photos by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Village Council members swore in a new Police Officer James Bigos and presented awards to several current members of the Village’s police force during a Public Meeting of the Village Council held on Wednesday evening, 12/11/2019.
Continue reading Ridgewood Village Council members swears in a new Police Officer
by Steve Kim
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Library had a different, more pragmatic renovation plan prior to 2018. That plan was deemed sufficient to address the future service needs of the Library. In the 2018 library trustee meeting minutes, the architect mentions that plan would cost $5 million. That plan matches the alternate plan mentioned at this year’s meeting at Village Council: $4 million for the library. $1 million was probably for squaring the auditorium, which the alternate plan doesn’t include.
Continue reading 2013 Library user survey results indicated that users care about services.Facilities issues were nearly nonexistent
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, sources tell the Ridgewood blog the a homeless man has moved into the lobby at Village Hall creating a “Health hazard for people visiting town hall”. Reports of an extremely strong smell .
The Ridgewood blog has reported on many instances of homeless in Ridgewood in recent months.
The word seems to be that the police are concerned over law suits ,but many suspect an act of “virtue signaling “.
“What no one talks about but the type of voter who moves into high density has different objectives than one buying a single family home. In Ridgewood we had a mayor who had run twice for Congress and lost twice in part because single family homeowner types didn’t buy off on his program. So once in Ridgewood the push began for high density housing, large garages, bike paths… all things that appeal to the kind of voter who would support him in another run for Congress. Things blew up before he got his wish but the move to making Ridgewood a different kind of community had already gone too far.would be surprised if Teaneck was not similar. “
“They should have installed the Kiosks and increased the rates before approving the garage. Thereby having confidence in having sufficient revenue to pay for the garage. In addition it would have been interesting to see the opposition and the likely reduced parking demand in advance.
Some may actually believe another garage will be built in another section of the CBD. To fund a second garage, meter rates will likely need to be $3+per hour. Too bad only a few nearby restaurants will actually benefit from the Hudson Street garage. “
“If I lived on the neighboring streets, I would be gathering neighbors together to fight this asap. Living near a school requires a person to put up with a number of things, things that you understand before you purchase the home. I am sure none of these people signed up for living within a few hundred feet from a performing arts center. We all know that to keep it running, it will have to be constantly rented out. The traffic through the neighborhood is bad during normal school times and if I lived near there I would not want to add any additional congestion. I hope that people band together to stop this craziness. “
“As a former student of the music program, what people who oppose the PAC aren’t realizing is the massive need for this space. There is currently no quality performance space in Ridgewood High School that could support a full Band, Orchestra or Choir concert. Instead they use the campus center (a converted cafeteria) in the winter and West Side Pres. church in the spring. There is also currently limited rehearsal space which this plan would address. While this project requires a lot of money, this is a critical plan for the RHS music program to continue its level of success as well as staying competitive with other high schools, most of whom have a performing arts center exactly like the one proposed.. “
“The present council is at fault for passing parking garage not knowing the financial facts. Kiosks should have been installed First to see if they indeed were profitable. The current council did not have to pass the garage. I was not for it. They increased the spots at the train station; and could have increased spots at Hudson Lot . They did it carelessly. If it was their own money they would have installed kiosks first to see. They play fast and loose with my tax dollar The present council should personally pay for any shortfall along with the business owners like Damiano and Vagianos who begged for the parking garage. A contract could have been made with the business owners that they would make up any shortfall that kiosks didn’t produce. But no, the council rushed to build on uncertainly. What stupid, ignorant vain people. “
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS DECEMBER 16, 2019
the staff Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the following Boards and Committees: The Planning Board, The Library Board of Trustees, The Historic Preservation Commission, The Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, The Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board, The Open Space Committee, The Project Pride Committee, The Green Ridgewood Committee, The Green Team Advisory Committee, The Shade Tree Commission, and the Stigma-free Task Force.
Continue reading Seeking Ridgewood Residents to Volunteer to Serve on Various Boards and Committees
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in huge win for the Trump administration new federal regulations finalized Nov. 15 require hospitals to make public all the prices they negotiate with insurers and health plans, starting in 2021. The aim is to untangle the hospital marketplace with a wave of consumer-friendly information that will promote competition that leads to lower costs.
Continue reading Trump Scores Big Health Care Win: Hospitals Must Disclose Real Prices Starting in 2021
photo courtesy of the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Holiday memories should always include the furry members of the family! Bring your pets to the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital for a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Donations accepted for pets in need.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital
320 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-447-6000
Information to follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vcaridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Every Saturday come see Santa in his little house in the park.
Continue reading Ridgewood Chamber Annual Santa In The Park
Ridgewood NJ, In 2018, Ridgewood School made a facilities presentation in which the Performing Arts Center concept was added in at the end. Then the location, scale and cost estimates were different. That’s the first diagram.
At the facilities presentation last month, another plan emerged (surprise!). That’s the second diagram. Different locations, and it takes up a big part of the parking lot, and of course, costs more. $30 million is the estimate.
Continue reading Ridgewood Schools Facilities Plan: It’s one man’s ego and the board that is too meek
Steve Kim
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Student/Teacher Ratio has deteriorated over the past decade. Unlikely the trend reverses given all the $ being funneled to random facility projects like back up boilers, HVAC and performing arts center (which in the latest iteration is much bigger and costlier). The admins are not focusing on the right things… like education, teachers and teaching quality. (hello?)
Continue reading Tale of Two Cities…
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Is possible that Ridgewood services will have to be cut, or taxes be raised to pay for the garage. The Village Councils’ former financial projections were erroneous, it turns out. They are shocked that they made such a glaring error.
The council is not certain that raising rates to $1.25 an hour would deter people from parking in Ridgewood. They are considering three different options for raising rates; in some places 75 cents an hour and $1.25 in other places.
Continue reading Ridgewood Could face Staff and or Service Cuts to Fund Hudson Garage
