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Reader bets that the Elks building will become the Library’s auditorium?

Ridgewood Elks

“Not so many years ago Ridgewood water was so good that pediatricians said it could be used for babies formula without being boiled. Now it is literally toxic and there are many times that our water filter cannot overcome the purely nasty taste and smell. Recently it was announced that our water rates will once again go up as Ridgewood isn’t selling enough water to meet their cost. Since most of it is being supplied by Suez they have to pay them first. Remember, the neighboring towns who receive Ridgewood water sued them because part of their bill payment was used to subsidize other Ridgewood departments. Ridgewood’s response was to hire someone who “proved” that the rate the other towns were paying was the right rate and thus the suit should be null and void. The other towns did not give up and Ridgewood will be eventually forced to pay reimbursement of the overage in charges. Unfortunately, our “wonderful Council” says the water company is self supporting and that it doesn’t cost anything in Ridgewood taxes. That is why they used “water company money” to buy the Elks. (Presumably all the water company’s cars and trucks will take the Library and Village hall parking spots on Maple as “adequate parking is not available at the Elks.”) Anyone want to bet that that building will not become the Library’s auditorium? Honesty and truth telling cannot be found in the Council, the BOE, or from any other official in Ridgewood. We are left to wonder WHY they prefer to hide their true actions?”

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Reader Questions Elks Purchase

Ridgewood Elks

“Does it make sense that the Elk’s Club was purchased via the Ridgewood Water utility (100% owned by the Village) for $1.2 million, and now it will cost another $3 million to redevelop? When the original cost proposed by the Village Council majority was under $2 million? Given the likely change orders, and the fact this Village couldn’t manage running a lemonade stand, we’re talking $5+ million for a building to house 30 Ridgewood Water employees right in the CBD. One that doesn’t even have parking for their trucks. How does this make any sense to taxpayers when there so much empty Class A & B office space to lease in Bergen County? It only makes sense to a Council majority that has promised space in Village Hall to the police department”

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BREAKING: Renovation of Old Elks Club building could cost up to $3 million

Ridgewood Elks

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Council members were informed on Wednesday night that renovation (or new construction) of the old Elks Club building, which was purchased with the intent of consolidating the majority of Ridgewood Water’s employees into a single location, could cost as much as $3 million.  Options range from a simple interior renovation (tagged at $1.7 million), to the construction of a brand new, 4-story building (with an estimated cost of $3 million).  Two (2) other renovation/construction options were offered; each with a projected cost of $2.3 million.

Continue reading BREAKING: Renovation of Old Elks Club building could cost up to $3 million
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Reader says , “To not buy the Elks would be shortsighted “

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Ridgewood Water is well managed and they are responding to unfunded mandates. Did you not tune in and note that for the past few years they have run the water company well below their own projections and below the operating expenses of similar public and private water companies? The presentation should be online. There is a well directly next to the house on Goffle so my guess is the need the space for additional pumping or treatment. Buying the Elks and moving the Water staff of Village Hall out gives the RPD the office space they need in Village Hall. It also will consolidate water staff for better efficiency and oversight. Buying up the property directly next to the municipal complex, regardless of the future occupants, makes sense in my opinion. It will address any future needs that arise. To not buy it would be shortsighted; I hate additional spending (I am vehemently opposed to the mega-garage) but these purchases make sense.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2018 7:30 P.M.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 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.”

Continue reading VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 2018 7:30 P.M.

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Village Council Special Public Meeting Spend Spend Spend

money

20181024 – Village Council Special Public Meeting
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL
SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2018
7:30 P.M.

Continue reading Village Council Special Public Meeting Spend Spend Spend

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Reader calls Village Council , “shopaholics”

Ridgewood Village Hall theridgewoodblog.net 17

What every single one of them lacks is a financial brain and apparently all also are “shopaholics”, who can’t wait to find something else they can waste money on. As long as they, personally, only have to pay a small part of what they are buying, building, etc., they are all for it. I have to assume they are all personally rich since they don’t seem to care about all the expenses they are signing up, for which the town must pay. The last Council blasted the townspeople if they opposed what the council wanted. This one just keeps whistling along and stating they don’t have ANY knowledge of ANY objections to their expensive plans.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2018 8:00 P.M.

chickens1

20181010 – Village Council Regular Public Meeting
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2018 8:00 P.M.

