Category: village of ridgewood

Posted on by — 19 Comments

Plans for Ridgewood parking garage presented as vote nears

parking garage cbd

OCTOBER 27, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015, 1:33 PM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

As the November vote on the non-binding referendum question regarding the construction of a parking garage on the Hudson Street lot approaches, the village held its first of two parking forums last Wednesday night.

After a presentation by representatives from Desman Design Management and S&L Architecture regarding the latest garage renderings and another by Chief Financial Officer Bob Rooney and Financial Advisory Committee chair Nancy Johansen, the public was free to speak with the officials one-on-one in a more informal setting.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn began the meeting by giving background on how the village got to this point.

Aronsohn said the Hudson Street lot was chosen because the village already owns the land, and it is near the train station as well as many of the downtown restaurants. Environmental and site surveys were completed before design and architectural firms were hired to bring the proposal for the garage to the table.

A non-binding referendum question will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot asking residents if they support building a deck and bonding up to $15 million in public funds. The garage is expected to be paid for entirely through parking revenues.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/plans-for-parking-garage-presented-as-vote-nears-1.1442234

Posted on by — Leave a comment

2015 RIDGEWOOD ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS WEEK FROM NOVEMBER 15TH THROUGH NOVEMBER 19TH

life insurance seniors
October 27,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood’s Alzheimer Awareness Week ,Sponsored by Parks Wealth Management and Unicity Elder CarernContributions from Mayor Paul Aronsohn and the Ridgewood Chamber of Commercern Presentation: Care Alternatives & Solutions for a Loved One with Alzheimer’srnPresented by Devorah Sinensky, Director of Social Work & Care Manager specializing in Dementia Care at UnicityrnEldercare.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn will kick off the week’s events.rnNovember 15th – 4:00PM – 6:00PM at the Council Chambers in Ridgewood Village Hallrn Presentation: Legal & Financial Considerations Associated with Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’srnPresented by Jim Parks, CFP®, AEP®, AIF® President and Wealth Advisor at Parks Wealth Management (*) and BrianrnKeane, Esq. at Hartman & Winnicki, P.C.rn

November 16th – 6:00PM – 8:00PM at the Council Chambers in Ridgewood Village Hallrn*Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPCrn Alive Inside: A Story of Music and MemoryrnA cinematic exploration to demonstrate music\’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to thosernsuffering from Alzheimer’s.rn

November 18th – 1:00PM – 2:30PM at Ridgewood Warner Theatrern Presentation: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, The Pitfalls to AvoidrnPresented by Jason Grant, Careone Executive Directorrn

November 19th – 6:00PM – 8:00PM at the Youth Lounge in Ridgewood Village HallrnCaregivers from Unicity Eldercare will be present at each presentation in Village Hall to help care for loved ones withrnAlzheimer’s in the Senior Lounge. This will enable family members to attend the events.rn“Knowledge is power and our goal is to spread knowledge throughout our community for those effected by Alzheimer’s.”rn– Jimmy Cerveaux, Co-CEO & Partner of Unicity Elder Carern“The statistics are startling – for people over age 80, 1 in 2 are impacted by Alzheimer’s. We are excited to providernpractical and helpful information for these families at each event.” – Jim Parks, CFP®, AIF®, AEP® President and WealthrnAdvisor at Parks Wealth ManagementrnIf you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jonathon Allen at (201) 689-2020 or email [email protected].

Posted on by — 11 Comments

Ridgewood grassroots group withdraws lawsuit against Planning Board

clock_cbd_theridgewoodblog

OCTOBER 26, 2015    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015, 10:25 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

A lawsuit filed by a grassroots citizen organization in response to master plan amendments passed by the village’s Planning Board has been withdrawn.

At the Oct. 14 Village Council meeting, a letter was read by a member of the public on behalf of Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) stating the lawsuit would be voluntarily pulled.

Planning Board Attorney Gail Price confirmed last Monday she had received an Order of Dismissal with Prejudice that had been filed by CBR counsel.

