December 8,2016
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Councilman Jeffery Voigt announced during Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session that the Ridgewood Public Library plans to undertake a massive $5 million renovation, and will close for at least one (1) full year to facilitate construction.
The planned renovations will focus on changing the facility to be more in line with the Library’s new focus as a “community center,” this according to Voigt.
file photo by Boyd Loving
December 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, After years of on again off again probation culminating in the seizure of the property and a lengthy court battle, by Executive order the Charter of the Ridgewood Lodge has been revoked .
Basically , the Grand Elks found the Ridgewood lodge had violated too many lodge rules such as meeting times and missing audit deadlines as well as it committed bad business practices leading to the lodges insolvency .
It’s a sad demise to a long time Ridgewood Institution . The Ridgewood blog will be keeping our ears open to see who wants the building and liquor license and follow the money.
photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook Page
December 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Three (3) flatbed tow trucks were required to remove vehicles damaged in a Wednesday morning, 12/07, crash that occurred near 465 Goffle Road, Ridgewood. One (1) driver involved in the collision was transported by a Ridgewood EMS ambulance to The Valley Hospital; the victim’s injuries were reported to be non life threatening. Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a minor crash related fluid spill in addition to providing EMS support. Goffle Road was closed to through traffic in both directions between Rock Road and Ravine Avenue until the roadway was cleared of wreckage and debris. One (1) crash related summons was issued by Ridgewood PD. provided traffic control assistance at the scene.
By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on December 05, 2016 at 5:35 PM
TRENTON — The seven-year effort to crack down on surprise out-of-network medical bills was delayed again Monday, the same day a group of doctors urged lawmakers to consider an alternative proposal they say won’t force them out of business.
Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), who sponsored the leading legislation that would cap the amount out-of-network doctors and hospitals are paid for emergency treatment, announced Monday he had pulled his bill from a the committee’s agenda for the day. Vitale said is working with the New Jersey Hospital Association to make changes to the bill (A1952) and wants that work to continue.
“I remain confident that efforts of working to build consensus will result in the strongest consumer protection out-of-network bill in the country,” Vitale said in a statement.
December 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The holiday season represents the perfect opportunity for anyone who’s been thinking of taking a deep dive into their family history.
All those grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins gathering to feast on turkey or exchange gifts possess a treasure trove of genealogical information and family stories.
All you need to do is ask – and perhaps turn on a recording device – and soon you may be learning about great-great grandfather’s treacherous journey across the Atlantic or Uncle Phil’s courageous actions during World War II.
“Interviewing family members is one of the best places to start when you want to learn about or write about your family’s story,” says Ceil Lucas, a sociolinguist, amateur genealogist and author of How I Got Here: A Memoir.
“Older relatives especially may have wonderful tales from decades ago involving people you never heard about. If you’re lucky, you may even learn that they have stashed away somewhere letters, diaries or photographs that belonged to those long dead ancestors.”
But be warned, Lucas says. While people dream about learning they descended from royalty or happen to be distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, genealogical research is just as likely to turn up horse thieves, drifters and scandals of every sort.
“You’re going to find stuff you might not want to know,” Lucas says. “But who knows, those might be your most fascinating finds.”
Lucas began working on her family history three decades ago, about the same time she began making notes on what would become a memoir of her childhood in Guatemala City and Rome, Italy. This upbringing left her with a sense of “I’m not from here” – “here” being the U.S., where she was born.
But her genealogical research, which revealed her first ancestors coming to the U.S. from Scotland in 1654 and England in 1679, showed her just how “from here” she is. Lucas realized that the stories of her ancestors needed to be included in her memoir and the result was a genealogical memoir.
“The thing is, once the genealogical story is learned, it simply can’t be unlearned,” she says.
Interviewing relatives between sips of eggnog is just the beginning. Lucas has other suggestions for those who want to explore their family histories:
• Check census records. Every 10 years since 1790 the census has taken a snapshot of who’s living in the United States. Valuable information can be found in census records, and you might even discover relatives you never heard about.
• Sign up for a genealogy class. Many community colleges offer non-credit courses in genealogy that will help you understand how to research your family and interpret what you find.
