Parking Lots surfaces are like the beaches of Normandy after a week of ordanance shelling.Lets be honest RIDGEWOOD.We are a broken town..
To take off a day of work to go to a local one horse towns traffic court..how many never come back here..EVER To Shop.,.A LOT.Parking Enforcement is a Game of Rip offs via Authority.Glen Rock,has,3 hours free honors system for Shopping District..Ps just down a road…route 17 stores shops restaurants and Malls..no fee parking..
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, When will the Council apply Eminent Domain to buy the long-abandoned Town Garage site on Franklin Avenue?
This, in conjunction with other small fixes, such as repaving and reconfiguring the existing Hudson Street parking lot, which was never designed properly, would (at far lower cost than building a parking garage) add plenty of spaces downtown, tucked into small areas here and there. We must not build an $8+-million edifice at Hudson and Broad (and we know how it goes with change orders, etc.) that would require a huge bond and endless expensive maintenance and potentially serve as a hangout for kids at best or a site of drug dealing or other crime at worst while casting a hideous shadow (literal and figurative) over that small, cozy corner. The entire central business district is a historic neighborhood–this would wreck it.
Nothing I have read or could read from any so-called expert will convince me that adding significant numbers of cars to that corner would be anything but a disaster in traffic and injury.
The garage was always a boondoggle to help the developers. Are we going to allow Aronsohn, Pucciarelli, Hauck, and Pfund to continue to manipulate us to this extent?
The referendum to quash the garage was specific to that design–yes, technically and legally. However, many, many people who voted NO were voting NO GARAGE even if that’s not what it said on the ballot.
Council, please buy Town Garage and let’s see how it goes before putting up a monstrosity and white elephant that nobody wants. Please!!
Anybody agree? Tell the council you want Town Garage bought for parking. If the town doesn’t buy it, don’t you think a developer will? Just what we need is more apartments there. We can then change the name of Franklin Avenue to Death Row.
It’s not too late, but it’s getting there. Speak out!
Nicholas Katzban , Staff Writer, @NicholasKatzbanPublished 7:22 p.m. ET July 13, 2017 | Updated 7:22 p.m. ET July 13, 2017
HACKENSACK — A Bergen County Superior Court judge found probable cause Thursday to proceed with three harassment complaints against Ridgewood Councilman Jeffrey Voigt.
The complaints against Voigt were filed by three residents who say the councilman made their unlisted cellphone numbers, emails and home addresses known to the public via posts on his Facebook page.
The judge dismissed Voigt’s counter complaint against the same residents.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
July 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, A large limb fell from a tree located on the grounds of the Somerville Elementary School’s athletic field, completely blocking a portion of South Pleasant Avenue, Ridgewood on Thursday afternoon, 07/13. No injuries were reported, but there was significant damage caused to a chain link fence. Ridgewood PD responded to provide traffic control and to process a property damage report. A school maintenance official advised police that the entire tree would be scheduled for removal. The Village’s Shade Tree Division, and members of the Ridgewood Schools District Buildings and Grounds team, removed the downed limb in order that the roadway could be reopened.
The Ridgewood Public Library is dedicated to providing information, education, culture and inspiration. We encourage our community to pursue life long learning and the enjoyment of books, programs and resources in a variety of formats. We strive to offer the best possible library materials, staff, technology and facility, with ready and equal access to residents of all ages.
The Ridgewood Public Library is loaded with new releases . Visit the Ridgewood Library and check out or place a hold on these brand new books.
Operating budget keeps fares stable; Capital budget continues financial commitment to enhance overall customer experience
Ridgewood NJ, The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today adopted a Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) operating budget and capital program that supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.
“NJ TRANSIT is moving forward with a balanced budget that reflects a laser-like look at individual business lines in order to maximize efficiencies and maintain a safe transportation system,” NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “As transit professionals, we owe our customers and stakeholders a solid plan that has the least impact on our riders. After much hard work, I am confident we delivered on that.”
The Board adopted a $2.218 billion operating budget and a $1.367 billion capital program for Fiscal Year 2018.
Almost half of the revenue in the FY 2018 operating budget comes from passenger revenue ($1.014 billion), supported by a comparable amount from state and federal program reimbursements ($947.7 million) with the balance from a combination of commercial revenues ($115.2 million) and state operating assistance ($140.9 million).
The capital program calls for continued investment in the state’s transit infrastructure to maintain a continued state-of-good-repair and provide reliable transit service.
