Ridgewood NJ, shades of the Garden States future , Illinois is losing more citizens than nearly every other state, and according to reports, the biggest reason citizens are leaving is that they can no longer afford to live in the Land of Lincoln.
In Illinois like New Jersey , the major reason people leave is because the state is simply taxing them out of their homes, according to Chicago’s WGN TV.Illinois lost 33,703 citizens to outward migration last year. In 2016, the state lost another 37,508 people. A report by the Chicago Tribune also noted that Chicago has been a net loser of its citizens for the last three years running. And the surrounding county were also a net loser of its population.
Changes in federal tax law , have made it exceedingly expensive to live in high tax states like New Jersey .
Will Governor Murphy’s massive tax increases , and forced over development , be the straw to break the camels back and locally will the massive new $110 million school budget ,plus millions in school bond financing finally force the last tax payers to head for the hills ?
Will this years school year end with massive flight from town?
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood has proclaimed the week of May 20th through May 26th as Emergency Medical Services Week and
encourages the community to support Ridgewood Emergency Medical Services, as well as all of their programs, ceremonies, and activities. Ridgewood Emergency Services responded to 1631
requests for assistance in 2017 and is a vital public service. Emergency Services is the largest volunteer agency in the Village of Ridgewood. The members are are ready to serve those in need 24
hours a day, seven days a week. The members engage in countless hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance lifesaving skills.
The 2018 theme for EMS WEEK is “ EMS STRONG-ALWAYS IN SERVICE”. Please help Ridgewood Emergency Services live up to this theme by volunteering and joining our Department in
EMS or in Special Operations. Free Training. Help yourself, Help your family, Help your community. We need your help. Please contact us:[email protected] or by calling 201-670-
5570. Please stop by and see us at the Memorial Day Run where we will be supporting all the participants and visitors in Ridgewood.
Village Council Special Public Meeting
VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
MAY 23, 2018
7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the 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
4. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE
Ordinance #3649 – Redevelopment Plan – Block 3809, Lots 12 & 13 – Hudson Street Parking Lot – Establishes a Redevelopment Plan for Block 3809, Lots 12 & 13, also known as the Hudson Street Parking Lot
5. Adjournment
Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
MAY 23, 2018
7:30 P.M.
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. Discussion – Parking
a. Redevelopment Plan – Ordinance
7. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda
9. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
10. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Professional Services – Water Rate Study
2. Resolution – Purchase of Elks Club Property
b. Parking
1. Timeline for Hudson Street Parking Garage
c. Budget
1. 2018 Estimated Tax Rate
2. Somerset County Cooperative Pricing – Fleet Services
3. State Contract Purchase – Police Department Carpet Replacement
d. Policy
1. Proposed Encroachment Agreement – Olive R. Twist LLC
2. Paint the Town Purple & Orange Ribbons
3. A Frame Sign Ordinance
4. Extension of Electronic Signs in Windows of the CBD
5. Authorization to Sign Seasonal Contracts/Agreements for Recreation Department
e. Operation
1. Authorizing the Historic Preservation Grant for the James Rose Center
2. Reject Bids – School Bus Transportation Services
11. Manager’s Report
12. Council Reports
13. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
14. Closed Session
A. Personnel – Boards and Committees; Professional Appointments; Extension of Professional Services Agreement (Schedler)
B. Legal – WPCF-NSU; Proposed Settlement; Ridgewood Water Lawsuit
15. Adjournment
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT has unveiled new interactive touchscreen kiosks as part of its continuing effort to improve communication with customers. The high-tech digital displays, currently being piloted at select rail and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stations, allow customers to access service information, maps and alerts to stay informed of travel options.
The interactive information kiosks are now in place at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail at Harborside and Pavonia stations.
“By listening to our customers, we know that receiving information is one of their top priorities,’’ said Kevin Corbett, Executive Director of NJ TRANSIT. “These digital displays are an added tool that will enable customers to quickly learn the current service status for their particular trip as well as their travel options for rail and light rail. We look forward to hearing feedback from customers on this latest informational asset as we continue to modernize and expand customer communications at stations and terminals.’’
NJ TRANSIT worked with Intersection, a technology and media company, on the installation of the kiosks.
The kiosks feature large formats and have a user-friendly touchscreen which provide engaging real-time data specific to a customer’s trip and mode of travel. The kiosks provide customers with systemwide maps, real-time service alerts, departure times, scheduled service changes and emergency messaging. Each kiosk contains the NJ TRANSIT branding on top, for easy identification.
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announces the formation of the Bergen County Safe Schools Task Force. The Task Force will take a multi-disciplinary approach to the issue of school safety, with the primary focus on developing best practices for prevention and response to potential school shooting situations.
