>Russ Titus has resigned as Interim Superintendent (leaving in September)? So, now we’re out scouting for an Interim Superintendent AND a Superintendent to eventually replace that Interim Superintendent. Also, heard a rumor that Brian Bolger (Ridgewood Schools Director of Human Resources) is looking elsewhere for a job … that means that we are out looking to replace the two top positions in our school district..yikes!
Tag: Ridgewood NJ
>The fly on the wall has learned……
>that a former Village employee dismissed for barrowing equipment and not returning is now suing the Village to get his old job back in order to gain greater retirement benefits.
>Lawmaker targets school activity fees
>Lawmaker targets school activity fees
Courier-Post 8/15/06
A bill introduced by Rep. John Burzichelli, D-Paulsboro, would prohibit school districts from charging students an extra fee to participate in sports and other after-school activities.
Four school districts collect or plan to collect a fee: Haddonfield, Ridgewood in Bergen County, and East Brunswick and Washington Township in Mercer County, Burzichelli said.
The Haddonfield School District charges a flat-rate activity fee of $100.
School districts should try to find ways to eliminate wasteful spending before considering the assessment of participation fees, Burzichelli said.His bill was referred to the Assembly Education Committee.Published: August 15. 2006 3:10AM
Readers Speak out…
Mark,
We are a very high tax Village and County. Yet, sadly, we find ourselves in the company of only 3 other districts that could not restrain themselves from adding just another school “tax.” One wonders how districts like Glen Rock, Midland Park, Allendale, et al manage NOT to do this. Perhaps they are adept at management and leadership, skills we are still learning. I know how tempting and easy it must be to just keep sticking it to the silent majority, while continuing to view us as the pliable public. BTW, what specifically are Ridgewood’s fees for and how much do they total? Thank you,Frances
>Just a reminder…..
>$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006
Ridgewood to Start Revaluation The Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.
>Notes on the Village Budget
>Emergency appropriations introduced subsequent to presentation of the 2006
Village of Ridgewood Municipal Budget:
$42,000 – Preparation of Recreational Master Plan
$66,000 – Planning Board Overspend (unanticipated legal fees) $585,000 – Tax Revaluation Services
Total: $693,000
as of 8/9/06
>The Ridgewood Planning Board is projected to exceed its 2006 budget by 109%
>The Ridgewood Planning Board is projected to exceed its 2006 budget by 109%, primarily due to unanticipated legal expenses submitted by Planning Board Attorney Gail L. Price. The Planning Board blew its 2005 budget by a mere 10.4% (still unacceptable).
Hopefully, whatever disease the Planning Board has doesn’t spread within Village Hall.
>the Fly On the Wall ….
>Has noticed that the field at Ben Franklin Middle School was being watered last night in violation of the stage 2 water restrictions ,…..no watering on mondays folks!
Mayor David T. Pfund and the Village council have decided against endorsing the design proposals submitted by NJ Transit for the Train Station
During the 8/9/06 Village Council Public Meeting, Mayor David T. Pfund
announced that Council members have now decided NOT to endorse any of the
design proposals submitted by NJ Transit for a proposed ADA compliant
renovation of Ridgewood’s train station.
In his public statement, Mayor Pfund cited the following concerns relative
to the three potential design schemes: 1) emergency access to the westbound
platform, 2) the proposed station’s proximity to existing senior citizen
housing, 3) potential changes in motor vehicle traffic patterns in the
vicinity of Ridge Road, and 4) increased walking distances for commuters.
So, it would seem as though we’re back to square one again. Only time will
tell if NJ Transit gets annoyed enough to take legal action.
>the lazy ,hazy hot days of summer
>
https://artchickphotos.com/
Highlights from 8/3/06 Village Council Work Session:
>The subject of creating a redevelopment district to facilitate rapid construction of a parking garage again surfaced. Council members seem intent on finding a legal method of distancing themselves from the word “condemnation.” Block 3806 (Oak/Walnut between Franklin & Maple) is the targeted redevelopment district
Although in agreement that NJ Transit’s plans for a $27 million ADA upgrade to Ridgewood’s train station make no fiscal sense whatsoever, Council members agreed that conceptual plan number three would be the lesser of three evils. An appropriate resolution is being drafted and will be forwarded to NJ Transit.
To appease taxpayers living near Linwood Avenue and Sollas Court, Council members agreed to formally request the County of Bergen not to bring their planned bike path extension onto Village of Ridgewood owned property north of the Wild Duck Pond area.
It was revealed that the Planning Board is estimated to overspend their 2006 budget allocation by $66K. Council members were less than amused at the news that legal & other professional services fees exceed plan. Note: Mayor Pfund and Councilwoman Ringler-Shagin sit on the Planning Board but seemed surprised by the news also. Duh?
Plans to expand the Village Hall parking lot by 13 spaces were approved. The additional parking area will be located near the northeast corner of the building.
Council Members grilled Building Department Director Tony Merlino for over 45 minutes regarding his progress, or lack thereof, in implanting recommendations made last year by an external auditor. Clearly, those on the dais were not happy with Mr. Merlino’s progress report.
The Village’s Health, Building, and Tax departments will be folded into a new “Department of Community Services.” A Director is will be recruited (most likely from within).
Plans to discontinue use of a water meter reading system based on use of telephone lines were approved. Replacement water meters will be read using a two way radio system.
A revised commercial filming ordinance will be introduced.
The 2007 Village Calendar theme will center around famous people from Ridgewood. “Pioneering Women” was originally suggested as a theme; it died a quick death at the suggestion of Councilwoman Kim Ringler-Shagin.
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>Update: the fly on the wall
>The fly on the wall has learned that another village employee got into a bit of a tiff with another motorist and did some serious damage to themselves and the other car….
Rumors continue to fly that the story has been suppressed by higher powers and the county paper has dropped the ball, let’s see when the editor at large returns from her vacation will she be willing to put it on the line at the local level….
>Garage Sale’s for Saturday July 29th
>Garage Sale at 54 Washington Place 8am to 2pm Saturday July 29,2006 ,Nikon Cool Pix Camera,Marrantz receiver 2215b,Gate Way Computer with Monitor and key board, glassware ,octagon wood coffee table , chairs ,binoculars, Movodo watch , an official Jetzen Jacket and much more …….NO EARLY BIRDS PLEASE
Just around the Corner
>$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.
Ridgewood to Start RevaluationThe Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.
>Sports Emergency?
>How could Mayor Pfund, Deputy Mayor Wiest, and Councilmen Harlow and Mancuso have possibly classified the need to complete a study of recreational fields as an emergency, and accordingly have voted yes to authorize a “Special Emergency Appropriation” in the amount of $42K to hire an external consultant for such a study? What is the big emergency? We’re talking about sports here. Do they really think the public is gullible enough to buy such an argument? A sports related emergency? How absurd!
Regardless of Village Attorney Matt Roger’s opinion, the legality of such an action based on existing NJ Municipal Funding Laws is clearly in question. In light of opposing comments voiced by a taxpayer at the ordinance’s Public Hearing, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate, and respectful of the taxpayer, to have requested a ruling from Trenton prior to the Mayor’s call for a vote? Oops, I forgot; they had an emergency at hand; no time for such a consultation. Excuse us.
Undoubtedly, one of the first official actions undertaken by Mayor Pfund’s recently reorganized Council was highly suspect, to say the least, in nature. Hopefully, their consultant’s report (which is hopefully made available for public review) will be worth every penny of the $42K in tax dollars Mayor Pfund personally signed off on.
