PSE&G offers tips to stay cool and safe as heat and humidity rise
PSE&G offers simple ways you can stay cool and safe as temperatures and humidity rise during the season’s third official heat wave.
We are also monitoring weather conditions and have additional personnel on hand to handle any power interruptions. Our call centers also have extra personnel on duty to speak with customers and our appliance service technicians stand ready to quickly respond to an influx of air conditioning repair calls.
Here are some easy steps you can take to stay cool, safe and save energy:
• Use a programmable thermostat to set air conditioners to daily and weekend schedules. Consider setting air conditioners to 78 degrees.
• Close blinds and shades facing the sun to keep the sun’s heat out and helpfans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.
• Use ceiling fans set in the counter-clockwise position to feel cooler when in a room.
• Close doors leading to uncooled areas. With central air, close off vents to unused rooms.
• Turn off everything you’re not using: lights, computers, etc. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
• If you should lose power, NEVER use a portable generator inside your home or in close proximity to a home, business or enclosed space. Proper ventilation is required. Improperly used generators can produce deadly carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, tasteless gas that can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and other symptoms.
PJM, the regional grid operator, expects to have sufficient power supplies available to meet the increased demand for electricity. PSE&G expects today’s electric demand to reach 8,905 megawatts, with demand increasing tomorrow as temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-90s.
If you experience a power outage, please call PSE&G’s Business Solutions Center at 1-855-249-7734 (1-855-BIZ-PSEG). If you are registered for My Account, you can also report power outages online. To do so, log in now or register. To report power outages via text message, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts.
During this extreme weather, you can also follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/psegdelivers.
How hard can this investigation be. The gate is locked during none operating hour. There is no way for large trucks to get in because of the berms and trees. Here is a start.
1 Inspect the concrete for any indication of where it came from such cut off street sign post, concrete stamps, paint
2 Interview all people that have the keys to the gate
3 interview all contractors doing concrete work in the Village
4 interview resident on Lakeview Drive to see if they saw anything ( name on trucks)
5 Apply Definition of OCCAM’S RAZOR
: a scientific and philosophic rule that entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily which is interpreted as requiring that the simplest of competing theories be preferred to the more complex or that explanations of unknown phenomena be sought first in terms of known quantities
The terrible three campaigned heavily for Mr. (RBSA) Albano and he was defeated heavily, squished under the shoes of the sane voters of Ridgewood. Councilwoman Hauck was seen and heard in the hallway outside the Annie Zusy room talking into her cell phone while the vote counts were being revealed, and she was referring to the Ridgewood voters as idiots. They wanted Albano something fierce. Remember, we all just get one vote, so you are wrong, they will not get reelected. No way.
And it isn’t over yet. in the council’s attempt to put the kabash on the Friends of Sciedler’s resolution ,they voted in a resolution that allows for interested parties to come forth with a use for the house and funding options. They accomplished that. While people are disillusioned, the wheels are still turning. Perhaps an ordinance, ” Preserve the Status Quo” which would prevent any destruction of the house and trees before a formalized plan for the property is adopted could be passed or at least argued for. We may have a new council in May which is better in tune with the people. Regarding our former mayor, we would be lucky go have him back and/or Bernie. I can only hope.
Freehold John Mitchell with residents several years ago
Local’ residents deserve a say on Schedler property
To the Editor:
“Go West, young man,” a phrase made famous by Horace Greeley, could have certainly been directed at families moving to the Village of Ridgewood. This young man decided to go east in this beautiful community and raise a family. He has stayed for over 30 years, and now after all this time is wondering whether west would have been the smarter and wiser choice for his family’s future.
My wife, Michele, and I have spent most of our adult lives bringing up two children, supporting the excellent school system, participating in community events, and the excellent sports programs. Living on the east side of Ridgewood came with some issues that we have accepted and lived with over these 30-plus years: No local grammar school for our children to attend, no local park for our children to play in, and being treated at times by this town as the forgotten community but always being told by the Village Council that this was not true but a figment of our imagination.
Finally, we are given the chance to have something that could prove very positive for this east side community, the purchase of the Schedler property. My wife and I were very active early in getting the local community and Village of Ridgewood interested in securing this property. We expected and were led to believe by the Village Council that we, the local residents, would have a major and important say on how this property was developed, similar to the way the Habernickel property on the west side was developed.
