Ridgewood NJ, it appears the council has heard the cries about the disrepair of the “Town Garage” property .
Mayor Susan Knudsen announced at the Village Council meeting on Wednesday night that she is in favor of the Village buying the town garage .
Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon and Councilmen Ramon Hache also spoke strongly in favor of the Village buying the garage and pointed out the Village could make up the lost tax revenue in 5 months with parking at the town garage .While Councilmen Voigt was concerned about remediation and thought the first priority to build a garage on Hudson Street .
The mayor continued to articulate a long term parking strategy for the Village of Ridgewood .Councilwomen Walsh felt strongly the Village should compel the current property owner to clean up the site . The village engineer gave an over view of the contamination , his estimate for the clean up was not forth coming ,however he stated the Village had $900,000 in its capital fund allocated for clean up.
Ridgewood NJ, According to Mayor Knudsen , “The first meeting of the Planning Board Master Plan subcommittee was Tuesday Aug 2. The meeting was very efficient and productive. We are looking forward to continuing on such a positive path. Our mission statement is as follows:
“The goal of the Master Plan Subcommittee is to assist the Planning Board, the Ridgewood Village Council and the public with the Master Plan process including, but not limited to: project education, scheduling, milestones, budgeting, public engagement and participation, and to ensure an open and transparent process.”
An open letter to Mr. Richard Joel, the Chairman of the Planning Board re the newly constituted Master Plan Subcommittee:
Dear Mr. Joel:
I listened in to certain parts of the past few Planning Board meetings, and would like to share some thoughts with you.
I agree it is critically important for the Planning Board to set up a Master Plan Subcommittee that can play a critical role in determining the vitality of Ridgewood’s future. I feel strongly, however, that this Subcommittee should be manned with a selection of prominent members of Ridgewood Residents who represent a cross section of the community and disciplines. It is imperative that the Subcommittee has the benefit of a free exchange of creative ideas of smart people who care about our town.
In my opinion, this Subcommittee should be chaired by you or Mr. Joel Torielli and include one or two members of the Planning Board but that it should not include Mayor Knudsen, as I will make clear later.
Listening to the Planning Board meeting one wonders if it is you or the Mayor who is chairing the meeting. The problem of having someone with the Mayor’s domineering personality is that she sucks the air out of the room, discouraging a healthy and honest debate on issues. Most people do not like confrontation, and withdraw into their shell in the presence of someone who dominates a meeting. Hence my recommendation that she stay off the Subcommittee.
Another point is the order in which the Planning Board votes. I see she votes first, then you. I assume you are the senior member of the Planning Board and thus you should vote first. I assume the Mayor and Mr. Voigt are ex-officio members (?) and should vote last. Having said that, you may consider voting as I believe they do in the Supreme Court, with the order being in reverse order of seniority by tenure. Thus, the justice who is the most recent appointee votes first. I understand that the reason for this if for the newer members to feel free to vote as they see fit without feeling pressured by longer serving justices. You are a lawyer and would know more about this than I.
With thanks for your consideration, and more importantly for your service.
Best regards,
Rurik
cc: Members of the Planning Bard and Village Council.
Ridgewood NJ, Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, has welcomed Christina Gibbons, a veteran Bergen County resident and community volunteer, as a Broker Associate at its Ridgewood, NJ office.
Christina joins the Bergen County real estate market with a winning perspective, following a successful career in cardiology and service on various regional philanthropic boards. She brings intelligence, drive and personality to each and every client interaction, working closely with buyers and sellers to ensure a successful conclusion to the real estate transaction. Christina has a keen intuition for people’s needs, a skill for negotiating, and a roster of high quality professional and personal contacts.
Over the past 15 years, Christina has been a key member of the Bergen County community, devoting her free time to staying active in the community, giving her a well-rounded perspective on Bergen County and the diversity of its communities. Christina has served as the president of the board of directors for the YWCA of Bergen County, president of the Ridgewood Newcomers Club, and a board member of the Willard Elementary School Home and School Association. She currently holds board positions on the George Washington Middle School Home and School Association and the Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association.
Christina grew up in upstate New York and graduated from Penn State University, where she studied medicine and played on the women’s tennis team. She enjoys spending time with her three sons and her husband of 15 years, as well as friends and extended family. She also enjoys playing golf, tennis and paddle tennis at a competitive level.
About Special Properties Real Estate Services
Special Properties Real Estate Services embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, and Ridgewood, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call (201) 962-9552.
