Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog wanted to close out 2018 with the Big Zucchini awards . After consulting many readers and staff ,most came up with a similar list ,however one respondent listed them all .
A Big Zucchini is given for what readers and staff consider the biggest screwups in the Village of Ridgewood for 2018, but remember a screwup to one is a triumph to another.
Almost everyone listed the first two
Approval of $12 million parking garage.
Purchase of Elks Club property.
“Lemon” leaf vacuum.
Unauthorized payments to Parkmobile.
Horrendous leaf pickup process
Increased parking meter and hang tag fees.
Closing Village Hall for ½ day to facilitate installation of generator.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Recycling Center will be closed to the public on Wednesday, August 15th and Thursday, August 16th, for the installation of electrical conduit to facilitate a new cardboard compactor. The closure is necessary to protect the safety of the public and the Village Staff during this work. The new compactor will replace the garbage truck that is currently utilized, providing a more efficient and sustainable method of disposal for this recyclable.
Here’s a copy of the email I sent to Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly this morning regarding today’s hearing about high density housing.
July 25, 2018
Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly
Chair Housing and Community Development
Via asmwimberly@njleg.org,
RE: Committee Hearing on High Density Housing July 25th
Honorable committee members, invitees, public and Chair Wimberly;
I unfortunately cannot attend the July 25th, 2018 Committee Hearing on High-Density Housing and would appreciate it if you could please read this into the record.
I am a resident of 50 years in West Windsor, NJ, in Mercer County.
The NJ courts have ruled that towns must meet fair housing needs totaling more than 150,000 units, statewide. Specifically, West Windsor must build 1,500 affordable housing units by 2025.
West Windsor has acted in good faith in providing affordable housing over the years, and so we have credit for about 1,000 affordable units, which means we must build an additional 500 units. However, since developers build 4 market rate units for every 1 affordable unit (if we’re lucky), we’re actually looking at 2,500 units, or an increase of 25 percent to the township’s current inventory of some 10,000 units.
This is a huge increase that will pose a hardship to our residents. In addition to increasing existing residents’ property taxes (to subsidize the lower property taxes that will be paid by these high-density housing units), West Windsor Township will also be burdened with:
· Increased traffic on roads and railways
· Increased stress on aging infrastructure such as water supply, sewers, electrical grids, telecommunications (including internet connectivity and broadband speeds)
· General overpopulation and overcrowding, including overcrowding of schools and/or the need to build additional schools
We need to address the unrealistic process the court is using to micromanage how many units a community needs to build. We need to stop court-mandated high-density housing. Obligations should be determined by the State Council on Affordable Housing, which needs to set uniform rules and create predictability. Municipalities should have the right to reject any development that increases housing by more than 5% in 10 years.
It’s important to note, West Windsor has already started making an effort to satisfy their obligation, by recently agreeing to build 800 new homes (including 132 affordable units) next to the Princeton Junction Train Station.
High density housing is not good planning and will lead to rampant over-development, lower quality of life, and higher costs. The only people that benefit from these affordable housing mandates are the developers. The existing residents are the biggest losers and the affordable housing isn’t even that affordable!
As a resident of West Windsor Township, I thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Tracy Sinatra
Republican Candidate for New Jersey General Assembly District 15, Election November 6, 2018
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
JULY 11, 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
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Public Policy Consultant
2. Award Contract – Professional Services – Eastside Reservoir Improvements
3. Award Contract – Well Improvements – Linwood and Cedar Hill Wells
4. Purchase of Ridgewood Elks Club
b. Parking
1. Revisions to Valet Parking Ordinance
2. Overbrook Road Parking
3. Parking Meter Rates/Hours and Kiosks
c. Budget
1. Award Contract – Purchase of 2018 Utility Vehicle – Emergency Services
2. Amendments to Contract – Security System at Village Hall
3. Award Contract – Self-Contained Compaction Unit – Recycling Department
4. Award Contract – Snow Plowing Services
5. Award Contract – Sale of Compost
6. Award Contract – Leaf Collection Services
7. Award Contract – Asphalt Repair and Patch/Curb and Sidewalk Repairs
8. Release of Escrowed Funds – Stop & Shop Supermarket
9. Award Contract – Vehicle Emergency Equipment – Fire Department
10. Award Contract – Hot Box Asphalt Repairs
11. Ridgewood Senior Citizen Housing Corporation Pilot
12. Resolution for Costs of Mailing Tax Sale Notice
13. Award Contract – Partial Roof Replacement – Village Hall
14. Award Contract – Vegetative Management – Crest Road
d. Policy
1. Appoint Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer
2. Amend Ordinance on Outdoor Cafes – Enforcement
3. Proposed Zoning Amendments – Encroachment of Stairs, Front Yard Setback –District B2
4. Residency Requirement for Civilian Positions
5. Return School Board Election to April
6. Licensing Sellers of E-Cigarettes
7. Amendment to A-Frame Sign Ordinance to Allow Displays
e. Operation
1. National Cooperative Purchasing Agreements – Sourcewell
2. Schedler Field Design
3. Ordinance – No Left Turns on to Franklin – In/Out Starbucks
4. Do Not Enter Signs – Maple Exit at Jersey Mike’s
5. Amend Ordinance – Issuance of Notices on Dead Trees
6. Interim Health Officer Coverage
7. Review of July 18, 2018 Public Meeting Agenda
8. Manager’s Report
9. Council Reports
10. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
11. Closed Session
A. Legal – HealthBarn; The Town Garage; Ridgewood Water Lawsuit; COAH
B. Personnel – Emergency Medical Services
12. Adjournment
The Ridgewood Library serves as the Village cultural and intellectual center. In 2017, we loaned 575,000
print & media items, hosted 49,000 people at Library programs, and answered 102,500 reference questions.