• Consider DNA testing. People often think they know their ethnic lineage, but discover surprises when they have a DNA test. Lucas’ DNA test revealed that she is descended not only from people who hailed from England and Scotland, but also the Iberian Peninsula.In Ridgewood we have a unique option you can visit the Bolger Heritage Center, Ridgewood Public Library.
They offer genealogy help for moments like this. Stop by the Heritage Center during our genealogy consultation hours to get assistance with your research:
12/6 from 11-2pm
12/7 from 7-9pm
12/14 from 10-2pm
12/16 from 1-3pm
12/28 from 10-12pm
Questions? Contact Sarah Kiefer at 201-670-5600×135 or [email protected] — at Ridgewood Public Library.
“It also probably doesn’t hurt if you are a nerd about these things like me,” Lucas says. “I found an ancestor who was involved in the Oklahoma Land Rush, so I researched that and found newspaper articles about the land rush. I think it’s important to put your family story in the historical context, especially if you plan to write a memoir.”
About Ceil Lucas
Ceil Lucas, author of How I Got Here: A Memoir, is a sociolinguist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French and Art History, a master’s degree in French and Italian, and a doctorate in Linguistics. She spent 40 years as a university professor and researcher. She began teaching Italian in 1973 and continues to do so. She is the editor and co-author of 22 books.
file photo
December 7th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of John Luckenbill and Jeffrey Haas, will perform Of Time and Change by James Swearingen, a well-established hymn with many joyful themes and expressive sections, and Sundance by Carl Strommen, which is a programmatic piece depicting a day on the prairie.
The RHS Concert Band, also led by Luckenbill and Haas, will present Carnegie Anthem by William Owens, Canticles by James Curnow, and Lords of Greenwich by Robert Sheldon. Carnegie Anthem pays tribute to the renowned Carnegie Hall and the bustling metropolis of New York City, while Canticles is a piece designed to uplift the spirit and enthusiasm of any listener. Lords of Greenwich, inspired by Gustav Holst, is written and performed in the style of a British folk song.
Finally, under the baton of Jeffrey Haas, the RHS Wind Ensemble will perform Beltway Jam by Jack Stamp, Robert W. Smith’s arrangement of Gustav Holst’s In the Bleak Midwinter, and The Hounds of Spring by Alfred Reed. Beltway Jam is a piece with an exciting melody and an overall engaging feel. In the Bleak Midwinter is based on a poem by the same name, and became a Christmas carol after many different musicians put the poem to music. One of the versions, written by Gustav Holst, was arranged by Robert Smith, and will be performed at this concert. The last piece to be performed will be The Hounds of Spring, which Alfred Reed composed to convey the youthful delight of love and tenderness.
The Ridgewood High School Band Program is Bergen County’s largest, comprised of more than 230 students who participate in no fewer than 15 varied musical ensembles. The curricular bands, marching band, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, winter color guard and twirlers have been acclaimed locally, regionally, and nationally for superior performance. Individually, members of the Ridgewood High School Bands are chosen annually to perform in honor ensembles at the county, regional, and state levels.
FPANJ Applauds A-3396: Creating a Requirement for Financial Literacy Education
Financial Literacy Education has always been part of the pillars in the FPANJ mission; important legislation could help make it a reality in all New Jersey schools
December 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Financial Planning Association of New Jersey (FPANJ) is eagerly watching the New Jersey State Legislature as it considers a bill that would make financial literacy a required subject in coursework taught to all children in grades K-8.
Assembly bill 3396 was first introduced in March, and amended in October. Among its provisions:
Basic financial literacy would be taught in elementary schools to teach students “sound financial decision-making”
Courses would be age appropriate
Course would cover budgeting, savings, credit, debt, insurance and investment, among other areas
John Crosby, CFP® and FPANJ Advocacy Director, said, “To say I’m excited about this is an understatement. This bill represents a clear commitment to our children by providing them with a foundation for success in life. Everything we do is impacted by sound decision-making with our finances, and this bill can help our students gain the tools necessary to understand how these decisions impact their lives.”
FPANJ has been a part of many community efforts to educate children on how money works and impacts their lives. Members volunteer their time with Junior Achievement of New Jersey to mentor students at their “Finance Park,” which served more than 11,000 students throughout the regions. They also participate in “Financial Planning Days,” offering information on various financial topics to consumers, including one-on-one sessions to address individual concerns.
