Tag: Ridgewood Emergency Services

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RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO RIDGEWOOD ARTS FOUNDATION HONORS!

FISH
January 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Arts Foundation is pleased to invite the public to the Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors on Sunday, January 29, 2017, 4-6pm, at Fish Restaurant in Ridgewood. Honorees for this inaugural event are Parlance Chamber Concerts and Art of Motion, two iconic Ridgewood performing arts organizations.

The Ridgewood Arts Foundation, a public charitable 501(c)(3) foundation, was created to provide funding for the many worthy artistic endeavors within our village, to encourage the further development of the arts in our community, and to establish a scholarship fund for art students from Ridgewood.

To purchase tax-deductible tickets for the event, featuring food, wine and entertainment, go to:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ridgewood-arts-foundation-honors-tickets-28874443237?aff=eac2.

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Ridgewood Residents deal with the Snowy Weather

snow day

January 8,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, while we hear many comments that drive was a challenge and that road crews were slow to get going,the surprise snow storm seemed to bring out the best in humor.

On the Facebook page “It takes a Ridgewood Village ” one commenter asked if any thought it was too early to put chairs out for the 4th of July Parade? The consensus seemed to be it’s never too early.

IMG 0854

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RIDGEWOOD FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

village-hall-theridgewoodblog

January 8,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ ,the clearly stated responsibilities of the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) , yet are we the only ones who see no evidence that the FAC is meeting its responsibilities?

  1. The Committee shall assist the Village Council by marshaling and channeling its expertise and insight to complement the judgment of the Village Council and Village management with respect to financial matters.
  1. The Committee shall identify both short- and long-term financial challenges. As potential issues are raised, the Committee shall study selected issue(s) at its own initiative and at the request of the Village Council and recommend solutions/potential actions to the Village Council

 

FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Resolutions:
13-88
14-171

Members:

        NAME                                     TERM EXPIRES

Charles DiMarco                               6/30/17

Alex Kisilevich                                    6/30/17

Brian Lahey                                        6/30/17

Evan Weitz – Chair                           6/30/18

Rei Shinozuka                                    6/30/18

John Cavanaugh                                  6/30/19

David Hough                                      6/30/19

Robert Kotch                                      6/30/19

Councilman Jeff Voigt is the Council liaison

MISSION AND BY-LAWS

Establishment:

A new committee known as the “Financial Advisory Committee” was created by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood on April 24, 2013, by Resolution No. 13-88.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Committee is hereby charged with the following duties and responsibilities:

  1. The Committee shall assist the Village Council by marshaling and channeling its expertise and insight to complement the judgment of the Village Council and Village management with respect to financial matters.
  1. The Committee shall identify both short- and long-term financial challenges. As potential issues are raised, the Committee shall study selected issue(s) at its own initiative and at the request of the Village Council and recommend solutions/potential actions to the Village Council.
  1. The Committee shall have ongoing responsibility for the following:
    1. Analyze and evaluate the annual Village budget process (expense and capital) and the resultant budget, to advise the Village Council in their decision-making process to ensure that necessary revenues are raised in an equitable manner and that taxes are spent effectively and efficiently.
    2. Review the quarterly financial reports and the current year’s revenue and expenditure projections.
    3. Advise on the development and implementation of effective financial reporting policies and procedures for the Village Council and Village management that build upon and retain the public’s faith and trust in the Village’s policies and procedures.
    4. Assist in the review and improvement of organizational structures and recurring contracts arrangements, including collective bargaining agreements, with due regard for applicable legal requirements governing civil service, procurement and labor relations.
    5. Provide an annual report to the Council.
  1. The Committee may also perform the following:
    1. Study critical issues and perform independent research to formulate and develop thoughtful and well-developed recommendations on strategies and opportunities.
    2. Provide a forum for community education and discussion concerning the financial condition of the Village and various alternatives for improvement.

Meetings:

The Committee shall meet once per month and/or on an as-needed basis. Decisions shall be made by consensus and if necessary, by majority vote. The minutes for regular monthly meetings shall be kept, transcribed, and made available to the Village and Council and such other Village officials as the Village Manager shall direct. Public comment will be requested at the beginning of a meeting and will be capped at 3 minutes per person; public comment will not exceed 15 minutes. The Committee may also hold closed working sessions as needed.

