Tag: Ridgewood Council

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Reader asks Ridgewood Council on the feasibility of a property tax reduction for seniors

Ridgewood Realestate

file photo

At a recent council meeting I asked the council to consider asking our CFO to prepare a report on the feasibility of a property tax reduction, such as 10%, for seniors–whether all seniors or only those with income under a certain level (based on income tax returns) TBD. Other towns do this. It’s fiscally sound for all: a house sold by one or two seniors will go to a family with children, further burdening the school system. With our new all-day kindergarten, and the strong possibility of numerous new apartments looming, we will attract more people with very young children attending school from K through 12. Seniors are around during the day to keep an eye on the neighborhood when others are at work. Seniors volunteer and patronize stores, restaurants, the movie theater, and services such as hair salons on weekdays. A tax reduction each year, especially as taxes rise but a fixed income does not, might help some seniors to remain. Another point that needs to be far more widely known is that seniors with income under a specified amount are entitled to a property tax reduction through the state. The council and website should announce this and provide details, links, forms at Village Hall, etc.

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Ridgewood Councils Multifaceted Approach to Parking

Ridgewood Village Council

Their platform was a multifaceted approach. They did discuss tiered parking prices for commuters, one way streets with diagonal parking, a garage, subsidizing Uber, parking apps, possibly using the Zabriskie lot, employee parking, etc. The council discussed the parking rates in October and November, before voting on it. I don’t believe any member of the public complained about the price being tiered higher as you got closer to the train. The Financial Advisory Committee suggested raising the commuter passes as well as the meters, especially the meters on the streets closer to the train station (75 cents and hour was suggested). The council chose to keep the meters the same, except to lower 60 meters at Cottage to 25 cents an hour for CBD employee parking. These were both done to try to entice more people to use the Cottage Street lot, which remains mostly empty all day.
When the previous council was planning a garage, they said the garage would be mostly for patrons of the CBD. They said commuter parking would be on the upper levels.

Say the garage was built at Hudson. If 2 cars started from the same location, one drove directly to the Cottage lot, parked, & walked to the train platform. The other car drove directly to a garage at Hudson Street, drove round and round to the 3rd level, parked, came down to street level, and walked to the train platform- my guess is that the timing would be pretty much the same.

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Members of the Ridgewood Councils Opposition engage in Rumor and Innuendo at Ridgewood Council Meeting

Rurik Halaby
file photo of Mr. Halaby
September 9th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, several readers have asked “What we’re all these comments in the council meeting about a raffle at Mt Carmel with a $25k prize. Those comments were perplexing.

It seemed to be implied by Mr. Halaby that there was a fix in and that is why the Mayor won the raffle.

The fact is the church was in Glen Rock, not Mt. Carmel. And the suggestion by Mr. Halaby that the raffle was rigged was pathetic and highly insulting to the church. What by the way did that have to do with anything? Just reaching for something ridiculous to attack the Mayor, and attack the church while he was at it.

Perhaps the opposition should take there own advice and behave civilly or maybe the council should morve to ban several residents from speaking at Village council meetings for “trolling”.
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Readers say Ridgewood teachers are unreasonable ,Ridgewood has always been very supportive of teachers and education

Ridgewood EA teachers protest

BOE – stay strong. The teachers are unreasonable. Might not have this opinion if it was a different town but Ridgewood has always been very supportive of teachers and education as illustrated by the pay scale. We just can’t and don’t want to afford to indulge them any more. Note: Rankings are slipping … time to reconsider a lot when it comes to our schools. Some new blood might be a very good thing. Please move on if you are not happy with what our BOE is offering you.

Teachers remain completely unreasonable and are not negotiating with our volunteer BOE in good faith. Time for higher pension contributions, higher copays, and salaries growing less than the 2% property tax cap. It’s time to wake up to the reality faced by all residents of Ridgewood, not just your “la-la fantasy world” union rose tinted glasses greed.

It is time for teachers and there arrogant union leaders to step in to the twenty first century and stop livening as though it was the 1950’s where you did not have great pay and benefits. BOE say no to these people the taxpayer is fed up.

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Reader says Sonenfeld was incompetent, defensive, “attitude” prone, disrespectful of council members and the public, all too willing to do the former mayor’s bidding

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

You can keep someone around with a less-than-great attitude if they’re highly competent, experienced, and brilliant. Maybe you can keep someone around who’s less than great, but their sunshine makes everybody happy and they get things done. People kept saying that at least she wasn’t an alcoholic like previous managers. Can you imagine hearing someone say that about yourself in your job? Talk about faint praise.

She worked hard–many hours–we know this because she mentioned it a lot. But what was she doing? Working on projects behind some council members’ backs and intended to foil the wishes of residents. Determinedly following through on Aronsohn’s plans. This woman was a hiring disaster except for the person who hired her. Unqualified for many important Village Manager tasks, requiring expensive outsourcing and in one case, the excuse for creating an HR position for a friend that quickly morphed from part time to full time. Let’s get rid of that person and that position soon.

