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Top 20 Count Down Ranks Ridgewood High School Number 5

RIDGEWOOD MAROON FOOTBALL12976921_810105139122012_7749683283141002550_o

August 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood HS Football kickoff dinner was August 26 . The Ridgewood Football season kickoff dinner was hosted by the scholarship committee. .Ridgewood Scholarship Committee President Rich Barclay remarked that Ridgewood football will surpass $1 milion in scholarship money this season.

The Legendary Ridgewood Football Head Coach Chuck Johnson spoke at kickoff dinner along with Senior starter Vincent Riggio and Senior Tight End Pete Marshall spoke to the crowd.

According to Varsity Aces the Football Public School Top 20 Countdown ,Ridgewood ranks Number 5 in our pre-season poll.

Schedule :

9/8 @ Hackensack (Hackensack, NJ)
Location: Hackensack High School

9/15 Paramus (Paramus, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

9/28 @ NV – Old Tappan (Old Tappan, NJ)
Location: NV – Old Tappan High School

10/6 Passaic (Passaic, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

10/13 Bergen Tech (Hackensack, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

10/20 @ Kennedy (Paterson, NJ)
Location: Kennedy High School

10/27 Passaic County Tech (Wayne, NJ)
Location: Ridgewood High School

11/4 @ Eastside (Paterson, NJ)
Location: Eastside High School

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Pompton Lakes police officer was killed in Collision With Deer

Pompton Lakes Police department

August 10,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Pompton Lakes NJ, A Pompton Lakes police officer was killed early Wednesday morning in a collision  with a deer and was thrown from his Harley Davidson Motorcycle while driving home from work on a township road.

From the Pompton Lakes Police department , “It is with great sorrow that the Pompton Lakes Police Department announces the untimely passing of Sgt. Peter Kamper. Sgt. Kamper has been employed by the department since 2004. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Peter who was also a Sergeant in Wayne PD. He served as the TAC officer, the head firearms instructor, instructor for the Junior Police Academy, and the departmental IT specialist. He also volunteered his time as a valued member of the Pompton Lakes-Riverdale First Aid Squad. He was a devoted supervisor, husband, son, brother, and uncle. The people of Pompton Lakes will remember him as a dedicated officer, but those who knew him best will remember him as so much more.

He stood 6’6” and might have intimidated someone who was not familiar with him. But after speaking with him for a few minutes, you could see that he was a gentle giant whose heart was as big as his frame. He was the person who you could call in the middle of the night when the computers or radios stopped working. He would be at the police department within minutes and did it because he wanted to make your life easier. He was never concerned with praise or money, but did it out of the kindness of his heart. He was motivated by helping people and doing what he could to ease the burdens of others. Whether he was volunteering at the Special Olympics, the Junior Police Academy, or the holiday toy drive, he was someone that people enjoyed being around. People always tended to gravitate towards him and his personality. His jokes and witty commentary always had you coming back for more.

We are truly devastated and heartbroken. Words cannot begin to describe the grief and pain that we are currently experiencing. Despite the overwhelming sadness that we are feeling, we can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. Each of us were blessed and privileged to work alongside an exceptional human being. We are better people for having known him and will surely never forget what he has done for each of us. His memory and his spirit will live on inside of us. He will be a part of this department from now until the end of time. Rest easy, Pete. We love you and will never forget you.

Peter is survived by his wife, Christine Kamper, his parents, Wendy, and Peter Kamper and his brother Mike Kamper. We ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Funeral arrangements will be posted once they become available.”

Sgt. Peter J. Kamper #164, EOW 8/9/2017

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Ridgewood Teen Selected as Humane Education Contest Winner

Save a Baby, Save a Species

July 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), theHumane Education Network (HEN) and the Palo Alto Humane Society officially announced today the winners of the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest. The annual contest provides high school students aged 14-18 with the opportunity to win monetary awards for essay, video, or photography submissions advocating against animal cruelty and for prevention of animal suffering.

“We are proud to announce the winners of the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest,” said Regina Terlau, executive assistant at AWI. “Through the contest, we aim to inspire youth to raise awareness about animals in need through a creative medium. We received a lot of phenomenal submissions from students addressing mistreatment of an animal species, prevention of an animal’s extinction, or solutions to reduce animal suffering. The chosen student submissions truly embody the mission of the contest and we congratulate the students selected.”

Ridgewood teen Myriam Burger won a first place prize in the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest for her video entry, “Save a Baby, Save a Species.” Her entry, which earned her a $650 prize, describes her school fundraiser to sponsor an elephant.

 

The winners of the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest include:

  • Myriam Burger of Ridgewood, New Jersey, who won $650 for her video, “Save a Baby, Save a Species.” Her video, which describes her school fundraiser to sponsor an elephant, earned first place in the “Video” category.