Now, we were told at the Aug. 5 meeting of the Mayor and Council that they are submitting a recommendation to approve the Open Space Committee October 2012 recommendations, which includes the most controversial issue, a 90-foot baseball field on the Schedler site. The same 90-foot baseball field other Ridgewood communities did not want. It was considered for Pleasant Park but that idea appears to have been killed, and it was not built on the larger, 10-acre Habernickel property on the west side of Ridgewood because the local community preferred a smaller Little League field.
Because of this lack of concern by members of the Village Council toward the east side, this is where they have decided to definitely build this 90-foot field. It appears the plan all along was to destroy the historic Schedler house to make room for this field.
This comes, even after our east side community secured $45,000 (50 percent) of the funds necessary to save this historic house. We have always been willing to compromise except for the issue of destroying the Schedler house and building a 90-foot field. Everything else was on the table, and we were led to believe by the current administration that our proposals were being seriously considered and open to further debate and discussion.
We were misled and will soon know if the east side Ridgewood community will again be treated as second class citizens and not heard from again.
At the Aug. 5 Ridgewood Council meeting, the mayor took it upon himself to request a resolution to adopt the old Open Space Committee’s recommendation in 2010 to place a Major League Baseball standard diamond on the Schedler property. That would result in the demolition of the historic Zabriski House and the removal of 4 acres of trees, which buffer a residential neighborhood backing onto Route 17.
The mayor disregarded the 2012 amended version that gave interested parties six to 12 months to find a suitable use for the house. The group, Friends of Schedler, met its deadline as the Bergen County Historical Society expressed a desire to lease the house for a library. The Schedler group also was able to secure a $45,000 donation along with matching grants to cover the costs of stabilizing the house.
They sought a resolution that would allow them to gain a certificate of eligibility from the county and to establish a non-profit organization. The town only would have to provide the $45,000 grant to finish the work.
But rather than vote on this resolution, the mayor threw every obstacle he could think of at the presenter to prevent a vote from occurring. His own proposal for a second resolution was based on an outdated recommendation. We did not expect our mayor to throw the efforts of the people who acted in good faith under the bus. His last-minute resolution should be pulled.
Well, we can be doggone sure that the three of them lost EVERY vote from the east side of 17, and many votes from the west side of 17. We lost this battle, but we won a war, because this for sure put the last nails in their coffins. They will never get reelected. And don’t tell me the sports people will be out in force. Albano was TROUNCED in the last election, Mr. sports had a terrible turnout .
Any Ridgewood voter living east of Paramus Road would be absolutely insane to cast a vote for either ARONSOHN, HAUCK, OR PUCCIARELLI in the future. This will go down as the biggest screw job in Ridgewood’s history.
That’s gonna have to be a biiiig fence along Rt 17. It’ll look like a driving range when it’s done.And yet again, we plunder green space money for sports fields.
2012 municipal election results District 14 “THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN”
This was a done deal before the property was even bought. What people need to understand is the way some residents get themselves on committees and boards precisely to do the opposite of what the board purportedly is for.
Despite what the Deputy Mayor said last night, I predict the following:
1) The house will soon be bulldozed to the ground.
2) There will be artificial turf.
3) There will be lights.
4) The property will be clear cut of all trees.
You voted them in ladies & gents of the Salem Ridge area. Now you must pay the price.
The Lawns residents should pay attention to what happened last night because Lower Hawes field was mention. That will be the next target for Fast Eddie and the RBA.
AUGUST 13, 2015, 12:25 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015, 12:27 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — An investigation has been opened into the illegal dumping of two truckloads of construction debris behind the village’s composting site along Lakeview Drive.
Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said this week that Ridgewood police are attempting to track down the source of the unlawfully discarded asphalt and concrete.
Assorted construction materials were also deposited behind the village’s composting facility, Sonenfeld said.
Pedestrian was struck and seriously injured on Thursday morning in Ridgewood
August 13,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, An adult female pedestrian was struck and seriously injured on Thursday morning, 08/13, while she was walking through a municipal parking lot in Ridgewood. The incident occurred at approximately 11:20 AM in the Cottage Place parking lot off of East Ridgewood Avenue.
Ridgewood police, fire and EMS personnel responded to assist the victim, who was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital. The driver of the vehicle that struck the victim was backing out of a parking space at the time of impact. No summonses were issued by police at the scene.
An absurd Coby Persin YouTube video wants parents to panic over nothing.
