Posted on Leave a comment

Rainy Skies Don’t Stop Ridgewood From Honoring the Fallen at 107th Consecutive Ceremony

707309649 1537838711233800 6586106155299717142 n

Rain Fails to Dampen Spirits as Village of Ridgewood Observes 107th Annual Memorial Day Service

photos courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood and the Bergen County Executive James Tedesco

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Demonstrating the unwavering strength of local tradition, residents and officials gathered on Monday morning to observe the Village of Ridgewood’s 107th consecutive Memorial Day Service.

Organized by the Ridgewood American Legion Post 53, the solemn ceremony moved indoors to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church due to early morning rain. The service served as a powerful tribute to the brave men and women from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States—specifically honoring the 114 Ridgewood residents who never returned home.

Continue reading Rainy Skies Don’t Stop Ridgewood From Honoring the Fallen at 107th Consecutive Ceremony

Posted on 9 Comments

The “Forever Chemical” Fight in NJ: Why Ridgewood is Under the Microscope

678770584 1389691349858042 2551174661379639370 n

The Ridgewood Water Paradox: National Awards vs. Local Frustrations

photos courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Is the Village of Ridgewood a national leader in water safety, or is there a transparency gap leaving residents in the dark?

Recently, Mayor Paul Vagianos and Ridgewood Water Director Richard Calbi took the stage at NJIT’s Workshop on Translational Research and Technology Innovations for PFAS Decontaminations. To the room of state legislators and environmental experts, Ridgewood was hailed as being “well ahead of the curve” in the fight against “forever chemicals.”

Continue reading The “Forever Chemical” Fight in NJ: Why Ridgewood is Under the Microscope

Posted on 15 Comments

Tensions Flare in Ridgewood as Council Skips Schedler Neighborhood Toxic Cleanup Meeting

Screenshot 2026 04 07 062846

Local Outrage: Ridgewood Council Skips Schedler Soil Meeting for Bareburger Presentation

file photo

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Is the Ridgewood Village Council listening to its neighbors, or just the music? Residents of the Schedler neighborhood are calling last night a “slap in the face” after not a single member of the Village Council attended the high-stakes Zabriskie-Schedler Property Soil Remediation Community Meeting.

Continue reading Tensions Flare in Ridgewood as Council Skips Schedler Neighborhood Toxic Cleanup Meeting

Posted on 1 Comment

Is Your Property Tax Bill at Risk? Local Leaders Demand Action on Soaring State Costs

660148993 837859866010225 63059920341029321 n

Ridgewood Leaders Take the Fight to Trenton: Tackling Skyrocketing Costs and Housing Mandates

photo courtesy of Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood, NJ.,On April 2nd, Mayor Paul Vagianos and Village Manager Keith Kazmark stepped up to the plate, joining an emergency summit of leaders from across Legislative District 40. Meeting face-to-face with Senator Kristin Corrado, Assemblyman Chris DePhillips, and Assemblyman Al Barlas, Ridgewood’s leadership made it clear: local taxpayers need relief, and they need it now.

Continue reading Is Your Property Tax Bill at Risk? Local Leaders Demand Action on Soaring State Costs

Posted on 5 Comments

Reading with the Mayor: Ridgewood Officials Celebrate World Read Aloud Day at Travell School

627108780 1322718726555305 6321979597642638859 n

Village of Ridgewood Celebrates the 17th annual World Read Aloud Day

photos courtesy of the Village of ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Who had more fun on World Read Aloud Day—the Village leaders or the students? It was a close call at Travell Elementary School this week as Ridgewood’s top officials traded the boardroom for the classroom to share the magic of literacy.

Continue reading Reading with the Mayor: Ridgewood Officials Celebrate World Read Aloud Day at Travell School

Posted on 7 Comments

The “Death Penalty” for Zoning? Why Ridgewood is Facing a Housing Crisis

Screenshot 2026 01 05 075950

You Get What You Vote For: Local control over zoning is under direct threat from New Jersey’s affordable housing mandates

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood is at a major crossroads. Following a high-stakes federal ruling and a localized battle over senior living, Mayor Paul Vagianos is sounding the alarm: the Village’s local control over zoning is under direct threat from New Jersey’s affordable housing mandates.

Continue reading The “Death Penalty” for Zoning? Why Ridgewood is Facing a Housing Crisis

Posted on 4 Comments

Know Your Rights: How to Speak Up at the Jan 14 Village Council Zoning Hearings in Ridgewood

614259941 4490074111223334 8064713244273590456 n

Your Rights at the Jan 14 Zoning Hearing: Why the Mayor Can’t Silence You

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The upcoming Village Council meeting on Wednesday, January 14, is shaping up to be one of the most significant dates on the local calendar. With five major zoning changes on the table, the community is understandably concerned about how these ordinances will reshape our neighborhood.