 

 

  • Lisa Wang of Toronto, Canada, who won $500 for her video, “The Buzz About Bees.” Her submission, which brought awareness to the importance of pollinators and described her involvement with pollinator conservation, earned second prize in the “Video” category.

 

  • Naomi Chongsiriwatana of Los Angeles, California, who won $450for her essay, “When the Powerful are Crushed.” Her submission, which educates readers on the mistreatment of captive elephants and exposes the truth of Thailand’s most popular tourism activity, earned her first prize in the “Essay” category.

 

  • Olivia Banks of Nottingham, Maryland, who won $350 for her essay,“Cozy Condos for Feral Felines.” Her submission, which examines feral cat population issues and “trap, neuter and release” programs, earned her first prize in the “Essay/Photography” category.

 

“Every year, we are impressed and encouraged by the commitment that young people show to animal issues through their submissions,” said Jenness Hobart, chair of the board at the Humane Education Network. “We are already looking forward to next year’s entries and continuing to foster students’ interest in showing respect and caring for animals.”

 

For more information on the A Voice for Animals contest and this year’s winners, visit https://www.hennet.org/contest.php.

 

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING, Dogs, Trees and Shrubs , World War 1 , Valley and COAH

Village Council

VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

MAY 10, 2017

8:00 P.M.

Call to Order – Mayor

Statement of Compliance with the Open Public       Meetings Act

Roll Call – Village Clerk

Flag Salute and Moment of Silence

Acceptance of Financial Reports

Approval of Minutes

Proclamations

National Cancer Survivors Day
Emergency Medical Services Week
Proclaim May as Mental Health Month
Proclaim May as Older Americans Month
Proclaim June as Gay Pride Month
Proclaim June 2nd as National Gun Violence            Awareness Day

Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3       minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)

Scoping Hearing – Green Acres Diversion on South

Broad Street

Adoption of Ordinance 3592 – Establish a CAP Bank
2017 Budget Hearing

Overview of 2017 Budget
Village Council’s Comments
Public Hearing on 2017 Budget

Resolution 17-126 Adopt 2017 Budget

Village Manager’s Report

Village Council Reports

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER-NONE

ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER-NONE

RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION, NUMBERED 17-127, WILL BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE THE RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

17-127   Award Professional Services Contract –           Engineering Services for Suez Corrosion         Control (NTE $15,000) – Awards a           Professional Services Contract to Mott                MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue South,           Iselin, NJ

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

3599 – Amend Chapter 260 – Trees and Shrubs –               Establishes rules and regulations for the          planting and removal of trees on both public and       private properties

3600 – Amend Chapter 212 – Parks and Recreation Areas –    Prohibition of Dogs Off-Leash in Certain Parks –      Prohibits dogs who are off-leash in both the        Irene Habernickel Family Park and the Schedler        Park Property

ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

3593 – General Capital Ordinance ($6,241,000)

3594 – Water Utility Capital Ordinance ($5,745,500) 3595 – Parking Utility Capital Ordinance ($210,000)

3596 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –                 Parking Restrictions – Bogert Avenue and                Cambridge Road

3597 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –                 Parking Restrictions – Pomander Walk

3598 – Construction of Handicapped Ramp at Irene                Habernickel Family Park ($70,000)

RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-128 THROUGH

17-139 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:

17-128    Title 59 Approval- Replacement of Firehouse            Roof – Approves the plans and specifications            for Roof Replacement at the Main Fire House,                201 East Glen Avenue in the Village of                 Ridgewood prepared by the Engineering                   Division, pursuant to Title 59

17-129    Award Contract – Replacement of Firehouse            Roof (NTE $126,760) – Awards a contract to             the lowest responsible bidder, NDP                         Construction, LLC, 200 White Road, Suite 207,          Little Silver, NJ

17-130    Title 59 Approval – School Bus Transportation      Services – Approves the plans and                       specifications for School Bus Transportation                Services prepared by the Parks and Recreation          Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-131    Award Contract – Rebid of School Bus                     Transportation Services – Day Camp (NTE                 $21,000) – Awards a contract to the lowest              responsible bidder, Durham School Services,               248 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ

17-132    Award Contract Under County Contract – Rock           Salt (NTE $56.86/ton) – Awards a contract             under County Contract to Mid-American Salt,            LLC, 4528 Hillegas Road, Fort Wayne, IN

17-133    Authorize Additional Funding for Special                Attorney for RCRD Lawsuit (NTE $15,000) –                Awards an additional $15,000 for the Special             Attorney in the RCRD Lawsuit, Peter                  Scandariato of Eastwood, Scandariato, &                Steinberg, 336 President Street, Saddle                    Brook, NJ

17-134    Authorize Application – Designate Graydon              Park – Historic Designation – Authorizing               application to Historic Preservation Office            of the State of New Jersey to add Graydon               Park to the State and National Registers of               Historic Places

17-135    Authorize Shared Services Agreement –                     Borrowing of County Equipment (Bergen                   County) – Authorizes a Shared Services                     agreement with Bergen County for the sharing            of emergency and non-emergency equipment

17-136    Suspension of Ordinance for Certain                      Illuminated Signs – Suspends the ordinance             for certain illuminated signs in the Central                Business District until December 31, 2017

17-137    Approve Encroachment Agreement – The Office              Restaurant – 32-34 Chestnut Street – Approves         an Encroachment Agreement for a canopy over              the doorway of The Office Restaurant which             extends over the Village’s sidewalk and is                minor in nature. Also authorizes the Mayor            and Village Manager to sign the Encroachment               Agreement.

