the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, new concerns arise over the Schedler project. Most likely to increase ventilation The protective windows had slits for ventilation but protected anyone/thing from entering were removed and windows left open. As you can see from the picture the shutters were left thrown on the ground.
Also, look at the historical tree they are “preserving.” Machinery so close to the roots and trunk?
Many trees were suffocated and buried. Look how they killed the trees that were marked as healthy and saved during Phase 1 at Schedler.
And let’s not forget that “clean fill”.
The question to the Village: Who is in charge here? Who is overseeing this project/contractor? And what disciplinary action was taken against them for such gross negligence, misuse of tax money and act against the public?
The berms on 17 North look stupid…rip the band-aid off already.
boon·dog·gle
/ˈbo͞onˌdäɡəl/
work or activity that is wasteful or pointless but gives the appearance of having value.
waste money or time on unnecessary or questionable projects.
Hey as a resident over by west Saddle River Road we welcome it. It’s a bit quieter. And if it’s going to be a park well that will make it safer in the story.
Phase 1: Village spent 100k of taxpayers money to make way for the high density developers to dump their soil. Village lied to residents marking trees with ribbons pretending they’d all be saved. Just look at the pictures. Phase 1 was a hoax.
“All soil has been tested and certified clean before being delivered to the Schedler property.” – Deputy Mayor Susan Knudsen. Pictures above certify, THAT WAS A LIE!
GREAT QUESTION! Who is in charge here? Who is overseeing this project/contractor? And what disciplinary action was taken against them for such gross negligence, misuse of tax money and act against the public?
Does anyone know the total amount spent to get us to this point? I’ve calculated approximately 4 million.
Spending money in “Phases” is an old trick, like a 7 year car loan.
What a waste of taxpayer money.
Our processes and decision making within the VC is slow to act and as a result the property and house have suffered and more funding will be required. Amazing though, how quickly they can move the BOE elections, or get rid of committees or chairs.
you mean because you can’t go to the council meeting and act like an A-Hole?
I’ll be filing an OPRA request on the soil certification . And the lack of transparency through the different “phases” here is stunning . Taxpayers cannot get an honest answer from our elected Council members or Village Manager on how much Village taxpayer money has been spent cumulatively to date on Schedler since the property was purchased. I and others put it at over $4 million or 10% of our Village budget. This is nothing more than Sue Knudsen continuing to enrich her own family at the expense of Village taxpayers. Whose property across from Schedler increases in value as a result of this boondoggle? Why isn’t this blog asking that question?
At the last council meeting DMK is now removing herself from this project blaming the prior council for acquiring the property. Trying to wash her hands, shameful
Seriously we are either governed by shameless or dumb people . This level of idiocy and money , tree, space, environment mismanagement and waste is tragicomic. Do these people realize that they’re ruining this place forever through their actions and inactions?
NAILED IT! “Ruining this place forever through their actions and inactions.”
This is becoming a massive money pit for the Village. Three Council members, Village Manager, Village Engineer and Parks Dept. why are you playing possum when it comes to Schedler?
Slap in the face to this neighborhood and tax payers.
The berm has been planted but not compacted or leveled. The majority of the rocks were moved into it along with the questionable dirt. How are they going to plant trees that evenly spaced with out having to remove all the rocks that will be in the way? How will they plant trees without a fairly level, flat surface to hold them? I take it they planted grass so they wouldn’t have to get a level, not pointed, top to the berm and maybe not have all the dirt slide right down those steep slopes in the first real rainstorm? I am quite near the property in question and I fought against restoring that useless and condemned house.
I had a chance to drive by the property today. There were deer climbing the berm and one sitting right on top. There is no way this berm, park design, or project was handled by professionals. What a complete mess!!! Mayor and Deputy Mayor keep saying in the end it will be nice. 7 million brought us to this point; land fill, dump, destruction of American History- wildlife etc. Well, how many more millions before we reach “nice?” Total BS!