Composition and Terms:

The Committee shall comprise up to nine (9) regular members of the public appointed by the Village Council, a liaison from the Village Council, and a liaison from the Department of Finance of the Village at the discretion of the Council and the Village Manager. The public members of the Committee shall be appointed on July 1 of each calendar year and serve for a term of three (3) years, with the exception of the initial Committee appointed as of July 1, 2013, with three members appointed for a term of three (3) years, two members appointed for a term of two (2) years, and two members appointed for a term of one (1) year.

If a public member resigns, the Village Council shall appoint a replacement as

soon as possible to serve out the remainder of his/her term. The Financial Advisory Committee, through the Village Council liaison, will provide input into this process.

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Ridgewood’s New Parking Regulations Claim their First Victim

Ridgewood's New Parking Regulations Claim their First Victim
January 8th 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, looks like the new Ridgewood parking regulations claimed their first victim .Not only did the Village raise parking rates 33% this year and 50% from 2015, but they reduced the number of parking spots in the Hudson lot. The rates were increased without notice and no mention of reduced spots!

Commuters are up in arms over the new parking prices. If you have an annual parking pass, visit the next village council meeting to “have a chat” with the powers that be.

It’s good to remember people have to commute because there are so few quality jobs in New Jersey anymore that could afford you a Ridgewood lifestyle.

Seems like these crazy fees were set up to fund Garagezilla and left as a booby trap for the new regime, are the 3 amigos behind this one or was it a trap set by the former Village manager whatever her name is? And of course where was the FAC( Financial Advisory Committee)  in all this?
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Readers Question Customer Service at Ridgewood Post Office

Ridgewood-_Post_office_theridgewoodblog

Speaking of disappointment, has anyone else had trouble with the Ridgewood post office…?

I never received 2 checks that were mailed to me by separate businesses based in Bergen Cty back in early October,

Last week we found a letter addressed to someone living in WYCKOFF in our mailbox.

And then I ordered some books the day after Christmas and by using the package tracking service I saw that the box was delivered to the Ridgewood USPS facility on Dec 30th….we didn’t get the box until yesterday (Jan 5th).

What’s going on over there…?

Regarding Ridgewood post office problem. Today , Saturday morning I AGAIN got wrong mail, another addressee’s CREDIT CARD STATEMENT. When I called and complained and asked why I OFTEN Every TWO WEEKS, get wrong mail, they said the workers are members of a union and the Ridgewood POST OFFICE has no responsibility.

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Time for a Full Review of All Boards and Committees in Ridgewood

village-hall-theridgewoodblog
January 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood now has 21 boards and committees while some serve needed functions many seem to have become personal fiefdoms propelled by special interests, self-fulfilling prophecies and mission creep
the town?
So this begs the question, is the Village of Ridgewood being run by a  bunch of non-elected self-appointed special interests or do voters and taxpayers still have a say in how the town is run.
It is clearly time to review the functions of many of the committees, clean up the overlap or even close some down because their time has passsed.

21 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Board of Adjustmentoters and tax payers
Central Business District Advisory Committee
Chamber of Commerce
Citizens Safety Committee
Community Center Advisory Board
Community Relations Advisory Board
Field Committee
Financial Advisory Committee
Green Team Advisory Committee
Kasschau Shell
Library Board of Trustees
Open Space Committee
Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board
Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission
Project Pride Committee
Ridgewood Arts Council
Ridgewood Community Access Network (CAN)
Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee
Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee
Shade Tree Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Village Council: Feeding Questions over Coffee, legal, ethical , moral , deceptive?

village council meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

January 7,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on the Ridgewood blog ,and we also learned that sometime last year Councilman Voigt asked a member of the public to have coffee.  Over coffee, Mr. Voigt asked Mr. Saurabh Dani to come to a public meeting and ask specific questions so that Jeff could then have the entree to give scripted answers.  Mr. Dani refused to play such an unethical game……but he spoke up about it tonight after witnessing the exact same scenario playing out between Jeff Voigt and Hans Lehmann.  He also called for the resignation of Councilman Voigt.

Besides being married to faux-minister Jan Phillips, to whom Aronsohn made the big mistake of opening the door via that insane “civility” group (a product of the great minds at White Horse Strategies?) that we all hope to forget soon, Hans Lehmann chairs our Zoning Board of Adjustment. As such it is inappropriate for him to openly criticize the council, to whom the board reports. He should be removed for this behavior even though his term, according to the village website, officially ends on June 30, 2019.

