photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
March 10,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A two (2) vehicle late Friday afternoon crash at the intersection of Dayton Street and South Maple Avenue in Ridgewood resulted in a response by Ridgewood Police and Fire Department personnel. One (1) summons was issued in connection with the injury free collision. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
March 10,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, while we are glad to see the state of New Jersey lesson the regulatory bite and we have extreme doubts as to the net effect on any decrease in safety ie the Avolon Housing Complex fire , the fact remains that the Village will lose revenue by a state law no longer requiring permits for roofing, sheet rock, some plumbing, chimney liners.
During tonight’s budget hearing, and in response to a taxpayer’s question, Village Manager Heather Mailander repeated what Village Council members were told during last week’s budget hearing – It is estimated that changes to the NJ State Laws regarding building permitting requirements (permits no longer needed for roofing, sheet rock, some plumbing, chimney liners, etc.) could result in a $35k-$45k revenue drop to the Village’s building department. The estimate is based on an absence in 2018 of the same number & type of permits applied for in 2017
“Generators have been placed at the Habernickel Gate House to avoid taxpayer funding of costly repairs resulting from frozen pipes, water heaters etc.”
Huh? Really? How many “generators” were placed at the facility? Is the temperature in the house being kept at just above freezing, or is it business as usual for the Healthbarn people? Are Healthbarn’s classes being allowed to continue despite the road conditions in the area? Why wasn’t the water just drained so the pipes don’t freeze? A weak excuse at best Mayor.
CONFIRMATION!!!! Mayor Knudsen just posted on FaceBook… “generators (plural) placed at the Gate House will prevent damage from frozen pipes, water heaters, etc. The Village is the property owners and costly repairs would be borne by Ridgewood taxpayers.
I just lost all respect for the Village employees who think it’s ok to put a business run by a non resident ahead of tax payers. No matter what they could possibly say they could never justify hooking up a generator so a for profit business can run while surrounding homes & families are suffering. What Hillcrest doesn’t need is more traffic being rerouted just to get to a Healthbarn class or party. If they want to protect the house against pipes freezing then no tenants should be in it. That’s not the case she came during the storm looked like she spent the night (violation against her lease) was at the house today. Neighbors are also at risk of pipes freezing & we are very worried but no clean up happening. It took 2 village trucks to hook the generator up while that was going on I had to be rerouted just to go 1 mile. The village employees that were at the gatehouse could of been picking up branches or trimming hanging branches from trees that would of been a better use of tax payer dollars.
Wake up Ridgewood Residents. There are SEVERAL improvements being done at this house – without increasing the rent.
The rent was set at a price based on certain condition of the house. Since it was rented MULTIPLE improvements was done – and they are HIDDEN in different budget codes (some from parks and recs, some from open space, some in capital improvement), so no one can track them.
All these expenses should have caused a rent increased. Also watch out in spring and summer – she is going to put out a tent EVERY DAY and occupy the park land and the play area.
file photo by Boyd Loving
March 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village is working very closely with PSEG to restore power to all Ridgewood residents still without power. Most of our streets without power have been placed on the PSEG priority list. Power has been restored to many areas, still some of our homeowners are still in the dark. I’ve participated in several conference calls with PSEG, the most recent at 2pm, and I’ve been assured crews are in the Village and working to finish the restoration work. Crews are working throughout affected areas including the Hillcrest/Beechwood area where they are assessing damage.
The priority list includes the following areas: Hillcrest/Beachwood/Andover/Woodland, Highland/Mountain/Grandview/McKinley, Fairmount, Linwood, Doris, Libby. If I failed to mention a street it’s likely on the priority list; however, email me asap [email protected]
Thanks to everyone for alerting me when power comes back on line, doing so helps whittle down the list and helps expedite the process.
Please remember, posting on Facebook is helpful but official communications are much more effective. Kindly email any concerns to Mayor Knudsen [email protected], Village Manager [email protected], copy to Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon [email protected]
Over the past few days Village employees have worked around the clock. Emergency responders answered calls during the storm, and Parks Department workers continue to clear trees and opening roads to travel in the hours and days after. Ridgewood employees and emergency responders are working hard but are prohibited from working around downed power lines until PSE&G deems it safe.