Hawthorne NJ, Hawthorne PD responded to the intersection of Goffle Hill Road and New York Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, 08/02, to investigate a reported motor vehicle collision involving a baby deer. The responding uniformed patrol officers located the injured fawn lying on the lawn of a nearby home, and interviewed the adult female driver involved in the incident. Tyco Animal Control Services was dispatched as per protocol. Sadly, the animal’s injuries were serious enough to warrant putting it down (handled by Tyco). No summonses were issued in connection with the incident.
First Time Ever-Restaurant Week During The Summer!
Sunday-Thursday, August 13-17th. Sunday-Thursday, August 20-24th.
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Location: At participating restaurants in Ridgewood, all through the Ridgewood business district
For these two days, participating restaurants and caterers are offering you the chance to “experience” dining in Ridgewood or in your home.Each chef is preparing a tantalizing 3-course, prie-fixe menu at $30.17.
Visit these participating restaurants. Call for reservations and details.
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents …
First time ever –
SUMMER RESTAURANT WEEK –
Sunday-Thursday, August 13-17th. Sunday-Thursday, August 20-24th.
Offering a Pre-Fixe menu of a three course meal,
at $30.17 +tax and tip. Beverages not included.
This can be eating-in or take-out menu and/or catering.
Participating restaurant to date…more to come,
check back.
Blue Sushi-201-882-1700 (lunch/dinner)
Cravings-201-857-8533 (lunch/dinner)
Finca-201-444-1199 (lunch/Dinner)
Latour, JUST ADDED, 201-445-5056 (lunch/dinner)
Leon Mexican Cuisine-201-857-0297 (dinner)
Lisa’s Mediterranean Cuisine-201-251-8686
(lunch/dinner)
Park West Tavern & Loft 201-445-5400
Pearl Restaurant-201-857-5100 (dinner)
Piccolo Bistro-Italian-201-882-1111 (dinner only)
ROOTS Steakhouse 201-444-1922 (lunch only)
SMOKED2Go 201-447-6653 (dinner only)
Steel Wheel Tavern-201-882-1800 (lunch/dinner)
White Maple Café-201-201-857-0700
Specialty Foods
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt-201-857-3711
Offering a small party box at $30.17 ($45 value)
Chestnut Catering-201-445-3031
week of 8/13 only – pick up-eat at home.
For restaurant questions, call restaurant directly.
all other-Ridgewood Chamber 201-445-2600
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police issued three (3) summonses in connection with a Wednesday morning, 08/02 multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Irving Street. Two (2) damaged vehicles were removed from the crash site by a flatbed tow truck. No injuries were reported. Ridgewood Fire Departement personnel attended to a crash related fluid spill.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 08/02. The spilled fluid, believed to have originated from a commercial refuse removal vehicle, appeared to have been a mixture of paint and liquid food waste. FD personnel applied an absorbent material to surface areas on which the spill had not dried while Police officers attempted to track down the truck involved in the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, A primary electric cable fell to the ground and ignited in front of 620 Linwood Avenue, Ridgewood on Wednesday afternoon, 08/02. Ridgewood Police and Fire Department personnel stood by until a troubleshooter from Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G) arrived and made the area safe. The small ground fire was contained to a 2 foot by 2 foot strip of grass. No information was available from crews on the scene as to the extent of any related power outages in the immediate area. A portion of Linwood Avenue remained closed for an extended period while PSE&G crews worked.
Ridgewood NJ, Stop by for some special treats, events, giveaways and meet the KILWINS MOOSE..
bring the kids.
Kilwins Ridgewood in Ridgewood New Jersey is a specialty candy and ice cream store selling delicious treats such as hand-crafted chocolates, caramel apples, homemade ice cream, and more!
Since 1947 Kilwins has been a celebrated part of Americana having earned a reputation for providing high quality products and excellent service. Our heritage was built on the simple premise of creating our products from the finest ingredients and providing customers with great service. Today we continue the tradition by uniquely combining high quality products with a warm friendly customer experience that is supported through a successful community of caring owner operators. We continue to offer the finest quality, traditional down-home confections and ice cream that are kitchen made fresh from premium ingredients and original recipes.
Our values are simple; Treat others as you want to be treated, Do your best, and Have fun! These values translate directly to a culture of people who are driven to provide an exceptional confectionery experience. Coupled with our high quality products, in-store craftsmanship, and genuinely friendly staff we create an atmosphere that our customers want to visit again and again.
Come into Kilwins Ridgewood, “Sweet in every Sense since 1947.”