According to Acting Prosecutor Calo, “The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) and all of Bergen County Law Enforcement place the highest priority on the safety of our children, our schools, and school personnel.” He also noted that the BCPO has been at the forefront of the effort to ensure the safety of our schools and communities. For example, in 2013, the BCPO introduced a School Security Initiative comprised of officers from various Bergen County municipal police agencies. To further this effort, the BCPO sponsored training by Texas A & M University Engineering Extension Service (“TEEX”). As a result of that training, 56 police officers and 41 school security professionals were certified to conduct risk and vulnerability school assessments. Since then, Bergen County has coordinated the security assessments of 165 public and 56 private schools. The BCPO has also partnered with Bergen County municipal law enforcement agencies, the New Jersey Department of Education, and the New Jersey State Police to conduct unannounced visits to local schools to monitor and provide technical assistance for the enhancement of their lock-down procedures. To date, these unannounced visits have involved 66 schools from 42 school districts.
In 2017, the BCPO totally overhauled Bergen County law enforcement’s active shooter policy and training curriculum. Together with Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino and the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association, the BCPO trained every police officer in Bergen County in these new response protocols. Additionally, the BCPO, in conjunction with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, instituted the Regional SWAT Team’s mobile patrol, which puts specially trained and equipped officers on routine patrol throughout Bergen County for a more rapid and effective response to emergency situations, such as active shooter calls.
In addition to law enforcement’s efforts, many Bergen County school, mental health, and private sector professionals have been hard at work to address the dangers presented by active shooter situations. It is the goal of this newly formed task force to bring all of these professionals together under one umbrella to identify and implement best practices to address this problem in Bergen County.
The Acting Prosecutor has appointed Senior Assistant Prosecutor Martin Delaney, the Prosecutorial Chief of Investigations, as Executive Director of the Task Force. Assistant Prosecutor Delaney, who oversees all of the BCPO’s specialized prosecutions, has deep experience in crime prevention and response and serves as Legal Advisor to the Regional SWAT Team. Other members of the Task Force are drawn from the law enforcement, educational, mental health and business communities. These members and their affiliations are as follows: Chief Robert Anzilotti, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office; James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Executive; Michael Saudino, Bergen County Sheriff; Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph J. Madden, President of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association; Joseph Zarra, Interim Executive Bergen County Superintendent of Schools; Joseph Masciandaro, President/CEO of CarePlus New Jersey; Harrington Park School Superintendent Adam Fried, Ed.D., President of the Bergen County Association of School Administrators; Saddle River Police Department Sergeant Timothy Gerity, President of the New Jersey Association of School Resource Officers; Jonathan Miller, Bergen County Association of School Security Professionals; Julien Neals, Esq., Bergen County Counsel and Acting Bergen County Administrator; Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Freeholder Pro Tempore; Matt Zames, former Chief Operating Officer of JP Morgan Chase and board member of Tomahawk Strategic Solutions; Agent William Stallone, Risk Mitigation Planner/Critical Infrastructure Coordinator, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Acting Prosecutor stated with reference to the Task Force members, “These busy professionals have committed themselves to study and advise our school districts on best practices to prevent school violence and to keep our children safe. Part of that effort is identifying dangerous individuals and situations and addressing them before they turn into tragedies. The Task Force will also advise on the best law enforcement responses to violent situations.”
The Task Force is charged with making its initial recommendations by October 2018. However, the Acting Prosecutor emphasized that he envisions the Task Force as an ongoing endeavor to provide ever increasing safety to our schools and children.
Ridgewood NJ, H.I.L.T. (Highlights in Leisure Time) is a senior’s club sponsored by Ridgewood Parks and Recreation, for Village residents 55 and older. Monthly meetings offer entertainment or informational presentations. Special events include picnics, socials and a variety of trips to dinner theaters, museums, historical sights and sightseeing tours. Annual dues are $15.
Call 201-670-5560 to speak to Deanna Schablik for more information. H.I.L.T. Membership Application
Ridgewood NJ, Come, relax and browse through the many garden books in the Women Gardeners of Ridgewood Resource Room at the Habernickel Family Park Gate House (2nd floor), 1057 Hillcrest Road, Ridgewood.
The Resource Room will be open to the public the second Tuesday of each month, from 1 to 3 pm, on the following dates:
2018 January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11
Ridgewood NJ, Join Ridgewood Parks and Recreation for summer camps that are fun, informative, creative, educational and challenging. Find all program and registration details in the links below: Tennis Instruction and Camps with All Pro Tennis (PreK to Adult) Summer Arts & Crafts and Drawing with Mrs. C. (Grades 2-8) Multi-Sports and Sport Squirts with US Sports Institute (Sessions ages 3-5 and ages 5-12) Equestrian Introduction with PonyShare (PreK and elementary sessions) Skateboarding Summer Camps (Ages 8 to 14) Golf Camps with Skyhawks (Grades 1 through 6) Rumble in the Jungle with Abrakadoodle (PreK and elementary sessions) Robotics and Little Bits with Explore Science (Grades 2-5) S.T.E.A.M. with Education Explorers (PreK and elementary sessions) Lacrosse Camp with US Sports Institute (ages 5-7)
Register online via CommunityPass if applicable – www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass under Village Parks and Recreation (Visa/MasterCard), or in person/by mail to the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (cash/check).
