photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
March 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD Patrol Officer Salvatore D’Amico processed a property damage report in connection with damage to a parked 4-door BMW sedan caused by a downed tree at 1250 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood on Thursday morning, 03/02. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the incident on its own power following removal of the tree.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village council has hired Brigette Bogart of Brigette Bogart Planning and Design Professionals to serve as the village’s part-time planner, replacing the departed Blais Brancheau.
Bogart will attend planning and zoning board meetings, as well as review development applications filed by third parties, among other duties. Compensation will be an amount not to exceed $60,000.
According to the firm’s website, Brigette Bogart Planning & Design Professionals LLC was established in May of 2012 as a full service planning and design firm that recognizes the need to incorporate sustainable planning and appropriate urban design concepts into the future development projects.
Bogart has a Master of City and Regional Planning, University of Pennsylvania, 2000 and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture, North Carolina State University, 1997.
She has been awarded the 2008 NJPO Achievement in Planning for Borough of Park Ridge Rehabilitation Project,
2011 NJPO Achievement in Planning for the Township of Fredon Master Plan ,and the 2012 Recognized by Sustainable New Jersey as a member of a Certified Green Team.
Bogart previously worked for 12 years for the well-known Westwood-based planning firm Burgis Associates. In 2003, Bogart was named a Partner with Burgis Associates where she had been involved in all aspects of physical planning. Over a 12-year span, she has represented several municipalities in the review of subdivision and site plan development applications and the preparation of land use regulations as well as master plan elements. In 2010 She received her certification in Grant Writing.
Many residents may remember Bogart as the planner who testified on behalf of Citizens for a Better Ridgewood in 2014 during public hearings on the master plan amendments that would eventually rezone several parcels of land in downtown Ridgewood. Bogart said the rezoning requests “appear to be akin to spot zoning,”
She advised the Ridgewood Planning Board to engage in a cautious process, asking it to think about a “vision” for Ridgewood’s future as it moves forward. At the time their vision seemed more like Union City than Ridgewood .
Bogart herself took a cautious tone did not voice a stance against the developments, but she noted instead that the developments, though possibly at odds with Ridgewood’s best interests, would also help Ridgewood meet some of the current objectives in its master plan, such as enhancing aesthetics of certain areas downtown.
In the end, Bogart testimony reinforced the CBR’s contention that the problem was not development but “jumping from 12 units an acre to 50 units an acre seems reckless at best.”
At that time, the proposed amendments called for a density of 50 units per acre, which members of the grassroots organization CBR as well as most of the Ridgewood community, found unacceptable. Amendments were passed over a year later by the Planning Board reducing the density to 35 units per acre.
The Village Council also added two new members to the Planning Board, Carrie Giordano was appointed as the first alternate member of the board with a term that expires on June 30, 2018. Frances Barto was named as the second alternate, given a term of a little over two years that expires on June 30, 2019.
The village also engaged the Trenton-based Clark, Caton and Hintz planning firm for an amount not to exceed $35,000 to work on issues related to affordable housing.
March 3, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the so-called “fact checking” of letters to the editor of the Ridgewood news seemed to be inconsistently applied over the years .
Reader says , “over the years I have submitted many letters to the editor of the Ridgewood News (various editors). Any statement not clearly phrased as an opinion was fact checked, often more than I personally considered necessary. I had to supply documentation, explain, etc. Sometimes a letter was edited (always with my approval) and sometimes not printed at all. No newspaper is obligated to publish any letter to the editor in whole or in part. To publish outright lies as flat statements that could easily have been checked was journalistically and ethically unacceptable. This letter was full of them, including the implication that the mayor can fire anybody at will. We have checks and balances; that could never have happened, and in fact did not.”
Yes the practice of “fact checking” was particularly noticeable if your letter was not supportive of the latest scheme to pave over Graydon, build Garagezilla, load the CBD with high density housing, create bike lanes to nowhere , put turf fields in flood plains, let Valley build on its site at the density of the world trade center, build unusable ramps for the disabled at Graydon when far better solutions existed and of course rebuild toilets at Vets field for a cost of 1/2 a million dollars .
