April 22, 2015
RIDGEWOOD, N.J., As part of an innovative program aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital stays, teams comprised of a paramedic, critical care nurse and EMT have begun making house calls on heart patients soon after their discharge from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.
April 21,2015
Ridgewood NJ, We have received a few reports of random daytime sightings of raccoons. We have no reason to believe they are rabid. Usually raccoons are nocturnal but during this time of the year they are breeding and are often looking for food or drink for themselves and their babies from dumpsters, garbage cans, pools or other water sources.
Tyco, our Animal Control expert, suggests that there should only be concerns if an animal looks like they are drunk or intoxicated; if they are lying around and not responding to loud noises; attack inanimate objects (trees/rocks); or other types of weird behavior. In these cases you are encouraged to call the Police Department who will contact the animal control service.
We recommend that you do not feed feral animals or leave food out or stagnant water for them.
Big Foot https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-blog-to-promote-night-out-for-big-foot-for-earth-day/
Coyote https://theridgewoodblog.net/coyote-advocate-defends-the-predators-presence-in-suburbia/
Bears https://theridgewoodblog.net/in-ridgewood-we-wrestle-bears-we-dont-hunt-them/
August 21,2015
the Ridgewood Police Department
Ridgewood NJ, Willard School has received a report from parents of a possible coyote sighting near the school. Patrol has checked the area and no coyotes have been found. The Police Department has not received a direct complaint from any residents of a coyote sighting. The school has taken the precaution of alerting parents to the possible sighting. If you see a coyote near the school please contact the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
For more information about Coyotes in New Jersey visit the Division of Fish and Wildlife Web Site
file photo Boyd Loving
April 21,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Road Warrior Reported in 2014 reported safer on the road but deadlier on foot
Ridgewood NJ, In Ridgewood ,there seemed to be far less accidents involving pedestrians and automobiles this past year? I do not know the numbers .
So we asked Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward if we did have decrease what in your mind was particularly effective in mitigating pedestrian incidents. If we had an increase what policy can the Village , the Schools or the Ridgewood PD do to increase awareness of public safety and make our streets safer ?
The Chief took time out to respond , “We did have a decrease in pedestrian related accidents in 2014. I can say we have experienced a significant decrease in the level of injury to pedestrians. That being said in December (2014) we did have several but again still well below last year. As far as why, I can say we have increased our efforts in the areas of education and enforcement as well as the efforts in the area of engineering to enhance safety. As you know there are too many variables to attribute a causal nexus between our efforts and the reductions in pedestrian crashes , but one could argue that there appears to be a correlation.
While according to the Record there has been an increase state wide , the Chiefs efforts in Village suggest that simply “awareness ” from both drivers , walkers and cyclist may be the key .
N.J. pedestrian deaths rise; police look for reasons
APRIL 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 6:47 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
Sad to say, each time you read your favorite newspaper, there’s a good chance you’ll learn about someone like Anila Lluka or Lisa Borsellino or Donna Marie Wine, whose lives were cut short at the rate of one every other day in New Jersey — twice a month in Bergen County.
These deaths happen so routinely that we often barely recognize their significance because the victims were doing something as common as crossing River Street in Hackensack, where Borsellino was struck down last October, or Paramus Road in Paramus, where Lluka was killed last November.
Tragically, such passings have become much more frequent lately, according to updated figures recently released by the New Jersey State Police fatal accident unit.
Pedestrian deaths totaled 169 statewide last year, including that of Ms. Wine, a beautician who was standing with others on Grand Avenue at an outdoor market in Hawthorne last August when a truck plowed into her. In Bergen, walking deaths peaked at 24 last year. Victims included Stephen Petruzzello, a 22-year-old Cliffside Park police officer who was run down crossing Walker Street two days after Christmas while on the job with his partner.
With Bergen now accounting for more pedestrian fatalities by far than any other county in the state, traffic cops in many of its 70 municipalities have begun digging into their files to find better ways to prevent such deaths.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/pedestrian-deaths-rise-police-look-for-reasons-1.1313666
All are invited to join us as we kick off to our Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival!! — with Anthony Damiano.
Editors Note : several erroneous statements in this letter must be addressed , italics is mine
PJ Blogger Founder of the Ridgewood blog and King of the Anonymous bloggers
to the editor:
While watching the council meeting last Wednesday, I was appalled by the rancor and allegations of harassment.
Our councilmen and councilwomen donate an inordinate amount of time and energy for the betterment of Ridgewood. There is a growing tendency on the part of our citizens to vilify some of our council because of disagreement with their positions on public policy and local law. This has got to stop.
