Posted on 22 Comments

Reader says The complaint was NOT filed by a group of dissatisfied residents. It was filed by John Paff, who is an open-government activist who does not live in Ridgewood

Ridgewood News

Evan Weitz –Aren’t you an attorney? Somewhat educated? Well., let’s see. The complaint was NOT filed by a group of dissatisfied residents. Nope. It was filed by John Paff, who is an open-government activist who does not live in Ridgewood. As an attorney, which you purport to be, you ought to get the FACTS straight. The Local Finance Board found Aronsohn and Sonenfeld GUILTY of using public funds to promote their own agenda. The size of the fine is meaningless – the fact is, they were found guilty, and rightly so. Mr. Weitz, you ran a (thankfully) failed attempt to get elected in Ridgewood. So we know now that you are NOT an advocate of the people. You, as a resident, do not care that your tax dollars were used to promote one side of a referendum question. You will never get elected, I hope you know that. Never. You come from the same poison well as Sonenfeld and Aronsohn. Done.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2017 8:00 P.M.

Ridgewood Village Council

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2017 8:00 P.M.

  1. Call to Order – Mayor
  1. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
  1. Roll Call – Village Clerk
  1. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
  1. Acceptance of Financial Reports
  1. Approval of Minutes
  1. Proclamations

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over – 2017 Year End     Holiday Statewide Crackdown

 

  1. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3           minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
  1. Village Manager’s Report
  1. Village Council Reports
  1. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER

NONE

  1. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER

NONE

  1. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-372 THROUGH

17-379 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL.  THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

 17-372    Title 59 Approval – Line Stop and Valve                Insertion Services – Approves the plans and            specifications for Line Stop and Valve                 Insertion Services prepared by the Ridgewood           Water Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-373    Award Contract – Line Stop and Valve                   Insertion Services (NTE $100,000) – Awards             the first year of a two-year contract to the           lowest responsible bidder, Carner Brothers,           10 Steel Court, Roseland, NJ

17-374    Title 59 Approval – Water Billing and Data              Collection/Processing Services – Approves the           plans and specifications for Water Billing             and Data Collection Services prepared by the               Ridgewood Water Department, pursuant to Title          59

17-375    Award Contract – Water Billing and Data                Collection/Processing Services (NTE                    $237,395/year) – Awards the first year of a            three-year contract to the sole responsible              bidder, Computil, Inc., 30 Controls Drive,              Shelton, CT

17-376    Award Contract Under State Contract –                  Emergency Generators (NTE $100,291.65) –               Awards a contract under State Contract to             United Rentals, 222 Bergen Turnpike,                Ridgefield Park, NJ

17-377    Award Professional Services Contract –                 Evaluation of Water Quality (NTE $170,000) –            Awards a no-bid Professional Services                    Contract to Mott MacDonald, 111 Wood Avenue               South, Iselin, NJ. The required Pay to Play               forms have been filed with the Village                 Clerk’s Office.

17-378    Authorize Change Order #1 – Professional               Services for Lafayette Reservoir Improvements         (NTE $5,000) – Authorizes Change Order #1 to            the original low bidder, H2M Associates,               Inc., 119 Cherry Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ.             This change order is necessary due to                  remediation recommendations for the                 deteriorating inside of the reservoir dome.

17-379    Authorize Change Order #1 – SCADA System               Software (NTE $14,944.96) – Authorizes Change         Order #1 to the original low bidder, Emerson               Process Management Power and Water Solution,               200 Beta Drive, Pittsburgh, PA. This change             order is necessary due to additional                   software licenses needed for the Ridgewood            Water Department and the Village Water                 Pollution Control Facility.

