Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Memorial Day Ceremony, Ridgewood
May 25,2015
Boyd A. Loving
12:41 PM
Ridgewood NJ, American Legion Post 53 conducted a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 25th 2015 . It took place at 11 am in Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Ridgewood.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
more photos https://www.facebook.com/theridgewoodblog
Roads Closed Due to Memorial day Run
Ridgewood NJ, Various roads on the East Side of Ridgewood will be closed starting at 7:30am for the Memorial Day run. Main roads including Linwood Ave E.Ridgewood ave E.Glen Ave and Franklin Turnpike will be affected. If your planing to travel through town plan an alternate route to avoid delays.
MAY 22, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Don’t make Ridgewood a city
To the Editor:
The Record ran an article on Tuesday detailing applications by two developers in Ho-Ho-Kus to construct new multifamily buildings with unit counts and densities much lower than the proposals here in Ridgewood.
A developer for the 2.12-acre site that currently houses Granny’s Attic on Maple Avenue is pitching 27 one- and two-bedroom apartments along with retail and office space, in a three-story building. This helps maintain the commercial character of Ho-Ho-Kus’ downtown area, while also providing a reasonable and responsible number of new apartments, including some affordable units. Looking at the apartments alone, the multifamily component density is 12.74 units per acre.
Another developer is looking to build 45 townhomes there on 3.66 acres, a density of 12.3 units per acre. I recognize that there are some differences between these proposals and Ridgewood’s, but what does stand out is that commercial, for-profit developers are proposing construction at densities much lower than those they are demanding here.
For the past few years, Ridgewood residents have been hearing from Ridgewood developers, our own village planner, and some members of the Planning Board, that much higher densities are required to incentivize the building of some new housing units downtown. The Ho-Ho-Kus proposals, in a borough very similar to Ridgewood, show that these excessive densities are not required. They are just the product of a desire for improving their property values and profits. But greed is not always good.
To date, Ridgewood’s planner has never given any studied and proper reasoning as to why we need to have densities of, first 50 apartment per acre, and now an amended 30-35 per acre (which is still too high). All we know is that 50 was declared the max and 35 is a number acceptable to some developers. But this is unacceptable planning for Ridgewood.
At the last board meeting, I asked our planner what financial due diligence was done to determine that Ridgewood’s developers needed this high density to make enough of a profit to spur development. I inquired what property purchase prices, what income and expenses and what cap rate of return were used in his pro-forma that says 30-35 is now the number. He admitted he had not done any such study, but came to the higher numbers because the Brogan site developer complained that an earlier determination of 25 per acre wasn’t enough for them. So, the current densities are based on a developer complaint.
That’s not good planning.
Many residents, along with Citizens for a Better Ridgewood, a group promoting smart and fair development in Ridgewood, are advocating for building new housing, but at densities more fitting for our village. If we cannot have the benefit of proper analysis to determine correct densities, we should go with what we know works here. Either keep the master plan the same at 12 per acre, or, if we want to incentivize development, raise it to 18-25/acre, the current average that exists throughout Ridgewood.
Don’t make Ridgewood a city. It’s a village.
Dave Slomin
Ridgewood
photo by Boyd Loving
LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Touch-A-Truck puts smiles on faces
To the Editor:
My 22-month-old grandson was absolutely thrilled each and every time he got to climb aboard the different vehicles stationed at last week’s Touch-A-Truck event held at Van Neste Square. And in addition to his excitement over all of the shiny vehicles, he was mesmerized by the truck related stories that were read during the Ridgewood Public Library’s Special Truck Storytime, which was held right at the event site.
Needless to say, my wife and I had as much fun watching him (if not more) as he did actively participating in the event itself.
Clearly, Touch-A-Truck would not have been possible without the employees who volunteer to staff it, nor without approval of Village Council members. So, I offer a big thank you to all of the men and women who put smiles on our family’s faces that day by being there with smiles on their faces, and thanks also to the members of our Village Council who agreed to fund this very special day.
Hopefully, a 2016 Touch-A-Truck event is in the planning stages already.
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood
file photo by Boyd Loving
2015 Ridgewood Budget Presentation – Hearing May 27th
Budget Presentation at Introduction of the 2015 Budget on April 22, 2015
Click Here
For the Official State Budget Document
Click Here
The Budget Hearing will be held May 27 at 7:30pm in the Village Hall Court Room. The Village Council will vote on the budget at the end of the hearing.