**PSEG HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT CREWS HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED TO THE HILLCREST/BEECHWOOD AREA
**Generators have been placed at the Habernickel Gate House to avoid taxpayer funding of costly repairs resulting from frozen pipes, water heaters etc
photo courtesy of the Village Council of Ridgewood Budget Hearing
March 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council of Ridgewood Budget Hearing tonight 5:30pm Village Hall
BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE:
March 9, 2018 – 5:30pm to 10:00pm
March 16, 2018 – 5:30PM to 10:00pm
March 21st at 5:30pm – final budget overview & setting the tax rate
Tentative:
March 28, 2018 Budget Introduction
April 25, 2018 Budget Adoption
March 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, 11 homes on hillcrest are still out of power and a transformer is leaking petroleum on the roadway BUT town resources are being used to install a generator for Healthbarn?
2 town trucks are there now! Several tax payers have left the area because of the situation yet the same people who had to leave, their taxes are paying for this generator to run for a business and the man power and gas it will take to keep it running.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
March 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police issued one (1) summons in connection with a two (2) vehicle “T-Bone” crash at the intersection of Kenilworth Road and Spring Avenue, Ridgewood on Friday morning, 03/09. Ridgewood Fire Department and EMS personnel also responded. One (1) driver was transported to The Valley Hospital with non life threatening injuries. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
March 9.2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, it is being reported by several news outlets that Hawes Elementary School reported and intruder sometime last week .The incident happened around 8pm last Wednesday evening. The man was not inside the school but was on school property and walked up Stevens.
The intruder or trespasser was described as a 26 year old from Newark who appeared drugged out or under the influence of something. It has been reported that the man in question asked directions , was given them , left and the police were immediately called.
The Ridgewood Police responded ,noticed incoherent behavior and the 26-year-old Newark man was taken into custody and charged with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and then transported to New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus for treatment.
The original reports omitted the incident happened at night after school hours . The incident has many on edge over school safety ,but appears to be nothing more than another drug related incident.
TRANSIT ALERT UPDATE: NJT trains are subject to up to 60-minute delays following a pedestrian strike earlier this morning in #Secaucus. Amtrak says a train carrying 135 passengers from New York City to Savannah, Georgia hit a trespasser shortly after 6 a.m. The tracks between Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station have partially reopened but police are still on the scene investigating. Midtown trains are being diverted to Hoboken. Cross-honoring is in effect for NJ Transit buses and #PATH at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken and 33rd street in Manhattan.
March 9,2018
rthe staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT rail, bus, light rail and Access Link services will all operate on a regular weekday schedule for Friday, March 9, 2018. Rail, bus, and light rail crews, along with the New Jersey Transit Police Department, worked continuously to prepare for, and recover from, the devastating effects of this powerful storm that caused significant impacts across our entire transportation network.
For the latest travel information, customers should visit njtransit.com, access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories to your smartphone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.
Due to the freeze/thaw cycle, customers are advised to use extreme caution around bus stops, station and facilities as slippery conditions may exist. Customers should also build extra travel time into their schedules as residual delays and some cancellations may occur from the residual effects of the storm.
NJ TRANSIT crews removed well over 100 trees and branches which blocked rail tracks across the state in order to restore service. To get to the affected areas, crews had to walk in significant amounts of snow, up to 20 inches in some cases, to remove these trees and branches.
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Police Department
March 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Wires installed on utility poles carry electricity. And when wires are down, they are dangerous—electricity can still flow through them.
Never assume that a downed or low hanging power line is not energized, as it still could be “live.”
TO REPORT A DOWNED WIRE: Call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street or the number of a nearby pole that has not been damaged and is away from any downed wires. The pole number can be found on the metal tag attached to the pole.
Never go near or touch an electrical wire. Never go near or touch anything or anyone that has come in contact with an electrical wire.
Stay at least 300 feet away from all downed wires–and keep others from going near them as well. Call PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 or the Ridgewood Police Department 201-652-3900
March 9.2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Hooray: The Ridgewood Public Schools will be open at the regular time on Friday, March 9. Please be very careful when driving or walking around the Village.