  1. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION

3626 – Amend White Collar Salary Ordinance – Amends            Ordinance No. 3608 to make minor adjustments to           the previously adopted White Collar salary             ordinance

3627 – Amend Blue Collar Salary Ordinance – Amends        Ordinance No. 3607 to make minor adjustments to          the previously adopted Blue Collar salary             ordinance

3628 – Amend Management Salary Ordinance – Amends             Ordinance No. 3620 to make minor adjustments to           the previously adopted Management salary               ordinance

3629 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – CBD          Employee Parking – Cottage Place Lot – Restores          15 parking spaces to general parking by              eliminating 15 CBD Employee Parking spaces in          the Cottage Place lot

3630 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –              Prohibit Overweight and Over Length Vehicles –           Glenwood Road – Prohibits vehicles in excess of           22 feet in length and 10,000 pounds in Gross            Vehicle Weight on Glenwood Road, from Upper             Boulevard to the Ho-Ho-Kus municipal boundary

  1. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING

3623 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Establish Stop Signs at Cliff Street and First            Street

3624 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic –             Establish Stop Signs at Various Locations at        Intersections with West End Avenue

3625 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development –          Allow Certain Illuminated Interior Signs in           the Central Business District

  1. RESOLUTIONS

THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 17-380 THROUGH

17-411 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL.  THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:

17-380    Approve 2018 Village Cash Management Plan –            Annual resolution which approves the Cash           Management Plan and Policy.  This Cash                Management Plan is to be used as a guide for           Village officials when depositing and                  investing the Village’s funds.   

17-381    Designate Official Newspapers for 2018 –               Annual resolution which designates The Record         and the Ridgewood News, and the USA Today               Network (the parent company of both                 newspapers) as the official newspapers of the        Village of Ridgewood

17-382    2018 Annual Meetings Statement – Annual                resolution which sets the schedule for the             Village Council Meetings for 2018

17-383    Approve Budget Transfers – Annual resolution            which transfers money in the 2017 budget from       departments which have excess funds to those           departments which do not have adequate funds

17-384    Approve 2018 Temporary Budgets – Approves              the 2018 Temporary Budgets for the General            budget, the Water Utility budget, and the               Parking Utility budget, which will fund               Village operations prior to the adoption of            the 2018 Budget

17-385    Award Contract – Preparation of 2018 Village           Council Meeting Minutes ($8.50/page/NTE         $18,000) – Awards a contract for preparation         of the 2018 Village Council Meeting minutes       to Caitlin Powers, 413 Van Emburgh Avenue,           Ridgewood, NJ as the sole quote

17-386    Title 59 Approval – Leasing of Police                  Vehicles – Approves the plans and                     specifications for 36 Month Lease and Service        Agreement for Two (2) SUVs, Two (2) Sedans,             and One (1) Minivan, as well as Service for            Other Authorized Vehicles Ridgewood Police              Fleet January 1, 2018 through December 31,               2020 for the Village of Ridgewood, prepared            by the Engineering Division, pursuant to                Title 59

17-387    Award Contract – Leasing of Police Vehicles            (NTE $2,335.10/month) – Awards a contract to           the lowest responsible bidder, Enterprise            Fleet Management, Inc., 1550 Route 23, Wayne,         NJ

17-388    Title 59 Approval – Landfill Disposal of               Solid Waste – Approves the plans and                    specifications for Landfill Disposal of Solid         Waste, prepared by the Ridgewood Water                    Department, pursuant to Title 59

17-389    Award Contract – Landfill Disposal of Solid            Waste ($66.95/ton) – Awards a contract for              2018 and 2019 to the lowest responsible                 bidder, IWS Transfer Systems of NJ, Inc, 375            Routes 1 & 9, Jersey City, NJ

17-390    Title 59 Approval – Rental of Two Designated           Parking Spaces on North Broad Street by the          Taxi Stand – Approves the plans and                specifications for Lease of Two (2)               Designated Parking Spaces at North Broad          Street Taxi Stand from the Village of               Ridgewood for One (1) Year Starting January        1, 2018, prepared by the Engineering              Division, pursuant to Title 59

