because the town falling apart, crappy horrible water issues, not listening to its high tax paying residents, teacher issues, high density issues, parking issues.
The negatives of high taxes used to always be balanced out by great schools and a community that offered a lot of opportunities.

But with and increasing hostile council majority dead set in many residents opinions of destroying the very nature of the Village , with massive over development  residents are left to wonder what happened to their town. The village has simply turned into everything many residents were trying to get away from .

It’s a constant theme heard all around the Village , at cocktail parties, student activities and other social gatherings ; the Village has lost its luster. From harsh notices on an outstanding summons for “failure to comply with leaf removal requirements.”

 Residents expresse frustration with a political process that ignores voters wishes as well as common sense .

Residents also feel harnessed and  ask themselves ,”What the hell is going on with all these tickets lately? 600 or so so we have been told . No comfort when the notice threatens to arrest you and revoke oury license if you dont respond with guilty and pay the $85, or not guilty and go to court.

New residents say , “our experience so far has us feeling an awful lot like generating revenue is more important than making sure we’re safe.”

To many the excessive use of ticketing sounds like a scam or typical New Jersey .Many residents complain that despite following the rules they were ticked anyway with no reasonable recourse . Contrary to the Deputy Mayor other people have jobs as well.

“Sorry to hear all those troubles, welcome to Ridgewood” is the now the new greeting in town.