Operating Budget
The FY 2018 operating budget reflects an increase of state and federal reimbursements, which will enable NJ TRANSIT to meet the agency’s projected expenses this fiscal year. Approximately 61 percent of the operating budget is dedicated to labor and fringe benefits costs. Other significant expenses include materials and supplies and purchased transportation, which equal 25 percent of the operating budget.
Overall passenger revenue and commercial revenue represents approximately 51 percent of the total revenue.
Capital Program
The FY 2018 capital program continues to prioritize investment in infrastructure to maintain an overall state of good repair, enhance safety and reliability, and improve the overall customer experience on the system.
With the FY 2018 capital program, NJ TRANSIT continues its financial commitment to Positive Train Control.
The program continues to invest in railroad bridge rehabilitation, track replacement, signal upgrades, repairs to overhead power lines and electric substations as well as investments into the state-of-good-repair of the Northeast Corridor (NEC),
the agency’s most utilized rail line.
Approximately 53 percent of the program funds the basic capital program improvements needed to maintain and improve the transit system, including $201 million in rail infrastructure needs and $109 million in rail rolling stock improvements.
Other highlights of the program include $47 million in rail station improvements: $3 million for Cranford Station; $9 million for Elizabeth Station; $18 million for Perth Amboy Station; $2 million for Roselle Park Station; and $6 million for other station and terminal improvements, inspections and repairs.
The program also supports continued investment in the light rail system with $168 million being invested in bus and light rail infrastructure improvements: $99 million for replacement vehicles; $11 million for the Capital Asset Replacement Programs for both the Newark Light Rail and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail systems; and $17 million for bus passenger facilities and bus support facilities/equipment.
In addition, this budget allows for $86 million to be invested in system-wide improvements including: $9 million in technology improvements and $6 million for safety improvements; $33 million in system expansion improvements, including $29 million for Northern Branch Expansion and $4 million for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Route 440 Improvement.
Approximately 50 percent of the capital budget comes from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), with 47 percent from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and 3 percent from other sources.
Ridgewood NJ, the Park Mobile app came under criticism by a Glen Rock resident who works in Ridgewood . Robert Delorenzo claimed that on 3 occasions his wife who works in Ridgewood and parks in the employee parking was issued erroneous tickets , his wife has a parking pass but the cars are registered to him .
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
July 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Salvatore D’Amico was sworn in as a Ridgewood PD Patrol Division Sergeant by Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen during a public meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council held on Wednesday, 07/12. Sergeant D’Amico’s wife Kim held the ceremonial bible during the well attended event.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
July 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, The drivers of both vehicles involved in a Wednesday afternoon, 07/12, collision at the intersection of Park and South Maple Avenues in Glen Rock escaped injury. A toddler who was strapped into a rear seat mounted child restraint device in one of the vehicles was also unharmed. A tow truck removed both wrecks from the scene. Glen Rock PD handled the investigation
July 13,2017
Ridgewood NJ, On Wednesday morning, 07/12, an East Ridgewood Avenue property owner telephoned Ridgewood PD to report observing a private contractor in the process of removing a Village owned tree in front of It’s Greek to Me, 21 East Ridgewood Avenue.
Upon arrival at the scene, the responding patrol officer interviewed the two (2) adult males who were performing the operation and determined that they were hired by Paul Vagianos, owner of It’s Greek to Me. Mr. Vagianos indicated that he’d received permission from Village Parks & Recreation Director Tim Cronin to remove the Village tree and replace it with another. His assertion was verified by the patrol officer via a cell phone conversation between himself and Mr. Cronin.
July 12,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, This is the 7th Season of Movies in the Park! Join the Ridgewoood Guild in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square for family fun and entertainment. We show films great for the whole family on a 25 foot screen and professional sound system. Bring snacks, a picnic blanket, and get ready for a great evening with your community. All movies are on Wednesdays and start at sundown (approximately 9pm in June and July and 8:30pm in August). In case of rain (or other inclement weather), or the latest information, check our Facebook page, or back here for the rescheduling of the movie.