Actually it is three members of the council who continue to attack and vilify the opposition ,
Anonymous blogging is an especially onerous method of this, seeing that a forum already exists at every council meeting by going to the podium and stating your name and address. Criticize the ideas if you must, or add constructive ideas regarding the dialogue or issue at hand, but do it openly and expose your views to public debate.
This is a perfect example of the previous statement , you are responsible for your own behavior , poor manners and an ill temper are no ones fault but your own
During the heated discussion of the residency requirement, it has come to light that one of the two dissenters on the council has a personal stake in the eventual outcome that was not previously made known. I find that there are few coincidences in life, and it appears that the catalyst for one of the dissenting votes bears this out. If you have three sons on the current village list with aspirations to pursue careers with the police force, a dissenting vote on this issue of civilian hires can be seriously construed as another dissenting vote down the road on uniformed employees, and a potential conflict of interest.
To our knowledge Public safety employee hiring was not effected by the “residency ” rule change making the hole conflict issue specious.
Regarding this question of residency preference, Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli summarized it best in voting against continuing the preference: The people of Ridgewood are best served by hiring the most qualified candidate for village jobs, whether they are residents of Ridgewood or not. The village does not need to fill civil service positions as a way of providing work for residents which could become a recipe for patronage and nepotism.
No one would argue that hiring the best for the Village , but it seems the change in the law will open the floodgates for importing more partisan hacks in in attempt to destroy the Village ie welcome to Hudson County .
Glenn F. Jorgensen
Ridgewood
PERMIT AMNESTY PROGRAM
The Building Department is offering an amnesty program for residential work that has been previously completed without the required permits from the Village of Ridgewood.
The purpose of the amnesty program is to ensure that any work that was completed without permits does not cause a safety hazard to our residents. The program will also give Village homeowners the opportunity to apply for these permits before they are subject to administrative action.
Construction permits are required for, but not limited to, decks, interior renovations, pools, mechanical equipment installations, generators, fire/burglar systems, electrical services and subpanels, additional light fixtures or receptacles and water and gas piping. The program requires that homeowners apply for all permits and securing all the necessary inspections during the amnesty period. A comprehensive list of permitted items can be found on the Village’s website at www.ridgewoodnj.net under The Department of Community Services.
To participate in the amnesty program, you must apply for the proper permits prior to any discovery by our inspectors. Violations will not be issued to any owner occupied dwelling provided the homeowner takes advantage of the amnesty program while the program is in effect from April 20, 2015 until the close of business on August 21, 2015.
Residents doing work without a permit and who do not take advantage of this program will be subjected to the normal administrative procedures mandated by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. Please note that if your property has zoning non-conformities, you will be required to obtain the proper zoning approval. This is an opportunity to ensure that should you consider selling your home, all the necessary paperwork will be in order and you will avoid any last minute delays.
The amnesty program does not exempt any zoning, engineering or any other required prior approval issues which must be satisfied prior to the issuance of any permits. Also, some work may have an impact on your property taxes.
Contractors and commercial properties are not eligible for the amnesty program.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Construction Department at 201-670-5500 extension 506.
Tim Cronin and Nancy Bigos of the Dept. of Parks & Rec have posted the Graydon schedule on the Graydon page of the Village calendar as follows (asterisks have been added):
2015 SEASON
Early Season – Saturday, June 6 to Thursday, June 18
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, ***12 noon*** to 7:30 pm
Regular Season – Friday, June 19 to Sunday, August 16
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
July 4th – Holiday hours, 10 am to 4 pm
Late Season – Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 30th
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, ***12 noon*** to 7:30 pm
****POOL CLOSED – Monday, August 31 through Friday, September 4****
Labor Day Weekend – Saturday, Sept 5 through Monday, Sept 7
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/department_detail.cfm?dept_id=41
Translation:
1. Graydon will open two hours late (at noon) on the first 9 weekdays in June following theJune 6-7 opening weekend (that is, June 8-12 and 15-18). Full opening hours (10 AM to 7:30 PM) will begin on Friday, June 19, the day after the last day of school. Late opening resumes for 10 weekdays in late August (Aug. 17-21 and 24-28).
Total of short days: 19 = 38 lost hours of beach time.
Note: Crestwood Lake in Allendale will open two full weeks earlier, on May 23. Weekday hours until school is out will be 1-5 PM throughout that period.
2. Graydon will be CLOSED for the entire 5 days before Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 4). Rationale: lifeguards will not be available because they’ll be in school, with Ridgewood and some other schools opening before Labor Day (Sept. 7)–but none as early as Aug. 31, and Ridgewood with a half-day on Wed. 9/9 and only 2 full days of school, why close all week?