Why renovate the Library now?
The last Library renovation was 20 years ago. Since 1998, we’ve welcomed over 6 million visitors.
$125 million in State Grant funds has been approved build and renovate public libraries in NJ.
1:1 Grant, e.g. $2 million in state grant funds would require match of $2 million local (any mix of
municipal/private funding). Guidelines coming in fall of 2018; libraries need to be ready with a plan.
How would the Library improve, if renovated according to this concept?
The entire Library needs basic upgrades – new carpet, paint and efficient lighting.
Our residents use the Library heavily – more space is needed for teens, quiet study & research,
makerspace, magazine lounge, multicultural services and group study/small meeting rooms.
We would reorganize the interior, expanding the teen space and locating it in a brighter area while
reducing the amount of space presently absorbed by CDs, DVDs and outdated books.
The Auditorium needs additional (and more comfortable) seats as well as an upgrade to the
performance area – stage curtain, etc. We would square off the slanted corner for more seating.
A new Central Stairway between the 1st and 2nd floors would easily guide visitors to the adult services
department on Level 2, and bring natural light into the dim circulation area
Staff will be more mobile, available to assist our visitors – not anchored behind large desks.
What would this renovation cost?
Right now, it’s too soon to say. An independent professional will calculate a cost estimate in early summer.
A previous, more complex plan had been estimated at about $6.3M.
When will the Library provide more information and open discussion with the community?
Public presentations/community discussions will be offered after we receive a reliable cost estimate.
How would the renovation be funded?
If the concept is approved for further development, the Library would work toward funding from 3 sources:
NJ State Library Grant
Village of Ridgewood: Capital Improvement funding
Capital Campaign: Raise private gifts from generous individuals, foundations and businesses.
Would the Library have to be closed during the renovation? What would happen to library services?
During any Ridgewood Library closure, alternate services would be offered. Our employees would help out at
neighboring libraries to welcome and serve Ridgewood residents. We would partner with the Village of
Ridgewood and community service organizations to borrow space for storytimes, book discussions and more.
Perhaps we could set up temporary Ridgewood Library services in a vacant building or storefront.
More information will be coming in the next few months.
As always, Library Director Nancy Greene welcomes community suggestions & comments through email or phone. ngreene@ridgewoodlibrary.org or 201-670-5600, x 124.
Thank you for your interest.
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.
Paramus NJ, Law enforcement officers from the Paramus Police Department will join with police from around the country in cracking down on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the national “Click it or Ticket” campaign.
Beginning May 21 and running through June 3, the annual “Click It or Ticket” national mobilization utilizes high visibility seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols, in combination with local and national publicity efforts, to reiterate the life-saving value of seat belts.
“Using a seat belt is the simplest way for a driver and his or her passengers to protect themselves when traveling,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “In 2016, it is estimated that more than 14,500 lives were saved nationally by the proper use of seat belts.”
Poedubicky added that a key focus of this year’s campaign is to promote seat belt usage by adults in all seating positions in the vehicle, both front AND rear seats. The front seat belt usage rate in New Jersey currently stands at 94.07%. However, adults riding in rear seats are buckling up at a significantly lower rate, only 48% in the most recent survey. “For whatever reason there seems to be a disconnect with people feeling they don’t need to buckle up when riding as a passenger in rear seats, and this is a concern,” he said.
During the 2017 “Click it or Ticket” campaign, 350 New Jersey police agencies participated in the two-week initiative. As a result of the effort, law enforcement officers issued 17,792 seat belt citations, 6,363 speeding summonses and made 976 impaired driving arrests.
Service Adjustments Required To Advance Positive Train Control (PTC) Equipment Installation
May 4,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT continues installation of PTC equipment on its rail fleet. To accommodate this critical safety upgrade, weekday rail schedules are being adjusted to allow for hardware components to be installed on locomotives and cab cars.
Beginning Monday, June 4th, some trains will be temporarily discontinued or have changes of origin/destination. This will impact customers along the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast Line, Morris & Essex Lines, and Pascack Valley Line. Other trains throughout the system will have schedule and/or station stop adjustments. These schedule adjustments are temporary and will be restored in early 2019.
“NJ TRANSIT understands that any change to the train schedule has an impact on the travel patterns of our customers,’’ said Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “We are doing everything in our power to install this important safety technology as quickly as possible. I ask for customers’ patience during this process as the end result is a safer railroad for everyone.”
