The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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Waldwick NJ, an insurance company is seeking to avoid paying a $30 million settlement related to allegations of sexual abuse at the now-shuttered Petrov Ballet School in Waldwick. Markel Insurance Co. has filed a lawsuit claiming it is not obligated to cover the settlement based on specific exclusions in its policy.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, With graduation season only a few weeks away, the Waldwick Board of Education took matters into its own hands Monday night when it approved a measure to file litigation for in-person graduation ceremony if Gov. Phil Murphy doesn’t make a decision regarding in-person graduations by June 1.
Continue reading Calling on Gov. Murphy to allow in person graduation ceremonies
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2019
8:00 P.M.
Jamboree Days
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 19-02, WILL BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE THIS RESOLUTION AND IT WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
19-02 Authorize Temporary Capital Budget – Approves a temporary Capital Budget to appropriate money for the down payment for the general capital bond ordinance for the 2019 road paving and streetscape program and the purchase of the Senior Bus
NONE
NONE
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 19-03 THROUGH 19-19 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:
19-03 Title 59 Approval – Landscaping Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Landscaping Services prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
19-04 Award Contract – Landscaping Services
(NTE $61,000) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, LTI, Inc., 122 Main Road, Montville, NJ
19-05 Title 59 Approval – Line Stop and Valve Insertion Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Line Stop and Valve Insertion Services prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-06 Award Contract – Line Stop and Valve Insertion Services (NTE $100,000) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Carner Brothers, 10 Steel Court, Roseland, NJ
19-07 Title 59 Approval – Servicing and Repair of Electric Source – Approves the plans and specifications for Servicing and Repairing of Electric Source prepared by the Village of Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-08 Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of Electric Source (NTE $250,000) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Vanore Electric, 145 Lexington Avenue, Hackensack, NJ
19-09 Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Hypochlorite Solution – Approves the plans and specifications for Furnishing and Delivering of Sodium Hypochlorite Solution prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-10 Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Hypochlorite Solution (NTE $135,000) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Miracle Chemical Company, 1151B Highway 33, Farmingdale, NJ
19-11 Title 59 Approval – Laboratory Analysis Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Laboratory Analysis Services, prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-12 Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services (NTE $128,460) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Aqua Pro-Tech Labs, 1275 Bloomfield Avenue, Bldg. 6, Fairfield, NJ
19-13 Title 59 Approval – Water Billing and Data Collection Services – Approves the plans and specifications for Water Billing and Data Collection Services prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-14 Award Contract – Water Billing and Data Collection Services (NTE $237,395) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the sole responsible bidder, Computil, Inc., 30 Controls Drive, Shelton, CT
19-15 Title 59 Approval – Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Pumping Facilities – Approves the plans and specifications for Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Storage Tanks, prepared by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59
19-16 Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of Potable Water Pumping Facilities (NTE $250,000) – Awards a contract to the sole responsible bidder, William Stothoff Company, Inc., 110 River Road, Flemington, NJ
19-17 Award Contract – Eastside Reservoir Improvements (NTE $246,600) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Ray Palmer Associates, 95 King Street, Dover, NJ
19-18 Award Professional Services Contract – Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Planning and Treatment Study (NTE $168,600) – Awards a Professional Services Contract to Mott MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue South, Iselin, NJ. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
19-19 Award Emergency Contract – Boiler Replacement – Glen Avenue Water Facility (NTE $33,800) – Awards an Emergency Contract to Generation III Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, 30 West Prospect Street, Waldwick, NJ
3698 – Bond Ordinance – Street Paving and Streetscape, Purchase of Senior Bus ($2,137,000) – Appropriates this money for the 2019 road paving and streetscape program and for purchasing a bus for the Senior Citizen transportation services provided by the Village
3699 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Parking at Train Station Lot after 6:00 p.m. – Amends this chapter to allow all vehicles to be parked at the Ridgewood train station after 6:00 p.m., without the necessity of having a Ridgewood resident sticker and/or a Ridgewood Parking Permit
3700 – Amend Chapter 156 – Food and Food Handling Establishments – Outdoor Café Regulations – Amends this chapter for new regulations for outdoor cafes, including specifying particular types, heights, and locations of barriers, establishing dates when outdoor cafes may operate, and
3701 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Outdoor Cafes – Amends the fees to be charged for outdoor cafes, based on the number of benches or tables and chairs used by each business
3702 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Ridgewood Premium Parking Permit for Hudson Street Parking Lot and Use of Rideshare Arrangement – Establishes the Hudson Street Parking Lot permit, which permits resident commuters to park only in this lot with this particular permit, and guarantees these commuters a parking space in the Hudson Street Parking Lot. It also establishes the fact that those who purchase the Hudson Street Parking Lot permit will participate in a rideshare program, at no additional cost, once the Hudson Street parking lot is closed for the construction of the Hudson Street parking garage. It also requires those who have a 2019 Hudson Street Parking Lot permit to purchase a 2020 Hudson Street Parking Lot permit in order to continue with the rideshare program until the Hudson Street parking garage is completed.