17-391    Award Contract – Rental of Two Designated              Parking Spaces on North Broad Street by the               Taxi Stand – Awards a contract to the sole               bidder, E & K, LLC, 99 Royal Avenue,                    Hawthorne, NJ with payment to the Village of            $2,000 for the 2018 calendar year

17-392    Title 59 Approval – 2018 Recreational Program           Instruction – Approves the plans and                   specifications for Recreational Program                Instruction with the Department of Parks and           Recreation, Contract Year 2018, prepared by             the Ridgewood Recreation Department, pursuant           to Title 59

17-393    Award Contract – 2018 Recreational Program              Instruction – Awards contracts to various              vendors for 2018 recreation programs offered             by the Village of Ridgewood’s Department of            Parks and Recreation

17-394    Title 59 Approval – Poster Display                     Advertising at Train Station Complex –                 Approves the plans and specifications for            Rebid Poster Display Advertising at the                  Village Train Station Complex Specific                  Locations in the Village of Ridgewood,                 prepared by the Engineering Division,                 pursuant to Title 59

17-395    Award Contract – Poster Display Advertising            at Train Station Complex – Awards a contract               to the sole bidder, Intersection Media, LLC,           10 Hudson Yards, 26th Floor, New York, New            York. The Village will receive 60% of the Net           Annual Billings earned by Intersection Media,           LLC.

17-396    Award Contract Under State Contract – Police           Radios (NTE $30,648.50) – Awards a contract              under State Contract to Motorola Solutions,           Inc., c/o Regional Communications, 64 East               Midland Avenue, Paramus, NJ  

17-397    Award Professional Services Contract – Risk             Management Consultants (NTE $60,000) – Awards           a Professional Services contract under a

no-bid contract to Brown and Brown Metro,              LLC, 56 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ. The              hiring of a Risk Management Consultant is           required under the Joint Insurance Fund’s              bylaws.

17-398    Award Professional Services Contract –                 Employee Assistance Program (NTE $5,000) –            Awards a non-exclusive Professional Services              Contract to West Bergen Mental Healthcare,              120 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ for an               Employee Assistance Program

17-399    Award Professional Services Contract –                 Security Improvements – Phase 1 (NTE                  $143,922) – Awards a no-bid Professional             Services Contract to Secure Watch 24, 70                Moonachie Avenue, Moonachie, NJ. The required           Pay to Play forms have been filed with the               Village Clerk’s Office.

17-400    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – SHARE, Inc. – 104 Cottage Place       – Air Conditioning Improvements – Confirms            endorsement of a $13,600 CDB grant. This           resolution does not obligate the financial              resources of the Village but will expedite             the expenditure of Community Development              funds.

17-401    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – Village of Ridgewood – Ridge              Road Ramp – Confirms endorsement of an                  $80,000 CDB grant. This resolution does not            obligate the financial resources of the                Village but will expedite the expenditure of            Community Development funds.

17-402    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – Family Promise – Sheltering               Programs – Confirms endorsement of a                   $25,000 CDB grant. This resolution does not            obligate the financial resources of the                Village but will expedite the expenditure of            Community Development funds.

17-403    Declare 1998 Ford E-150 Van Surplus – Traffic           & Signal Department – Declares this piece of               equipment surplus and authorizes the Village             Manager to dispose of said property

17-404    Authorize Refund of Portion of Property Taxes           Paid and Cancellation of Real Estate Taxes            for Disabled Veteran – Block 3609, Lot 4 –            Authorizes the Tax Collector to cancel                  property taxes paid on and after August 31,            2017, to a 100% disabled Veteran who has              filed proof of his disability with the Tax             Tax Assessor. Also authorizes the Tax                   Collector to provide for a refund of such              property taxes already paid on and after              August 31, 2017, which amount is $5,929.12.

17-405    Accept Grant Funding from Bergen County                Municipal Alliance Grant – Accepts a                   Municipal Alliance Grant in the amount of              $11,677 for the 2018-2019 program year. This            grant provides for Drug and Alcohol Awareness      Programs for the community.