Sonenfeld was incompetent, defensive, “attitude” prone, disrespectful of council members and the public, all too willing to do the former mayor’s bidding. Shockingly, did not hesitate to chew out council members–totally unacceptable. Expressed far more personal opinions than a manager should.

Waster of money, pusher of projects we didn’t need–most recently the digging up and overhauling of Van Neste, which fortunately was caught in time. Cashed in her favor-chips with that HR job and giving her Health Barn friend part of a municipal park (let’s rip up that contract asap). Never learned the true role of a village manager. We will be far better off without her. Aronsohn’s legacy is now diminished in the most significant way since the council election. CLEAN HOUSE. (Judge Pfund needs to go, too.)

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RIDGEWOOD PLANNING BOARD MEETING TONIGHT 7:30PM

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PLANNING BOARD AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Village Hall Court Room– 7:30 P.M.

(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)

7:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Statement of Compliance, Flag Salute, Roll Call – In accordance with the provisions of Section 10:4-8d of the Open Public Meetings Act, the date, location, and time of the commencement of this meeting is reflected in a meeting notice, a copy of which schedule has been filed with the Village Manager and the Village Clerk, The Ridgewood News and The Record newspapers, and posted on the bulletin board in the entry lobby of the Village municipal offices at 131 North Maple Avenue, and on the Village website, all in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.

Roll call: Knudsen, Voigt, Altano, Joel, Reilly, Patire, Thurston, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams

7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board

7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board

7:45 p.m. – 7:55 p.m. – Resolutions re: Appointment of Planning Board Counsel

7:55 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Riverside Medical Group Minor Site Plan and Variances, 74 Oak Street, Block 2009, Lot 6

9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Ridgewood Dayton, LLC Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 100 & 152 South Broad Street, Block 3707, Lot 5.01 and Block 3905, Lot 1.01

11:00 p.m. – 11:05 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: August 23, 2016

11:05 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)

Adjournment

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work sessions, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings, which are always open to members of the general public.

Members: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Kevin Reilly, David Thurston, Isabella Altano, Debbie Patire

Professional Staff: Blais L. Brancheau, Planner; Christopher J. Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Michael Cafarelli, Board Secretary

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BREAKING UPDATE (8:17 pm): Ridgewood Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld Resigns

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

September 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Breaking Update : (8:17 pm)the Ridgewood blog has learned that the now former Village manager was escorted out the building after misusing her Village email by sending out misinformation about her departure. 

Ridgewood NJ, various sources have confirmed as of 9:17 am this morning Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld as tendered her resignation . Her last official day is Friday . We are not sure if she will be at the Council meeting tomorrow night . Heather Mailander will take over temporary manager duties.

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Reader says Ridgewood teachers should realize that the current lack of signs means very few support the teachers.

REA, ridgewoood teachers

The teachers should realize that the current lack of signs means very few support the teachers. Where do we get a sign supporting the Board? The teachers ARE going to cut out writing letters and any extra time w/the students. The Board and the parents are going to have to take a stance and not give the teachers a thing. This has been how the teachers have always won their demands in the past. Parents have to support the Board for once. The teachers have more under their old contract than most communities. And contrary to their theory that they are the cause of Ridgewood’s supposed “Excellence”, they are not. And our rankings, contrary to what many people think, have gone quite a long ways down in the time we have lived here (over 40 years). We long ago reached the point that, unfortunately, a child will get a better education in the private schools–which most of us can’t pay for. A friend sent her daughter to IHA for 9th grade and then had to return her to Ridgewood for the following three. The child basically repeated her entire 9th grade year while she was actually in the 10th. And this was years ago–imagine the differential now!

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Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital hosts Adopt A Pet Day

scott garrett dogs

Congressmen Scott Garrett promoting pet adoption

September 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, If you have room in your home and heart, they will have 30 shelters and rescue groups with 300 pets for adoption. Experience the joy of unconditional love. Someone is waiting for you. . .

Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital hosts Adopt A Pet Day
Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 11:00 AM until 4:00 Pm
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital, 320 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood

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Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market

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Sun, June 26, 2016 – Sun, October 30, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Train Station Parking Lot, Godwin Ave & W Ridgewood Ave

It is here! Sundays
June 26, 2016 – October 30, 2016
9:00am – 3:00pm

Enjoy “Farm to Table”
Ridgewood Train Station
Parking Lot West Side

or call 201-445-2600

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Ridgewood Education Association and Board of Education Face off in New Contract Negotiations

REA Members come out to greet our Board of Ed
September 4th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Students return to school on Tuesday and as the new school year begins the Ridgewood Education Association members are still working without a contract. The Ridgewood Education Association is looking for the public’s support to settle their contract dispute with the school board which up till now has been tepid at best.

The Ridgewood Education Association is asking the public to please support their members by demanding that the Board settles the contract. They want to make sure Dr. Fishbein knows that their contract is the number one priority. They are also asking residents to place a sign on your lawn to support the Ridgewood Education Association.