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Reader says Councilman Voigt Wednesday’s support, from members of the last council’s entourage, to keep the FAC intact sends nothing but mistrust and red flags

Jeff Voigt Ridgewood

Jeff… In your prepared statement Wednesday you stated the residents had a problem trusting the past council but shouldn’t with you because your motives are to work hard for the village. You state that the residents have a right to know if something doesn’t seem right, in your opinion you felt the Mayor’s insertion in your committee was a violation and worthy of public debate.

Cut the shit! I’m not sure why you don’t like her but I know you don’t. You have to work with her for the sake of THE VILLAGE (remember?) and your angry behavior towards her is not rational and makes you look unstable. Your actions have broken resident’s trust in you because you have demonstrated such a vile response that appears to be very personal and certainly should not be for public display. This FAC episode seemed to be your “gotcha” you were looking for to go after her. You were legally advised there was no merit in your claims. Wednesday’s support, from members of the last council’s entourage, to keep the FAC intact sends nothing but mistrust and red flags. It seems clear to me you orchestrated this pony show – a page from the last council’s playbook – we DON’T trust you or the FAC now.

You have demonstrated nothing to gain resident’s trust by your actions and angry attacks. My advice to you would be to suck it up and offer an apology, publicly, to the mayor and the other council members and redirect your energy to fulfilling your campaign promises of working for the residents for the betterment of the village. Put your personal feelings aside. Stop conspiring, plotting and playing politics, we are all to savvy to put up with this BS. Figure out how to cooperate with your council members, respectfully, and stop the divisive, petulant behavior.

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PSE&G Starting Major Work in Ridgewood January 16th

PSEG

file photo by Boyd Loving

PSEG – CONSTRUCTION NOTICE RIDGEWOOD UNDERGROUND

January 6, 2017

Dear Valued Customer:

This is to notify you that PSE&G will be starting underground construction on the PSE&G and public rights of way in your area. This construction is part of our upgrade initiative to ensure reliable electric service in the Village of Ridgewood, as well as surrounding communities.

Underground construction activities will begin on or about Monday January 16th, 2017, from approximately 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Construction activities include the installation of manholes and underground pipe. This work is expected to be complete in April 2017, weather permitting.

Our work locations are expected in the following locations:

South Broad Street between Passaic Street and East Ridgewood Avenue

North Broad Street between East Ridgewood Avenue and Franklin Avenue

Franklin Avenue between North Broad Street and Chestnut Street

Franklin Avenue and Walnut Street Intersection

Safety is our primary concern. PSE&G will work with the Village of Ridgewood Police Department to minimize any traffic concerns or inconvenience to the public. At this time, we expect to have alternating traffic and/or detours near the locations listed above. During construction, please refrain from going near our construction work zones.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this work may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our toll free number at 1-877-678-5784.

Sincerely,

Andrew Wesley

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RECALL COUNCILMAN JEFF VOIGT!!!

Jeff Voigt Ridgewood Council
January 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Councilman Voigt is quickly becoming the most disliked man in Ridgewood. Through social media we learned, on top of everything else, that Voigt also tried to circumvent the public meeting process. One by one, his malicious plans are backfiring and blowing up in his face. The real Jeff Voigt is being exposed. Residents are turning up at public meetings and on social media to express their disappointment and
say, “ENOUGH! VOIGT RESIGN OR BE RECALLED.”

Facebook Post, on 1/4, “It Takes a Ridgewood Village.”

ALL RESIDENTS: Last night was a very sad moment for Ridgewood. Our elected official is not what we expected. Amongst many things, we learned the reason why Councilman Voigt was asking members of the public to meet in private. It’s down right shameful! I was also asked to meet in private but refused (see below). I couldn’t understand why a Councilman was trying to circumvent a public, transparent dialogue. Now we know.

Read for more details. https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-village-council-meeting-groundhog-day/
Or watch the video and see for yourself. https://youtu.be/brc6pJr6yaQ

 Attachments area
 image1 8

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Reader says In 2016, we thought we were voting for three candidates that, if elected, would produce unanimous votes in favor of whatever was best for Ridgewood and its residents

village Council Elections

 