The complaint stemmed from a June 2 decision by the Planning Board to approve the creation of new residential and mixed-use zones in Ridgewood’s Central Business District (CBD) with a housing density of up to 35 units per acre. The lawsuit was filed in August, but as of mid-September, neither the Village of Ridgewood nor the Planning Board, both of which were named defendants in the litigation, had been officially served.

Matt Gertler, a Glenwood Road resident, came to the podium during the first round of public comment on Oct. 14 to outline the reasons the organization has decided to withdraw the lawsuit.

Gertler said CBR is “cautiously optimistic” that the Village Council has heard their voices and is now acting in the best interest of the town. Gertler noted the “unprecedented” number of citizens who filled the fourth floor court room as well as the first-floor overflow rooms in Village Hall and the sheer number of residents who spoke out against the changes.

“To the surprise and delight of the masses, rather than vote to approve the ordinances, the council resolved to commission an independent comprehensive study to understand the impact of the proposed developments on traffic, financials, infrastructure, schools and more,” Gertler said. “We commend the council on this course of action.”

Gertler said the lawsuit had been withdrawn with the expectation that residents will have a “voice at the table” after the various financial and personal sacrifices that have been made by residents.

Gertler said CBR had incurred more than $100,000 in costs related to the public hearings, along with evenings spent at lengthy meetings instead of with family.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/citizens-for-a-better-ridgewood-withdraws-lawsuit-1.1441466

Posted on by — 7 Comments

Village of Ridgewood 2015 Leaf Pick Up Schedule , “Leave” no leaf behind!

leaves2_theridgewoodblog

2015 LEAF PICK UP SCHEDULE – ENFORCEMENT OF SCHEDULE

NOTICE CONCERNING LEAF REMOVAL FOR 2015

Last year the Village of Ridgewood implemented a pilot program to outsource a portion of our leaf removal service. After reviewing and evaluating input that was provided by you regarding the success of this change, we again will be using the services of a third party contractor in Area B. The combined effort of the Village staff and this contractor will enforce our continuing commitment to improve your Village services.

In accordance with last years’ schedule, residents in Area B will remain the same with the exception of the following streets which will now be considered “Area D” for leaf season only.

Beechwood Rd. Unadilla Rd.

Carlton Terr. Valley View Ave.

Elm Ct. Waiku Rd.

Kemah Rd. Wastena Terr.

N. Monroe St. (house #108 – 412) Windsor Terr.

Palmer Ct. Woodland Ave. (house #116 – #223)

Sheridan Terr.

2015 DATES for collection are as follows:

Area A Area B Area C Area D

Oct. 19 – 22 Oct. 21 – 27 Oct. 23 – 28 Oct. 29 – Nov. 4

Nov. 5 – 10 Nov. 9 – 13 Nov. 12 – 18 Nov. 19 – 25

Nov. 30 – Dec. 3 Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 Dec. 7 – 11 Dec. 14 – 18

Dec. 14 – 18

Leaves must be placed directly in the street no more than 7 days prior to your scheduled pick up date. Please have your leaves in the street on the first day scheduled for collection. If you employ the services of a landscaper communicate these dates to them. No brush will be collected during leaf season. You may continue to bring leaves as well as brush to the Recycling Center. The hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Leaves can also be placed in paper biodegradable bags. Bags will be available at the Recycling Center on a first come, first serve basis. When using bags please place them on the curb area and they will be collected separately.

The most vocal comment heard from residents last year was on properties who did not comply with the schedule. Therefore enforcement will be vital to the Village’s success to improve this service. An enforcement agent NOW ISSUING SUMMONS to those that violate these guidelines.

As weather is a key component to this operation, if changes become necessary it will be posted on the Village of Ridgewood website. In addition you are encouraged to sign up for e-mail notifications via the Village website and to share this information with your neighbors. As a reminder, use caution when our leaf removal crews are on your block. When possible please take an alternate route to ensure the safety of all. Should you have any questions, please call the Street Division at (201) 670-5585.