“We know there are limited hours in the day for school children, and there is likely to be some debate on how we can add this curriculum, but we are convinced that financial literacy has far-reaching impact on students beyond money,” Crosby added. “We are committed to staying involved in this discussion as it moves through the statehouse.”
ABOUT FPA of New Jersey and FPA:
Financial Planning Association of New Jersey is part of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®). FPA connects those who need, support and deliver professional financial planning. FPA believes that everyone is entitled to objective advice from a competent, ethical financial planner to make smart financial decisions. FPA members demonstrate and support a professional commitment to education and a client-centered financial planning process. Working in alliance with academic leaders, legislative and regulatory bodies, financial services firms and consumer interest organizations, FPA is the community that fosters the value of financial planning, and advances the practice and profession of financial planning.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
DECEMBER 7, 2016
REVISED
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Public Hearing
a. Brownfield Grant – N. Walnut Street Parking Lot
7. Presentation
a. ITN – Senior Transportation
8. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Line Stop and Valve Insertion Services
2. Award Contract – Laboratory Analysis Services
3. Award Contract – Water System Divestiture Study
4. Award Contract – Vance Tank Rehabilitation
5. Award EUS – Repairs to Air Stripping Tower – Main Treatment Facility
6. Award Change Order – Water Main Stream Crossings
7. Rejection of Bid – Glen Tank Rehabilitation
b. Parking
1. CBD Parking Improvements
2. Central Valet
3. Parking Garage
4. Amend Valet Parking Fee Ordinance
5. Amend CBD Parking Permit Ordinance – Parking Permit for All Parking Lots
6. Free Last Minute Shopping Parking – December 22nd
7. Rental of Parking Spaces on N. Broad Street – Taxi Stand
8. Discussion (cont’d)
c. Budget
1. Award Contract – Purchase of Ammunition
2. Award Contract – Purchase of Bullet Proof Vests
3. Award Contract – Electronic Ticketing Software
4. Authorize Shared Services Agreement – Child Health Clinic
5. Award Contract – Professional Services – 2017 Child Health Conference Physician
6. Award Contract – Two Kenworth Sanitation Trucks
7. Award Change Order – Disposal and Recycling of Vegetative Waste
8. Award Contract – Sanitary Sludge Hauling – Water Pollution Control
9. Award Contract – Edmunds Service Contract
10. Award Contract – 2017 Employee Assistance Program Services
11. Award Contract – 2017 Recreational Program Instruction
12. Award Contract – Preparation of 2017 Village Council Meeting Minutes
13. Budget Transfers
14. 2017 Temporary Budgets
15. 2017 Cash Management Plan
16. Cancellation of Grant Receivables and Grant Reserves
17. Approve RFP for Pilot Program for Ridgewood Resident Commuter
Transportation To and From Ridgewood Train Station
18. Approve RFP for Grant Writer
19. Authorize Application for Brownfield Grant
20. Authorize Application for Bergen County Municipal Alliance Grant
21. Surplus Fire Equipment
d. Policy
1. ITN – Senior Transportation
2. Civility and Sports
3. Establish Regulations for Bird Feeders and Bird Food
4. Short Term Rentals of Private Homes
5. Boards and Committees – FAC, RAC and Planning Board
6. Vacation of Portion of Barrington Road – Paper Street
e. Operations
1. Recycling of Electronics Legislation
2. No Left Turn – Van Neste Square
3. Glenwood Road Railroad Crossing
4. Donation of Generator for Traffic & Signal Building
5. Ridge School Traffic Study
6. Sherman Place, Pomander Walk and Washington Place Traffic Study
7. New Master Plan Budgeting
9. Review of December 14, 2016 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
10. Manager’s Report
11. Council Reports
12. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
13. Resolution to go into Closed Session
14. Closed Session
a. Legal – HealthBarn; Blue & White Negotiations
15. Adjournment
photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook Page
December 7th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police, Fire, and EMS personnel responded to aid a pedestrian who was struck at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and Oak Street on Tuesday night, 12/06. The victim, who appeared to have sustained non-life threatening injuries, was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital. The driver of the vehicle involved was driving westbound on East Ridgewood Avenue at the time of the incident, and remained at the scene to cooperate with police officers assigned to investigate the collision.
