Tag: Aronsohn’s Folly

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Readers not sold on Village “Road fix” plan for Garber Square

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Readers not sold on Village “Road fix” plan for Garber Square 

If they are going to waste $45,000 ripping out the just-poured curbing for the median, not installing the $5,000 worth of trees and $20,000 sprinkler system, and start over, why make it 4 feet wide?

We have always needed MORE width, not less. Before, it was 3.5 feet. Forget about “traffic calming”–we need 2 lanes, period, and making them too narrow is NOT the answer to anything.

Village Manager was concerned about cars jumping the median and hitting a bicyclist–have never seen that in 40 years. The difference between 3 feet and 8 feet to a moving, out-of-control car is zero.

Why not just make the median NARROWER and HIGHER, preferably with some material that allows light through, such as stone or brick?

Better, how about ONE foot wide and a foot or more high? Really think about it–actually DESIGN it. A lot of people are going to be looking at it and driving around it for a long time.

More space between bikes and cars would only be a good thing. And when they repaint it for two lanes in each direction, they’d have accommodated the trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, and supersize vans that zip through there constantly and might otherwise clip the cars and bicyclists.

Bike lanes are great on a straightaway but on a 90-degree curve with walls on both sides and in the middle, NO.

Are they going to rush to make the changes on Wednesday or have the public meeting urged by the League of Women Voters to enable more people to comment?

The “improved” width of 4 feet is too wide.

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Ridgewood to alter road fix plan

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Ridgewood to alter road fix plan

JUNE 7, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The Village Council agreed revisions need to be made to a street-improvement project that some residents and business owners have been critical of in recent weeks.

Although it may cost Ridgewood an extra $45,000 in capital funding, the governing body on Wednesday night accepted project modifications recommended by Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.

The council will vote on the changes Wednesday.

The $500,000 project was the subject of a recent meeting between Ridgewood officials and residents of the neighborhood where the work is taking place.

Residents have opposed the project, saying it will create traffic snarls and endanger bicyclists.

Under the original plan, bike lanes as well as an 8-foot-wide, tree-lined median would be installed, swallowing up two traffic lanes where four currently exist.

Village officials maintained the work, as first planned, would improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians around Garber Square, as well as along Franklin Avenue and Broad Street. The project is expected to be completed in July.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-to-alter-road-fix-plan-1.1031128#sthash.ZgpIQhdm.dpuf

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Issues with road project

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Issues with road project

JUNE 6, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2014, 12:31 AM

Issues with road project
Kira Semler

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

With regard to the article that appeared in the Friday, May 30, 2014 edition entitled, “Road project moving ahead,” I am in agreement with the thoughtful editorial letters submitted by Ridgewood residents regarding the fiasco with the paving of the road under the railroad bridge. I would like to add my comments:

1. The decision to reduce the lanes to one each way is ridiculous and seems to lack even a small thread of common sense.

2. Concerned residents attended this meeting with a panel of Village of Ridgewood employees and council members. Residents’ opinions/concerns fell on deaf ears.

3. How much are the cameras going to cost for the monitoring of this insanity? How about the extra manpower? Another cost the residents of the Village of Ridgewood will have to bear.

4. Will any cost overruns for later modifications be borne by the Village Council and the village manager? You know the answer to that question: There is no accountability and costs will come out of the pockets of the residents of the Village of Ridgewood.

5. What about the impact on the CBD? Of course, no one even gave that a thought.

6. I do not believe there was a study done on this project. No one heard about it until it was printed in the newspaper two weeks ago. The reason this project was not previously announced is simply because the village council did not want to hear any feedback.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-issues-with-road-project-1.1030448#sthash.ystHaBUK.dpuf

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Ridgewood council to vote on changes to Garber Square road project

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Ridgewood council to vote on changes to Garber Square road project

JUNE 5, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014, 3:37 PM
BY BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER

Ridgewood Council members this week offered their preliminary support of recommended changes to the controversial Garber Square improvement project, and their decision will be official when they vote on a village resolution June 11.

Resident protest and input over the past three weeks prompted municipal officials to revisit the plans, which call for the installation of a bicycle lane in each direction of Garber Square from the train underpass to West Ridgewood Avenue. To accommodate the bike lanes, a majority of Garber Square was reduced to one motor vehicle lane for each direction of traffic.