17-138    Authorize Addition of World War I Ridgewood           Resident Veteran Killed in Action to Memorial      Plaque – Authorizes the addition of the name                of Anthonie J. Wendels, a Ridgewood resident,           who was an Army Veteran killed in action in                World War I, to the plaque at Memorial Park                at Van Neste Square. Also authorizes the            Village to pay the cost of doing so.

17-139    Recognize the Designated Public Forum Space                in Memorial Park at Van Nest Square – Display          of the Gay Pride Flag – Designating the                     Public Forum space in Memorial Park at Van            Neste Square, resolving to display the Gay               Pride Flag for all of June 2017 in                      recognition of Gay Pride Month.

Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)

Resolution to go into Closed Session

Closed Session

A. Legal – COAH, Valley Hospital

B. Personnel – Appointments to Boards and    Committees; Appointments of Professionals

C. Contract Negotiations – Consideration of    Purchase of Property 24.  Adjournment

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Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi Continues to Push for A Sensible Housing Policy for Bergen County

CBD high density housing

May 7,2017
by Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi

Rivervale NJ, I have been on the front lines fighting for the legislature to do its job and provide a legislative solution to recent Court opinions on affordable housing in the State. Even the NJ Supreme Court agrees that the legislature should do something, anything, on this issue.

As a result of recent court opinions, I drafted bills to stop the costly litigations currently taking place in every municipality so that all interested parties, including the NJ League of Municipalities, the Executive Director of the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Executive Director of Fair Share Housing, professional planners and members of the legislature can sit together and develop a better way to ensure affordability in this State for all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. The current plan to have over 280,000 new affordable units or 1.5 million additional total units in a state that is already the most densely populated with a population growth rate of less than 0.3 percent, along with being one of the States that most people are fleeing, is irrational at best.

My bills have received support from Democratic mayors and councils, Republican mayors and councils and communities that are split between political parties. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, this is one of the most important issues affecting every community in the State and if we, as legislators refuse to address it, we do not deserve to be legislators.

Unfortunately, many times elected officials are unwilling to step up to the plate to address the more difficult issues for fear of the backlash. It is exceptionally unfortunate that in today’s political climate, the immediate “go to” for those who disagree on an issue is to insinuate the other person is a racist or a bigot or a whole host of other items. Today I found myself just in that place. As a result of my trying to bring all parties to the table to properly address an incredibly complicated and difficult topic, the head of the Bergen County NAACP, provided a letter to the Bergen Record today accusing me of “fear mongering”, “trying to advance my political profile” and alleging that I am affirmatively trying to keep minorities out of our communities. Anyone who knows me knows how totally off base his letter is with respect to how I operate or what I believe. I have reached out to the State NAACP President to request a sit down to openly discuss this issue. If we want our State to succeed we better start having the tough conversations now, while we still can. Wanting to figure out a better way to govern this State is a quality we want in everyone who represents us.

Please call your Mayors and your legislators and ask them to protect our State from ridiculous affordable housing court mandates (which may result in over 1.5 MILLION new units of housing in NJ) by supporting A-4666 and A-4667 to stop the Court actions and study the issue while we still can. If you don’t see your town below ask your elected officials why they aren’t fighting for your community.

Here is a current list of towns that have passed resolutions in support of my legislation to provide relief to our communities in the fight against the threat of over 1.5 MILLION new units of housing in NJ. If you don’t see your town on here ASK WHY. Many of our NJ residents are unaware that their communities will be forced to DOUBLE their housing population in just the next 9 years, destroying all existing housing prices.

Closter
Demarest
Dumont
Emerson
Franklin Lakes
Harrington Park
Haworth
Hillsdale
Mahwah
Montvale
Norwood
Old Tappan
Park Ridge
River Vale
Upper Saddle River
Westwood
Woodcliff Lake
Bloomingdale
Wanaque
Wayne
Saddle Brook
Fair Lawn
Oradell
Rochelle Park
Hackensack
Lincoln Park

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Why New Jersey gasoline prices are expected to continue dropping

gas station bike

BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer

May 1, 2017

New Jersey gasoline prices dropped more than 3 cents in the past week and are expected to continue falling because of a glut of inventory, an analyst said Monday.