The Fred d’Elia Memorial Day Ridgewood Run, organized by North Jersey Masters, will take place on Monday, May 25. The race has been taking place in Ridgewood for 39 years and the 40th will have a few changes and special guests.
Founded in 1976 by the late Fred d’Elia and his wife, world-renown marathoner Toshiko, North Jersey Masters is the largest running club in Bergen County and one of the largest running clubs in New Jersey. Many Ridgewood residents belong to the club.
At last year’s race, a memorial was given in honor of Toshiko d’Elia, who passed away last February.
This year, her daughter Erica Diestel of Allendale will once again walk the course with family members and friends of “Toshi.
May 18, 2015
Ridgewood, N.J., Kings Food Markets (Kings) is excited to bring back its exclusive 24 Hour Just Picked Promise this summer, beginning on Friday, May 22. The program is designed to bring Kings’ customers locally grown, farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs within 24 hours of being picked – giving shoppers the benefits of a local farm stand in the convenience of their neighborhood food markets.
“Each summer, we look forward to bringing the Just Picked Promise Program to our customers,” said Judy Spires, president and CEO of Kings Food Markets. “This exclusive program allows us to deliver the freshest produce available from our shoppers’ local community. As soon as customers see the Just Picked Promise seal, they know they are purchasing high quality products just like what they find at their local produce stand.”
Kings works with a network of more than 25 regional farmers – in towns such as Vineland, Mullica Township, Swedesboro, Landisville, Buena, Hammonton, Newfield, Medford, New Lisbon and Millmay, NJ – to deliver all of its Just Picked produce fresh to Kings stores within 24 hours of being hand-picked. Local farmers supplying the program select only the freshest, seasonal products in the morning, and through an expedited distribution process, they are delivered to Kings’ stores and prepared for sale the next day. The program is unique to Kings and was developed in partnership with Massachusetts-based Red Tomato, a non-profit organization committed to better connecting farmers and consumers.
“Freshness equals time,” said Paul Kneeland, vice president of Produce, Meat, Seafood and Floral for Kings Food Markets. “That’s why we are so proud to bring back our 24 hour Just Picked Promise. Our growers are committed to bringing the freshest, highest quality local produce to our stores every delivery.”
Kings customers looking to support local farmers and buy the freshest produce available can look for the 24 Hour Just Picked Promise seal in Kings’ stores. The items available at each store will vary daily; although, customers can expect to find such summer staples as arugula, basil, cilantro, lettuce, squash, mint, blueberries, cucumbers, kale and tomatoes with the Just Picked Promise. For the latest updates on which Just Picked products are available or for weekly recipes, customers can visit Kings’ website (www.kingsfoodmarkets.com), follow Kings on Twitter (@KingsFoodMkts) – using the hashtag #KingsJustPicked – or like Kings on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kingsfoodmarkets).
The program will run in Kings stores Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
file photo of Bernie Madoff
MAY 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015, 1:19 PM
BY HUGH R. MORLEY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Eric Lipkin was five years old when he met Bernie Madoff at his financial services firm.
He was a student and a track star at Paramus High School when he started doing company clerical work for his father, Irwin, who worked for Madoff. And by the time Eric Lipkin joined the company himself, right out of high school in 1991, he had developed a “reverence” for Madoff.
So said Lipkin’s attorney in U.S. District Court in Manhattan Wednesday, where he sought to explain why his client, a Ridgewood resident, participated in Madoff’s massive Ponzi scheme, preparing documents that he knew were fraudulent.
“One of the things that made him attractive to Madoff was he was very dependable, and he follows orders,” attorney James Kieran Filan told the court.
Filan offered the explanation at a 90-minute hearing, before a federal judge sentenced Lipkin, 41, to nine months home detention and 200 hours of community service for is role in the $17 billion scheme, to which he pleaded guilty in 2011. Lipkin also agreed in court to forfeit $1.4 million.
Judge Laura Taylor Swain said she was swayed to give a much lighter sentence than federal guidelines suggested because of Lipkin’s role, as described by prosecutors, in helping the government build a case against others involved in the Madoff scheme, and the help he gave the trustee pursuing funds from Madoff’s firm, Bernard L, Madoff Securities, to compensate the scheme’s victims. Lipkin faced a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison.
On Tuesday, former Madoff controller Enrica Cotellessa-Pitz, who has also cooperated with prosecutors, received a similar sentence.