Heather is an excellent choice. She is smart, professional, and she is not a bullshitter.
Unlike Queen Roberta, Heather does not have an inflated opinion of herself. She does not insert herself into swearing-in ceremonies down on the floor, nor does she barge into proclamations and honors the way Roberta did. Heather will simply do the job and she will do it well, without playing any political games. Nope, you will never see Heather campaigning for a parking garage or interrupting residents who are lawfully collecting signatures. And she will not shame us by having an ethics violation brought against her at the State level.
Thank God the five elected officials found the best and the brightest for this job. Phew.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
March 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood FD and PD personnel responded to a 911 telephone call reporting a major fluid leak originating from a crane being used by a tree service at 260 The By Way in Ridgewood on Thursday morning, 03/02. Employees of the tree service had adequately controlled the leaking substance prior to the arrival of FD units and no FD action was required.
Matthew Birchenough , Staff Writer, @MattBirchenough5:01 p.m. ET March 1, 2017
A judge has postponed closing arguments scheduled for Friday in a lawsuit filed by Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff against Ridgewood Water.
Superior Court Judge Lisa Perez Friscia informed attorneys that the arguments would be delayed and a new date would be selected next week, said Gregory Reid, a lawyer representing Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff in the case.
March 1, 2017
Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of JAMES R. COWAN (DOB: 3/19/1944; widower; and formerly employed as a medical doctor) of 572 West Saddle River Road, Ridgewood, New Jersey for charges related to the distribution of controlled dangerous substances. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, the Dumont Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael J. CONNER, the Ridgewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Jacqueline LUTHCKE, and the State of New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs & State Board of Medical Examiners under the direction of Attorney General Christopher S. PORRINO.
During the month of February 2016, law enforcement personnel initiated an investigation into the medical practice of Dr. James R. COWAN, a licensed Medical Doctor specializing in Psychiatry, located in his home office at 572 West Saddle River Road, Ridgewood, New Jersey.
During this investigation, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, in an undercover capacity, visited the office of Dr. COWAN, posing as new patients. During these office visits, the undercover officers received prescriptions for medications from Dr. COWAN in exchange for cash payments. The undercover detectives were not physically evaluated by Dr. COWAN or anyone else at his office, but instead were issued prescriptions for Xanax and Adderall.
During the month of March 2016, Dr. COWAN became medically ill, and was hospitalized for several months. While he was in the hospital, the investigation revealed that another individual, who was not licensed to prescribe medicine, continued to see patients and issue prescriptions to patients on New Jersey prescription blanks that were pre-signed by Dr. COWAN.
During the month of April 2016, while Dr. COWAN was hospitalized, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at the residence / office of Dr. James COWAN. During the execution of the search warrant, items including New Jersey prescription blanks, patient files, computers, and Controlled Dangerous Substances were located and seized, and office personnel were found to be in possession of numerous files for patients that were scheduled to come to the office throughout the week. It was learned that Dr. COWAN reviewed these patient files from a rehabilitation facility where he was located at the time. He then caused prescriptions to be issued to patients he did not examine for, among other things, Tylenol w/ Codeine, Adderall, Xanax, and Subutex to these patients. Additionally, while present in the rehabilitation facility, Dr. COWAN pre-signed numerous New Jersey prescription blanks.
During the month of May 2016, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Consumer Affairs & State Board of Medical Examiners suspended the medical license and Controlled Dangerous Substances registration for Dr. James R. COWAN.
On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, Dr. James COWAN turned himself over to members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. He was charged with one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Xanax, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Adderall, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Prescription Legend Drug, namely Azithromycin, in an Amount of at Least Five (5) but Fewer than One Hundred (100) Dosage Units, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5(3), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Tylenol w/ Codeine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; six counts of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Xanax, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; six counts of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Adderall, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Subutex, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; and one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Oxycodone, in an Aggregate Weight Exceeding One Ounce, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(4), a second degree crime.