17-406    Authorize Village Manager to Send Letter to             ParkMobile – Nonrenewal of Contract –                  Authorizes the Village Manager to send a               letter to Parkmobile indicating that the            Village wishes to terminate the current                Agreement with Parkmobile

17-407    Oppose New Beekeeping Regulations – Opposes            the new beekeeping regulations which limits               beekeeping and the number of hives to                 specifically sized lots throughout the State               of New Jersey

17-408    Appoint Health Officer – Appoints Dawn                 Cetrulo as the Health Officer for the Village         of Ridgewood

17-409    Appoint Joint Insurance Fund Commissioner –            Appoints Heather Mailander, Village Manager,               as the JIF Commissioner for 2018

17-410    Appoint Public Agency Compliance Officer               (P.A.C.O) – Designates Heather Mailander,              Village Manager, as the P.A.C.O. for the             Village of Ridgewood for the calendar year            2018

17-411    Endorse Application for Community Development           Block Grant – SHARE, Inc. – 104 Cottage Place       – Boiler Improvement Project – Confirms                    endorsement of a $12,925 CDB grant. This               resolution does not obligate the financial              resources of the Village but will expedite             the expenditure of Community Development              funds.

 

  1. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
  1. Resolution to go into Closed Session
  1. Closed Session
  1. Legal – Water Pollution Control                        Facility/RGRME Project; Ridgewood Water                Lawsuit
  1. Contract Negotiations – Parkmobile
  1. Personnel – Water Department; Performance              Review – Village Manager/Village Clerk
  1. Adjournment
Posted on 7 Comments

2018 RIDGEWOOD PARKING PERMITS GO ON SALE MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017 at 8:30AM

Ridgewood Trainstation_theridgewoodblog

January – December 2018

Ridgewood Parking Permits – RPP

Hourly meter rates in all Village lots and streets are $.50 per hour from 10AM to 6PM, Monday through Saturday. 3 hour meters on streets & in all lots, except the Cottage Place Lot which has 8 hour meters.

RPP – (Ridgewood Parking Permit) provides ‘coinless’ convenience and can be used for unlimited parking in specified lots.  $750 Annual permits are issued for a calendar year to residents for parking in Chestnut St., N. Walnut St., Cottage Pl., Route 17 Park & Ride Lots. $1,000 Annual Premium RPP will be issued for parking at the Train Station, and all other Ridgewood Lots. A maximum of 210 Annual Premium RPP will be issued.

$1,500 Non-Resident Permit allows parking in Cottage Place Lot; $750 Permit allows parking in the Rt. 17 Park & Ride Lot.

Payment may be made by check or cash. We accept credit cards that will have a 3% convenience fee charged to the purchaser.

If the Resident RPP is purchased later in the year, fees are prorated as follows:

RESIDENT Purchase Month  

FEE

 

Purchase Month

 

FEE

RESIDENT Purchase Month  

FEE

 

Purchase Month

 

FEE

January $ 750 July $ 370 January $1,000 July $ 496
February $ 690 August $ 300 February $ 916 August $ 412
March $ 625 September $ 245 March $ 832 September $ 328
April $ 560 October $ 185 April $ 748 October $ 244
May $ 500 November $ 120 May $ 664 November $ 160
June $ 435 December $ 65 June $ 580 December $ 76

Applications are available at the Village Hall Reception Desk Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM. All Applicants – residents and non-residents – must show current Driver’s License and valid Vehicle Registration(s) for up to three vehicles. For flexibility, you can list 3 vehicles on a permit, but the permit can only be used by 1 car for 1 parking space at a time.

All lots, including the Train Station Lot, will require a free Ridgewood Resident Parking Sticker in addition to the purchased RPP.  Resident parking stickers are issued annually for free to residents only at the Village Hall Reception Desk.  This sticker confirms you are a resident.