Our motto is – “Leave” no leaf behind!

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Posted on by — 16 Comments

Parked Ridgewood Police Cruiser Struck on South Broad

Parked Ridgewood Police Cruiser Struck on South Broad
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
Parked Ridgewood Police Cruiser Struck on South Broad
October 26,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, An adult female driver of a Ford Escape lost control of her vehicle after making a right turn and crashed head on into an unoccupied marked Ridgewood police cruiser shortly after 7:30 PM on Sunday, 10/25.
There were no injuries in the crash, which occurred in front of 26 South Broad Street, Ridgewood, but both vehicles sustained heavy front end damage and had to be removed from the scene by separate flatbed tow trucks. Ridgewood FD personnel were called to contain a crash related fluid leak.
Witnesses to the crash reported that the Escape was traveling at a high rate of speed and had just passed another vehicle moments before the crash occurred, but no summonses were issued at the scene. The driver and her passenger were observed sitting at an outdoor cafe as the crash was being investigated. The police car was parked at the location because officers were investigating the sudden death of a resident in a nearby apartment building.

Posted on by — 9 Comments

Ridgewood East Side residents ask for equality

DSCF6481

fle photo by Boyd Loving

East Side residents ask for equality

OCTOBER 22, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Print

No ‘equality’ for residents living on village’s East Side

To the Editor:

At an Oct. 7 Ridgewood Council meeting, former resident Mr. Giordano made what I thought was the most important point. He stated that the sports groups met often with neighbors to assure them about a project on Maple East. They also met with neighbors about other projects. We know that the village met with neighbors of Habernickel.

What is the difference between these and the East Side residents regarding the future development of the Schedler property? Since 2008, I believe there have not been sufficient sit-down meetings between East Side neighbors and the village.

The East Side was presented with a 1997 schematic in 2008. From that date forward, all the residents saw were renderings by the village/Parks and Recreation/Fields/sports groups. Nobody met the east side residents and asked for input and suggestions specifically about the schematics.

To say that the three open public forums in 2012 were sufficient is incorrect. I have minutes from those meetings — the neighbors did complain about proposed traffic, loss of trees, size of fields. That is the last time they had anything to do with the three plans since then. But were they shown a plan that is shown today?

One day they saw a concession stand when a recent schematic was presented (presented, to the public, without any consideration or input by the neighbors), one day they saw a turnaround, one day they saw 24 extra parking spaces, on and on. At the Oct. 7 meeting, they saw that the turnaround was gone, a left turn lane put in its place.

Is this any way to treat a neighborhood, when other projects spent time with neighbors?

To equate Schedler with Habernickel, as is done with pride by the village, is not a fair equation.

To equate Schedler with other fields abutting highways is also not a fair comparison, as the neighborhoods are different.

And to talk about very small amounts of traffic misses an important point: What is going to happen to the “light” traffic when 70 or more cars are coming to a game and will arrive at the same time?

The Engineering Department draws plans satisfying sports’ groups needs, but they do not draw plans satisfying the residents of the East Side. Where is the equality?

Eleanor Gruber

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/ridgewood-news-letter-east-side-residents-ask-for-equality-1.1438055

Posted on by — Leave a comment

STUDY: MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF PATIENTS ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS NOT DEPRESSED

prescription-drugs

by DR. SUSAN BERRY23 Oct 2015

A new study shows that more than two-thirds — some 69 percent – of patients using anti-depressants do not actually meet the criteria for depressive disorder.The study, which appears in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, finds that many individuals who are prescribed and take antidepressant medications may not actually have a depressive disorder, and that such drugs are often used by patients who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of depression.

According to the research, among the users of antidepressant medications, 69 percent never met the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), and 38 percent also never met those for obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder – for which the antidepressant medications are sometimes prescribed.

Other factors, however, unrelated to depression, were found to be associated with the use of antidepressants.

