Ridgewood NJ, The adult female driver of a Toyota RAV4 SUV was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital following a Thursday afternoon, 6/16, accident in which her vehicle hit a utility pole, crossed over a lane of traffic flowing in the opposite direction, then rolled into a tree before coming to a rest. The incident occurred in front of 678 Grove Street, Ridgewood shortly after 4 PM. The victim reportedly sustained non-life threatening neck and back injuries. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. Ridgewood PD, EMS and FD units responded. A minor crash related fluid spill was attended to by firefighters. The heavily damaged SUV was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
Elderly couple escaped injury when their mini van rolled over in Ridgewood
May 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, An elderly couple escaped injury when their mini van rolled over on its side after colliding with a pickup truck at the intersection of Hope and Gilbert Streets in Ridgewood on Friday morning, 05/27. Ridgewood PD, FD and EMS units responded to the scene. Both the male and female occupants of the vehicle refused to be transported to a hospital. The vehicle was righted and removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck.
Reader asks ,please don’t forget the ACA excise taxes from 2020~…. that’s another 40% on platinum level health benefits like those our teachers, police and fire currently enjoy. They either all need to be downgraded to bronze level health benefits or taxpayers will bear the brunt of the 40% tax on $25,000 family plans, i.e. an additional $10,000 a year per Village and BOE employee with a platinum family plan. Who pays for that?
Ridgewood NJ, On December 18, 2015, Congress passed and the President signed a two-year delay of the 40 percent excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health plans, also known as the “Cadillac Tax.” This delay was part of a year-end government funding package and changes the effective date from 2018 to 2020. While the tax was originally non-tax deductible, the December 2015 changes make it tax deductible for employers who pay it.
No regulations have been issued to date. In February and July 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued notices covering a number of issues concerning the Cadillac Tax, and requested comments on the possible approaches that could ultimately be incorporated into proposed regulations.
What it is/fee duration
Permanent, annual tax beginning in 2020 on high-cost employer-sponsored health coverage.
Purposes
Reduce tax preferred treatment of employer provided health care
Reduce excess health care spending by employees and employers
Help finance the expansion of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Amount
The tax is 40% of the cost of health coverage that exceeds predetermined threshold amounts.
Cost of coverage includes the total contributions paid by both the employer and employees, but not cost-sharing amounts such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays when care is received.
For planning purposes, the thresholds for high-cost plans are currently $10,200 for individual coverage, and $27,500 for family coverage.
These thresholds will be updated before the tax takes effect in 2020 and indexed for inflation in future years.
The thresholds will also be increased:
If the majority of covered employees are engaged in specified high-risk professions such as law enforcement and construction, and
For group demographics including age and gender.
For pre-65 retirees and individuals in high-risk professions, the threshold amounts are currently $11,850 for individual coverage and $30,950 for family coverage. These amounts will also be indexed before the tax takes effect.
Who calculates and pays
Insured: Employers calculate and insurers pay
Self-funded: Employers calculate and “the person who administers the plan benefits” pays
HSAs and Archer MSAs: Employers calculate and employers pay
How a group health plan’s cost is determined
The tax is based on the total cost of each employee’s coverage above the threshold amount.
The cost includes contributions toward the cost of coverage made by employers and employees.
The statute states that costs of coverage will be calculated under rules similar to the rules for calculating COBRA premium.
How the tax will be paid
Forms and instructions for paying the tax are not yet available.
Tax implications
Based on the December 2015 changes, Cadillac Tax payments will be deductible for federal tax purposes.
Applicable types of coverage
Insured and self-insured group health plans (including behavioral, and prescription drug coverage)
Wellness programs that are group health plans (most wellness programs)
Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), employer and employee pre-tax contributions*
Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs)*
Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), all pre-tax contributions*
On-site medical clinics providing more than de minimis care*
Executive Physical Programs*
Pre-tax coverage for a specified disease or illness
Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance
Federal/State/Local government-sponsored plans for its employees
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood Touch A Truck a Major Success
May 13,2016
by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, To the delight of what appeared to be every small child living in Ridgewood, selected Ridgewood EMS, fire, and police personnel (along with about one half dozen of their specialized motor vehicles) participated in the annual Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce “Touch-A-Truck” event on Thursday, 05/12. The event was held in Van Neste Square, the epicenter of RIdgewood’s Central Business District. Several staff members of the Ridgewood Public Library were on hand to conduct a truck related “Story Time” in the park next to the display of Village owned motor vehicles. Ridgewood Councilman Michael Sedon was one of several parent spotted racing from truck to truck during the well attended event.