3703 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Ridgewood Parking Permit for Hudson Street Lot – Establishes the fee for the parking permit for the Hudson Street lot only at $1,300
3694 – Amend Chapter 145 Fees – Adopt a Tree and Memorial Benches
3695 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Establish Regulations for Temporary Storage Containers
3696 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Fees for Temporary Storage Containers
3697 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Graydon Pool Membership Fees
3688 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Graydon Pool Membership Fees and Tennis Membership Fees
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 19-20 THROUGH 19-36 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:
19-20 Authorize Tax Assessor/Tax Collector to File Appeals and/or Settlement Stipulations – Authorizes the Tax Assessor and/or Tax Collector to file tax appeals and/or settlement stipulations with the Bergen County Board of Taxation for the purpose of correcting assessment errors for the year 2018. This resolution also authorizes the Assessor, in conjunction with the Village Attorney, to conduct settlement negotiations in matters pending before the Tax Court of New Jersey in 2019.
19-21 Title 59 Approval – Landfill Disposal of Solid Waste – Approves the plans and specifications for Landfill Disposal of Solid Waste, prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-22 Award Contract – Landfill Disposal of Solid Waste (NT# $66.95/ton) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to the lowest responsible bidder, IWS Transfer Systems of NJ, Inc., 375 Routes 1 & 9, Jersey City, NJ
19-23 Title 59 Approval – 2019 Recreational Program Instruction – Approves the plans and specifications for Recreational Program Instruction with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Contract Year 2019, prepared by the Ridgewood Recreation Department, pursuant to Title 59
19-24 Award Contracts – 2019 Recreational Program Instruction – Awards contracts to various vendors for 2019 recreation programs offered by the Village of Ridgewood’s Department of Parks and Recreation. These contracts are paid through user fees.
19-25 Approve Shared Services Agreement – School Resource Officer (Ridgewood Board of Education – NTE $100,000) – Approves a Shared Services Agreement with the Ridgewood Board of Education, whereby the Village and the Board of Education will each pay $100,000/year for funding a School Resource Officer
19-26 Approve Shared Services Agreement – Bergen County Police Chiefs Association Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force – Authorizes the Ridgewood Police Department to participate in a County-wide Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force to be used in times of emergency
19-27 Declare Property Surplus – Parks Department Logs – Declares the stockpile of uncut lengths of logs, which are remnants from tree work performed by the Parks Department, as surplus property and authorizes the Village Manager to dispose of this property
19-28 Declare Property Surplus – Various Vehicles – Declares vehicles from various departments, which are no longer viable for the Village’s use, and authorizes the Village Manager to dispose of this property
19-29 Certify Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Requirements – Certifies that the Village of Ridgewood’s hiring practices comply with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964”, as amended, pertaining to the consideration of an individual’s criminal history. This is required under P.L. 2017, c. 183 which requires that this be certified prior to the Village submitting its approved annual budget to the NJ Division of Local Government Services.