Continue reading VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2018 8:00 P.M.

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Reader says Citizens We have lost control of our town

high density housing

Citizens We have lost control of our town..but will pay the invoices for these scandalous errors and boondoggles for decades..many will see the handwriting on the wall and sell..then the newbees will be fresh rubes for the VC and their takers to clean them out as well..because they see the future and it’s all for their backers to cleave off extra unearned value by over developing the town and packing up the loot and jetting off to Margaritaville.Folks we are being ripped off.Young families won’t be able to easily sell with multiple kids in VR free but taxed school systems and longer term future college and tax costs so high.we have been gamed folks

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Reader says I’m really beginning to wonder if the members of the council can even balance their own checkbooks

ridgewood elks

Does anyone have a source for fake money? Maybe if we made a visual presentation on how big that amount of money is, the council could understand it better. They appear to be only able to visualize in their minds sums that do not have a large amount of zeros behind them. I was under the impression that the council members were normal people and not among the extremely wealthy in town. I guess I made the mis-assumption that ordinary people could keep track of their money when the council shows it’s only the extremely rich who can count–or even see- the zeros. An unneeded garage and an expensive building that the last I heard the “water company had enough money for the purchase.” I thought that quote was rather interesting as the dispute between towns who think they were overcharged and got court approval to collect has not even been considered as a possible loss of that extra money in repayments demanded by the court. I’m really beginning to wonder if the members of the council can even balance their own checkbooks as they certainly don’t hesitate to spend on bonds for many years in the future and don’t see how this could make it extremely impossible for Ridgewood to balance theirs.
You were elected on the premise that you would only act on things that were good for Ridgewood and reduce costs in every way possible. At this rate you all might have the dubious honor of being the council who threw away the most money in all of Ridgewood’s recorded history during your term on the council.

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THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA JANUARY 10, 2018 7:30 P.M.

Ridgewood's Iconic Sycamore Tree on the island at Graydon Pool is dying

THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA JANUARY 10, 2018 7:30 P.M.

7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
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.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Bond Ordinance – Carr GAC Treatment System
Award of Professional Services Contract – Public Policy Consultant
Award of Professional Services Contract – Change Order – Booster/Transfer Station Improvements
Award State Contract – Chlorine Analyzers and Supplies
Bid Rejection – Cedar Hill Rehabilitation
Award Contract – Cedar Hill Rehabilitation
Bid Rejection – 2018 Well Improvements

Parking
Discussion of Extension of Deadline for RFPs for Hudson Street Parking Garage

Budget
Award of Second Year of Contract – Maintenance of Irrigation Systems and Water Fountains
Amendment to Contract Previously Awarded– Two Police Vehicles
Bond Ordinance – Paving
Award of Bergen County Cooperative Purchasing Program – Rock Salt
Award of Professional Engineering Services – Phase I Security Improvements at Village Hall
Award Contract – Document Management System

Policy
Approve Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force
Discuss Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Requirements
Discuss Donations to Parks and Recreation Department – Community Center & Landscape Elements
Approve Continued Participation in Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Project
Encroachment – Enclosure for Restaurant Entrance
Continuation of Suspension of Ordinance for Certain Illuminated Signs
Municipal Charitable Deductions
Operations
Discuss Burbio Calendar App
Major Soil Permit
Report of Independent Arborist – Sycamore Tree at Graydon Pool
Improvements to Kings Pond Park
Review of December 13, 2017 Public Meeting Agenda
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
Personnel – Appointments to Boards and Committees; Re-Appointment of Registrar
Contract Negotiations – Elks Club

Adjournment