After arrest processing, James COWAN was released pending a first appearance court date at Central Judicial Processing.
Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would also like to thank the Dumont Police Department, the Ridgewood Police Department, and the Division of Consumer Affairs & State Board of Medical Examiners for their assistance in this investigation.
Heather Mailander with Councilmen Jeff Voigt and Bernie Walsh
With 28 years of dedicated service to the Village of Ridgewood, it’s an honor and privilege to appoint Heather Mailander as Village Manager. Heather has assumed the responsibilities of Acting Village Manager three times during her tenure and each and every time she has served with a level of professionalism and dedication coupled with kindness and fairness.
The Ridgewood Village Council wishes Heather the very best and, as always, we are grateful for the continued support of our fellow residents……Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen
March 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in a move that makes all to much sense, the Village Council enthusiastically approved long time employee Heather Mailander, to permanently take over the village’s top administrative position.
Residents know Heather Mailander, as the Village of Ridgewood’s long-time clerk. The Village Council unanimously appointed the next village manager on Wednesday night, effective immediately.
She was the acting village manager following the September 2016 resignation of Roberta Sonenfeld and this was the third time she has served in that capacity. Her first time as acting manager came in 2009 for a five-month period after the resignation of James Ten Hoeve. Heather also took over for six months after the ouster of Ken Gabbert in September 2013.
Last night Council members cited her dedication to the village with nearly three decades of service and a tenure marked by a and high level of professionalism, responsiveness and positive relationships she has with professionals and residents alike.
In a post in August 2013 Readers asked the Ridgewood Blog , “Why is Heather A. Mailander capable enough to fill in but not to actually be appointed to the position” https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-asks-why-is-heather-a-mailander-capable-enough-to-fill-in-but-not-to-actually-be-appointed-to-the-position/
At that time it was asked , “Why is she capable enough to fill in but not to actually be appointed to the position. Another woman running a dept and not being recognized. She is better than Gabbert and Ten Hoeve
Heather Mailander would make an excellent choice for Village Manager. She is highly capable, has a tremendous work ethic, she knows the town and she well respected and liked by both Village employees and residents. Most importantly she has good common sense………..which is in short supply in Village Hall.”
photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook
March 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD and FD personnel responded to a reported lightning strike in front of 125 Sunset Avenue, Ridgewood on the morning of Wednesday, 03/01. Responding units found evidence of significant lightning damage to a tree, whose fallen limbs had struck a primary electric power line. A PSE&G crew was summoned to remove the dangling limbs and restore electric power to any nearby homes that had lost it.
Ridgewood NJ, Ms. Justine Kawash, BFMS Choral Director, reports that seven Benjamin Franklin Middle School student musicians have been selected for Region I Choir, including: Francesca Alvidrez (Soprano 1, top score); Sydney Strauss (Soprano 2); Maeve Marron (Soprano 2); Sophie Hartstein(Alto); Nikki Bernabe (Alto); and Georgia Young (Alto).