19-30 Authorize Release of Escrow Funds – 143 & 147 West Glen Avenue – Authorizes the release of the remaining escrow funds for this project, in the amount of $12,348, since the Village Engineer has deemed the project complete
19-31 Endorse Application for Community Development Block Grant – Care Plus, NJ, Inc. – Client Transportation Assistance – Confirms endorsement of a $43,680 CDB grant. This resolution does not obligate the financial resources of the Village but will expedite the expenditure of Community Development funds.
19-32 Approve Place to Place Transfer of Liquor License – 54 East Ridgewood Landmark, LLC – Expansion of Licensed Premises – Approves a place to place transfer for 54 East Ridgewood Landmark, LLC t/a Filena Restaurant to expand their licensed premises to include all floors within the building, as well as the rooftop
19-33 Authorize Bond Sale for Funding Hudson Street Parking Garage – Authorizes the form and requirements for the bond sale for the Hudson Street parking garage
19-34 Appoint Member to Zoning Board of Adjustment – Appoints Matthew Bandelt as Alternate #2 on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which term shall begin immediately and expire on 6/30/2020
19-35 Appoint Members to Library Board – Appoints Janis Fuhrman, Rocco Orlando, and Rei Shinozuka to terms that shall begin immediately and expire on 12/31/2023
19-36 Appoint Members to Community Center Advisory Board – Updates the appointment of members of the Community Center Advisory Board as follows, effective immediately and ending on 6/30/2019: Donald Liebreich and Bill Carbone – Senior Citizen Residents; Helen Leonard and Beth Abbott – Adult Residents; Nancy Friedman – Adult Resident (children in Ridgewood school system); Tom Lillis – Ridgewood Highs School Student; Emily Schmitt – George Washington Middle School Student; Chief Jacqueline Luthcke or designee – Ridgewood Police Dept. Liaison; Deanna Schablik – Parks & Recreation Dept. Representative; Sheila Brogan – Ridgewood Board of Education Liaison
Personnel/Contract Negotiations – PBA
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, The Waldwick Police Department is investigating several motor vehicle burglaries that occurred this morning between 2AM and 3AM on the west side of town. As a result three motor vehicles with key fobs left in the vehicles were stolen. All vehicles that were entered were left unlocked. Once again we would like to remind everyone that simply removing your key fob from the car and locking the door will deter criminals from coming to our boro to commit crimes. If you have surveillance video or information that could assist the investigation please contact Det. Palaia of the Waldwick Police Detective Bureau at 201-652-5623.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Midland Park NJ, A 2-alarm Tuesday afternoon, 12/18, fire heavily damaged a building housing a first floor beauty salon in the 200 block of Godwin Avenue, Midland Park. Midland Park Fire Department was assisted by Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department, Waldwick Fire Department, and Wyckoff Fire Department at the scene. No injuries were reported in the blaze. Mildand Park Police and Midland Park EMS also responded. Wyckoff Police assisted with traffic control
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, Waldwick Fire department battled at 3-alarm structure fire at 96 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick on Tuesday afternoon, 10/30. Mutual aid fire, police and EMS services responded from several neighboring communities to assist Waldwick Fire, Waldwick Police, and Waldwick EMS. One (1) firefighter was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with a non life threatening injury. Traffic on busy Franklin Turnpike in Waldwick was detoured while emergency crews worked at the scene.
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on October 22nd, Patrol units responded to North Broad Street on a report of an assault. Upon arrival the victim reported she was attempting to secure the front door of the business at 1930hrs. When a male approached her and assaulted her. The victim provided a description and patrol began to check the area. A male party was located matching the description and identified as the actor by the victim. Patrol then arrested the 25 year-old male from Waldwick, N.J. The arrestee was transported to Ridgewood Police headquarters, where he was served with a criminal complaint for simple assault and advised of his court date. He then was transported to New Bridge Hospital and admitted into the emergency room under A.T.R.A.