Though the village will continue that portion of the project, officials have agreed to reduce the width of the median separating easterly and westerly traffic from 8 feet to 4 feet. A smaller median gives the village “flexibility” in the event engineering officials opt to reinstate the second traffic lane and eliminate the bike path, according to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.

“It’s a fallback if congestion that is untreatable does occur,” Sonenfeld said at Wednesday’s council work session. “We’re not trying to cause congestion, but we’re trying to slow down traffic.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-council-to-vote-on-changes-to-garber-square-road-project-1.1030107#sthash.6B8TyDIm.dpuf

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Reader says new route keeps him from stopping and shopping

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Reader says new route  keeps him from stopping and shopping

Love the fact that they are now going to do a traffic study after they have already impeded traffic and people have already adjusted their habits and started using other roads. Only in Ridgewood.

By the way, my new route takes me up Bellair Road where there are some lovely houses. Beats the heck out of looking at all the empty lots, parked trucks and construction equipment at Ken Smith’s and sitting at the lights in downtown Ridgewood. Also keeps me from stopping and shopping. So, win/win for me. Probably not so good for the retailers.

traffic calming – traffic calming – traffic calming – traffic calming

keep repeating this mantra until you too are brainwashed into thinking that automobiles are the root of all evil and must be stopped

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Lane change an unpleasant surprise

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I have resided in Ridgewood for 35 years, and the first whiff I got of the drastic underpass plan was on May 23, 2014. David Shaw

Lane change an unpleasant surprise
David Shaw

To the editor:

Very few people appreciate unpleasant surprises. Fewer yet appreciate being blind sided.

The May 23 issue of The Ridgewood News supplied the citizens of the village an amplitude of both. I have yet to find anyone in my neighborhood who knew that one lane-each direction automobile traffic under the bridge was soon to be irrevocably in their long-term future, nor did they understand why such a thing would be contemplated.

The article stated that the plan had been fully vetted by the council and the DOT, the Ridgewood engineering and police departments, as well as the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. Critically and significantly, there was no mention that the taxpaying residents of this community were in the vetting loop. Is it unreasonably inquisitive to ask why the people most affected by this decision weren’t included, or, for that matter, even aware of the plans? Could this be construed as government by fiat?

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh was quoted as saying “the project and the Complete Streets program was formulated many years ago and is coming to fruition now.” It may have been formulated eons ago, but it surely was not communicated. I have resided in Ridgewood for 35 years, and the first whiff I got of the drastic underpass plan was on May 23, 2014.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-lane-change-an-unpleasant-surprise-1.1027821#sthash.qVuztz3F.dpuf

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Ridgewood will allow changes to Wilsey and Garber Square Road Resurfacing

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Ridgewood will allow changes to Wilsey and Garber Square Road Resurfacing

MAY 30, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Officials say a street-improvement project that has upset some residents is likely to be revised to allow traffic lanes to be restored later if the plan doesn’t work.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said at Wednesday night’s council meeting that proposed changes could be made to the $500,000 project based on “residents’ concerns, and some of our own internal brainstorming.”

She was among several Ridgewood officials who met on Tuesday night with residents of the neighborhood where the work, which should be completed in July, is taking place.

Shovels first hit dirt last week on the project, which officials maintain will improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians around Garber Square, as well as along Franklin Avenue and Broad Street.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-will-allow-changes-to-road-repairs-1.1026433#sthash.kegMzthf.dpuf

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Ridgewood will allow changes to road repairs

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Ridgewood will allow changes to road repairs

MAY 30, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Officials say a street-improvement project that has upset some residents is likely to be revised to allow traffic lanes to be restored later if the plan doesn’t work.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said at Wednesday night’s council meeting that proposed changes could be made to the $500,000 project based on “residents’ concerns, and some of our own internal brainstorming.”

She was among several Ridgewood officials who met on Tuesday night with residents of the neighborhood where the work, which should be completed in July, is taking place.

Shovels first hit dirt last week on the project, which officials maintain will improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians around Garber Square, as well as along Franklin Avenue and Broad Street.

But a number of residents said work to install bike lanes and an 8-foot-wide median sprinkled with trees and ornate lighting, which is swallowing up two traffic lanes, is already causing backups. They contend the project will only imperil bicyclists, with four lanes of traffic cut down to two.

“We will put traffic plates on certain roads to provide empirical data on traffic flows and speed,” Sonenfeld said, adding these would be installed on Heights Road, West Ridgewood Avenue, Franklin Avenue and Godwin Avenue.