It was an electoral miracle that Ridgewood residents got their collective back up and soundly rejected the slate of three candidates that openly idolized and were in turn warmly endorsed by Aronsohn, Hauck and Pucciarelli (and, unofficially, by Sonenfeld). When in office from 2014-2016, Aronsohn, Hauck and Pucciarelli always seemed to have some sort of motivation different than what was best for the village as a whole. In 2016, by contrast, we thought we were voting for three candidates that, if elected, would produce in matters of importance a five-to-nothing unanimous vote in favor of whatever was best for Ridgewood and its residents. The last thing we wanted was another council member prone to wigging out and spitefully throwing a monkey wrench into the works every time someone came within a country mile of bumping into their precious little ego. Was it a pipe dream to think we had purged the Village Council of such nonsense? Four-out-of-five good eggs is not bad, but it is a far cry from five-out-of-five. Having one bad egg in a five-person Village Council sets up a situation in which the next municipal election could produce a three-to-two Aronsohn-like tyrannical majority bloc. And in the meantime, having that one bad egg colleague on the Village Council inevitably stresses out the four good-egg Council Members, precisely because they are good eggs! We desperately need the latter to remain in office, rather than quit in frustration. And clearly, we need to do whatever we can do to encourage them to run for re-election.

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Unprincipled Attacks on Ridgewood Mayor Are Nothing but an Attempt To Waste Councils Time

village Council

Dear Mayor, Council Members, Village Manager and Village Attorney,  

Last night’s meeting was upsetting to watch but also violated many aspects of Roberts Rules of Order.  The purpose of these guidelines is to provide ” for fair and orderly meetings and conventions”. A point of order can be used amongst many other things to call attention to” infraction of the rules or improper decorum in speaking”. 
The Mayor had to listen to old charges of supposed misconduct by members of the public as well as a council member.  She had every right to defend herself and to ask the village attorney to state the chain of events and facts. To have a point of order called in the middle of Ms. Knudsen’s response to Mr. Lehman which on his part was an  attack ( speaking directly to a council member in a personal and accusatory manner and also not allowed) seemed an attempt to silence and/or curtail the mayor’s right to speak on her behalf. Fortunately, she was not silenced.  
I would also like to add that according to Roberts Rules ” the agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations” and liaisons to committees are to report back to the governing body and do not have independent powers.  
Mr. Voigt’s continued stance that the mayor had done something illegal after this allegation was addressed by Mr. Rogers back in November has taken away from all the positives that have been accomplished by the current council. I don’t understand it but I do know it is not in the town’s best interest and it is not the way to treat a colleague.  
Sincerely, Linda McNamara
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Snow To Impact the Friday Morning Rush Hour

Ridgewood_snow_storm_theridgewoodblog

 

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE : THURSDAY JANUARY 5TH to FRIDAY MORNING JANUARY 6th.THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHERN
CONNECTICUT…NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST NEW YORK.

.DAY ONE…THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

UP TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT, WITH A POSSIBLE
IMPACT TO THE FRIDAY MORNING COMMUTE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME THAT WOULD MEET
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WARNING CRITERIA.

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL
WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER EVENTS THAT MAY REACH NWS WARNING
CRITERIA. MOST LONG FUSED NWS WATCHES…WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES IN
EFFECT ARE HIGHLIGHTED.

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Girls Lacrosse Coach Karla Mixon received the William Corcoran Service to Youth Award at the 51st Annual Greater Bergen County YMCA Sports Award Banquet

Girls Lacrosse Coach Karla Mixon

January 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Girls Lacrosse Coach Karla Mixon received the William Corcoran Service to Youth Award at the 51st Annual Greater Bergen County YMCA Sports Award Banquet held in November.  Karla is pictured here with YMCA CEO Glenn MacAfee. Karla teaches science at BFMS.

If the her name sounds familiar Ridgewood girls lacrosse was named state Team of the Year and Karla Mixon was named state Coach of the Year for 2011 by the Star-Ledger.

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Bergen Record posts a misleading article on the Ridgewood Board of Education

BOE_theridgewoodblog

January 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Bergen Record posts a misleading article on the Ridgewood Board of Education. The article claims in the article, New year, new leadership on Ridgewood BOE https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2017/01/03/new-year-new-leadership-ridgewood-boe/96111336/, The puff piece claims , “The new year brought significant change to the Ridgewood Board of Education.” , significant changes when board members run unopposed and have run unopposed for several terms. Does anyone remember a Ridgewood BOE without Shiela Brogan? While this is not to pass judgment on the quality or competence of the Ridgewood BOE members there clearly is NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE in the Ridgewood BOE nor has there been for years.

According to the BOE eblast , James A. Morgan and Jeanette S. Wilson were sworn in as Board members and Vincent Loncto was nominated and elected Board President. James Morgan and Jennie Smith Wilson were nominated for Vice President; James Morgan was elected.

The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be aired live on television, FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77, and streamed via the “Link in Live” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Meeting webcasts are generally posted to the district website within 48 hours.