All actors are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, A work van owned by a heating/air conditioning contractor slammed into a gas station/auto repair facility located at 11 Crescent Avenue, Waldwick on Monday morning, 10/15. Waldwick Fire Department and Wyckoff Fire Department personnel worked to stabilize the building after the vehicle was removed by a flatbed tow truck. The extent of injuries to the van’s occupants and/or employees of the facility was unknown. Waldwick Police officers detoured northbound traffic on Crescent Avenue away from the scene while emergency crews worked.
the staff of the Ridgeood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Social Service Association fall kick off event! A casual, fun party to benefit Social Service Association featuring the Declan Power band. www.ssaridgewood.org
SSA is a Ridgewood based organization that currently assists approx 125 families in Glen Rock, HoHoKus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick and Wyckoff with food vouchers, small financial help, weekly pantry visits, Thanksgiving meals, Holiday gifts, camperships and much more! #neighborshelpingneighbors
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Progress continues on the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment on NJ TRANSIT’s rail fleet to meet federal year-end milestones, requiring NJ TRANSIT to make a final set of rail service adjustments. The temporary discontinuation of some trains and modified times and origin/destination points are necessary to accommodate installation of PTC hardware on additional locomotives and cab control cars.
“Our customers will always be our first priority, and their experience must be safe and consistent. We thoughtfully reviewed all trains that are part of this adjustment and found the most reasonable alternatives,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett.
To proactively address the potential service adjustment impacts, NJ TRANSIT will offer a 10-percent discount on all NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes for travel in November, December and January while the mandated hardware installation is completed.
August 3,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of JOSE A. PALACIOS RIVAS, (DOB: 12/02/1992; Single; and employed as restaurant food runner) of 32 West Prospect Street, Waldwick, New Jersey, on charges of Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Waldwick Police Department under the direction of Chief Mark Messner.
On Thursday, June 21, 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit (“BCPOSVU”) received a report that Jose A. PALACIOS RIVAS, who was then twenty-years-old, had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions with a female who was under the age of sixteen. An investigation by the BCPOSVU and the Waldwick Police Department resulted in the arrest of PALACIOS RIVAS on Tuesday, July 31, 2018. PALACIOS RIVAS was charged with one count of Sexual Assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2C(4), a crime of the 2nd degree and one count of Endangering The Welfare Of A Child, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4(a), a crime of the 3rd degree. PALACIOS RIVAS is scheduled for a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 1:30 PM.
Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Waldwick Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
July 4,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Lightning struck a 3-story single family home on Hillcrest Road in Ridgewood during a late Tuesday afternoon, 07/03, thunderstorm, igniting an intense fire inside of the structure’s third floor. Ridgewood firefighters extinguished the blaze within 50 minutes of arriving on location. Firefighters from Waldwick Fire Department , Glen Rock Fire Department , and Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department assisted Ridgewood Fire Department at the scene. Ridgewood Police, Ridgewood EMS, and Ridgewood Emergency Services personnel also responded to the incident. Three (3) dogs were reported to have been inside of the residence when the fire started; their current location/condition is unknown. A team of commercial house painters working at the home when the lightning bolt struck escaped injury.
photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook
May 30,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho Ho Kus NJ, A smokey fire that began in a bathroom forced the complete evacuation of the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School on Tuesday afternoon, 05/29. Ho-Ho-Kus Police officers used hand held extinguishers and contained the fire prior to the arrival of Ho-Ho-Kus Fire Department and Waldwick Fire Department firefighters. Due to high heat conditions, two (2) ambulances were dispatched to the scene as firefighters worked to ventilate the structure. No injuries were reported in the incident and some students were observed re-entering the building within 30 minutes of the fire alarms sounding. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
May 25,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, Police from Midland Park, Ridgewood, and Waldwick chased a young black bear through dozens of yards on Thursday morning, 05/24. The bear was finally treed behind home on Evergreen Street in Waldwick where it was last seen by this photographer perched there awaiting the arrival of NJDEP Fish and Wildlife Division personnel.
The bear was resting in a tree near Evergreen and Hemlock in Midland Park. Animal Control arrived at the scene to monitor the situation….
photo by Ridgewood Police
May 24,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Department is currently monitoring a bear in the area of North Monroe Street and Fairmount Road. Willard and Ridge students have been advised to stay in the building. Please use caution and notify the Police Department if you observe the bear as it travels through the area. 201-652-3900 . UPDATE: 11:50pm The bear has moved into Waldwick