Sonenfeld suggested that cameras be installed temporarily at Franklin Avenue and Garber Square, to film a week’s traffic for analysis.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-will-allow-changes-to-road-repairs-1.1026433

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Is it any surprise that this Mayor is unilaterally moving ahead with this socialist agenda?

The “traffic calming” and bike path changes to the underpass are part of UN “Agenda 21″

paronsohn

Is it any surprise that this Mayor is unilaterally moving ahead with this socialist agenda?

Do some research – try to read past the screeds and look at the ACTUAL agenda.

It includes reduction of auto use, social equity, reduction/elimination of private property rights, etc… to be implemented LOCALLY via local planning boards and committees without resident input (since the masses are deemed unable be adequate stewards)

This was signed by Bush 41, supported by Clinton, embraced by Obama.

It is opposed by (all but the most liberal) Democrats and Republicans.

Again do your own reading/research…
Here are a few good staring sites:

Democrats against Agenda 21
https://www.democratsagainstunagenda21.com/

American Policy Center – Agenda 21
https://americanpolicy.org/agenda21/

Agenda 21 Conspiracy
(a little overzealous, but has many good links)
https://agenda21conspiracy.com/

…plus do your own research.

But make no mistake… this is Aronsohn implementing the radical Agenda 21… at least in one very small way. But that’s the plan – little changes locally all implementing the agenda having a cumulative effect

1-800-PetMeds Private Label

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Readers say Honeymoon over for the New Village manager

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Readers say Honeymoon Over for the New Village manager 

I knew someone would get around to blaming Gabbert. Its not the council fault when something goes wrong. They only take the credit when something goes right and that is far and few.

This is the same Roberta Sonenfeld who was getting such praise when she was appointed.Looks like the “partisan hack” criticism was all true .

So what your saying is that are new hand pick Village Manager didn’t notify the Council because the past Village Manager had an arranged it that way. Really. A Village Manage with any background on that intersection should have brought it to the Council especially when they live on the West Side and should be familiar with that route. This is not on the job training. Next you are going to tell us that our mayor is going to use a page from our president book. “I only found out about this when he watched the news.” Please

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Mayor vows no delay to underpass work

paronsohn

Mayor vows no delay to underpass work

trust us, we’re experts, we don’t need data or a study, full speed ahead.

In a heated Village Hall meeting Tuesday night with at least 30 residents in attendance, Ridgewood officials including the mayor did little to allay concerns about the outcome of the construction at the Franklin Ave. underpass. Mayor Paul Aronsohn vowed the project would go on as planned despite repeated requests to stop and study possible solutions. While vowing to make changes to the project, the mayor did not give any detail what the changes would be. The often loud and contentious meeting saw village engineer Chris Rutishauser under constant questioning to reveal facts and studies that led to the redesign of the heavily traveled east/west artery. Rutishauser admitted there had been no study, no hard count this year of the number of cars that travel the road, no estimation of the number of bikes and no counter to residents’ concerns that removing lanes would add to traffic congestion and therefore reduce overall pedestrian safety. Rutishauser was often combative with residents and seemed ill prepared for the onslaught of doubt and skepticism over the project. The best traffic data Rutishauser could offer was 7,000 cars traveled that area a day but he did not know how many years old that data was. Left unsaid by Rutishauser was the increase over the years in traffic at the underpass. While Police Chief Ward had the lone hard fact and data point of the night: 86 accidents at the trestle since 2008, he gave no context to the data point and did not say how that number compared to other high traffic areas of the village. Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld called the project “a leap of faith”.

Other key revelations at the meeting:

No study of existing traffic patterns
No facts to support the road changes
No immediate change to traffic lights, changes that officials admitted would help facilitate left turns at the West side intersection. No timetable was given for acquiring those much needed newer lights.
The project was designed with bike lanes to draw federal tax dollars under the complete streets planning doctrine.
The theory behind the project is to “calm traffic”, a planning concept used overseas that involves narrowing roads and other measures designed to actively slow cars.
No clear answers why the village failed to seek public input on the changes to the main artery.

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Reader says How do they undertake a project of this magnitude in the dark?

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Reader says How do they undertake a project of this magnitude in the dark?

How do they undertake a project of this magnitude in the dark? The Village Manager has so far been unimpressive as Paul’s unqualified appointee and the Village Engineer proves once again he should be replaced.