An oversupply of gasoline exists as refiners ramp up production, said Dan McTeague, senior petroleum analyst with GasBuddy, a price-tracking website. The peak driving time in the U.S. is in the summer, when gasoline is generally more expensive than in the winter.

https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/why-new-jersey-gasoline-prices-are-expected-to-continue-dropping/article_48ec6355-95d4-5124-963e-e0f4594da75a.html

Lowest Gas Prices in New Jersey
Price Station Address City Time
2.09
Cash
Delta 381 River Rd & Madison Ave New Milford May 2, 8:45 AM
2.09
Cash
Delta 348 Market St & Blvd Elmwood Park May 2, 7:41 AM
2.09
Cash
Delta 390 Floral Ln & Midland Ave Saddle Brook May 2, 6:01 AM
2.09
Cash
Fuel 4 609 Market & Midland Avenue Elmwood Park May 1, 11:26 PM
2.11 Costco 67 NJ-23 S & N Leg Wayne May 2, 9:01 AM
2.13
Cash
Diesel & Gas 210 14th St near Grove St Jersey City May 2, 7:55 AM
2.13
Cash
Fuel 4 596 Grove St & 14th St Jersey City May 2, 7:55 AM
2.13
Cash
Gastrol Plus 5440 Black Horse Pk near Whitm Turnersville May 2, 6:16 AM
2.13
Cash
Mobil 908 River Dr & Garden Dr Elmwood Park May 1, 11:25 PM
2.15
Cash
Riggins 5681 Black Horse Pike & Greent Turnersville May 2, 8:10 AM
New Jersey Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com

Read More: Jersey gas prices are dropping — here are the lowest prices in NJ | https://nj1015.com/jersey-gas-prices-are-dropping-here-are-the-lowest-prices-in-nj/?trackback=tsmclip

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Valley Hospital of Ridgewood Scores a Top Grade in Hospital Safety

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

April 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Valley Hospital of Ridgewood scored an A grade making it one of the safest hospitals in the area . Valley scored an over all .75 on MRSA infections with the average hospital scoring .862 . Hackensack University Medical Center scored a B at its main campus as well as its Pascack Valley campus . St Joseph’s scored a C in Wayne and Paterson while Englewood and Holy Name scored A’s respectively.

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades (formerly known as Hospital Safety Scores) are assigned to more than 2,600 general acute-care hospitals across the nation twice annually. The Safety Grade is becoming the gold standard measure of patient safety, cited in MSNBC, The New York Times, and AARP The Magazine.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses national performance measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Hospital Association’s Annual Survey and Health Information Technology Supplement.

Taken together, those performance measures produce a single letter grade representing a hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. The Safety Grade includes 30 measures, all currently in use by national measurement and reporting programs. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade methodology has been peer reviewed and published in the Journal of Patient Safety.

Leapfrog works under the guidance of the seven-member Blue Ribbon Expert Panel to select appropriate measures and develop a scoring methodology. The Expert Panel is made up of patient safety experts from across the country:

Arnold Milstein, M.D., M.P.H., Stanford University
Peter Pronovost, M.D., Ph.D., F.C.C.M, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Patrick Romano, M.D., M.P.H., University of California, Davis
Sara Singer, Ph.D., Harvard University
Tim Vogus, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
Matthew D McHugh, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H., R.N., C.R.N.P., F.A.A.N., University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Jennifer Daley, M.D., F.A.C.P.

This Blue Ribbon Expert Panel selected 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data, analyzed the data and determined the weight of each measure based on evidence, opportunity forimprovement and impact. Information from secondary sources supplemented any missing data to give hospitals as much credit as possible toward their Safety Grade.

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade places each measure into one of two domains: (1) Process/Structural Measures or (2) Outcome Measures, each accounting for 50 percent of the overall score.

Process Measures represent how often a hospital gives patients recommended treatment for a given medical condition or procedure. For example, “Responsiveness of hospital staff” looks at patients’ feedback on how long it takes for a staff member to respond when they request help. Structural Measures represent the environment in which patients receive care. For example, “Doctors order medications through a computer” represents whether a hospital uses a special computerized system to prevent errors when prescribing medications.
Outcome Measures represent what happens to a patient while receiving care. For example, “Dangerous object left in patient’s body” measures how many times a patient undergoing surgery had a dangerous foreign object, like a sponge or tool, left in his or her body.

A hospital must have enough safety data available for our experts to issue them a letter grade. Hospitals missing more than nine process measures or more than five outcome measures are not graded. All hospitals are encouraged to voluntarily report additional safety data through the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, but they are not required to do so to receive a Safety Grade.

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NJ TRANSIT ADDS EXTRA BUS SERVICE TO NEW YORK FOR ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

St
March 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Friday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City.  Trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.  Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and River Line will also operate regular weekday schedules.