Continue reading Know Your Rights: How to Speak Up at the Jan 14 Village Council Zoning Hearings in Ridgewood

Posted on 11 Comments

Litigation Threat Looms: Developer Unveils Revised Plan for Controversial Ridgewood Senior Care Facility

Ridgewood Senior Care Battle Heats Up! Developer Rushes to Present Revised Plan Under Threat of Losing ‘Builder’s Remedy’ Immunity

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Affordable Housing Showdown: The North Maple Avenue Debate. The proposed senior assisted care facility by Kensington Senior Development has become the focal point of a heated affordable housing battle in Ridgewood, NJ. After the Village Council rejected a crucial zoning overlay in August, the developer responded by filing an affordable housing civil action against the municipality.

Continue reading Litigation Threat Looms: Developer Unveils Revised Plan for Controversial Ridgewood Senior Care Facility

Posted on 1 Comment

HOLIDAY MAGIC! Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays Lights Up the Night with Touching Tribute

589092066 18068042843627820 6842150372211957025 n

54-Foot Christmas Tree Dedicated to Ridgewood Guild Founder Tony Damiano Marks “Greatest Night of the Year”

photos courtesy of the Village of Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Central Business District of Ridgewood officially transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland last night for the annual “Downtown for the Holidays” celebration! Despite the cold weather, massive crowds gathered for the spectacular event, culminating in a deeply emotional tree lighting ceremony that honored a beloved community leader.

Continue reading HOLIDAY MAGIC! Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays Lights Up the Night with Touching Tribute

Posted on 9 Comments

Ridgewood Open Space Tax Hike on Ballot—Is it for Park Preservation or Just More Artificial Turf?

13047648 10206811331429965 5749135250356006282 o 1152099917

Ridgewood Voters Face Open Space Referendum: $35 Extra Tax—But Will it Save Green Space or Fund Turf Fields?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood residents, check your mail! Mayor Paul Vagianos has confirmed that your sample ballot for the November 4, 2025 General Election includes a pivotal local measure concerning the Village’s Open Space Trust Fund.

Continue reading Ridgewood Open Space Tax Hike on Ballot—Is it for Park Preservation or Just More Artificial Turf?

Posted on 1 Comment

Lifelong Resident Becomes Ridgewood Firefighter

552817250 1226261079528752 1569839591690463698 n

photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47 and the Village of Ridgewood

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47 would like to congratulate and welcome Firefighter Connor McGuire to the department this week. Firefighter McGuire is a lifelong Ridgewood resident and Ridgewood High School graduate, and has been a volunteer firefighter since 2022, , responding to numerous fires, and holds both Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certifications. He comes to the Ridgewood Fire Department with the fire academy already completed and is ready to jump right into things with us.

Continue reading Lifelong Resident Becomes Ridgewood Firefighter

Posted on 20 Comments

Ridgewood Mayor’s Wellness Challenge – Simply Sexist?

image0 16

the staff of The Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, our staff members are still shaking their respective heads after reading this, which we found posted on the Village’s official website:

Continue reading Ridgewood Mayor’s Wellness Challenge – Simply Sexist?

Posted on 3 Comments

Another “What Ever Happened To?” Vagianos administration project

image0 53 scaled

the staff of The Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, along with the bus shelter at RHS (MIA) and the taxi stand tenant (MIA), what ever happened to the proposed left turn only lane/green traffic light arrow at the intersection of N. Maple and E. Glen?
They make these presentations to the public, but never seem to follow through. All show and no go.

Continue reading Another “What Ever Happened To?” Vagianos administration project

Posted on 14 Comments

Town Garage Property was Seized by Eminent Domain for Public Use – “Just Compensation?”

472789618 1004494521711062 8315580955429202669 n

the staff of The Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, several residents recently wrote to us expressing concern about comments from Village Council members of late hinting that the former Town Garage property may not become a pocket park (open space) as was promised. Mayor Paul Vagianos himself previously indicated he would rather the property be used for public parking.

Continue reading Town Garage Property was Seized by Eminent Domain for Public Use – “Just Compensation?”

Posted on Leave a comment

Luxury Interior Design Studio ‘Eleven Oak Home’ Opening in Ridgewood This Spring

Screenshot 2025 03 07 080708

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  interior designer Kim Baker, a Ridgewood native, is set to bring her modern luxury design studio and boutique, Eleven Oak Home, to the heart of Ridgewood this spring.

Located at 11 Oak St., the highly anticipated studio is scheduled to open in early May, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 6 at 5 p.m. The event will feature Mayor Paul Vagianos and members of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce.

Continue reading Luxury Interior Design Studio ‘Eleven Oak Home’ Opening in Ridgewood This Spring