Kilwins-Ridgewood
121 E. Ridgewood Ave.
201-445-4837
In addition to what the other folks are saying about the Elk’s, street conditions, garage etc. don’t underestimate the wireless towers. Wireless towers while improving wireless phone service come with a lot of bad side effects. The radiation (especially for those living close to it) is very dangerous for young children. In addition after installing a tower chances are the providers will add more on top of just repeaters. They can add microwave equipment which is a killer. I know many people are complaining about their wireless coverage at home but the benefit is much less than the damage. Not to mention these towers are an eyesore and tend to affect real estate. When I was looking to buy in NJ one the good reasons to buy in Ridgewood was the lack of wireless towers and high voltage lines.
This VC is obviously blind to this becuase the residents have expressed a need for quality of service. Many don’t even think when they ask for something. Anyone knows where the tower/s will be installed?
Ridgewood NJ, Renting out your home or second home for short periods of time is becoming increasingly popular with the advent of online services that match property owners with prospective renters. The online sites providing these services include Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway.
There are special (and often complex) taxation rules associated with renting out your home or second home for short periods of time. In some cases, these rules allow the rental income you receive to be tax-free. In other situations, the rental income and expenses may have to be treated as business income and reported on a Schedule C, as opposed to a rental activity reported on Schedule E.
The following is a synopsis of the rules governing short-term rentals.
Rented for Fewer than 15 Days during the Year – When you rent out your home for fewer than 15 days total during the tax year, the rental income is not reportable, and the expenses associated with that rental are not deductible. However, interest and property taxes need not be prorated, and the full amounts of the qualified mortgage interest and property taxes you pay are reported as itemized deductions (as usual) on your Schedule A, if you itemize your deductions.
The 7-Day and 30-Day Rules – Rentals are generally passive activities, meaning that they are not treated as a trade or business and are not subject to self-employment taxes. However, an activity is not treated as a rental if either of these statements applies:
A. The average customer use of the property is for 7 days or fewer—or for 30 days or fewer if the owner (or someone on the owner’s behalf) provides significant personal services, or
B. The owner (or someone on the owner’s behalf) provides extraordinary personal services without regard to the property’s average period of customer use.
If the activity is not treated as a rental, then it will be treated as a trade or business, and the income and expenses, including prorated interest and taxes, will be reported on Schedule C. IRS Publication 527 states: “If you provide substantial services that are primarily for your tenant’s convenience, such as regular cleaning, changing linen, or maid service, you report your rental income and expenses on Schedule C.” Substantial services do not include the furnishing of heat and light, the cleaning of public areas, the collecting of trash, and such.
Exception to the 30-Day Rule – If the personal services provided are similar to those that are generally provided in connection with long-term rentals of high-grade commercial or residential real property (such as public area cleaning and trash collection), and if the rental also includes maid and linen services that cost less than 10% of the rental fee, then the personal services are neither significant nor extraordinary for the purposes of the 30-day rule.
Profits and Losses on Schedule C – Profit from a rental activity is not subject to self-employment tax, but a profitable rental activity that is reported as a business on Schedule C is subject to this tax. A loss from this type of activity is still treated as a passive-activity loss unless you meet the “material participation” test, generally by providing 500 or more hours of personal services during the year or qualifying as a real estate professional. Losses from passive activities are only deductible up to the income amount from other passive activities, but unused losses can be carried forward to future years. A special allowance for real-estate rental activities with active participation permits a loss against non-passive income of up to $25,000, which phases out when modified adjusted gross income is between $100K and $150K. However, this allowance does NOT apply when the activity is reported on Schedule C.
Edgewater NJ, One year ago today, a fast-moving fire sparked by a maintenance worker’s blowtorch climbed up the walls and through unsprinklered spaces of the Avalon Edgewater apartment complex.
The blaze was first reported at 4:22 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2015, sending 500 first responders to the Russell Avenue complex.
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — The family of Mallory Grossman, a 12-year-old who committed suicide in June, is suing the township’s public schools for failing to prevent the cyberbullying her parents are convinced led to her death, the family’s attorney said.
In a statement, the law firm Nagel Rice of Roseland said the district was guilty of “gross negligence” for doing nothing to halt the text messages and Snapchat posts from fellow students at Copeland Middle School despite repeated requests from her parents asking school officials to intervene.
“This tragedy could have been prevented and this lawsuit should be a wake-up call to every school in every hamlet in our great country that cyberbullying is going on every day and that the schools must immediately take steps to stop this and protect every student in the school,” said attorney Bruce Nagel, who is representing the Grossmans.