file photo by Boyd Loving Council Person Mike Sendon pictured
Touch-A-Truck
Thu, May 12, 2016
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E Ridgewood Ave and Oak St
Ridgewood NJ, Treat your kids to a day of hands-on adventure featuring an opportunity to climb on board to explore the trucks that touch our lives. They’ll also have the chance to learn directly from Ridgewood’s emergency and public works helpers about the exciting work they perform every day. There will also be a Safetytown Kiddie-Car Track and a Storytime among the planned interactive activities throughout the park for children of all ages. Don’t miss this great family opportunity to Experience Ridgewood !
photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook Police ,Fire and NJ DEP respond hazardous materials spill in Ridgewood
December 31,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police & Fire Department personnel, along with an inspector from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Enforcement Division, responded to a hazardous materials spill at the STS Tire & Auto Center, 562 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood just after 12:30 PM on Wednesday, 12/30.
The spilled substance, believed to be a chemical used in the sealing of flat tires, escaped from a truck that was picking up used tires at the location. An absorbent substance was applied by firefighters to mitigate the spill. Traffic on North Maple Avenue in the area was slowed by the activity associated with the incident. No injuries were reported.
Driver Loses Control and Knocks out Signal at intersection of Franklin Avenue and Oak Street in Downtown Ridgewood
October 16,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a Subaru Forester was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries following early evening crash in Ridgewood on Friday, 10/16 in which the Subaru mounted a sidewalk and felled a traffic signal at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Oak Street.
Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a minor crash resultant fluid spill and an electrician from the Ridgewood Traffic & Signal Bureau disconnected power and disassembled the downed light assembly. A flatbed tow truck removed the vehicle. No other injuries were reported in the crash. Ridgewood PD, EMS, and Emergency Services also responded to the scene.
Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood police, fire and EMS personnel at the scene of a Friday morning, 08/07, accident involving a pedestrian and motor vehicle. The incident occurred at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Irving Street shortly after 7:30 AM.
The pedestrian sustained very minor injuries and refused transport to a hospital. Police issued a summons to the driver for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Thursday July 30, 2015 a North West Central Bergen Dispatch received a box alarm of fire from the area of Lenox and Ackerman Avenues. Responding officers were unable to locate a fire and the actor who had pulled the alarm had left the scene. A short time later when North West Bergen Central Dispatch received a second alarm in the area of Melrose Place and Godwin Avenue.
Patrolman Jeffrey Kay observed a male actor running from the area. Nycheem P. Gatling (20) of Paterson was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of 2C:33-3a, causing a false public alarm. Mr. Gatling was released pending a first appearance before the Ridgewood Municipal Court.
Ridgewood NJ, Touch-a-Truck 2015 Rolls Into Ridgewood May 14 Join Us for a Day of Imagination & Fun! Imagine taking a seat behind the wheel of a real police cruiser ready to roll, climbing aboard a shiny fire truck as you prepare to battle a blaze, exploring up-close a fleet of the other emergency and public works vehicles you’ve only seen at a distance on the streets of Ridgewood. Treat your children to a day of hands-on adventure, featuring opportunities to climb on board the vehicles that touch their lives, when “Touch-a-Truck 2015” rolls into downtown Ridgewood’s Memorial Park at Van Neste Square on Thursday, May 14 (Rain date: Thursday, Oct. 8) . Ridgewood emergency and public works vehicles will be ready for action along the Oak Street side of the park from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. as the local heroes who serve the Village also will be on hand to share their favorite tales about the exciting work they perform every day. As an added bonus, they’ll be a Safetytown Kiddie-Car Driving Track hosted by the Ridgewood Police Department and Little Ivy Learning Center. . . a special Truck Storytime hosted by the Ridgewood Public Library and more! Touch-a-Truck, a free event co-sponsored by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Ridgewood, is coordinated by Ridgewood’s Little Ivy Learning Center as part of its ongoing commitment to serve our community’s children and their families. We look forward to meeting your family on Touch-a-Truck Day!