By Kevin Glass / October 24, 2016
Fall brings temperate weather, changing colors, falling leaves and — if the nannies in New Jersey have anything to say about it — backbreaking labor.
Neighborhood advocacy groups across the state have been working to prohibit the use of leaf blowers, which they say are too noisy and disrupt the peace and quiet of their neighborhoods.
Earlier this year, Maplewood, New Jersey, banned leaf blowers used by commercial businesses for the summer, largely because residents objected to the loud noises. Now, activists in Princeton are working to ban leaf blowers for the same reason.
Quiet Princeton, an organization of local Princeton residents opposed to anything breaking the peace of the New Jersey town, has pushed for a reduction in leaf-blower noise. There are existing regulations on the books about leaf-blower noise, but that’s not enough for Quiet Princeton.
“Back in the ’90s an effort was made in Princeton to ban leaf blowers outright, but it failed,” Tony Lunn, a Quiet Princeton activist, told Mercer Space, a publication of Community News Service..
Princeton’s current ordinance calls for landscapers to be as quiet as possible, but its subjectivity has the activists upset. “No one would think this reasonable,” Lunn said. Some have attempted to get a 65-decibel limit written in as the legal regulation.
In Maplewood, the city is holding hearings to expand the summer leaf-blower ban. An Oct. 18 Township Committee meeting had many residents voicing their hatred for leaf blowers.
“Why should they be able to disrupt my quality of life as a taxpayer so my neighbor can have a few blades of grass blown around?” one resident said, according to NJ.com.
A prohibition limited to commercial leaf blowers means the burden falls disproportionately on landscaping companies, rather than, say, neighbors doing their own landscaping work. Other than driving up the cost for landscaping work, this is a burden for the manual laborers as well — many of whom are unlikely to be able to afford to live in a posh suburb like Maplewood, where the median household income is over $100,000 per year.
https://watchdog.org/279609/nanny-state-week-new-jerseys-great-leaf-blowing-war/
December 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ad’s targeting Ridgewood Water on Facebook has some residents rattled . A resident recently asked ,”Is it ‘over the top’ / ‘misleading’ or our kids who drink unfiltered water at school are really at risk?”
While the risks of Chromium 6 have been well documented .Chromium 6 is the same suspected carcinogen that made Erin Brockovich famous and was found in Ridgewood Water. The levels, however are well within EPA, guidelines.
Some residents are concerned whiles others think the current risk is overblown and the Brockovich comparison is without merit at this time.
from Ridgewood Waters website:
Chromium 6
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released a report raising concerns about the presence of chromium 6 – also known as hexavalent chromium – in public water supplies. Hexavalent chromium, a suspected carcinogen, is the contaminant made famous by the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich.”
Ridgewood Water shares the EWG’s concern for water quality and public health protection. Water utilities currently monitor for “total” chromium, of which hexavalent chromium is a component. Most public water utilities, including Ridgewood Water, are in compliance with the existing standard.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, which was established to protect the quality of drinking water, requires a rigorous scientific approach for evaluating contaminants for regulation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been looking at health effects data on hexavalent chromium. Ridgewood Water has been testing for this substance as part of the unregulated contaminant sampling program which provides data to EPA for scientific evaluation.
It’s important to remember that detecting a substance in water does not always imply a health risk. The key question that researchers seek to answer is whether the substance presents health concerns at the level it is detected. That’s why the federal regulatory process requires EPA to examine potential health impacts of the substance, paths of exposure and occurrence data. A thorough evaluation of all this data increases the likelihood that new regulations will offer meaningful risk reduction. Ridgewood Water is committed to meeting all regulatory standards for public water supplies including any new requirements for hexavalent chromium that may be instituted.
For more information on chromium in drinking water, please refer to the following links:
https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/chromium-drinking-water
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/chromium/en/
https://www.awwa.org/legislation-regulation/regulations/contaminants/hexavalent-chromium.aspx#3329298-recent-research
December 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,On Saturday a group called RidgewoodWestSide.com distributed a flyer alerting neighbors on Sherman and Washington of the December 7th Council Work Session which will discuss Sherman Place and Washington Place. Flyers were given to many of the Godwin and Wilsey Square businesses as well since changes to nearby streets may impact their customers.