Please note: liquid containers of any kind, open or closed, will not be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken on March 17.  Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors will be on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

To New York – PABT:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:46 a.m. until 10:42 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford. Additional Turnpike Express (T) trips from Paramus (Paramus Rd. and Ridgewood Ave.) to NY/PABT at 8:57 a.m. and 9:17 a.m.From New York – PABT:

No. 163 (New York – Ridgewood) additional local service from PABT to Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) operating via East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Wood Ridge, and Hasbrouck Heights at 4:25 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.  Additional Turnpike Express (T) service from PABT to Ridgewood Terminal operating via Hackensack, Maywood, Rochelle Park, Paramus and Ridgewood at 3:20 p.m. and 4:58 p.m.

No. 321 (Vince Lombardi Park & Ride – New York) frequent express service from the PABT to Vince Lombardi Park & Ride every 30 minutes beginning at 12:45 p.m. through the late afternoon, then every 10-15 minutes during the afternoon peak hours.

Travel Tips

Ticketing:  To speed your return, purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip from bus operators inbound to New York or at ticket vending machines where available.  Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Allow Extra Travel Time:  Traffic congestion during the morning period and early to mid-afternoon hours before and after the parade may affect bus travel times to New York City.  Customers should plan accordingly.
Plan Ahead:  Extra bus service will operate a few minutes ahead of regularly scheduled trips on the routes listed above.  Customers should arrive at their bus boarding location 10 minutes earlier than the departure time.
Parking:  Customers traveling from Park/Rides at Allwood Road, North Bergen, Willowbrook Mall, Mothers and Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center are advised that parking fees still apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  No liquids of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken.  This policy will be strictly enforced.  Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

For schedules and fares, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

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Bergen County exec names acting director of consumer affairs division

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco

file photo Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco

Steve Janoski , Staff Writer, @SteveJanoskiPublished 3:12 p.m. ET March 6, 2017 | Updated 12 hours ago

WAYNE –  Christina D’Aloia, assistant Bergen County counsel, has been named acting director of the county’s consumer affairs division following the suspension of Director Michael R. Bradley, who was arrested two weeks ago in Oakland on drunk-driving charges.

Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III said D’Aloia had already been working closely with the consumer affairs division and was “very qualified” to hold the acting director post.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/2017/03/06/bergen-exec-names-acting-director-consumer-affairs/98809234/?utm_campaign=new-jersey-politics&utm_content=2017-07-03-9063084&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

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Worker dies in cement mixer accident in New Jersey

Worker dies in cement mixer accident in New Jersey

POSTED 1:43 PM, MARCH 1, 2017, BY ALIZA CHASAN, UPDATED AT 05:57PM, MARCH 1, 2017

WAYNE, NJ — A worker died in a cement-mixer accident in New Jersey Wednesday morning, local officials said.

Officials got a call about the incident around 10 a.m. The cement mixer was not in use at the time of the incident.

Initial reports show the victim was cleaning out the cement mixer on Dey Road and became trapped under the mixer’s drum. The victim was crushed by the body of the truck.

https://pix11.com/2017/03/01/worker-dies-in-cement-mixer-accident-in-new-jersey/

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Study: Less pollution in New Jersey streams, but more salt

Saddle_River_theridgewoodblog

By WAYNE PARRY, ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Feb 27, 2017, 3:14 PM ET

A new federal study shows less pollution in most New Jersey streams, but salt levels rising in some places.

The study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that levels of two key pollutants, nitrogen and phosphorus, either declined or stayed about the same over the last four decades in most of the 28 streams surveyed. But it also found salt levels rose, probably due to the increasing use of road salt during the winter that washes into waterways.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection commissioned the federal agency to study long-term trends. The findings were consistent with other studies done in the Northeastern U.S.

Bob Martin, department commissioner, said the study was the largest ever done on nutrient trends in the state’s streams. Contributing to the decline in pollutants, he said, were better management of stormwater at the local level and upgrades to wastewater treatment plants beginning in the 1980s and early 1990s, with regional plants replacing smaller local plants.

New Jersey has the strictest standards in the nation for phosphorus in fertilizer. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential for plant and animal life, but high levels in water can cause algae blooms, drinking water concerns and low levels of dissolved oxygen, which harms marine life.

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/study-pollution-jersey-streams-salt-45784290

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Suspect Wanted In Multiple Burglaries in Multiple Jurisdictions in Bergen, Passaic and Sussex Counties

Suspect Wanted In Multiple Burglaries in Multiple Jurisdictions in Bergen, Passaic and Sussex Counties

BURGLARY ARREST:
DATE OF CRIME: Various CASE:17-01726, 17-01716
TIME: During the day when people are at work
LOCATION: Multiple locations in multiple towns
STRUCTURE ENTERED: Homes
FORCED ENTRY: Yes
STRUCTURE LOCKED: Yes
CRIME WITH BURGLARY: Theft
IF THEFT WHAT AND VALUE: Multiple items with multiple values. Estimates by the detectives is at least $20,000.00
OFFICER INVESTIGATING: Hopatcong Detective Bureau, Byram Township Detectives, Sussex County Prosecutors Detectives, Sparta Detectives
NAME OF ACCUSED: Jason Major
ADDRESS OF ACCUSED: 4 Henry Street Hopatcong NJ
AGE OF ACCUSED: 34
ANY RESISTANCE: No

