Ridgewood NJ, as has been reported the Ridgewood Planning Board has a number of multi-family, high-density applications in front of it .
A lawsuit was filed in May by attorney Kevin Mattessich on behalf of a resident’s grassroots organization, Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development Inc. (RCRD).The lawsuit that claims “conflicts of interest” by multiple former planning board members paved the way for high-density development proposals.
According to Susan Knudsen the motion to stay was adjourned to December 19th, but the judge issued a temporary stay on all applications before the planning board.
file photo by Boyd Loving
November 10,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Please help support the RHS Alumni Association by honoring your favorite alum, teacher, local business, coach, team or academic club.
Ridgewood High School is built on a tradition of excellence. You can continue to support and inspire students by purchasing your own brick paver today. Commemorate an event, reunion or significant milestone by purchasing a brick. You can memorialize a treasured individual or simply declare your love of RHS through this program. These bricks will line the walkways of our campus and honor the past and the future of RHS.
To purchase your commemorative brick, first select your brick size from the dropdown option above. Then, you must enter the text you would like to appear on the brick in the Custom Message field to have your message engraved on the brick.
4X8 bricks allow for 3 lines of text, 18 characters per line.
8X8 bricks allow for 6 lines of text, 21 character per line.
This is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and the community to be a part of RHS history and to leave their lasting mark. Also, don’t forget to purchase your commemorative certificate here.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke read a story to, and answered questions for, children and parents who attended the Ridgewood Public Library’s “A Day in the Life of Police Chief” event on Thursday morning, 11/10 at the RIdgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. The “get your photo taken with the police chief” session that immediately followed questions and answers seemed to be more popular with children and parents than when Santa Claus visits the Village!
Ridgewood NJ, The RHS Marching Band performed at their fifth competition of the season in Basking Ridge on October 29 as part of the US Bands competition circuit. The RHS Marching Band placed first in Group VA, with a score of 94.500, their highest score all season.
RHS Marching Band for a solid 3rd place finish in a stacked ten band highly competitive field. Further, RHS Marching Band earned the Cadets Award of Excellence.
Ridgewood NJ, Many Ridgewood residents felt the post-election let down yesterday . Months of acrimonious campaigning has left people feeling blue if they came out on the short end of the vote yesterday . Some wore black to symbolize a funeral . Another Ridgewood resident even offered free hugs to those who were in inconsolable pain .
Ridgewood like much of Bergen County was split about 60/40 in favor of the loser Hillary Clinton and in many ways Ridgewood is the stereotypical Clinton supporting town.
One reader emailed the Ridgewood blog, “I know you must be elated over the election results. I am happy for you but as a progressive and a woman, I am so sad. I think you are doing our town a great service with The Blog”
GOP President-elect Donald Trump pulled off one of the biggest electoral upset in decades Tuesday evening, causing Hillary Clinton supporters around the country and in Ridgewood to cry.
It seems that many of Clinton’s supporters may have shared the feeling Clinton expressed in late September when she wondered aloud why she wasn’t ahead of Trump by 50 percent.
As for the staff of the Ridgewood blog we enjoyed a quite afternoon.
Ridgewood NJ, Highlights from the Village of Ridgewood Council Public meeting on November 9th.
1. As always, meeting minutes are prepared and approved in a timely manner, unlike the previous administration, under which minutes were aged for months and in some cases years.
2. Acting village manager Heather Mailander named all employees who are veterans and thanked them for their service during this Veterans’ Day holiday week. It is so wonderful to have a manager who is pleasant, supportive, and a champion of employees. Hoping this will be the model when a permanent manager is hired.
3. Parking was discussed, including a long-since dismissed garage plan that actually would fit on the Hudson St. lot. Really. The garage was voted down by a massive margin. So they are back at it? Also, central valet was mentioned again, an excellent idea. A discussion of changing times and fees for various parking lots was so confusing that even the council members seemed to not understand what they were aiming for, and an error in their paperwork indicated that the meters would go until 10 PM.
4. Mayor Knudsen will hold office hours quarterly, joined by one of her council colleagues. This Saturday November 13 she will meet with residents from 11-1 in the 4th floor conference room. Call Heather’s office for an appointment.
5. Three ordinances regarding salaries were introduced. Titles are being updated. Some are being deleted. Notably the Human Resources Manager position is not scheduled for deletion at least not in this round. Sharyn Matthews is gone, as is her mother hen Roberta Sonenfeld. Possibly the HR position will be eliminated for good once the new manager is hired.
6. The public hearing on Ordinance 3556 Parking Restrictions on Pomander Walk was held. Many residents from The Walk pleaded to keep the street as a zero parking zone. This prevailed. The street remains a no parking street. This is a street that is paid for by public tax money but the public cannot park on it. OK. This seems unfair.