Lenore Skenazy|Aug. 12, 2015 1:55 pm
Here’s the latest “Parents, Please Commence Freak Out” video. It reminds me of the Joey Salads video, obviously, but also of the parents who had their 6-year-old snatched, blindfolded, and taken to a basement where the “kidnapper” threatened to nail him to the wall—all of that, just to teach him not to talk to strangers. That boy’s mom and grandma wanted to keep their child safe, but I would not be surprised if any natural “gut instincts” of his have been shattered for life. (Not to mention his trust in his loved ones.)
The same goes for these young ladies exploited by admitted prankster Coby Persin. The video shows Persin, who looks to be about 30, pretending to be a teen as he chats with underage girls online. The girls eventually agree to meet him in person; Persin secretly brings along their parents, who jump out from around the corner and terrify the poor girls as Persin berates them for agreeing to the meeting in the first place.
“I could be anyone…you shouldn’t talk to strangers,” insists Persin to the girls.
AUGUST 12, 2015, 11:27 AM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015, 11:27 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — With several veteran police officers about to retire, village officials say they plan to recruit additional officers for the police department in the fall.
According to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, six officers will be retiring from Ridgewood’s police department before the year ends
“Two have already retired and the others will retire between October and December,” Sonenfeld explained.
Ridgewood has 40 officers, and three new officers are being trained, Sonenfeld said.
“We will be actively recruiting trained officers in the fall with targeted start dates right at the beginning of next year,” Sonenfeld said. “We are also assuming some extra overtime will be needed as well as some shifting of functions from police officers to civilians, particularly at the police desk.”
Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, village officials said that the police chief, John Ward, is not retiring in 2015.
Ridgewood Chamber Board of Directors Meeting August 12, 2015 @ 8:00am – Chamber Office for more details call 201-445-2600 [email protected]
PARKING GARAGE –
We are so excited -88 years the Chamber has been working on getting a parking garage for the Village of Ridgewood.
We are hopeful that this will happen soon!
Thursday, August 20 at 8:30am-Chamber office
The Ridgewood Chamber now invites you to a
“call to action” meeting to put the facts on paper why this garage will not:
cost the residents more taxes,
why it will save their “downtown town”.
All businesses have a vested interest in
this parking garage.
Ridgewood NEEDS to bring the infrastructure of its business district up-to-date –
NOW IS THE TIME.
Ridgewood Parking Garage Facts
Yes No
Parking Garage Needed X
Developer Interest X
Land Study X
Zero Cost to tax payer X
Vote X
First “call to action” meeting…
Please call 201-445-2600,
if you are attending.
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
AUGUST 12, 2015
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
A. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2015 Statewide Crackdown
B. Declare September Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
C. Declare September National Preparedness Month
8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 5 minutes per person – 30 minutes in total)
9. Motion to Suspend Regular Public Meeting and Convene Special Work Session
10. Special Work Session – See Attached Agenda
11. Motion to Adjourn Special Work Session and Reconvene Regular Public Meeting
12. Manager’s Report
13. Village Council Reports
14. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3494 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – 15 Minute Parking Meter – Establishes a third
15-minute parking meter on the east side of North Walnut Street, closest to East Ridgewood Avenue
3495 – Capital Ordinance – Construction of Handicapped Ramp at Graydon Pool Parking Lot ($35,000)– Appropriates this money for the construction of a handicapped ramp at the Graydon Pool parking lot. The amount appropriated will be paid back through a Community Development Block Grant.
3496 – Amend Chapter 249 – Streets and Sidewalks – Barricades –Establishes the use of Village barricades in residential areas as well as in the Central Business District for various events
3497 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Establish Deposit Fees for Use of Barricades – Establishes a deposit fee of $125 for the use of barricades in residential areas and $500 as a one-time fee for the use of Village barricades by groups, churches, and non-profits. This deposit will be returned as long as the barricades are returned and are not damaged. If the barricades are not returned or are damaged, the deposit will pay for the replacement or repair of the barricades.
3498 – Establish Policy for Maintenance of Tree Wells – Establishes a policy whereby the owner of a property is responsible for the maintenance of the interior of the tree wells located in/on the sidewalk by weeding, removing debris and maintaining the overall clean appearance of the tree wells
3499 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – U-Turn Prohibition and Parking Restrictions at Willard School –Establishes no U-Turns on portions of Morningside Road and California Street; no parking on portions of Morningside Road and no stopping or standing areas on portions of Morningside Road in the area of Willard School
15. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3485 – Prohibit U-Turns in Various Locations in Central Business District
3486 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Signs at Westbrook Road and Norgate Drive
3487 – Amend Chapter 265 – Additional Valet Parking Loading Zone – Chestnut Street
3488 – Lease of 1057 Hillcrest Road
16. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 15-228 THROUGH
15-256 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
15-228 Title 59 Approval – Snowplowing Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Snowplowing Services (November 1, 2015 through May 1, 2016, inclusive) in the Village of Ridgewood, prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
15-229 Award Contract – Snowplowing Services – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, ConQuest Construction, 20 Carver Avenue, Westwood, NJ
15-230 Award Contract – Snow Removal – Sidewalk and Deck Clearing Services – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Downes Tree Service, Inc., 65 Royal Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ
15-231 Award Contract – Printing Services ($50,000) –Awards a contract to Ridgewood Press, 609 Franklin Turnpike, Ridgewood, NJ. This is necessary due to payments exceeding $17,500 with this vendor during the 2015 calendar year.