CHARGES: Either investigations or charges for criminal mischief, Burglary and Theft from Hopatcong, Byram, Wayne, Pompton Lakes, Elmwood Park and Morris Township. Also Possession of hypodermic needles, crack cocaine pipe and heroin.
WAS BAIL SOUGHT: See narrative on the new bail reform law
ANY OTHER INFORMATION: The following information on the arrest of Jason Major is a great example of residents helping their police. It also shows how crimes can be solved when multiple police agencies share information. Without the combined efforts of these agencies and residents from many towns giving us information, this arrest would not have happened so quickly.
Major is accused of committing multiple burglaries in multiple jurisdictions over the last month or so. (See the towns that we know of above). Major would put on a tri color safety vest and pose to be a DPW worker. He would knock on doors and if no one answered he would break in and steal what he could.
Through the help of residents, detectives found that Major was driving a 1990’s green Dodge Pickup with a black ladder rack. Hopatcong Police Detectives found that Major was living in our town at 4 Henry Street. On Friday 02/10/17 with the help of the Hopatcong Detectives, Byram Township Detectives, Sparta Township Detectives and the Sussex County Prosecutors Office, Major was investigated and arrested in Elmwood Park late Friday night. With the assistance of the Elmwood park police, drug paraphernalia, and proceeds from many burglaries were recovered.
Major was charged and released to us by Elmwood Park Police late Friday night. We charged him for two burglaries in Hopatcong. Because of the Elmwood Park charges, we were able to get a high enough score on the new PSA (Public Safety Assessment) to have him lodged in the Sussex County Jail on Saturday morning 2/11/17.
Major was released a few hours later after a court hearing On Sunday 2/12/17, Major was arrested in Morris Township for committing another burglary. He was charged and later released. At this time Major is not incarcerated. There is nothing the Police can do about this because of the new bail reform law. In our efforts to keep the public safe we can only attach Major’s picture to this press release. If you see him on your property or a neighbors, please call 911.
Press release by Lt. Kmetz #34 (973)398-5000
(These charges are merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty)
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Bill to Restrict OPRA in NJ Advances, Draws Criticism

Village Council

By JT Aregood • 02/13/17 3:38pm

After advancing in its first committee hearing Monday, a bill to restrict access to information available through the federal Open Public Records Act in New Jersey is drawing criticism from environmentalists who say it could pave the way for less transparency in the way the state doles out contracts for development.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Wayne P. DeAngelo in a bid to keep businesses and advertisers from using public records for marketing purposes, advanced in a unanimous vote.

https://observer.com/2017/02/bill-to-restrict-opra-in-nj-advances-draws-criticism/

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD : VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

Village Council Meeting Uber

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

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.   Dad’s Night Days – Hawes School and                    Somerville School

B.   Read Across America Day

C.   Super Science Saturday

8.   Swearing-in of Police Officers

Police Officer Douglas Busche

Police Officer Douglas Christopher

Police Officer Brandon Donnelly

Police Officer Jack Knudsen

Police Officer Zachary Knudsen

Police Officer Kyle Scarpa

9.   Swearing-in of Police Lieutenant Brian Pullman

10.  Swearing-in of Police Captain William Amoruso

11.  Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes

per person – 40 minutes in total)

12.  Village Manager’s Report

13.  Village Council Reports

14.  ORDINANCES – RIDGEWOOD WATER

NONE

15.  RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-26 THROUGH 17-37 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:

17-26      Title 59 Approval – Landscaping Services –             Approves the plans and specifications for             Landscaping Services prepared by Ridgewood             Water, pursuant to Title 59

17-27      Award Contract – Landscaping Services (NTE              $113,820) – Awards the second year of a two-            year contract to the sole bidder, Pat                 Scanlan, 14 Plains Drive, New City, NY

17-28      Title 59 Approval – Cold Water Meters and               Accessories – Approves the plans and                   specifications for Cold Water Meters and               Supplies prepared by Ridgewood Water,                  pursuant to Title 59

17-29      Award Contract – Cold Water Meters and                 Accessories – Awards the first year of a two-           year contract to the lowest responsible                    bidder, Rio Supply, Inc., 100 Allied Parkway,          Sicklerville, NJ

17-30      Title 59 Approval – Pipe, Appurtenances, and            Service Materials – Approves the plans and           specifications for Furnish and Deliver Pipe,             Appurtenances and Service Materials for Water          Distribution Maintenance prepared by                   Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59