RPPs can be used in any metered space in the lots designated for that particular permit and provides unlimited parking from the hours of 6AM to 2AM. On Saturday, RPPs may be used in any lot, but not in the CBD Employee Spaces. They are not valid for street parking. The hangtag permit must be displayed on the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked. RPP does not guarantee availability of a parking space.

Posted on 5 Comments

Reader says I don’t know that I disagree with Weitz on his general point, but he completely overlooks the fact that nasty barbs and citizen put downs were the stock in trade of Mayor Aronsohn

Ridgewood Yard Signs

I don’t know that I disagree with Weitz on his general point, but he completely overlooks the fact that nasty barbs and citizen put downs were the stock in trade of Mayor Aronson. Simply put – He was mean and nasty to those who disagreed with him. No one trusted him in the least. (And who can forget Deputy Mayor I Am the Only One IN Town with a Day Job.) And Evan, to be frank, you were rumoured on the campaign trail to toss a few barbs yourself when you ran on the Arohnson supported ticket.

So, yes, Evan is right, we need to tone it down sometimes. But his fake news and attempt to resurrect Arohnson from the political graveyard he richly deserves isn’t helping us at all.

Posted on 7 Comments

Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.

parkmobile_meter

 

December 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.

Officers of Parkmobile convinced elected officials to adopt a formal resolution that approved the signing of a contract with their company. The adopted resolution stated in plain English that the Village would not be charged in any way, shape, or form. All costs were to be paid for by users on a per transaction basis. Then, Parkmobile somehow convinced former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld to sign a contract granting Parkmobile a percentage of the parking revenue from every transaction involving their app.

Bait and switch, plain and simple. One bill of goods was sold to the Council, another was sold to Roberta Sonenfeld.

FRAUD I say. I maintain the contract is invalid because it is in direct conflict with what our elected officials were told, and what they approved via resolution.

I’m about to call up that attorney who is handling the case against the Board of Education (Rosemarie Aronold of Fort Lee) and ask her to file a class action suit against Parkmobile for triple damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.

FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD!

https://www.rosemariearnold.com/

Posted on 16 Comments

Former Council Candidate Evan Weitz Defends Past Unethical Behavior of Former Mayor and Village Manager

Roberta

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, In a letter to the editor : A lack of civility in Ridgewood https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/12/12/letter-lack-civility-ridgewood/944073001/, former council candidate Evan Weitz sticks up for ethically challenged former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn , and former breath of fresh air Village Manager Roberta Sonnefeld .

Wietz like may New Jersey politicians supports the philosophy that the rules are only for the little people and politicians and their flunkies are always above reproach ,they are here for self promotion, self aggrandizement and personal gain at your expense .

The boiler plate letter is almost believable except that it defends a group of people and their supporters who called residents “terrorist” , “grandstanders” , physically attacking legal petitioners in the central business district , mocked people who lived on the far east side of Ridgewood, hosted efforts to silence dissent , attacked businesses that didn’t go along with their schemes and egregious mishandled almost ever public forum they held.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA

temp_cell_tower_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Village Hall Court Room – 7:30 P.M.

Call to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Statement required by the Open Public Meeting Act “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in the 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 date and time of this meeting”.
Please note: A curfew of 11:00 PM is strictly adhered to by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood. No new matter involving an Applicant will be started after 10:30 PM. At 10:00 PM the Chairman will make a determination and advise Applicants as to whether they will be heard. If an Applicant cannot be heard because of the lateness of the hour, the matter will be carried over to a future meeting to be determined by the Board at 10:00 PM.
Roll call
Approval of minutes: September 12, 2107
Non-agenda items:
Board member comments
Members of the public comments
Public hearings
Old Business:
657 RIDGEWOOD LLC – Review revised landscape plan as per Resolution, at 657 Franklin Turnpike, Block 4703, Lot 14, in an OB-2 zone.
NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC – An application to amend the Resolution approving a temporary 75 foot pole with antennas at the top and related equipment at the base of the pole to extend the time of removal from January 10, 2018 to June 30, 2018 at 490 Route 17, Block 4703, Lot 11, in an OB-2 zone.
309 WESTGATE ASSOCIATES, LLC – An application to permit the construction of a new single family residence on a nonconforming lot located upon a steep slope
at 309 Westgate Road, Block 2808, Lot13, in an R-125 zone. (Continued from October 24, 2017)