15-232 Award Contract – Emergency Repairs of Graydon Pool Well (NTE $15,118.75) – Awards an emergency contract to Rinbrand Well Drilling Co., Inc., 14 Waldron Avenue, Glen Rock, NJ
15-233 Award Professional Services Contract – Consulting Engineering Services – Ridgewood Water (NTE $147,300) – Awards a no-bid professional services contract to Arcadis U.S., Inc., 17-17 Route 208 North, Fair Lawn, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
15-234 Award Professional Services Contract – Emergency Laboratory Services – Water Department (NTE $33,865) – Awards a no-bid professional services contract to Agra Environmental Laboratory Services, 90½ West Blackwell Street, Dover, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
15-235 Award Professional Services Contract – Lead and Copper and Water Quality Parameter Testing & Compliance Services – Ridgewood Water (NTE $68,100) – Awards a no-bid professional services contract to Agra Environmental Laboratory Services, 90½ West Blackwell Street, Dover, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
15-236 Award Professional Services Contract – Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water – Ridgewood Water (NTE $88,250) – Awards a no-bid professional services contract to Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc., 600 East Crescent Avenue, Upper Saddle River, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed.
15-237 Title 59 Approval – Siding Repairs to Traffic and Signal Building – Approves the plans and specifications for Siding Repairs to the Traffic and Signal Building, 561 Prospect Street, Glen Rock, NJ prepared by the Engineering Division, pursuant to Title 59
15-238 Award Partial Contract – Siding Repairs to Traffic and Signal Building (NTE $33,478.22) – Awards a partial contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Stone Creek, Inc., 10 First Street, Lodi, NJ
15-239 Award Professional Services Contract – Maintenance Agreement for SCADA System and Software Support (NTE $15,625) – Water Pollution Control Facility –Awards a professional services contract to Keystone Engineering Group, 590 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 200, Frazer, PA
15-240 Award Contract Under State Contract – Ford
F-150 Pick-up Truck – Parking Utility (NTE $29,335) – Awards a contract under State contract to Winner Ford, 250 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ
15-241 Award Contract Under State Contract – Snowplows (NTE $9800) – Awards a contract under State contract to Van Dine Motors,
135 Railroad Avenue, Hackensack, NJ
15-242 Award Contract Under State Contract – Bulletproof Vests (NTE $22,800) – Awards a contract under State contract to Lawmen Police Supply – New Jersey, 7115 Airport Highway, Pennsauken, NJ
15-243 Authorize Change Order – Emergency Service Repair to Water Pollution Control Facility SCADA System (NTE $3,824.58) – Authorizes a change order to Keystone Engineering Group, 590 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 200, Frazer, PA. This change order is necessary for the labor effort related to troubleshooting the existing Thickener Feed Pump #1 and Wet Well Pump #3 controls in the WPCF’s SCADA system.
15-244 Rescind Change Order – Benjamin Franklin Middle School Drop-Off – Rescinds the change order awarded to J.A. Alexander, Inc., by Resolution #15-216 on July 15, 2015, due to the fact that the award was erroneously made, based on a different contractor’s prices
15-245 Authorize Change Order – Benjamin Franklin Middle School Drop-Off (NTE $89,000) – Authorizes a change order to Rockborn Trucking and Excavation, Inc., 12 Taylor Road, Wharton, NJ. This change order is necessary in order to create a drop-off at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
15-246 Authorize Change Order and Approve Agreement with Washington Township – Paving – Hampshire Road and Standish Road –Authorizes a change order to Rockborn Trucking and Excavation, Inc., 12 Taylor Road, Wharton, NJ. The change order will allow the Village’s contract to be amended to allow for paving both the Ridgewood and Washington Township sides of Hampshire Road and Standish Road. It is agreed that Washington Township will pay an amount not to exceed $118,000 for this change order.