17-31      Award Contract – Pipe, Appurtenances, and              Service Materials – Awards the second year of         a two-year contract to the following lowest              responsible bidders in various categories of               materials: Water Works Supply Co., Inc., 660           State Highway 23, Pompton Plains, NJ; HD               Waterworks Supply, 61 Gross Avenue, Edison,             NJ; and Capitol Supply Construction Products,        Inc., 149 Old Turnpike Road, Wayne, NJ

17-32      Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering           of 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

17-33      Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering of           Sodium Hypochlorite Solution ($3.62/gallon)-             Awards the second year of a two-year contract        to the sole responsible bidder, Miracle               Chemical Company, 1151B Highway 33,                    Farmingdale, NJ

17-34      Title 59 Approval – Servicing and Repair of            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

17-35      Award Contract – Servicing and Repair of               Water Pumping Facilities – Approves the plans       and specifications for Servicing and Repair               of Potable Water Pumping Facilities, prepared       by Ridgewood Water, pursuant to Title 59

17-36      Award Professional Services Contract – USEPA           Compliance Services for Evaluation of                  Groundwater Wells (NTE $35,000) – Awards a               Professional Services contract to Legette,               Brashears & Graham, 600 East Crescent Avenue,        Upper Saddle River, NJ. The required Pay to             Play forms have been filed with the Village            Clerk’s office.

17-37      Authorize Change Order – Installation of               Backup Power at Critical Facilities (NTE            $62,445) – Authorizes the change order which            was necessary due to additional permitting               work, including Planning Board approvals a             the Township of Wyckoff and the Borough of            Midland Park, as well as NJDEP flood plain             and wetland permits

16.  ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

3581 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –            Prohibit Parking – Sections of Sherman Place –          Designates several areas for no parking at any          time on various sections of Sherman Place, due      to safety concerns

3582 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Angle  Parking – Allows vehicles to be parked in            parking lots with perpendicular parking stall      spaces with either the front or rear of the            vehicle facing perpendicular to the nearest curb  line. Vehicles parked in angled parking stall           spaces must park with the front of the vehicle      facing the nearest curb line. Vehicles parked in  parallel parking spaces must have the front of          the vehicle facing in the travel of direction of      the roadway nearest the parking space.

3583 – Amend Chapter 238 – Sewers and Sewage Disposal –  Addition of Masticated Food Waste – Adds            masticated food waste and its definition to the         liquid waste acceptance program, including the           basis for billing

3584 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Sewers and Sewage          Disposal – Liquid Waste Acceptance Program Fees          – Amends the fees charged for various acceptable    liquid wastes including grey water/septage;           masticated flowable food waste; wastewater          meeting certain requirements; and pumpout FOG            (fats, oil, and grease) of various              concentrations

3585 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Bus        Stops – Amends the Village’s bus stop ordinance      so that the bus stops listed reflect the bus        stops which exist in the Village. It also lists           the bus stop numbers.

3586 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Significant Sewer           Discharger Fees – Increases the fees for           significant sewer dischargers from $4.03 per      thousand gallons of flow in excess of one EDU as  measured by water meter consumption to $4.27 per    thousand gallons of flow. This increase is            includes commercial/industrial/institutional as        well as tax exempt and tax credited users. This          fee was last increased in 2010.

3587 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Graydon Pool Fees –         The fees for adult, child, and day passes will        remain the same for 2017 and 2018. There will be  a late season discount of 50% off of the price         on or after August 1st. There will also be a 10%      early bird discount for those badges purchased       in the month of April.

17.  ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

3578 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Day Camp Fees

3579 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and                      Development – Institutional and Religious            Uses and Public Utilities

3580 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – CBD        Parking

18.  RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-38 THROUGH 17-53 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:

17-38      Authorize Membership Agreement – Cooperative           Purchasing Program – North Jersey Wastewater           Cooperative Pricing System through Lead                  Agency Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission –              Authorizes the Acting Village Manager and            Mayor to execute the membership agreement               with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission            on behalf of the North Jersey Wastewater             Cooperative Pricing System

17-39      Title 59 Approval – Maintenance of Irrigation           Systems/Water Fountains – Approves the plans            and specifications for Maintenance of                 Irrigation Systems/Water Fountains for                 Contract Years 2017 and 2018, prepared by the       Parks and Recreation Department, pursuant to            Title 59

17-40      Award Contract – Maintenance of Irrigation              Systems/Water Fountains – Awards this                  contract to the lowest responsible bidder,               Tanz, Inc., 3 River Edge Road, River Edge, NJ

17-41      Award Contract under Cooperative Purchasing             Program – Truck Chassis for Sludge Hauling           Tanker Truck (NTE $153,895.85) – Awards a            contract under Middlesex Regional Educational         Services Commission to Gabrielli Truck Sales,           2300 Route 130 North, Dayton, NJ

17-42      Award Contract under Cooperative Purchasing            Program – Vacuum Tank Unit for Sludge Hauling         Tanker Truck (NTE $60,890) – Awards a                 contract under Middlesex Regional Educational           Services Commission to Vacuum Sales, Inc., 51           Stone Road, Lindenwold, NJ