The following trains will be temporarily discontinued or have a change in origin: Customers are strongly encouraged to view the full timetables on njtransit.com for all travel options.
Main Line /Bergen Line Unaffected
Northeast Corridor (NEC)
INBOUND
Train 5822, the 7:05 a.m. departure from New Brunswick to Newark Penn
Earlier option departs at 6:59 a.m. (Limited additional capacity)
Later option departs at 7:10 a.m.
OUTBOUND
Train 3811, the 4:51 a.m. departure from PSNY to Trenton
Earlier option departs at 4:17 a.m.
Later option departs at 5:07 a.m.
Train 5869, the 6:03 p.m. departure from Newark Penn to Trenton
Earlier option departs at 5:56 p.m. (Limited additional capacity)
Later option departs at 6:11 p.m.
Pascack Valley Line
INBOUND
Train 1618, the 7:59 a.m. departure from Spring Valley to Hoboken. (Metro-North express)
Earlier option departs Spring Valley at 7:37 a.m.
#1620 moves 5 minutes earlier to depart Spring Valley 4 minutes later than the discontinued #1618. Metro-North customers arrive in Hoboken 13 minutes later than the current #1618
OUTBOUND
Train 1639, the 7:20 p.m. departure (M-TH) from Hoboken to Spring Valley (Metro-North express)
Earlier option departs at 6:48 p.m.
Later option departs at 7:29 p.m.
Note: Train 9653 which currently operates only on Friday afternoons and before specific holidays (departing Hoboken at 2:58 p.m.) will operate only on 7/3, 8/31, 11/21, 12/21. On those dates, train 1633 (departing Hoboken at 5:58 p.m.) will not operate.
Ridgewood NJ, Imagine taking a seat behind the wheel of a real police cruiser, climbing aboard a shiny fire truck, exploring up-close a fleet of the other emergency and public works vehicles you’ve only seen at a distance. Treat your children to a day of hands-on adventure at Ridgewood Touch-a-Truck Day 2018!
A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORED BY THE RIDGEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
Touch A Truck – Interactive Day of Fun for Children
THURSDAY, May 17, 2018
9:00 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
MEMORIAL PARK AT VAN NESTE SQUARE, RIDGEWOOD
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood League of Women Voters will hold a forum for candidates who are running for Ridgewood Village Council in the Municipal Election. Voting for the election will take place on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.
The Forum will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday, April 30, 2018 at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, in the courtroom.
There are four candidates (listed in alphabetical order) for two seats on the Ridgewood Village Council:
Alexandra Harwin
Susan Knudsen
Michael Sedon
Janice Willett
The candidates will each provide a background statement and will answer questions provided by the League of Women Voters of Ridgewood and members of the community.
The Candidates Forum will be televised live on Cablevision-Channel 77 and Fios-Channel 34, and Livestreamed on YouTube.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation in government. We welcome all individuals aged 16 years or older to join. Please note that membership eligibility reflects changes made this year by the National League of Women Voters to open membership to non-U.S. citizens as well as to young adults who are 16 and 17 years old.
If you have any questions related to the League of Women Voters, please contact ridgewoodlwv@gmail.com.
The Central Business District Advisory Committee
invite you to attend the second
Central Business District Community Forum
Ridgewood Village Hall
131 North Maple Ave
Anne Zusy Youth Center
Monday, May 14, 2018, 6-8pm
RSVP cbdac@ridgewoodnj.net
Bring your ideas how to make the CBD better.
see you there!
May 14th, 2018
Emmanuel Baptist Church will hold an Italian Festival on April 28, 2018 Sat, April 28, 2018 Time: 5:30 PM Location: Heritage Hall of Emmanuel Baptist Church, 14 Hope St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450
April 15,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Men’s Fellowship of Emmanuel will sponsor an Italian Festival Dinner on Saturday, April 28th, at 5:30 pm in Heritage Hall of Emmanuel Baptist Church, 14 Hope Street, Ridgewood, NJ.
The menu will feature a variety of traditional Italian dishes and desserts. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children and can be purchased by calling the Church office at 201-444-7300 on or before April 24th. All funds raised will be used to support Mission Projects of the Men’s Fellowship including Good Shepherd Mission in Paterson, Center for Food Action, and Social Services of Ridgewood and Vicinity.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 126th Anniversary Year and continues to maintain a tradition of community outreach. Emmanuel is located at 14 Hope Street, at the corner of Hope Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The building is ADA accessible and all are invited to attend. For more information, visit www.emmanuelridgewood.org or https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelRidgewood/.
March 22 2018(All Day)
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Due to the hazardous road conditions from the winter storm, all Ridgewood Schools will operate under the delayed opening schedule tomorrow, Thursday, March 22, 2018. Under the delayed opening schedule, the school day will begin two hours laterthan usual.
School bus schedules will operate two hours later. Elementary school children who have not ordered lunch must bring a bag lunch to school as there will not be sufficient time for children to go home for lunch when there is a delayed opening.