“There is no question that Mr. Lipkin engaged in serious, gravely wrongful conduct, and did so knowingly in material respects,” Swain said, adding that the scheme “shattered dreams and changed lives forever.”
Still, she added, “he has been humbled by what has happened and the court is convinced that his remorse is genuine.”
file photo Boyd Loving
MAY 20, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015, 9:49 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Scheduled for removal by the end of this month, the temporary cell tower fixed near a Route 17 gasoline station has received, at most, another year of life.
Ridgewood zoning board members, at their May 12 meeting, granted AT&T’s request to extend the terms of a previous resolution permitting the installation and operation of a temporary cell tower on wheels (COW) at the Exxon Mobil facility along the state highway. The resolution, which was given a five-month extension in January, now expires May 31, 2016.
Prior testimony by AT&T representatives claimed the need for a cellular facility in that location to offer seamless coverage of newer technology, namely 4G and LTE networks, as required by the Federal Communications Commission. In its current state, the firm’s adjacent 120-foot tall permanent monopole cannot accommodate equipment needed to provide the mandated coverage, thus the installation of the COW.
AT&T, operating under its Cingular Wireless brand, filed an application earlier this year seeking zoning board permission to begin monopole upgrades, which would include the replacement of three antennas and the installation of three new ones. Judy Fairweather, attorney for AT&T, noted in January that the COW would be in place while the company and Board of Adjustment reviewed the merits of the monopole improvements.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/temporary-tower-extended-1.1338489
MAY 19, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015, 10:00 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood Board of Education members voted at a May 4 meeting to keep a treasurer of school monies on the district’s books and leave the post open until a qualified candidate is hired.
The position comes with a 2015-16 pay rate of $5,000, a salary amount that remains unchanged from the current year.
The board’s decision, settled by a 4-1 vote, comes on the heels of a recent financial supervision breakdown that essentially led to the theft of nearly $1 million in parking meter coins from the Village of Ridgewood.
“We’re all mindful that our village suffered an incident … we all want to have proper oversight,” said BOE Vice President Vince Loncto.
May 19,2015
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the following Boards and Committees: Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, The Ridgewood Community Center Advisory Board, The Financial Advisory Committee, and The Ridgewood Arts Council.
The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears variance applications and appeals from rulings and determinations arising from the enforcement of Village zoning ordinances.
The Ridgewood Arts Council will assist in the promotion of and encourage artistic and cultural programs and will provide for educational opportunities in the areas of art and culture. The Ridgewood Arts Council will also provide advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Village Council, as needed.
MAY 18, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015, 10:55 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The public hearing on Verizon Wireless’ application to install cellular communications equipment atop the cross at West Side Presbyterian Church will reopen in June, a decision that comes more than a month after the hearing was closed.
A request to return to a public hearing was made at a May 12 Board of Adjustment meeting by Verizon’s attorney, Warren Stilwell, who informed board members he “needed to notice a request of a prior condition.”
“We became aware of a prior resolution of the board that contained a condition that essentially didn’t allow renting the premise to outside entities,” said Stilwell.
The board had previously adopted a resolution for a prior church application that, among other conditions, prohibited it from renting space to others, such as telecom companies, zoning board secretary Tony Merlino told The Ridgewood News.
Merlino said Verizon officials discovered the resolution on Monday.
As a result, Verizon is required to re-advertise its application to include the existing restrictions placed on the church.
Verizon is seeking a use variance, minor site plan approval and other waivers from the zoning board for its project at the church, which calls for the installation of a cellular antenna with stealth screening, which measure roughly 2-feet wide.
If built, the antenna would bring the total church building height to 68.5 feet where 30 feet is allowed by Ridgewood zoning laws. Currently, the building stands at 65.5 feet when measured to the top of the cross.
A use variance is needed for the antenna, which is not permitted in the residentially-zoned church.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/cell-antenna-hearing-reopens-1.1337017
GRAYDON POOL RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS
Village priced memberships are available to Ridgewood residents, non-residents who pay local property taxes to the Village of Ridgewood, and employees of the Village of Ridgewood and Board of Education. Proof is required.
ADULT – $120.00.
CHILD – (ages 2-15, under 2 free) $110.00.
SENIOR – $30.00 (62 and older).
PERMANENT DISABLED – $30.00
DAILY GUEST PASS – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00
NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS The Village Council and the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to invite all families in the surrounding area to join the Graydon Pool facility for the 2015 summer season.