17-43      Award Contract under Cooperative Purchasing             Program – Pumps for Ridgewood Lawns Sewer            Pump Station (NTE $48,862.30) – Awards a               contract under the North Jersey Wastewater              Cooperative Pricing System administered by             the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission to             Pumping Services, Inc., 201 Lincoln                   Boulevard, Middlesex, NJ

17-44      Award Professional Services Contract –                 Surveys of Intersections for Upgrade of                   Traffic Signals (NTE $28,700) – Awards a           Professional Services contract to Daniel M.               Dunn of Dunn Surveying and Mapping, P.S., 40            East Prospect Street, Waldwick, NJ for                 intersection area surveys for upgrade of             traffic signals. The required Pay to Play             forms have been filed with the Village                 Clerk’s Office.

17-45      Award Professional Services Contract – 2017            Land      Surveying Services Retainer for                   Preparation of Tax      Assessment Map (NTE                $1,700) – Awards a Professional Services            contract to Daniel M. Dunn, of Dunn Surveying           and Mapping, P.A., 40 East Prospect Street,            Waldwick, NJ

17-46      Authorize Designation of Acting Municipal              Court Administrator ($35/hour) –Designates             Kimberly McWilliams, CMCA as the Acting                 Municipal Court Administrator, on a                    provisions basis to undertake the duties of             the absent Municipal Court Administrator or            Deputy Municipal Court Administrator during              scheduled or unscheduled leaves. This is               required under the new Criminal Justice               Reform legislation.

17-47      Authorize Girl Scout Troop 1136 and Ridgewood           Shade Tree Commission Project – Shade Tree              Nursery – Authorizes Girl Scout Troop 1136              and the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission to             remove the accumulated debris, trash, and               garbage and establish a Shade Tree Nursery at           203 East Glen Avenue. This project has been           reviewed by the Village Engineer and the             Director of Parks and Recreation who have               helped to address various safety issues.

17-48      Increase 2017 Deferred School Taxes –                  Increases deferred school taxes from                   $45,630,455.58 to $46,515,256.20, an increase          of $884,800.62 from 12/31/15 to 12/31/16

17-49      Approve Budget Reserve Transfers – Resolution           which transfers money in the 2016 budget from       departments which have excess funds to those           departments which do not have adequate funds

17-50      Authorize Application for Sustainable Jersey            PSE&G Grant – Authorizes an application for a       Sustainable Jersey PSE&G Grant for a                   professional to conduct a tree survey in the               Village

17-51      Authorize Execution of Grant Agreement –                Community Development Block Grant –                    Handicapped Accessible Ramp at Gate House of             Irene Habernickel Family      Park – Authorizes             the Acting Village Manager to sign the grant               agreement and the Village Chief Financial               Officer to sign all County vouchers

17-52      Award Professional Services Contract – Noise            Assessment – Schedler Park Property (NTE               $6,100) – Awards a Professional Services               Contract to Sharon Paul Carpenter of Paul             Carpenter Associates, Inc., 7 Columbia                 Turnpike, Suite 101, Florham Park, NJ

17-53      Award Professional Services Contract – Review           of Village Hall HVAC System Operation (NTE           $19,385) – Awards a Professional Services              Contract to LAN Associates, 445 Godwin                    Avenue, Midland Park, NJ. The required Pay to           Play forms have been filed with the Village            Clerk’s Office.

19.  Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)

20.  Resolution to go into Closed Session

21.  Closed Session

Contract Negotiations – Potential Purchase of   Property

Personnel – Village Manager’s Office; Village   Manager Search

Legal – HealthBarn

22.  Adjournment

All Village Council meetings broadcast LIVE – Tune in on Optimum Channel 77 or Verizon channel 34! Public Meeting – Wednesday, February 8 @ 8pm.

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Measles, again — baby could have spread infection in northern NJ

New Jersey Department of Health

By Adam Hochron January 30, 2017 6:17 PM

WAYNE — The New Jersey Department of Health has confirmed a travel-related case of measles in Passaic County.

According to the department, the disease was found in an unvaccinated 7-month-old who had come to the state through international travel, and who may have exposed others between Jan. 17 and 23, including at two local hospitals.

The child visited the emergency department of St. Joseph’s Wayne Hospital from just before 7 a.m until 1 p.m. on Jan. 21, according to the health department. The child as at the Pediatric Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center two days later from 6:30 a.m. until 3:45 p.m.

While it has been more than a week since the child was at either hospital, and is currently recovering at home, the health department warned that symptoms may not develop until as late as Feb. 15.

Also, according to the health department, this case of travel-related measles is not connected to a man from Hudson County who also contracted the disease traveling abroad.

Read More: Measles, again — baby could have spread infection in northern NJ | https://nj1015.com/measles-again-baby-could-have-spread-infection-in-northern-nj/?trackback=tsmclip