Concerned Residents question benefits of Valley proposed expansion
Thursday October 31, 2013, 3:23 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Impassioned speeches by the final three fact witnesses for the Concerned Residents of Ridgewood addressed the various quality of life elements that would be impacted by a hospital expansion, and they posed the collective question to the Ridgewood Planning Board: How will doubling the size of The Valley Hospital benefit village residents?
After weeks of objections and other legal challenges by the hospital’s project attorneys, the grassroots group comprised of more than 150 members voiced its concerns Tuesday night. CRR’s testimony, including president Pete McKenna’s audience-rousing summation, went on without any lawyer interruption.
McKenna admitted that his worries related more to the final product of Valley’s proposal instead of other points of contention previously raised by residents, such as prolonged construction and the effect it would have on the learning environment at nearby schools. But those concerns, he said, are just as vital to the residents’ case.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/230090221_Concerned_Residents_question_benefits_of_Valley_proposed_expansion.html#sthash.wfHcTuWr.dpuf
Why does Valley Hospital want to build yet again in Ridgewood? Because Ridgewood, with its lovely homes, parks, schools, safety, etc., is a desirable address; Valley is hoping the prestige will rub off. We, the taxpayers, make Ridgewood what it is, not Valley Hospital. We have worked hard to buy and maintain our homes. We pay taxes to support our schools and the physical plant of the town. And we pay for the protection of strong police and fire departments, which Valley calls upon hundreds of times every year. Valley Hospital pays for none of this, yet it continues to push its plan to build on our backs. And the pathetic irony is that this project, with its ten-plus years of construction, and the congestion, decreased home values, and disruption to our children that will surely result – this project stands to ruin the very things that make our town a desirable place to be. The Valley Hospital expansion will be a detriment to our homes, a danger to our children—we will be left with a town choked with traffic, noise and air pollution, and a towering building casting shadows over our schools.
When words like “ridiculous” and “ludicrous” are used by intelligent people, on a frequent basis, to describe something that defies common sense, than the odds are it is just that…
I propose all ‘non-profits’ contribute “PILOT” money. (PILOT=payment in lieu of taxes). That would include every non-profit, the hospital, every church, the womens club, etc etc.
There is a huge difference between a house of worship or club with congregants and membership that is primarily from Ridgewood and a profitable healthcare business masquerading as a non-profit serving patient loads that are 94% from outside the Village. By the way, how many of the other non-profits in town have daily visits by the police and/or fire departments?
in reference to the asbestos discussion, knowledgeable information can be found on NJ State website: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw/rrtp/asbestos.htm
NJ State DEP has regulations on Asbestos Abatement for ALL private, public, commercial and residential buildings. Strict regulations, licenses, permits are required under the Asbestos Hazard Abatement Sub-Code. DOL investigates illegal or improper abatements in any type of building, and routinely inspects the work of licensed contractors and their employees.
There are residential buildings built in the 1950’s that have asbestos tile siding shingles on them and remain untouched or covered over with aluminum vinyl siding.
Was unable to post this in the correct thread discussion as later comments sections was cut off when scrolling down.
I have seen the police at the other non-profits, especially when they rent their facilities out for functions which cause problems. We had a police officer injured at a church who was out on disability for over a year. If every ‘nonprofit’ paid a PILOT fee, then the taxes of the residents could be reduced.
Based on the money they take in every day, and the money they obviously have no problem spending on administration, and of course legal issues, I would think Valley would be able to come up with this money in a heartbeat. Can’t say the same for other nonprofits.