ADULT – $200.00
CHILD (Ages 2-15) – $175.00
GUEST PASSES – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00
POOL AMENITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Pool features include a shaded playground, water play fountains, shade kites, Adirondack chairs, a picnic area with charcoal grills, a sheltered pavilion, and the Water’s Edge Cafe. Additional amenities include volleyball, basketball, ping-pong, shuffleboard, four-squares, hop-scotch, backgammon, a lending library and for the little ones, “Storytime Under a Tree”.
Swim instruction is offered for children and adults along with an adaptive swim class. Patron youth (ages 8-14) may also join the competitive Graydon Swim Team sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
AQUATICS – INSTRUCTIONAL, COMPETITIVE AND RECREATIONAL
Instructional swim courses will be offered to seasonal members of all ages – from parent and toddler to youth levels, to adult instruction. An Adaptive Aquatics for Special Needs Children, Introduction to Diving and Intermediate Diving will also be offered. Adults can enjoy Swim Fitness, Water Aerobics, SUP Yoga and Beach Yoga.
Graydon Swim Team will continue the tradition of success for youth ages 8 and up (must pass deep water test to participate). Please check back for the Swim Team Parent Manual.
2015 SEASON
Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, August 16
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
July 4th – Holiday hours, 10 am to 4 pm
Late Season – Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 30th
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, 12 noon to 7:30 pm
POOL CLOSED – Monday, August 31 through Friday, September 4
Labor Day Weekend – Saturday, Sept 5 through Monday, Sept 7
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
CONTACTS
Pool Manager’s Office – 201-670-3376 (in season)
Badge Office – 201-670-5566 (in season only)
Recreation Office at The Stable- 201-670-5560
Graydon Pool Rules and Regulations – General Public
Graydon Pool Deep Water Test Requirements
RESIDENT TENNIS BADGES
ADULT – $35.00
CHILD – $30.00
DAILY PASS – $5.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00
Information – Tennis Badges/Court Locations/Rules
Badges may be purchased from the comfort of home on Community Pass. (Visa and Mastercard accepted).
MAY 15, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
SALUTE to Women in the Arts is presenting “World of Paper,” an exhibition by 22 members at the gallery at the West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. The exhibition includes: painting, drawing, printmaking, paper constructions, collage, artist-made books, photography and computer-generated art on paper. Artists were challenged to use paper in interesting ways and have created works of differing subject matter using their individual approaches to make art that is exciting.
“Mother Teresa” by In Son”Across the Hudson” by Harriet Sobie Goldstein”Stonington” collagraph by Robin Fruchter”The Snook” by Nancy Atkins Peck”Monhegan grass” by Pauline Chernichaw
“This exhibit is an example of the high caliber of artwork created by our members,” said Harriet Sobie Goldstein, acting president of SALUTE.
Begun in New Jersey in 1974, SALUTE to Women in the Arts is a community of practicing artists who are located in Bergen County offering an environment in which artists can meet their peers, share ideas and experiences and make career contacts.
In Son described her watercolor “Mother Teresa” -“I thought about May, Mother’s Day and the show and I thought Mother Teresa would be a great subject.”
Also on display is Pauline Chernichaw’s “Monhegan Grass” an archival print/photograph. “On Monhegan Island in Maine there is the most incredible light reflecting on the grass. You get a summery feeling,” said Chernichaw.
https://www.northjersey.com/towns/salute-to-women-in-the-arts-showcases-paper-1.1335219
MAY 15, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015, 7:49 AM
BY ELISA UNG
THE RECORD
What a delightful way to end a meal: a poached pear, turned burgundy from red wine and resplendent with cinnamon and cloves; a banana bread pudding dripping with caramel sauce; a custardy chocolate cake; a creamy crème brûlée singing notes of citrus.
These sweets at Finca, the new global small-plates restaurant in downtown Ridgewood, were also a much-welcomed surprise, having followed two disappointing dinners chosen from a vast, perhaps too wide-ranging menu.
With 98 seats in its spacious dining room with bare wooden tables and another 30 seats at sidewalk tables, Finca is one of Ridgewood’s most prominently located restaurants, occupying the busy corner of Ridgewood Avenue and Broad Street across from the Ridgewood train station.
https://www.northjersey.com/food-and-dining-news/restaurant-reviews/how-sweet-it-is-1.1335327
20 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
201-444-1199