15-247 Approve Shared Services Agreement – Fuel (Ridgewood Board of Education) – Approves a Shared Services agreement with the Ridgewood Board of Education for the remainder of 2015 and the full calendar year of 2016 to provide designated vehicle fueling to designated Board of Education vehicles
15-248 Approve Membership in Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Cooperative Purchasing Program – Approves the Village’s membership in the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission Cooperative Purchasing Program and authorizes the Village Manager to enter into an agreement with the Lead Agency for said Cooperative Purchasing Program
15-249 Establish Green Business Recognition Program –Establishes a Green Business Program which will be administered by the Village of Ridgewood Green Team and will recognize businesses in the Village that practice and promote sustainable practices
15-250 Approve Renewal of Liquor License – M & C Drugs, Inc., t/a Harding Pharmacy – Approves the annual renewal of the liquor license held by M & C Drugs, Inc., t/a Harding Pharmacy
15-251 Approve Annual Renewal of Liquor Licenses – Approves the annual renewal of liquor licenses for Ridgewood Lodge No. 1455 BPOE, and the Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club
15-252 Approve Person to Person Liquor License Transfer – M & C Drugs, Inc. t/a Harding Pharmacy to Maple Avenue Liquors, LLC – Approves the person to person transfer of the liquor license held by M & C Drugs, Inc., t/a Harding Pharmacy to Maple Avenue Liquors, LLC. The new owner of the liquor license will retain it in pocket status, with no licensed premise, until such time that a suitable location is found to site the license.
15-253 Authorize Execution of Settlement Agreement with NJDEP – Authorizes the execution of the
Stipulation of Settlement and Withdrawal of Request for a Hearing Agreement and authorizes the settlement of the matter in the amount of $55,000.00
15-254 Hire Professional Consultant for COAH
(NTE $2000) – Approves the payment to Dr. Burchell as the Principal Investigator to prepare the Burchell Fair Share Analysis to establish the Village of Ridgewood’s obligation
15-255 Award Emergency Contract – Cleaning of Water Tanks (NTE $27,000)- Awards a contract for emergency services to Liquid Engineering Corporation, 7 East Airpot Road, Billings, Montana to achieve compliance with the USEPA and NJDEP regulations
15-256 Award Contract – Leasing and Maintenance of Police Vehicles (NTE $30,000) – Awards the second year of a three-year contract to Enterprise Fleet Management, 1550 Route 23 North, Suite 101, Wayne, NJ
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 15-257 THROUGH
15-259, WILL BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY AND READ IN FULL:
15-257 Acceptance of Open Space Committee Recommendations Concerning the Schedler Property
15-258 Apply for Grant – Schedler House
15-259 Award Contract – Financial Feasibility Study for Hudson Street Parking Lot
17. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
Ridgewood NJ, We love the flowers but are the planters & large blooming plants stationed at corners on East Ridgewood Avenue in the Central Business District making it difficult for small pedestrians – children – approaching crosswalks to see approaching car,s and/or making it difficult for approaching cars to see them?
What Colors Are This Dress? Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber And A Bajillion Other Celebs Weigh In
by gaby wilson 2/27/2015
In the last 24 hours, a dress divided the world as we know it. Do you see white and gold? Or black and blue? Lines have been drawn. Where do you fall? And do Kim Kardashian, Kanye West,Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and a bajillion other celebs who were also tormented by #TheDress agree with you? Read on to find out!
Sides mixed on Ridgewood restaurant’s exterior paint color
AUGUST 10, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015, 11:26 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Planning Board’s meeting last Tuesday included a long discussion on a shade of paint at Tito’s Burritos restaurant.
The painting was done, without the town’s permission, accidentally, according to David Rutherford, attorney for Tito’s co-owner Mike Caldarella.
The co-owner of Tito’s had just finished overseeing the painting of a restaurant in another town, and decided to use the leftover paint in Ridgewood, not knowing he was violating any rules, according to Caldarella.
“The painter finished early, and my business partner sent him to Ridgewood, unbeknownst to myself, thinking he was doing something really good,” said Caldarella.
“Our biggest mistake was not going immediately to the village and saying, ‘This is what we did, how can we put it right?'” Caldarella said. “Instead, we decided that we should wait it out and see what happens.”
Mayor Paul Aronsohn, a member of the Planning Board, said it is “unfortunate that approvals were not sought and obtained prior to the work being done. As the applicant’s lawyer acknowledged, that was the wrong approach.”