The other part of the argument is that pool managers will be unavailable because they are teachers.
So maybe hire a couple who aren’t teachers? There’s still time.
Total of lost hours that week: 47.5 (9.5/day x 5 days)
Total lost beach time: 38 hours (late opening) + 47.5 hours (week before Labor Day weekend) = 85.5 hours
That’s the equivalent of 9 full lost days (9.5 x 9).
Full hours all season would include 893 hours. Since the first Saturday in June is late this year (June 6), the season is already short. From the first Saturday in June through Labor Day runs 13 weeks 3 days, or (13 x 7) + 3 = 94 days; that’s 9.5 hours/day x 94 = 893 hours. Removing 85.5 hours constitutes a 10.44% reduction. An additional 3.5 hours of closing occur on July 4, when Graydon is closed at 4 PM as a “drop zone” for fireworks.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY to demonstrate to the council every year that people still care about Graydon? I don’t know, but it is.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE if people show up at a council meeting to express their views/displeasure? I don’t know, but it often helps. And the less familiar their faces are, the better–also odd but true.
I am not attempting to convene a rally. However, next Wednesday’s council meeting is our last shot at trying to get this year’s proposed reduced hours rolled back. THE COUNCIL MUST STILL VOTE ON IT, although it would have slid through this important step if I hadn’t noticed the web page announcement and yawped at them at the April 8 council meeting. There was no meeting this week; Graydon, I’m told, will be on the agenda for next week. (The agenda has not been posted yet; https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/agenda.cfm/)
If you care about this, please make your voice heard.
The council is tired of hearing my voice and so am I. It has been amply demonstrated that a show of strength and interest at a council meeting makes an impression on elected officials. It may not help, but it can’t hurt. And there is always next year and beyond for the council to consider and plan for.
Village Council
Public Work Session
Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 PM
Village Hall courtroom, 4th floor
Public comment is likely to begin shortly after 7:30, after the Pledge of Allegiance. Please consider stating briefly why the opening hours matter to you and why you believe our council and staff should make whatever effort is required to keep Graydon open for full summer hours–a situation that was assumed and unquestioned for decades.
Be specific, if possible: morning swim fan; work schedule prevents going when it’s open; want to invite guests or take children/grandchildren when a late opening is now scheduled; like to take vacation days from work to go swimming, but want to arrive before noon; council claims to care about seniors; school-aged children do not comprise Graydon’s only constituency; unnecessary to shut down for the entire week before Labor Day, even considering school schedules; why not at least open from 3 to 7:30 on those days?
If you can’t come, please consider contacting the council to express your views. Their email addresses will pop up in an email form through this link:
https://www.preservegraydon.org/write-council
And then we’ll see! Thanks.
Swimmingly,
Marcia
===========================================
Marcia Ringel, Co-Chair
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
www.PreserveGraydon.org
APRIL 16, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015, 3:38 PM
BY BY TIFFANY KATEHAKIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
With this year’s dreary winter weather officially a memory, Ridgewood is gearing up for a blossoming spring season with its Daffodil Festival and Earth Day celebration set for Sunday
This year for the first time, the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands (CRPL) and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) have teamed up to create a joint event.
The theme of the event is “Ridgewood Grows Green and Yellow.” Attendees are encouraged to wear green and yellow attire to the event.
CRPL organized last year’s first ever Daffodil Festival; REAC organizes the village’s annual Earth Day celebration.
“The yellow symbolizes the daffodils and the green symbolizes trees for Earth Day,” said Councilman Michael Sedon.
The two organizations have similar environmentally conscious initiatives in the village and when they held meetings to discuss the potential combination the two events, “It seemed like a natural partnership, combining the family fun of the Daffodil Festival with the environmentally conscious mind of Earth Day,” said Angela Leemans, REAC chair. “The message is to focus on the environment and making Ridgewood a more beautiful community.”
Ridgewood girl lands role in King and I
APRIL 17, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Christie Kim
Six-year-old Ridgewood resident Christie Kim is making her Broadway debut as an ensemble member in Lincoln Center’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I”
The musical, which is directed by Bartlett Sher and opened on Thursday night, tells the story of an unlikely relationship between British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens and the imperious King of Siam.
Christie was thrilled to learn she was cast in the show.
“I was jumping up and down and I almost fell off my chair at dinner,” she said.
Christie auditioned for the show at the suggestion of her vocal coach, Jackie Moro.