AGENDA – CONTINUATION December 12, 2017
New Business:
KIM HEKIMIAN – An application to permit a second floor addition and stone patio which will result in a front yard setback of 34.7 feet to the porch, where 40 feet is required and a side yard setback of 6.5 feet, where 10 feet is required at 255 North Walnut Street, Block 1920, Lot 1, in an R-2 zone.
Resolution memorialization: Kleimann, 224 S. Van Dien
Licitra/Douglass, 584 Cliff Street
Discussion
Adjournment

Posted on 25 Comments

New Rescue Truck for Ridgewood Emergency Services

ridgewood emergency services

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Volunteers of Ridgewood Emergency Services have placed into service, a new Rescue Truck, replacing an aging vehicle that was not meeting the needs of the Department.

This Rescue Truck will be used to provide scene lighting, generator power, traffic control and rehabilitation at emergency scenes while supporting EMS, Police, and Fire Department operations in providing a safer environment for all responders to complete the mission at hand.

Ridgewood Emergency Services Chief Tony Lillo stated that “Deputy Chief Ryan Savaria and his committee spent countless hours in preparing what type of vehicle would best serve the Departments needs and that of the Village of Ridgewood.” The Rescue Truck was customized and built to specifications set by the committee.”

The chassis is a 2017 Ford F550 with a 5-seat crew cab crew and an 11-foot rescue body. There are slide out trays on each side for easy access to the equipment. A rear slide out tray provides for easy access for traffic incident management devices. The Rescue Truck has sufficient storage space for everything necessary to support an emergency scene. There is an onboard 8000-watt generator, telescoping LED flood lights to illuminate emergency scenes at night. Unique to this truck, is that it is the only Rescue Truck in Bergen County with a large rear roof mounted LED Variable Message Board for traffic direction, providing clear instruction to motorists. The Message Board aids in the safety of the responders on the scene.

IMG 8478

Posted on 9 Comments

“Coin Boy “, Parkmobile and the Hudson Garage, Just Another Parking Scam in the Village of Ridgewood

3 amigos

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ,  as previously reported by the Ridgewood blog ,the Village Mangers office confirmed that “ZERO” business opted in the Central Valet Parking program . That means that there are not any business in the Central Business District willing to Validate parking . Apparently we have all been misinformed about the parking problem .

For years readers have questioned the claim that the Village of Ridgewood Central business district really needed a garage or if the “parking shortage ” was nothing more than a self created marketing ploy to add parking for the new housing developments?

With no merchant participation in the central valet service and little to no participation in the Ridgewood “Estate Card ” program , taxpayers are left with one and only one conclusion , that no garage is necessary and that like the parking meters and parkmobile  scams the Hudson garage appears to be nothing more than an effort to separate tax payers from there money and offer developers indirect subsidies to further destroy the Village of Ridgewood .

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Ridgewood Traffic Alert – December 12 – North Broad Street & E. Ridgewood Avenue will be Closed – 8am to 12 Noon

roadwork

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police have issued a traffic alert for  North Broad Street & E. Ridgewood Avenue will be Closed , December 12,2017.
Ridgewood Police Department will close North Broad Street & E. Ridgewood Avenue Tuesday, December 12 from 8am to 12 Noon.

Posted on 15 Comments

Ridgewood Leaf Update : final collection in all areas

leaf5_pickup_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

December 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, LEAF UPDATE:  Area A has been completed.   The final placement date for Area A is from December 11th to December 17th with collection to follow.  Area B will begin collection on December 11th.  Area C is currently in the process of being collected.  This will be our final collection in all areas.