“Caucasian ethnicity, recent or current physical problems (eg, loss of bladder control, hypertension, and back pain), and recent mental health facility visits were associated with antidepressant use in addition to mental disorders,” say the researchers

https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/23/study-two-thirds-patients-anti-depressants-not-depressed/

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Arts Council Looking for Restaurant Recipes

ilwine

 

October 23,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Restaurants! We want your restaurant’s favorite recipe for the culinary arts section of Ridgewood Art Council’s exciting new installation:
“Ridgewood Art at Village Hall”

More than 70 wonderful paintings, photographs and pieces of sculpture have already been generously donated by Ridgewood artists in support of this effort. The Ridgewood Arts Council (RAC) additionally wants to insure that the Culinary Arts, which are so important to our community, are represented in the Ridgewood Art at Village Hall collection as well.

So…we are asking all Ridgewood eateries to provide a framed recipe of one of your signature dishes. We ask that the recipe (and photo of dish if you wish) fit on a single 8×10 page, and be submitted in a frame ready to hang. The choice of paper, font and type of frame is at your discretion. Be sure to include restaurant name, name of chef or proprietor, and name of dish as well.

Please acknowledge your participation by emailing [email protected] and we will advise of drop information by return email. Or call 917-734-0756 with any questions. We will accept framed recipes until December 15, 2015.

To honor this wonderful celebration of the arts in Ridgewood, our entire community will be invited to a ribbon-cutting gala for the Ridgewood Arts Council, featuring the Ridgewood Art at Village Hall installation, in January 2016. We will hope to see you there!

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Hudson Street Parking Lot Test Borings to Limit Access

Hudson_street_parking_theridgewoodblog

NOTICE: HUDSON ST. PARKING LOT – LIMITED PARKING October 26, 27,28 due to test borings

Test borings will be conducted in the Hudson Street Parking Lot on Monday, October 26; Tuesday, October 27 and Wednesday, October 28 Approximately 15 parking spaces will be blocked due to this work. To see the location and the time schedule

Click Here

Questions, please call: 201/670-5500 x238

Posted on by — 1 Comment

November 17th Planning Board Meeting Pushed Forward to November 9th

clock_cbd_theridgewoodblog

Planning Board Meeting – Cancelled November 17 – Scheduled November 9

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Cancelled: November 17, 2015, Public Meeting

Scheduled: Work Session & Special Public Meeting: Monday, November 9, 2015

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Ridgewood Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for Monday, November 9, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Annie Zusy Room on the ground floor at the Village Hall, at 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Formal action may or may not be taken. The meeting scheduled for November 17, 2015 has been cancelled.

The agenda for the meeting includes the following, subject to change:

1. An executive session to discuss pending litigation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and concluding at approximately 7:30 p.m.

2. Continued discussion of the reexamination of the Master Plan and development regulations, pertaining to the topics of circulation and community facilities.

3. Discussion of the preparation of the housing element of the master plan.

4. Adoption of minutes.

With the exception of Executive Sessions, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Michael Cafarelli

Secretary to the Board

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Ridgewood man sentenced to four months in child pornography case

11-17-14_Scott_Selders

OCTOBER 23, 2015, 7:05 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015, 7:49 PM
BY ALLISON PRIES
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

HACKENSACK – A Ridgewood man was sentenced on Friday to four months in jail and three years’ probation for possessing dozens of images of child pornography.

Scott Selders, 50, who appeared in Superior Court in Hackensack dressed in a black suit, was asked to remove his belt and tie before being handcuffed and led out of Judge James J. Guida’s courtroom to begin serving his sentence in the Bergen County Jail.

“I’m filled with deep shame and remorse for my dark behavior,” Selders told Guida. He also said that he was sexually abused at the age of 6.

elders has attended weekly therapy sessions and support group meetings for sex addicts, his attorney, Laura Sutnick said. She added that he has a sponsor and has participated in daily conference calls with members of the support group.

“He has done everything he can to better himself since his arrest,” Sutnick said.

Selders was caught when the files he had downloaded were uploaded to a cloud-based virtual file storage system, Assistant Prosecutor Brian Sinclair said.