7. They authorized studying the feasibility of an Uber Pilot Program. This may help ease parking around the train station.
8. The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant application was approved. It was made clear that there will be NO BIKE LANES included in this project, if the grant is awarded. Nope, no bike lanes along very busy thoroughfares, thank God. The jackass project presented a few weeks ago by a bike-lane advocate and a surly village engineer was scrapped. The Grant, if approved, will just include new sidewalks and curb cuts.
9. As always the five elected officials were pleasant, professional, and held productive and meaningful discussions for all to hear. Residents’ questions and concerns were heard and answered with respect and even humor. Total transparency with total civility. The absence of Tony Damiano and Rurik Halaby meant that there was not a single dark cloud in the room.
JOB POSTING – MANAGER – PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION – DECEMBER 19
NOTICE OF MANAGER PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION
The Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation is internally posting the full-time position of Manager Parks and Grounds.
Job duties and responsibilities include supervision of work involved in maintaining and caring for all park properties and village trees. Applicant must have three (3) year’s experience, in grounds/shade tree maintenance (ISA Certification Preferred) and possess a CDL Class B. The Village of Ridgewood is an EOE and Civil Service Community.
Send resume with letter of intent and copies of all valid licenses to: Heather Mailander, Acting Village Manager, Village of Ridgewood, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or by Email to [email protected]. Please note resumes will be accepted through 5 pm, Monday, December 19, 2016.
So we all went in and voted however we chose. Takes is 5 seconds and we all are so proud. Tomorrow we will see the varying answers in earnest.
I would love if every person realized who actually helps behind the scenes of these elections. Our acting village manager, Heather Mailander, acting village clerk Donna Jackson, and a dedicated group of amazing people: village employees, poll workers, and so many other people/volunteers, are at work from dawn until WELL past now, counting our votes, adding them up and getting the information to the papers and to all of us. By HAND in some cases.
They are painstakingly writing in everyone’s joking, wasted, ludicrous write in votes for Mickey Mouse, and Elvis Presley. They’re adding up the numbers for dozens of candidates and dozens of districts. It takes a long time and a lot of work. And they do it with a smile and without expressing their opinion to a side.
They stay up as late as anyone at any local meeting for the village, and they then come in to work the next day because it’s their actual day JOB.
It wouldn’t be a bad plan to reach out and say thank you. We all should really appreciate this work. And it’s really really hard work.
I’ll spare Heather and Donna and so many others posting their email addresses here. But they’re available on the village website, or ask me for them and I’ll send them to you.
It’s a job we have seen done less gracefully, and it’s nice to have someone in these positions who deserve a heartfelt thank you.
DONALD TRUMP / MICHAEL PENCE 4,245 36.1%
HILLARY CLINTON / TIMOTHY KAINE 6,958 59.1%
House
SCOTT GARRETT 4,407 37.4%
JOSH GOTTHEIMER 6,444 54.7%
Freeholder
MAURA R DENICOLA 4,574 38.9%
JOHN J DRISCOLL Jr 4,567 38.8%
ROBERT A DI DIO 4,425 37.6%
THOMAS J SULLIVAN 5,158 43.8%
MARY J AMOROSO 5,239 44.5%
GERMAINE M ORTIZ 5,122 43.5%
RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL PROPOSAL
YES 4,580 38.9%
NO 4,444 37.8%
PUBLIC QUESTION # 1 – PERMIT GAMBLING IN 2 COUNTIES OTHER THAN ATLANTIC COUNTY
YES 1,967 16.7%
NO 8,054 68.4%
PUBLIC QUESTION # 2 – CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO DEDICATE ADDITIONAL REVENUES TO STATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Attorney General Porrino Announces Election Safeguards
November 8th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced today that approximately 350 Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG) will be assigned throughout the state on Election Day, November 8, to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, and to assist county election officials in resolving voting-related legal issues.
According to Porrino, DAsG from the Division of Law will be stationed in each of the state’s 21 counties to handle any court applications, and to provide timely legal advice to County Superintendents of Election and Boards of Election on emergent, voting-related matters. The DAsG will be on duty from the time the polls open until they close.
“Our purpose in assigning DAsG throughout the state is to ensure the integrity of our election processes by protecting peoples’ right to vote, and by promptly — and fairly — resolving any voting-related legal issues that may arise,” said the Attorney General.
Porrino explained it is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location. The “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site. Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.
According to Porrino, any person who believes his or her right to vote has been interfered with, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems or concerns, should contact the state’s hotline at 1-877-NJVOTER.