Pomander Walk, a quiet dead end street next to out stores, was granted NO PARKING under our old village council? Am I mistaken or does our town need parking? Please review attached flyer and come to the meeting Wed. night at 7:30 at town hall to let your current council know this decision must be reversed. If not reversed, maybe we should all push council for private roads?
ATTENTION:
What: Village council discussion of parking and traffic following Pomander Walk Parking Ban
Where: Village Hall
When: December 7th at 7:30pm
Background: For years residents of Pomander Walk have sought to ban parking on their dead end street citing business parking and safety concerns. Residents of surrounding streets were not informed of the request until days before the village council passed Ordinance 3556 in 2016 banning parking on Pomander Walk with no impact analysis. Despite promises from Pomander residents that they did not require parking they continue to use the street for their parking needs while other streets suffer gridlock. Residents of Sherman have since seen a severe increase in traffic, parked cars and safety issues. The newly elected council has agreed to consider changes inclusive of a comprehensive safety review all area streets.
Your neighbors from Sherman, Godwin, Garfield, Washington are asking you to voice your opinion at the Wednesday, December 7th town council meeting.
Resident tax payers should be afforded equal access to parking – NO PRIVATE STREET STATUS
All residents living near businesses should share the parking burden
To remain successful, the west side business district needs access to parking for customers. If parking is important for the central business district, it is equally important for the west side and removing parking sets a bad precedent
Removing parking from one street just relocates it to another
Hope to see you at the town hall
Wednesday, December 7th at 7:30pm.
Everyone will have the opportunity
to speak for three minutes.
If you have any questions please email:
For photos and videos visit us at
www.RidgewoodWestSide.com
Photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
December 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD officers made fast work of nabbing a suspected shoplifter on Monday afternoon, 12/05. The alleged perpetrator was cornered on the center platform of NJ Transit’s Ridgewood train station by Patrol Officers Joseph DiBenidetto and Rosario Vaccarella, and Detective Peter Youngberg. In his possession at the time of apprehension was the Samsung Galaxy 7 smartphone reportedly taken from the Verzion store located at 44 East Ridgewood Avenue. The adult male suspect was transported, in handcuffs, to RIdgewood PD headquarters for processing.
Pictured (from left): Maria Mediago, Vice President, Facilities Management, The Valley Hospital; Howard Halverson, Director, Environmental Services, The Valley Hospital; and Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, Valley Health System.
December 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) has recognized Valley’s commitment to recycling with an outstanding achievement award.
Valley was lauded for its recycling efforts, which include solid waste, medical waste, recycled waste and hazardous waste. The hospital uses a single-stream recycling system and makes a concerted effort to recycle whenever possible. For example, the OR now sends its reports electronically, which is saving hundreds of reams of paper annually. The hospital also recycles items such as old hospital beds and sends certain medical goods to be recycled for use by other institutions.
According to the EPA, “The Department promotes recycling through the annual recycling awards program that is coordinated in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR). The awards recognize the outstanding recycling achievements of municipalities, counties, businesses and industry and individuals, as well as schools and other institutions and are presented at ANJR’s annual recycling symposium. This program has generated positive publicity for New Jersey’s recycling efforts.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
Here come those moving trucks for the late Spring selling season..so many
Families moving south for lower taxes ,retirees seek social security favorable or non tax status for retirees.Younger families will end up holding the bag of worst choices in order to stay in north jersey. Technology is also creating a huge increase in home office remote work lifestyles.which means that as long as the children are in a decent school district the past ties to the need to be in a commuter friendly costly tax town is not as high on the list as in years past.Familiies also have to save hundreds of thousands of after tax dollars as their kids college and high costs years are just ahead.Not everyone is a Wall Street mogal or a ridgewood millionaire.We need to keep costs in check,examine cross township shared muni services,Garbage , Maintenance ,sewers departments ..even Fire Department etc.TAXES ARE TOO HIGH RIDGEWOOD AND NO ONE IS ADDRESSING THIS RISK To our home investments here ..lots of for sale signs I mid winter is a possible early warning .people getting out early