Sinclair said that despite the steps Selders has taken since his arrest, “I have to speak for the kids in these pictures.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-man-sentenced-to-four-months-in-child-pornography-case-1.1440191

Posted on by — 22 Comments

Reader think Plastering Ridgewood’s Central Business District with Pro Garage Signs is bad form

pro garage signs

20151022 1154583

Reader says This looks like something out of a town In a Horror MOVIE.happy Holloween Ridgewood ..your Hollywood Set is Permanently BAD..

I studied one of the signs this evening. Nowhere does it indicate who paid for it or who is sponsoring this. So can I put anonymous signs all over the place promoting whatever plan I have for the betterment (or detriment) of Ridgewood? Well Paulie Boy, can I????????

20151022 115406 resized

The Paul & Christine show are littering the area with signs. It’s no secret that Paul’s business would be helped with more parking but the $13 mil price tag is a little steep. If this is any indication how he’ll vote when it comes to raising taxes, we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Home come all of the schools and public parks and spaces are covered with YES signs? Are they formally sanctioned by the Village of Ridgewood?

20151022 115546 resized

So what is the deal here? Can I put signs all over the place for my own agenda? Supposing I want to open a chapter of the KKK here in Ridgewood like they are doing elsewhere in Bergen County – can I put these signs up and down Ridgewood Avenue, on the school grounds, in the parks? No, I can’t? Well why not? Aronsohn and his idiot brigade have opened a HUGE can of worms with this. Anyone now will be able to post signs just because this precedent has been set.

This is going to be a HUGE disaster, mark my word

Posted on by — 3 Comments

Demarest Resident Falls Victim of Credit Card Fraud in Ridgewood

Credit card fraud
October 21,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Monday, October 19, 2015, a Demarest resident reported his/her credit cards taken from his/her wallet while in Ridgewood.

The victim realized that the cards were missing after being contacted by the issuer regarding suspicious activity at several local high end retail stores.
Detectives were able to obtain surveillance photographs of a male and female suspect presenting the victim’s stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases. The matter is under investigation by the detective bureau.
Posted on by — 3 Comments

Fair Lawn Resident arrested twice at Valley Hospital maternity ward on drug charges

Valley_Hospital_theridgewoodblog
October 22,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Friday, October 16, 2015, Jessica Gerianne, 23, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey was arrested at the Valley Hospital possession of a syringe containing a suspected controlled dangerous substance (heroin) while a patient in the maternity ward at Valley Hospital. Ms. Gerianne was issued a summons pending a municipal court appearance.

On Sunday, October 18, 2015, police were again dispatched a second time to the Valley Hospital maternity ward where Jessica Gerianne, 23, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey was arrested when she was found to be in possession of a suspected controlled dangerous substance (heroin) and narcotics paraphernalia (syringe). Ms. Gerianne was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a syringe, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and possession of prescription legend drugs. She was released pending a municipal court appearance.All defendants are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

Posted on by — 4 Comments

IRS payment Scam Hits Ridgewood and Glen Rock once again

phone-scam
October 22,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood Police report that on Friday, October 16, 2015, a Fairway Road resident reported receiving a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as a representative of the United States Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit. The caller stated that victim had “willfully defrauded” the IRS and that the victim would be arrested, have his/her assets frozen and driving privileges/passport revoked if the victim did not wire funds ($4986.45) to an account number provided that was alleged to be an IRS tax payment account.

Numerous incidents of this type of scheme are reported to this agency on a weekly basis. Neither governmental agencies nor public utilities handle criminal investigations/delinquent accounts in this manner. Do not fall victim to this type of scam and please spread the word regarding this fraudulent activity, particularly to your elderly relatives and neighbors who often fall victim to these crimes. The matter is under investigation by the detective bureau.

This type of scam was also reported by the Glen Rock Police department on Wednesday October 21st.DO NOT provide funds or info to anyone over the phone. Reports of IRS calling residents to collect back due taxes, is a scam.