March 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Officer Ptl. Raymond Tarino responded to a business located on Wilsey Square to investigate a theft on February 25. Upon arrival the business owner reported the theft of a life-sized fiberglass sheep. The sheep was displayed outside of the business and reportedly valued at $750. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Reminder: RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL Meeting
MARCH 1, 2017
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA – REVISED
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in 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 the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
7. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda (below)
9. Presentation – Removed from Agenda
10. Discussion
a.Ridgewood Water
1.Award of Contract – Water Billing and Data Collection Services – Second Year
2.Proposed Ordinance – Water Emergencies
3.Agreement to Exchange Geographical Information System Data with Bergen County
a.Parking – None
c. Budget
1.Budget Reserve Transfer
2.Award of Professional Services Contract – Vehicle Parts & Service
3.Award of Contract – Horticulture Supplies – Year One
4.Award of Contract – Coach Bus Transportation Services
5.Award of Contract – Graydon Pool Water’s Edge Cafe – Concession Refreshment Service
11. Discussion Cont’d
d. Policy
1.Proposed Ordinance – Facility Use and Rental Fee Updates
2.Proposed Ordinance – Land Use and Redevelopment
12. Review of March 8, 2017 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
13. Manager’s Report
14. Council Reports
16. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
17. Resolution to go into Closed Session
18. Closed Session
A. Legal – Valley Hospital Litigation; Settlement for Property Damage; Contract for Parking
B. Contracts/Negotiations – Bulk Water Purchase; Potential Purchase of Property
C. Personnel – Blue Collar & White Collar Negotiations; Appointments to Boards and Committees; Village Planner Consulting Services
19. Adjournment
VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
MARCH 1, 2017 7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act
MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided
by a posting on the bulletin board in 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 the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call
4. RESOLUTIONS
17-56 Appointment of Planning Consultant – COAH Matters and Related Litigation
17-57 Appointment of Planning Consultant for Land Use Boards,Village Council, and Review of Applications
17-58 Appoint Members to Planning Board
17-59 Appoint Members to Library Board of Trustees
17-60 Appointment Members to Community Relations Advisory Board
17-61 Appoint Members to Stigma-Free Task Force
17-62 Appoint Members to Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board
17-63 Appoint Village Manager
MOVE: SECOND: ROLL CALL VOTE:
5. Adjournment
At Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood NJ placing flags at the graves of Veterans. Thanks to American Legion Post 53 and Andy Haderthauer for allowing us the opportunity to participate in this beautiful tradition.
EOD Warrior Foundation helps EOD veterans and recognizes the importance of historical organization, The American Legion
February 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Over the course of two days in 1919, March 15-17, members of the American Expeditionary Force met for the first caucus of The American Legion in Paris, France. Little did they know the organization they would form, would go on to become the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, and one of the most influential nonprofits in the U.S.
“We are very proud of The American Legion, and appreciative of all of the great work they have done over the last 98 years,” explains Nicole Motsek, executive director of the EOD Warrior Foundation. “They have touched many lives, set an incredible example, and made a tremendous impact on our country.”
There are many reasons to love The American Legion, including these five:
“The organization has helped many people around the country, with no signs of slowing down as they approach their 100th year,” added Motsek.
The American Legion, an organization dedicated to helpfulness, has 2.4 million members, with 14,000 posts around the world. The group was evolved from a group of war-weary veterans during World War I.
The EOD Warrior Foundation is an organization that helps the families of the 7,000 people in our military who are Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, who perform bomb disposal duties. The EOD Warrior Foundation helps this elite group by providing financial relief, therapeutic healing retreats, a scholarship program, care of the EOD Memorial Wall located at Eglin AFB, Fla. and more. Their work is supported by private donations and the generosity of those who support the organization. To learn more about the EOD Warrior Foundation, or see their fundraising events calendar, visit their site at: www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.
Update September 2016 — To file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant, choose “Scams and Rip-Offs” and then “Impostor Scams.”
IR-2014-84, Aug. 28, 2014
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS.
These callers may demand money or may say you have a refund due and try to trick you into sharing private information. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. If you don’t answer, they often leave an “urgent” callback request.
“These telephone scams are being seen in every part of the country, and we urge people not to be deceived by these threatening phone calls,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “We have formal processes in place for people with tax issues. The IRS respects taxpayer rights, and these angry, shake-down calls are not how we do business.”
The IRS reminds people that they can know pretty easily when a supposed IRS caller is a fake. Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam. The IRS will never:
Call to demand immediate payment, nor will we call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill..
Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:
If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.
If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.
You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Impostor Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes. [See update at top of page.]
Remember, too, the IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. For more information on reporting tax scams, go to www.irs.gov and type “scam” in the search box.