March 8,2018
by John Paquin first posted in Vintage Ridgewood Facebook Group
Ridgewood NJ,Ridgewood’s first street sign?! And Zabriskie- Schedler’s too of course! I love this for how it takes you back to the past, and show’s just how the church and it’s neighborhood, including Zabriskie- Schedler, really were such an important landmark, crossroad, and part of Ridgewood’s history. Recall the earlier drawing showing how W Saddle River connected with the other roads at the church? This is that spot, and that is actually the end of W Saddle River in the lower RH corner. This is a detail from a postcard of the church taken I believe some time in the 1870’s (Peggy Norris would know for sure!). You can see the crossroads sign (on a log!) pointing to Suffern to the north (via East Glen), Hackensack to the South (via Paramus rd). And of course, below, and illegible, is the sign leading to Zabriskie- Schedler, less than 200 hundred yards or a 2-minute walk over your shoulder and back down that road. The house would be about 50 years old, ands the tree already 100, at the time of this photo. Here’s the coolest thing: the 7.5 acres of Zabriskie- Schedler are virtually untouched since the time of this photo. If you want to take a stroll back to this time, take a stroll at Zabriskie- Schedler.
0180309 – Village Council Special Public Budget Meeting
AGENDA
VILLAGE COUNCIL
SPECIAL PUBLIC BUDGET MEETING
MARCH 9, 2018
5:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order
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 – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person, 40 minutes in total)
6. Discussion Items
a. Review of Departmental Budgets and Capital Budgets
1. Finance
2. Tax
3. Parking Utility
4. Engineering
5. Traffic & Signal
6. Building Maintenance
7. Water Pollution Control Facility
8. Police Department
9. Fire Department
10. Deferred Charges
10. Statutory Expenses
11. Utilities
12. Shared Services
b. Wrap-up and Next Steps
7. Public Comments (Not to exceed 5 minutes per person)
8. Adjournment
photos courtesy of Ridgewood Emergency Services
March 8,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Emergency Services had a full compliment of volunteers on duty operating during yesterdays noreaster. It was a very busy day.
To give you an idea of how hard these guys work on February 18th in a little reported incident while the Ridgewood Emergency Services EMT’s are inside the home accessing and providing aid to the patient, Special Operation Members are outside doing their thing to ensure quick and safe exit for the patient and EMT’s to the Ambulance. It was truly a great team effort.
March 8,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, As road conditions improve following yesterday’s storm, NJ TRANSIT anticipates resuming bus service statewide for Thursday, March 8 beginning at 4 a.m. Rail service on the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line and Pascack Valley Line is expected to operate on regular weekday service.
However, Raritan Valley, Atlantic City, Main/Bergen County, Port Jervis and Morristown, Gladstone Branch and Montclair Boonton lines were heavily impacted by the storm. The storm’s heavy, wet snow toppled trees and blew overhead wires onto the rails, which has caused significant cleanup efforts. The severe conditions, particularly in along the Morris & Essex Lines in Morris County where snowfall accumulations were greatest, have rendered much of the rail infrastructure inaccessible. Crews will be working throughout the night to assess and restore service on these lines as quickly as possible. Service updates on these lines will be announced as they become available.
Customers are strongly advised to build in extra travel time and check the status of the system prior to making their trip by visiting njtransit.com or utilizing the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories to your smartphone.
Bus anticipates resuming regular service at 4 a.m. Thursday. Customers can expect delays and detours due to local road conditions.
Access Link will resume regular service in Region 3 (Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and South Ocean) for Thursday at 7 a.m. Regions 2, 4, 5 and 6 will resume service at noon on Thursday.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Newark Light Rail and RiverLINE are all expected to operate on regular weekday schedules.
Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect: To give customers as many additional travel options as possible, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode including rail, light rail, bus, PATH and NY Waterway. For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.
For the latest travel information, customers should visit njtransit.com, access NJ TRANSIT’s Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT or listen to broadcast traffic reports. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system (www.njtransit.com/mytransit), which delivers travel advisories to your smartphone. Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.
Travel Advice:
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.
If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.