Come early and enjoy the wonderfully decorated Van Neste and enjoy the candy, ice cream, trivia contest – maybe you’ll be one of the lucky winners of Kilwin’s 5 Golden Tickets! Rain date: Thursday 7/13
July 12,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Old Paramus Reformed Church has a community garden and we still have plots available at $10 a growing season. The garden is watered. Any questions contact the church office at 201-444-5933.
it’s basically the decline in human self-discipline, which has been trending for many years. It can be seen in trends like declining marriage, drug use, babies born out of wedlock, obesity, and an overall growing theme of living in the now rather than preparing for the future. People can bellyache all day about the high cost of this and that, but the average person wastes a lot of money on useless crap. I know it’s easy for me to say this from the anonymity of my keyboard, but I have no doubt that if I took a look into the life of anyone crying broke, I’d find a whole lot of dysfunctional behavior and a series of bad choices
file photo by Boyd Loving
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
JULY 12, 2017
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
NONE
8. Swearing-in of Police Sergeant Salvatore D’Amico
9. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
10. Village Manager’s Report
11. Village Council Reports
12. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
3606 – Water Capital Ordinance ($1,600,000) – Purchase of Elks Club Property
13. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
14. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
17-197 Award Contract – Lafayette Reservoir Improvements
17-198 Award Contract – Polyphosphate Pumps for Corrosion Control
17-199 Award Professional Services Contract – Cedar Hill Reservoir Improvements
17-200 Amend 2017 Water Capital Budget
17-201 Authorize Lease of Property for Co-Location of Wireless Telecommunications Antennas
15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3607 – Blue Collar Union Salary Ordinance
3608 – White Collar Union Salary Ordinance
3609 – Amend Chapter 145 Fees – Establish Fees for Tree Protection
3610 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – No Stopping on Portion of West Ridgewood Avenue
3611 – Enact Title 39 on All Public School Properties
3612 – Unlawful Enrollment of Students in Ridgewood Public Schools
16. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3601 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Stop Signs at Upper Boulevard and Glenwood Road
3602 – Amend Chapter 222 – Power Tools, Landscaping, and Yard Maintenance Equipment
3603 – Authorize Special Emergency Appropriation – Master Plan Revision ($250,000)
3604 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Hours for Closure of Clinton Avenue to Through Traffic
3605 – Amend Chapter 260 – Trees and Shrubs
17. RESOLUTIONS
17-202 Title 59 Approval – Police Handguns and Magazines
17-203 Award Contract – Police Handguns and Magazines
17-204 Award Contract Under State Contract – Ammunition for Police Handguns
17-205 Award Contract Under State Contract – Holsters for Handguns
17-206 Award Contract Under State Contract – Tires
17-207 Award Contract Under State Contract – Lifts and Support Stands – Fleet Services
17-208 Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Front End Loaders with Snowplows
17-209 Award Contract Under National Joint Powers Alliance – Two Sanitation Trucks with Snowplows
17-210 Award Professional Services Contract – Feasibility Study for 240 Car Parking Garage
17-211 Title 59 Approval – Paint Curbs Yellow
17-212 Authorize Additional Funding for Special Attorney for RCRD Lawsuit (NTE $100,000)
17-213 Approve Major Soil Moving Permit – 240 Associates – Chestnut Village
17-214 Declare Fire Department Property Surplus
17-215 Appoint Members to Schedler Park Ad Hoc Committee
17-216 Endorse Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Application – The James Rose Center
17-217 Appoint Clean Communities Coordinator
17-218 Appoint Recycling Program Coordinator
17-219 Authorize Release of Cash Bond – Capital One Bank
17-220 Accept Donation from Ridgewood Board of Education for Stigma Free Initiative
17-221 Award Contract – Central Valet Services
18. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
19. Resolution to go into Closed Session
20. Closed Session
A. Sale of Property – Barrington Road
21. Adjournment
July 12,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), theHumane Education Network (HEN) and the Palo Alto Humane Society officially announced today the winners of the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest. The annual contest provides high school students aged 14-18 with the opportunity to win monetary awards for essay, video, or photography submissions advocating against animal cruelty and for prevention of animal suffering.
“We are proud to announce the winners of the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest,” said Regina Terlau, executive assistant at AWI. “Through the contest, we aim to inspire youth to raise awareness about animals in need through a creative medium. We received a lot of phenomenal submissions from students addressing mistreatment of an animal species, prevention of an animal’s extinction, or solutions to reduce animal suffering. The chosen student submissions truly embody the mission of the contest and we congratulate the students selected.”
Ridgewood teen Myriam Burger won a first place prize in the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest for her video entry, “Save a Baby, Save a Species.” Her entry, which earned her a $650 prize, describes her school fundraiser to sponsor an elephant.
The winners of the 2017 A Voice for Animals contest include:
“Every year, we are impressed and encouraged by the commitment that young people show to animal issues through their submissions,” said Jenness Hobart, chair of the board at the Humane Education Network. “We are already looking forward to next year’s entries and continuing to foster students’ interest in showing respect and caring for animals.”
For more information on the A Voice for Animals contest and this year’s winners, visit https://www.hennet.org/contest.php.