Don’t hesitate to contact the Recreation Office if you have any questions or if special accomodations are needed – 201-670-5560, weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Ridgewood NJ, Starbucks continues to try to dig itself out of controversy by attempting to clarify a policy toward nonpaying guests that generated an onslaught of weekend criticism.
The Seattle-based retailer on Saturday had said it would allow all guests in its U.S. company-owned stores to use its cafes, including its restrooms, whether or not they make a purchase. That announcement, which attracted some support, also drew complaints that cafes wouldn’t have enough seats for paying customers and would turn into homeless shelters and drug havens.
At issue, is whether Starbucks views itself as a business that caters to customers, or a quasi-public place generally welcome to all. The uproar, which follows the arrest last month of two black men who wanted to use a Starbucks bathroom in Philadelphia, demonstrates the unusual spot that the nation’s biggest coffee chain holds in American culture.
Starbucks said Monday, managers and baristas should first ask a fellow employee to verify that a certain behavior is disruptive and if it is, respectfully request that the customer stop.
Other examples of disruptive behavior include talking too loudly, playing loud music and viewing inappropriate content. The company provided employees with examples of when they should call 911, which includes when a customer is using or selling drugs
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Health Department is supporting the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. During the month of May, we challenge all adults to get 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
Did you know that regular physical activity increases your chances of living a longer, healthier life? It also reduces your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Regular physical activity is good for everyone’s health! Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving. If you haven’t been active before, start at a comfortable level. Once you get the hang of it, add a little more activity each time. Then try getting active more often.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults:
Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week. Moderate activity includes things like walking fast, dancing, swimming, and raking leaves. Aerobic activities make you breathe harder and cause your heart to beat faster. Walking fast is an example of aerobic activity.
Do muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week. Muscle-strengthening activities make your muscles stronger. Muscle-strengthening activities include lifting weights, using resistance bands, and doing push-ups.
To get all the health benefits of physical activity, do a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
Physical activity is for everyone. No matter what shape you are in, you can find activities that work for you. Together, we can rise to the challenge and get more active during the month of May!
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, May 21, 2018. The Board meets at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The public is welcome to attend the meeting, or to watch from home on Fios channel 33 or Optimum channel 77. Meetings are also streamed via the “BOE Webcast” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.
Meeting webcasts are immediately available on the district website.
Ridgewood NJ, Enjoy free musical performances under the stars, Tuesdays and Thursdays, throughout the summer at the Kasschau Memorial Shell at Veteran’s Field (located behind the Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue). Programs include Broadway tunes, Calypso, Reggae, Jazz, Best of Rock and Soul, Country Western, Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute Band and so much more. No fee to attend.
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital has earned the 2018 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Stroke Centers for a second consecutive year. Valley qualified for this evidence-based designation by ranking in the top 8 percent of more than 4,800 U.S. hospitals.
“We are proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s best hospitals for stroke care,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “Valley’s Stroke Center is fully committed to delivering excellent care using the highest standards and best practices for stroke treatment.”
To qualify for the 2018 America’s Best Stroke Centers list, stroke centers must be certified by The Joint Commission Stroke Certification Program as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and/or Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center. Methodology used to assess hospitals for the award included evaluating 30-day stroke mortality and readmission rates, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results and primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.
“Timely diagnosis and effective care are critical to preventing disability and improving chances of recovery,” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “Our award educates women about where they—and their loved ones—have the best chance to return to a full life following a stroke.”
Valley’s Stroke Center has also been recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care for 2018 by Healthgrades for a second consecutive year, placing Valley in the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for stroke care. The Stroke Center has also received the Gold Seal of Approval (also known as a disease specific certification) for stroke by The Joint Commission, as well as the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus recognition from the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Summer Day Camp will again offer a diversified program of swimming, arts and crafts, games, outdoor sports, special events, and trips for Village children entering grades 1 through 6.
The six week program will be conducted weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday, June 26th, and ending on Friday, August 3, 2018. Activities will be held on the grounds of the Stable, The Community Center, Maple Park, Veteran’s Field, Graydon Pool and Leuning Park. Children are to bring their lunch and beverages. The cost is $550 per child which includes optional bus transportation from local elementary schools. All campers must also possess a 2018 Graydon Pool badge.
Please find details by clicking on the Day Camp Parent Manual and be sure to share inportant information with your camper.
Camp registration and Graydon memberships are available through Community Pass at www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass. The registration deadline for Summer Day Camp is Monday, June 11th. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560.
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