Posted on 6 Comments

Note From the Ridgewood Blog Editor Turning Ridgewood into a Dump , will Cost a Fortune and do Nothing to enhance property Values

Ridgewood Water

Reader said, “Nice to see that ya’ll are finally taking your head out of your asses and realize that you have been getting screwed for years. And James, stop with the Union City crap. It’s getting old. We don’t need “massive upgrades” to anything. Do we need extra capacity to bring the town into the future? Sure. But your doomsday predictions because a few developers understand what the towns future residents want is classic of the Ridgewood NIMBY attitude that keeps anything from moving around here. Including how the municipal govt. works. You want change or will you continue to bitch and moan anytime anyone takes action. We can’t move forward if you insist on remaining in the past.”

Best for you to take your head out of the sand ,

Ridgewood as a nice place to live was virtually destroyed by the prior council or the 3 Amigos. The push to turn Ridgewood into Union city , with high density housing creates a need for massive upgrades of the Village infrastructure . This will take a decade , water, sewer, traffic, schools ,police , fire and so on all need massive taxpayer funded upgrades thanks to the actions of the 3 amigos and Roberta . The Villages ability to increase revenue has also been curtailed by giveaway contracts and bad leases . So no one with any sense will stop blaming the Paul Aronsohn , Gween and Uncle Albert as well as their side kick flunky Roberta

Posted on 15 Comments

Reader says former village manager at best was deceitful in her communication with the council and acted poorly on behalf of the village.

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

The past village manager led the council to believe that the village would incur only the 35 cents per transaction which would go to Park Mobile. She signed a contract with an additional 21 percent off the top.No one would have been okay with this. Why she was so determined to go ahead with this bad deal for Ridgewood is a mystery. Current council members who were there at the time were not made aware of the additional charges. It looks like the village is out close to 200,000 dollars due to this poor contract. Whether anything illegal occurred is unclear but it was a bad contract and it looks as though the past village manager at best was deceitful in her communication with the council and acted poorly on behalf of the village.

Posted on 7 Comments

Winograd one of the 7 nominees running for US Soccer President

Courtesy of Michael Winograd

photo Courtesy of Michael Winograd

December 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Philadelphia Enquirer ran an interview with Mike Winograd of Ridgewood ,who is one of the 7 nominees running for US Soccer President.  On November 4th , the  staff of the Ridgewood blog did a profile ( https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-resident-runs-for-president-of-the-united-states-soccer-federation/ ) .

Winograd  a Ridgewood resident and New York-based lawyer  was interviewed on November 7th  , in Q&A with Michael Winograd, U.S. Soccer Federation presidential election candidate https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/soccer/usa-soccer-election-michael-winograd-promotion-relegation-nwsl-20171107.html?mobi=true

Posted on 9 Comments

Reader says Ridgewood residents don’t owe Village Business owners anything and certainly not a garage built for their convenience.

Parking Spots in Ridgewood

Clean up and re- stripe and pave the current lots; get rid of valet parking using spots that residents want to use –let their employees drive further, not potential customers of competing businesses; make property owners repair their property (the Town Garage was hurriedly bought by speculators who had heard the village wanted it for a garage. They bought it to flip it quickly at a huge profit, not to maintain it. If the village won’t buy at their price, they plan to leave it an eyesore until the Village caves at the ugliness and finally buys it.) Last of all, do the repairs on the current lots first (while banning valet parking from using them) and see if we really need a garage more than a few nights a week. If we do, I doubt it, make the owners of these stores and restaurants pay at least half and sign the mortgage. If they need it so badly, they can help pay for it. If the builders of all these new condos need the parking to make their locations legal, let them join with the other owners to build a garage. Ridgewood residents don’t owe those owners anything and certainly not a garage built for their convenience.