Tag: Ridgewood NJ

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>Back to Basics: Part One Getting it together

>Ok so the last couple of years have had a lot of ups and downs and now you’re looking for ways to get your financial house in order.First it is important to understand that you’re not going to fix something in a week that you have gotten your self into over years. Once you except that this is a process that’s like going to the gym and is going to take regular effort on your part.

First its important to know where you are so take an inventory of all your Assets and Liabilities another words figure out what you owe (bills and debts) and what you own (property ,stocks ,bonds and so on) .It is very important to figure out exactly what you owe and what your monthly payments are . Next you need to figure out a budget, a real budget .Not an “about” budget. If you have not set up an emergency fund of at least $1000 you need to get this set up and tosses in savings ASAP. Most people need anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months of money to pay bills in reserve (savings accounts) .

Most of you need to start out by paying off all your credit cards and miscellaneous debt ,paying off your smallest debt to your largest .Once you pay down one you take all the money your using to pay down that debt and add it to the next creating a snow ball effect. While you’re doing this if it available you should be maximizing out your 401K options many companies offer matching contributions, this is a painless way to increase your savings. For most people it takes any were from 18 months to 2 years to make this happen.

Too be continued……

James Foytlin
Investment Representative to the Stars
(201)652-3003

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>Events around the Village ….

>Ridgewood Fall Art & Craft Street Festival Dates: 09/17 https://www.CraftLister.com/events/details.php?EventNumber=1017348

The 13th Annual Fall Car Show sponsored by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will take place on Friday September 8th from 6 – 9 pm

$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.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

>Contrary to information contained in a recent Ridgewood News front page…..

>… the NJDEP permitted level of chlorine currently being used at
Graydon Pool, .1 ppm, will not control bacteria. That is, the amount of
chlorine permitted by law in natural bottom swimming ponds will not
disinfect contaminated water.

Chlorine concentrations in the .1 ppm range will only control algae.
Typically, levels of 1 ppm to 4 ppm are necessary for disinfection purposes.
At Graydon, one-tenth of the amount necessary for disinfection purposes is
routinely being deployed (in accordance with established regulations).
So the nagging question remains, do you think the water at Graydon is safe
for swimming? Has the time come to shut down Graydon and build an all
season cement bottom pool?

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>The fly on the wall has learned that….

>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!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>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

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>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.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>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.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

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.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

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.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

>Let me Show You how to take Advantage of the Flat Yield Curve

>yield curve.1 3Month CD’s Yielding over 5% Call me today for a quote

Unlike a Certificate of Deposit that is bought directly from a bank; a brokered CD is sold by stock brokers (and others). And unlike a bank-bought CD, a brokered CD is marketable on a secondary market. It is FDIC insured up to $100,000 and it is often marketed as a suitable alternative to Treasury issues.
Because these are marketable securities it is important to go farther than yield; another words don’t just be a yield hog.
1. Remember like other fixed income investments if interest rates go up, the market value of these securities may go down. That is elementary to anyone who has ever been interested in fixed-income investments.
2. Check the rating of the bank. Stick with higher quality banks.
3. Check the value of a similar issue on the secondary market. Higher rated Bank’s CD’s trade stronger and lower rated banks trade weaker. That means that if you want to sell the CD before its maturity, which you can, CD’s from Banks that have lower ratings often trade below what they were bought at. This could create a loss for the investor.
4. Check the secondary market, as an alternative to new issues, if the secondary-market value is less than par. That may result in a good deal for you. For instance, an issue with a coupon rate of 4.15%, if it sells on the secondary market for 93.5, will yield 4.98%.
5. Remember as a broker I have hundreds of Bank CD’s to chose, from 1 month to 10 years so it is very important for the prospective buyer to as forth coming and truthful about their needs as possible so that the best alternative can be found.
Call me for a Quote CD Today,

James J. Foytlin Jr.
1(201)652-3003

Posted on by — 1 Comment

>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….