Next-Gen Leaders: Ridgewood Fourth Graders Take Over Village Hall to Decode Local Government!
photo courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Civic engagement starts early in the Village of Ridgewood! This week, the halls of local government were filled with the energy of rising fourth graders from Ridge Elementary School during a special, hands-on field trip to Village Hall.
The young students stepped out of the classroom and straight into the center of local decision-making, getting a firsthand look at how their community is run.
A Masterclass in Civic Engagement
The students received a warm welcome from Mayor Paul Vagianos and Village Clerk Heather Mailander. During the interactive tour, the Ridge Elementary group dove deep into the mechanics of local democracy, focusing on:
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The Power of the Vote: Why civic participation and voting matter, even at a young age.
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Roles & Responsibilities: How the Mayor and the Village Council collaborate to manage municipal services, budgeting, and local laws.
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Public Service: What it takes to run a municipality like Ridgewood.
The future leaders didn’t just listen—they participated. Local officials noted that the students asked incredibly thoughtful, insightful questions, proving that the next generation of Ridgewood residents is already deeply invested in how local decisions are made.
📜 Deep Dive: Understanding New Jersey’s Faulkner Act
During a lesson on local government, a foundational piece of legislation inevitably takes center stage: The Faulkner Act of 1950 (formally known as the Optional Municipal Charter Law).
If you have ever wondered why Ridgewood or neighboring Bergen County towns structure their elections and council seats the way they do, it all comes down to this powerful state law.
What is the Faulkner Act?
The Faulkner Act was passed by the New Jersey legislature to give municipalities greater flexibility, home rule, and modernized systems of governance. Instead of being stuck with rigid, outdated 19th-century systems, towns can choose from four distinct, modern structures:
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Mayor-Council Plan (Strong Mayor): The Mayor acts as the chief executive overseeing daily operations and department heads, while the Council acts strictly as the legislative body passing ordinances.
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Council-Manager Plan: The Council is the governing body that passes laws and hires a professional, non-partisan Village Manager to act as the full-time executive administrator running the town.
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Small Municipality Plan: Available only to towns under 12,000 residents, combining elements of old borough governments with modern efficiencies.
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Mayor-Council-Administrator Plan: A hybrid structure balancing an elected executive mayor with a professional administrator.
Why It Matters for Local Communities
The Faulkner Act also dictates major democratic features, such as whether a town’s elections are partisan or non-partisan, whether council members are elected at-large or by specific wards, and whether council terms are staggered.
By educating young students on these systems, Ridgewood is ensuring the community remains informed, proactive, and fiercely independent for decades to come.
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Why does Mr. Vagianos ALWAYS feel the need to make physical contact with those he interacts with? Keep your hands off of the young girls Paulie!
First, I’d be careful about libeling public officials. And if he stood there with his hands in his pockets you’d be calling him a heartless Grinch who couldn’t care less about appearing to be human.