“Because I’ve been involved in the entertainment business for a long time, I know what kind of child can go through the audition process,” Moro said. “I knew that Christie was the type of child who had the right stamina and work ethic.”
APRIL 17, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Mr. Met will be among the attractions highlighting a revamped Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association (RBSA) Opening Day Parade and Family Fun Day Saturday at Veterans Field.
The New York Mets mascot is scheduled to march in the parade, which is expected to include more than 1,000 players from the village’s youth baseball and softball teams.
The 65th annual event begins at 9 a.m. at the Ridgewood train station and will proceed through town via East Ridgewood Avenue to Veterans Field, where the opening ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Kasschau Band Shell.
The New Jersey Jackals minor league team is slated to make a guest appearance alongside Grand Marshals Gary and Nora Muzio, longtime supporters and invaluable members of the RBSA.
This year’s fair features a fresh new look and will include five of the area’s top food trucks, including Pizza Vita Brick Oven Pizza, Jersey Johnny’s Grill, and Oink and Moo BBQ. A pavilion will be set up where 30 vendors will showcase a mix of unique wares and sports-related items.
Also new to the events is a 60-item Tricky Tray and Silent Auction. Participants can take a chance on winning prizes such as tickets to professional sporting events, golf outings, a Rawlings pitching machine, Easton Mako and DeMarini Vendetta bats, spa packages, dining certificates and more.
APRIL 17, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
An ordinance introduced last week to limit the hours motorists can park on Corella Court during the school day has nearby residents concerned that parking problems will now spill over onto neighboring Stevens Avenue.
From Sept. 1 through June 30, parking will be limited to two hours from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on both sides of Corella Court. The ordinance also calls for a stop sign to be installed on the east side of the street at its intersection with Stevens Avenue.
The changes stem from an influx of cars parked on Corella Court for hours at a time each day, which was attributed to construction done at Hawes Elementary School that took away parking from employees, forcing them to the nearby cul-de-sac, said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.
“It is a serious situation at Corella Court,” Sonenfeld said. “We cannot get emergency vehicles in and out [and] people cannot back out of their driveways, so it really is a serious problem.”
Jim Brandes, a Stevens Avenue resident, said the current proposal will only move the problem further up the street to the area of Stevens Avenue north of Corella Court. Brandes said the situation will, in fact, become more dangerous because Stevens Avenue is busier and more narrow than Corella Court.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/loss-of-spaces-has-village-in-tight-spot-1.1311166
APRIL 16, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015, 3:43 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Municipal officials gave high marks to the Ridgewood school system for its overall work and offered preliminary support to the district’s proposed $101 million budget.
At the annual joint meeting between the village’s governing and education leaders on Monday, Board of Education members and district administrators reviewed their anticipated 2015-16 spending plan, which will be up for BOE vote later this month.
The schools budget calls for an average tax bill increase of approximately $195, a figure based on an assessed home value of $690,662.
When combined with the district’s outstanding debt service levy, the amount to be paid is a 2.04 percent increase over last year.
In explaining the proposal, Alfredo Aguilar, district business administrator, highlighted the various programs that the budget would support. Included in his list were four additional staff positions, 13 new class offerings throughout the high school and middle schools, and $1.5 million earmarked for technology maintenance and upgrades.
APRIL 15, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015, 7:17 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Village officials have authorized the signing of a contract with an armored car service to provide transportation and counting services for coins collected by the village from parking meters.
With a resolution adopted earlier this month, Ridgewood entered into an agreement with Trenton-based Eastern Armored Services for the secure transport, counting and subsequent depositing of coinage from the Parking Utility.
The measure is another step to prevent theft in the wake of the $460,000 in coins that were stolen by former Public Works employee Thomas Rica between 2010 and 2013 and the subsequent 2015 audit, which posits that an additional $377,000 in coins had been swindled during that time.
Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said this agreement would relieve the village of its duty to count coins, handing off the job to an outside company, which would then deposit the collected coins in the bank.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/armored-car-to-pick-up-ridgewood-coins-1.1309305
Ridgewood NJ, The Village has announced that starting Thursday, April 16th the new regulated hours for parking at the Cottage Place Lot will be from 10AM to 6PM; Monday through Saturday at a cost of .75 cents per hour. Payment for parking can be made using coins at the meter (nickels, dimes, quarters) or by purchasing a CBD Monthly Pass.
As in the past, the programs for RPP’s for Non Residents and Residents and the Monthly CBD Permits are still in effect.
The Parkmobile App will be available for use in all lots the week of May 4th.
