Clinton Avenue update – Council postpones formal vote on sidewalks
November 13,2014
Boyd A. Loving
10:11 PM
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Village Council postponed their formal vote on authorizing the resurfacing of Clinton Avenue, which was scheduled to take place at Wednesday’s (11/12) Public Meeting. The resurfacing plan scheduled for vote excluded the installation of sidewalks. Sidewalk installation was strongly recommended by the Village’s police and engineering departments, however property owners on Clinton have vehemently opposed their installation.
Two (2) Clinton Avenue residents spoke during Wednesday evening’s meeting. Both expressed concerns over drops in property values and increased traffic/parking that would likely accompany installation of sidewalks. One (1) resident stated that in her opinion, the street is much safer without sidewalks, despite the fact that groups of children walking to and from the nearby Ridge Elementary School must now walk in the street there (Clinton is closed, by local ordinance, to through traffic on school days between 8 AM and 3:45 PM – portable “Do Not Enter” signs are placed at both ends of the street to discourage through traffic flow).
Mayor Paul Aronsohn stated that the Council was postponing their formal vote because Councilwoman Susan Knudsen was absent during the Work Session at which the plan was discussed, and the issue wasn’t time sensitive. Councilwoman Knudsen said she wanted a further review of the situation by Citizens Safety Advisory Committee members as well as additional input from members of the Village’s professional staff.
No date was established for the rescheduled formal vote.
Sanity rules, at least for the moment
Property values will drop? They have a fragile hold on this.
They like their “private” road. The village owns the road and it need sidewalks for all the local residents to use. It is not all about the homeowners on Clinton.
Council members should seek input from Village Tax Assessor Mike Barker as to whether sidewalks actually decrease property values.
“Mayor Paul Aronsohn stated that the Council was postponing their formal vote because Councilwoman Susan Knudsen was absent during the Work Session at which the plan was discussed” Moving forward they now do not vote on anything if a Council member was absent for the discussion ? What a way to run a town. We can have a Councilwoman phone in her vote from Africa for Mayor but they can’t vote on sidewalks.
ARE YOU KIDDING #1.
Kind of scary isn’t it that Knudsen may be the only sane one serving us?
Finally sanity prevails —
This is the only street in town that i have been on without sidewalks time to put them in. As for property values falling let us just say this is not the old country club area.
“Finally sanity prevails ” It figures you would say that DOM.
Big Al the Developers Friend didn’t say much. He just had that smirk on his face.
The village needs to review the pros and cons.
Pro
Safety
Safety
Safety
Con
The street dwellers want their road closed
Maybe they don’t want to shovel in winter
Who runs this town the Council or The Safety Committee ?
This sounds like a no-brainer. Work’s already being done, police/engineering have recommended it, kids/pedestrians use the street traveling to school. A flimsy sign is no guarantee cars will stay out, and when leaves/snow are piled high I’m sure kids are walking way out in the middle of the road. Now that the issue’s been raised the VC has no choice but to act or they will be doubly liable if an accident happens due to their decision.
Big Al the Developer’s Pal was not smirking. He was grimacing. The mayor had just read a long letter from one of his former girlfriends regarding Marge Roukema. A W K W A R D
Why are we even having a debate. Put in the sidewalks and move on.
“more narrow” = narrower #19 and we’re is not were.
South Murray also needs sidewalks.
Where do the Clinton residents put their leaves?
#20, typing quickly on an iphone…anything of substance to add or do you want to continue with spell check?
In the street.
Just curious as to who puts those signs out ?