BMW takes out utility pole on West Glen Ave in Ridgewood
December 13,2014
Boyd A. Loving
1:38 PM
Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a 4-door BMW sedan was transported to Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus after losing control of her vehicle and crashing it into a utility pole in front of 239 West Glen Avenue, Ridgewood at 11:40 AM on Saturday, 12/13. Ridgewood PD, EMS, FD, and Emergency Services units all responded to the scene. West Glen Avenue remains closed between North Monroe Street and Alpine Terrace due to the downed pole. No loss of electric power was reported in the area.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving 2nd Ridgewood house fire within 90 minutes
November 28th 2014
Boyd A. Loving
6:10 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A fire that began on the second floor of a home located at 19 Liberty Street, Ridgewood, reported at approximately 4:30 PM on Friday, 11/28, was quickly extinguished by Ridgewood fire fighters with the assistance of fire personnel from Glen Rock and Waldwick. The fire may have started in a clothes dryer and spread to clothing left on top of the unit. Flames were visible through a second floor rear window of the home. No injuries were reported. East Ridgewood Avenue was closed between South Irving Street and South Maple Avenue due to hose lines stretched across the roadway. The fire was contained to one room, however smoke and water damage impacted the first floor below and attic above.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Two cats die in Ridgewood house fire
November 28,2014
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Numerous 911 calls were received by Ridgewood FD shortly after 3:00 PM on Friday, 11/28 reporting a basement fire at 303 South Pleasant Avenue. First arriving units observed smoke coming from a second story window and the back door. All occupants of the home and a dog had safely evacuated the home prior to arrival of the fire department. However, two (2) cats were reportedly trapped inside; both succumbed to smoke inhalation despite the valiant efforts of Ridgewood Emergency Service members who performed CPR and administered oxygen. No injuries were sustained by humans. The fire was contained to the basement but there was smoke damage throughout the home. Origin of the fire is under investigation. Glen Rock PD assisted with traffic control. Glen Rock FD, Waldwick FD, Ridgewood EMS, and Ridgewood Emergency Services were all called to the scene. South Pleasant Avenue was closed between Spring Avenue and Grove Street while emergency personnel worked.
Parking Meter Scandal : he could not have acted alone
Readers continue to speculate on parking meter security issues and continue to come up with one resounding conclusion ,he could not have acted alone .
Even a $41 million renovation of the Ridgewood Train station did not change the out dated parking meter system .
While ,Village officials said a forensic accounting firm has been retained to examine how a former employee managed to steal $460,000 in quarters from parking meters.
Although I’m not convinced that all meters would need to be replaced in order to implement a closed container/collection system, I’ll give the Village Manager the benefit of the doubt.
But, at a minimum, they should deep six those open white paint buckets/pickle containers and have all collectors use the carts depicted here:
https://www.pom.com/collectionsystems.htm
Continuing to use those buckets is a huge security risk, for the individual collecting monies (holdup/robbery) and for taxpayers (shrinkage).
It is actually very funny that we can’t afford to secure the Villages’s cash. I’m sure there is a solution out there that costs less than $460,000.
They made a deal and I’m hoping the whole story will come out eventually. Who in the police dept. is/are being protected?
Yet again, taxpayers getting screwed to protect some mob/union crony(ies) in Village Hall and/or the PD. Put in smart meters like NYC and let people use credit cards… how are we doing on Tommy Boy’s restitution ? Is he paying us back every week? The guy is obviously a wise guy, and refused to rat out his minders in Village Hall.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Under Ground Electric Fire Results is Closure of East Ridgewood Ave and Evacuation of Starbucks
Storm Update as of 11:00 PM
Boyd A. Loving
11:06 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A smoky fire in an underground electric vault on East Ridgewood Avenue near Starbucks resulted in the closure of East Ridgewood Avenue between Walnut Street and Cottage Place on Thursday night. PSE&G personnel arrived shortly after 10:30 PM to facilitate repairs.
Ridgewood PD and FD responded. No power outages were reported in the area, but Starbucks was evacuated and closed early due to smoke entering their basement through an underground conduit.