Members of the public also can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and county Board of Elections. A list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related information, can be found on the Division of Elections Web site at www.NJElections.org.
Ridgewood NJ, Councilmen Ramon Hache reminds everyone to ,”Get out there and vote today, regardless of who your candidate is. You can’t complain about what’s wrong if you don’t do anything about it. And if you think your vote doesn’t count, it actually counts a lot less if you don’t vote. Voting is not just a right, it’s a privilege. If you can vote, it means you have the privilege of being a citizen of the United States. Despite all our problems, this is still the greatest country in the world. We are fortunate to live in a country where there can be an orderly transfer of power every four years. This country is still the number one destination for people all over the world who are looking for opportunities and a better way of life. Don’t throw away your privilege.”
Ridgewood NJ, A two (2) vehicle crash at the intersection of North Monroe Street and West Glen Avenue in Ridgewood on Sunday morning, 11/06 resulted in three (3) individuals being transported by ambulances to The Valley Hospital with crash related injuries. The crash was reported by members of Ridgewood FD Engine Company #31, whose fire house is located near the intersection. One (1) of the vehicles involved in the collision left the roadway and crashed into a home located at 259 West Glen Avenue. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS personnel responded to assist the injured parties. Engine Company #31 members attended to a crash related fluid spill. Both vehicles were removed by a flatbed tow truck. There was no apparent structural damage to the home that was hit. Ridgewood PD is investigating the cause of the crash.
Full-Day Kindergarten: Public Vote is Election Day, November 8
Ridgewood residents will see this full-day K question at the bottom of the ballot:
RESOLVED, That there shall be raised an additional $929,800 for General Funds in the 2016-17 School Year. These taxes will be used to employ additional personnel and to acquire additional equipment and supplies in order to implement the District’s full-day Kindergarten program. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the District’s tax levy. The additional taxes authorized herein will be used exclusively for purposes described herein and to finance expenditures that are in addition to those necessary to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Click here for a PDF of the public presentation.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions. Click here to view all full-day Kindergarten documents
BOE Approves REA Contract
At the October 10 meeting, the Board of Education approved the three-year contract with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) that was ratified by the REA on September 28. Click here to read a letter to the Ridgewood community from the Board.
BOE Meets on November 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. The public is invited to attend the meeting or view it live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website, or on Fios tv channel 33 or Optimum 77.
Click here to view the agenda for the November 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the minutes of the October 10, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
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Click here to view the 2016-2017 Budget presented at the May 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the Full Day Kindergarten Recommendation presented to the Board at their March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Ridgewood NJ, the staff of the Ridgewood blog recommends voting NO on all ballot questions.
Question #1 (Expansion of Casino Gaming) Question #1 deals with the expansion of casino gaming to northern New Jersey. CIANJ testified in support of the measure as it made its way through the legislative process. We believe any initiative that invites new investment and the creation of new private sector jobs is good for New Jersey’s economy. Casino gaming also subsidizes other New Jersey industries, such as the horse racing industry, providing nearly 7,000 jobs – including veterinarians, farmers, horse trainers, race track employees, etc.- to New Jersey residents. To view background information and the question see here.
Say NO , This is just a joke , think Xanadu the failed Meadowlands mall and Atlantic City’s bankruptcy.
Question #2 (Dedication of Motor Fuels Taxes) Question #2 asks voters to approve an amendment to our constitution which would dedicate all revenues collected from the gas tax to transportation-related projects. As of November 1, the NJ tax on gasoline is 37.5 cents/gallon (44 cents/gallon for diesel). Should the question pass, the money collected could not be used for other purposes like balancing the state budget. The CIANJ agrees with this dedication and supports approval of the question. To view background information and the question see here.
Best to say NO on this one , the key words are “amendment to our constitution” , amending the state constitution is a euphemism for a constitutional requirement to raise your taxes every year . Think Abbott school districts, a huge percentage of your property taxes goes to funding failing urban schools .Great for the NJEA not so good for you or the kids.
RESOLVED, That there shall be raised an additional $929,800 for General Funds in the 2016-17 School Year. These taxes will be used to employ additional personnel and to acquire additional equipment and supplies in order to implement the District’s full-day Kindergarten program. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the District’s tax levy. The additional taxes authorized herein will be used exclusively for purposes described herein and to finance expenditures that are in addition to those necessary to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Just say NO ,sorry folks this makes no sense in Ridgewood , sure it’s great for parents easier schedule and teachers more hires , but no tangible upside for the kids . But you say it’s only $111 bucks per household precisely how we got to a $102 million dollar school budget ,just a couple of bucks at a time.