The Honeymoon must be over. Dam the torpedoes full speed ahead. The Three Amigos and their hand pick spokes person don’t have a clue. Just remember the majority of the West side resident voted for them.

“Ill-concieved” is a kind way to describe a totally idiotic idea. And to think this was approved by the Village Council in the dark and with no hearing. We should all do what we can to stop this.

Microsoft Store

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Reader says I am all for the current construction change the current two-lane layout gets too crowded

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photo by Ridgewood PD

Reader says I am all for the current construction change the current two-lane layout gets too crowded

I am all for the current construction change. The current two-lane layout gets too crowded . People currently switch lanes right now in a moments of indecision or to try and overtake. The new layout will lead to a more orderly flow of traffic, with one good lane in each direction, instead of the two narrow lanes that currently exist.

Through-town traffic can only flow as fast as its narrowest or most congested point. This short stretch, either as it was, or as it will be, is not that point. My conclusion is that this work will have a positive effect. Now, whether the work itself is being done cost-effectively, that’s an entirely separate debate. I suspect, being that public funds at being spent, there will be the usual waste and borderline corruption that always takes place.

Asking people to take alternative routes while the construction is going on, I put that down to Government in action. It’s the standard advice they give out in every road maintenance project. I do, however, think that once all the work is finished, the workers and the equipment is gone, the lanes are nice and smooth, etc., that flow will not really be the same as it is right now.

My only real concern here is the usual banditry that takes place with public works projects. Take for instance the recent paint job at the pedestrian underpass. I forget the sum, but I think it ran into the $200,000 level. It was nothing more than rolling paint over the surface. It is already peeling.

Microsoft Store

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Logic questioned on eliminating traffic lane

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Logic questioned on eliminating traffic lane

MAY 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014, 1:58 PM

Logic questioned on eliminating traffic lane
David Slomin

To the editor:As a resident involved in the efforts to limit excessive apartment density increases pushed upon us by overzealous developers, I planned to write a letter of kudos to Ridgewood’s citizens for their great turnout and overwhelming vote of solidarity to Save Our Village in last week’s election. But then something came up.

I was made aware, only on the eve of construction, that Ridgewood was permanently closing lanes under the Franklin Avenue underpass, limiting traffic to one lane each way, while adding a dangerous bike lane.

While I thoroughly applaud efforts to improve safety, I question the logic and process by which this was approved. No clear notice or information was provided to residents and nobody reached out for input. Ridgewood’s website ignores it. Furthermore, while I’m told Engineering did careful reviews of this location, no village-wide traffic study was done to see how this might impact neighboring streets. And … this is right where they are proposing rezoning for more than 100 apartments!

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-logic-questioned-on-eliminating-traffic-lane-1.1022631#sthash.jEf9AntC.dpuf

Wilsey & Garber Square Road Resurfacing and Improvements

Click Here https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/engineering/2013WestSideStreetscapeOptionE.pdf

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Losing lane will lead to disaster

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Losing lane will lead to disaster

MAY 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014, 1:52 PM

Losing lane will lead to disaster
Ellen McNamara

To the Editor:

Has anyone noticed the recent construction on the approach to the train underpass, heading east toward Franklin Avenue, and wondered how Ridgewood might be improving this dangerous, always crowded curve that is an eyesore in the village? It was just brought to my attention that this road is going to be altered from a two-lane road on each side, to one lane in each direction. This is going to be a disaster.

Our new village manager responded to my friends’ and neighbors’ concerns via email, but this is clearly a done deal. She outlined the plans for the underpass approach, and while I agree a median with trees will improve the look of the road, and a larger corner at Broad and Franklin will improve pedestrian safety there, the traffic that will result from slowing the flow of vehicles into and out of the underpass will surely create a backup of cars in every direction.

Traffic is already awful. Pedestrians are not safe, as drivers circle, looking for parking, or attempt to beat the traffic through town to their daily activities. Traffic backing up on both sides of the underpass will surely lead to road rage.

Apparently, the point of this plan is to create bike lanes. If I were to ride my bike under the train trestle using one of these lanes, what would I do when I reached the other side? Take my life in my hands, that’s what.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-losing-lane-will-lead-to-disaster-1.1022628#sthash.1TJqpmxY.dpuf

Wilsey & Garber Square Road Resurfacing and Improvements

Click Here https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/engineering/2013WestSideStreetscapeOptionE.pdf