Readers agree that a contract settlement is needed but consider REA demands unreasonable  , “Isn’t it obvious the NJEA is forcing the REA to make unreasonable demands and negotiate in bad faith with our volunteer BOE? Settle now.”

Many blog readers also do not share the REA’s enthusiasm ,”The REA thinks that just because Ridgewood schools have a “tradition of excellence”, that they are somehow excellent. That takes hard work. This current bunch of teachers seems to care more about their annual wage increases and health care benefits than they do about excellence for our school system. Shameless greed given a BOE budget already north of $100 million even though the population of Ridgewood is little changed since we did have top rated schools in the 1980s and 90s.”

Some REA supporters think the union should take stronger action , “maybe coaches need to through in the towel . Take away extra curricular activities and you’ll see how fast parents put signs up on their lawn.”

This Tuesday September 6th, the first day of school for students, the Ridgewood Education Association will hold a rally at 4:00pm at the Ed Center. The rally is an attempt to pressure the BOE to give in .That evening there will be a negotiation session and union is looking to let the Board know that 434 days is too long to work without a contract. The REA is also asking residents to come and support your teachers and secretaries by wearing red.

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Ridgewood Schools Invites all to Coffee and Conversation

Dan Fishbein 10

September 2,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, SAVE THE DATES FOR COFFEE WITH THE BOE AND DAN FISHBEIN: Coffee and Conversation Dates Are Announced

The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein will host residents for coffee and casual conversation on three separate occasions this school year.

The first date for Coffee and Conversation is Wednesday, October 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood.

Future dates will follow on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 and Wednesday, May 17, 2017.

All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns

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Ridgewood Schoolhouse Museum Fall Events

school_house_museum_theridgewoodblog
September 3,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In keeping with the theme of the Schoolhouse Museum’s current “Farm and Home” exhibit, the Ridgewood Historical Society, in conjunction with Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, has a number of events planned for the fall months. These events are a great opportunity to learn about, buy, and in some cases, taste, locally grown produce and fruits, and to support not only the Museum, but also Demarest Farms – a local area farm since 1886!

On September 17th we will be setting up a ‘mini-exhibit’ at Demarest Farms. This mini-exhibit, staffed by board members of the Society, will show some of the museum’s farming artifacts, and will display and discuss a variety of items that are currently available and in season. This will range from red, to plum, to heirloom tomatoes; white peaches and yellow peaches; and, of course, apples. Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Macintosh to name a few. Demarest Farms also has available a “Pick your own” peaches, apples or pumpkins hay ride. This should be a fun filled day.

On October 15, at the Schoolhouse Museum, we will have samples of baked dishes, with produce supplied by Demarest Farms. Details are still being worked out, but save this date, since there will be a limited number of tickets for sale.

On November 19 at Demarest Farms…and just in time for Thanksgiving, we will be offering a discount coupon to our membership. This coupon gives you the opportunity to save money as you begin your Thanksgiving fruit and produce shopping. And Demarest Farms will donate 10% of the proceeds to the Ridgewood Historical Society.

These events not only support the Museum, but also Demarest Farms – a local producer of produce and fruits, with 130 years of history in our area.

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From Scratch in Ridgewood Eating pasta to help quake victims

from scratch Ridgewood

September 3,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, From Scratch in Ridgewood is joining other Italian restaurants around the country in raising funds for Italy’s earthquake victims by offering the signature dish of the stricken region, pasta all’Amatriciana. Owner Claudia Rovegno will cook the dish, made with pancetta and pecorino cheese, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the end of September. It will cost $20, of which $4 will be donated to earthquake relief. 44 E. Ridgewood Ave., 201-857-5188, fromscratchridgewood.com

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WEST BERGEN OFFERS SOCIAL ANXIETY GROUP FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEENS

breakfest club
September 3,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, West Bergen Mental Healthcare, a non-profit counseling and psychiatric center, announced a new Social Anxiety Group for high school teenagers. The Group is scheduled to begin in the Fall, 2016 at the West Bergen Center for Children and Youth, One Cherry Lane, Ramsey, NJ. Participation is limited; if it becomes full, West Bergen can place your child on a waiting list or consider starting another group. If you have any questions or wish to enroll, please call Eve Thaler, LPC, Staff Therapist, at (201) 444-3550 ext. 7127. Most insurance plans are accepted.

The Social Anxiety Group will focus on understanding the cognitive, physical and behavioral features associated with social anxiety and applying this knowledge to exposure situations that the students will practice in the group as well as specific social environments. Parents will be involved at the beginning and at specific junctures throughout. Please note: parents and teens will need to commit to weekly sessions for a six-month period to complete the entire program.

Established in 1963 as a child guidance clinic, today West Bergen provides comprehensive services for all age groups with various levels of need. West Bergen Mental Healthcare was voted Number One in Client Satisfaction by the Mental Health Corporations of America’s National Survey for 2015. The Agency has earned this notable recognition ten times since 1998